UK govt unveils Brexit plan that sparked rebellion

LONDON - The British government on Thursday published its long-awaited Brexit blueprint aimed at restarting stalled talks with the European Union, only for it to be panned by euroskeptics and the City of London.

Jack Ma to co-chair new UN panel

UNITED NATIONS - The UN is establishing a high-level panel co-chaired by Chinese e-commerce billionaire Jack Ma and Melinda Gates of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to make recommendations on ensuring "a safe and inclusive digital future".

Nearly half of youngest children not rejoining families

WASHINGTON - The US government said on Thursday all eligible small children who were separated from their families as a result of its zero-tolerance immigration policy have been reunited with their parents.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

First space tourist flight on the way

WASHINGTON - The two companies leading the pack in the pursuit of space tourism have said that they are only months away from their first out-of-this-world passenger flights - though neither has set a firm date.

Japan tries to restore water supply

KURASHIKI, Japan - Municipal workers in Japan struggled on Friday to restore the water supply in the nation's flood-hit western region a week after inundation caused by a record downpour killed more than 200 people in the worst weather disaster in 36 years.

Solar park turns Mexican desert green

VIESCA, Mexico - Driving through the endless dunes and cactuses of the Chihuahuan desert in northern Mexico, a shimmering blue field suddenly appears on the horizon - not a mirage, but the largest solar park in Latin America.

Putin, Netanyahu meeting focuses on Syria issues

The Wednesday meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Syria issues may influence the upcoming summit between Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump, analysts said.

UK braced for controversial visit of US president

Protests started in the United Kingdom on Thursday, hours before US President Donald Trump was due to fly in for a four-day visit sandwiched between meetings with NATO leaders and talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Lawmaker from Indian ruling party charged with rape

NEW DELHI - A lawmaker from India's ruling party was charged on Wednesday in connection with the rape of a teenage girl, a case that has embarrassed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government amid a spate of sexual violence that has stirred street protests.

Japan conducts clean-up as flood toll reaches 200

Rescue and cleanup efforts are continuing in western Japan after it was hit hard by flooding and landslides caused by record downpours. The worst rain-related disaster since 1982 has killed at least 200, leaving dozens still unaccounted for, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Thursday.

US Senate calls for more say on tariffs in bipartisan vote

WASHINGTON - US lawmakers went on record on Wednesday to express their frustration with the Donald Trump administration's growing use of tariffs as the Senate passed a nonbinding resolution designed to give Congress more say about trade penalties imposed in the name of national security.