Iraqi city struggles after being freed from IS grip

FALLUJAH, Iraq - Even as Iraqi forces in Mosul close in on the last pockets of urban territory still held by the Islamic State group, residents of Fallujah in Iraq's Sunni heartland are still struggling to rebuild nearly a year after their neighborhoods were declared liberated from the extremists.

Icy response to Trump climate move

BERLIN - World leaders pledged on Thursday to keep up the fight against global warming as US President Donald Trump announced he was pulling out of the Paris climate accord.

AIIB reaffirms its commitment to good governance

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will abide by its commitment to transparent multilateral governance, a characteristic which distinguishes it from other multinational development banks, said Joachim von Amsberg, AIIB vice-president for policy and strategy.

White House moves to reinstate travel ban

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to immediately reinstate its ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries, saying the US will be safer if the policy is put in place.

Bill paves way for Emperor Akihito's abdication

TOKYO - Japanese Emperor Akihito's abdication moved a step closer on Friday when the lower house of parliament approved a bill paving the way for the first such abdication in nearly two centuries.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Sergeant Pepper's a smash hit again

Fifty years after it was released, an album that critics and fans alike regard as one of The Beatles' finest is heading back to No 1 in the US Billboard charts, albeit a remastered version with extra tracks and interviews.

Cape Town cuts back to survive its worst drought in 100 years

CAPE TOWN - As the South African capital suffers its worst drought in a century, residents have been told to restrict showers to two minutes and flush toilets only when "absolutely necessary".

Surgeon attack prompts safety calls

MELBOURNE, Australia - Doctors and medical professionals in the Australian state of Victoria have called on the state government to urgently address the issue of health-worker safety following another serious attack at a Melbourne hospital.

Sixth-grade speller crowned queen bee

OXON HILL, Maryland - Ananya Vinay never looked all that impressed by any of the words she was given in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Human rights in Xinjiang: Development and progress

Editor's Note: The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China published a white paper titled "Human Rights in Xinjiang-Development and Progress" on Thursday. Following is the full text of the white paper:

Iconic Route 66 revs back to life

LOS ANGELES - For decades, Route 66 captured the imagination of travelers the world over, offering a glimpse of a bygone era of US history, when people hit the road in search of adventure and a better life.