Moves to safeguard lunar heritage

WASHINGTON - Three rovers, six US national flags, dozens of probes that either landed successfully or crashed, tools, cameras and trash: the Moon is dotted with hundreds of objects as a result of space exploration.

New Orleans bracing for storm Barry

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana - Tropical Storm Barry gathered strength on Friday as it chugged toward waterlogged New Orleans, which girded for heavy rains, storm surge and flooding that pose a threat reminiscent of 2005's deadly Hurricane Katrina.

Chinese developer keeps historic site's beer flowing

A Chinese property developer has ensured the beer will continue to flow at England's oldest continuous brewing site through a major development project in Southwest London.

AI program beats pros in six-player poker game

WASHINGTON - Artificial intelligence programs have bested humans in checkers, chess, Go and two-player poker, but multi-player poker was always believed to be a bigger ask. Mission: accomplished.

Study suggests Europe's oldest human fossil found in Greece

ATHENS - A new study on two fossilized human skulls discovered in southern Greece in the late 1970s could reveal details of human migration in Eurasia, Greek media reported on Thursday.

Iran urges release of seized oil tanker

TEHERAN/DUBAI - Iran called on the United States on Friday to immediately release an oil tanker that British Royal Marines seized last week on suspicion it was breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman told state news agency IRNA.

Fed chairman doesn't deflate hopes for rate cut

The Federal Reserve could cut interest rates later this month in an effort to offset slowing global growth and uncertainty created by the ongoing US-China trade dispute, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said on Thursday.

ROK proposes UN probe over sanctions

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea said on Friday that it wants an investigation by the United Nations or another international body as it continues to reject Japanese claims that Seoul could not be trusted to faithfully implement sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Teachers, family testify about killer's descent

Teachers, colleagues and family members of Brendt Christensen, convicted of killing visiting Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying, continued testimony on Thursday at the sentencing phase of his trial at US District Court in Peoria, Illinois, as defense attorneys sought to avert a death sentence for the murderer, a former University of Illinois graduate student.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Wellington declares 'climate emergency'

New Zealand's capital, Wellington, has joined the growing chorus of cities around the world declaring a "climate emergency".

Social media rescues Moroccan potters

OURTZAGH, Morocco - Beautiful handcrafted pottery made by Mama Aicha rarely sells in Morocco anymore but, thanks to social media, her ancient techniques are drawing students from around the world to the foothills of the Rif mountains.