Two rookie astronauts, cosmonaut blast off to ISS

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - A three-man space crew featuring US and Japanese rookie astronauts as well as an experienced Russian cosmonaut blasted off on Sunday for a six-month mission at the International Space Station.

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EU clears way for new Brexit talks

BRUSSELS - European Union leaders have given the go-ahead for Brexit talks with Britain to move on to the next stage, which will involve discussions about future relations and trade.

Iconic red phone boxes ring the changes

LONDON - Facing extinction due to ubiquitous mobile phones, Britain's classic red telephone boxes are being saved from death row by ingenious conversions into all sorts of new uses.

Australia failed children over sexual abuse, inquiry says

SYDNEY - Australian institutions "seriously failed" children in their care over decades with tens of thousands sexually abused, the final report from a five-year inquiry said on Friday, calling it a "national tragedy".

AI finds solar system with 8 planets like ours

MIAMI - A solar system with as many planets as our own has been discovered with the help of NASA's Kepler space telescope and artificial intelligence, the US space agency said on Thursday.

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Nanjing vigils set somber scene

While nothing can undo the unspeakable tragedy of Nanjing Massacre, a day for commemoration in Ontario was a milestone for many reasons.

Wide-ranging talks pave way for European summit

European leaders are gathering on Thursday and Friday for discussions on a set of key issues ranging from the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, economic sanctions over Russia and the United States' decision to move their Israeli embassy to Jerusalem.

Aussie population growth outpaces world as migrants rush in

SYDNEY - Australia's population is expanding at the fastest pace in the developed world as skilled migrants flock to the resource-rich nation, a fillip to economic growth overall but perhaps also a source of puzzling weakness in wages.

Fury, sympathy over Chongqing Bombing ruling

Chinese plaintiffs, relatives of the victims of the Chongqing Bombing and their lawyers were furious with the verdict delivered on Thursday by the Tokyo High Court.

Half of planet's people lack basic healthcare

LONDON - At least half the world's population is unable to access essential health services and many others are forced into extreme poverty by having to pay for healthcare they cannot afford, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.