Downpours devastate Peru

LIMA, Peru - Muddy water spilled onto streets and into homes on Thursday in a new round of unusually heavy rains that has killed at least a dozen people in Peru and now threatens flooding in the capital.

Dutch PM Rutte's victory over populism hailed as boost for Sino-EU relations

The victory of the Dutch prime minister over his far-right challenger Geert Wilders will help the unity of the European Union and also bolster Sino-EU relations, according to commentators.

Court rules Japanese govt, TEPCO liable for Fukushima disaster

TOKYO - A Japanese court on Friday ruled for the first time that the government bears responsibility for the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and ordered it and the plant operator to pay damages, officials and news reports said.

IN BRIEF (Page 10)

Exhibition captures vision of Soviet era

LONDON - The utopian vision for a redeveloped Moscow 100 years ago is the focus of an exhibition which opened on Wednesday at London's Design Museum.

Long journey home for drug mules in Peru

LIMA, PERU - Patricia Calvino has marked every day spent in a Peruvian prison on drug charges since 2013 with a cross through a calendar, a sobering reminder of how long she has spent away from her daughter in Spain.

New Zealand river declared 'legal person'

WELLINGTON - A New Zealand river revered by Maori has been recognized by parliament as a "legal person", in a move believed to be a world first.

Broadway 9/11 musical draws ovation from Trudeau, Trump

NEW YORK - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau along with first daughter Ivanka Trump as a guest welcomed a new musical that celebrates Canadian compassion and openness to international travelers following the Sept 11 attacks.

Prince to make poignant Paris visit

PARIS - Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate will pay an official visit to Paris on Friday and Saturday, months before the 20th anniversary of the death of William's mother Diana in a car crash in the French capital.

Wild side of conservation in Namibia

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA - Seven years ago, Zatrick Mbanga, a farmer from Namibia's northeast Zambezi region, lost his right arm and foot in an attack by a hippo.

Bronx looks to capitalize on hip-hop heritage

NEW YORK - In the 1970s, DJs, dancers, graffiti artists and the first rappers came together in the burned-out buildings of the Bronx, giving birth to hip-hop.

Pollution fuels increase in early deaths

TUZLA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA - Stuck between a landfill and a coal-fired power plant, residents of the Bosnian village of Divkovici are dying of asphyxia, poisoned by some of the most polluted air in Europe.