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The UN condemned on Friday the staggering number of civilians killed in Israel’s war in Gaza, with women and children comprising nearly 70 percent of the thousands of fatalities it had managed to verify.In a fresh report, the United Nations human rights office detailed the “horrific reality” that has unfolded for civilians in both Gaza …

Partial UN probe of Gaza war dead over 6 months shows ‘nearly 70%’ women, children Read More »

A portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing became the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be sold at auction, fetching more than $1.0 million on Thursday.The 2.2-metre (7.5-foot) portrait “A.I. God” by “Ai-Da”, the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist, went for $1,084,800, smashing pre-sale expectations of $180,000 at auction house Sotheby’s Digital Art Sale.”Today’s …

First artwork by humanoid robot sells for over $1.0 million Read More »

US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday made his first cabinet appointment after his decisive election win, while signaling his intent to ditch the outgoing administration’s policies by talking to Vladimir Putin.Trump’s campaign manager Susie Wiles will serve as his White House chief of staff, the first woman to be named to the high-profile role and …

Trump makes first cabinet pick, eyes Putin talks Read More »

Putting abortion rights front and center in her campaign, Kamala Harris thought she found a winning formula in courting women voters.But it was Donald Trump who found victory, running up the margins on American men — particularly young men.That young people as a whole tend to be more liberal was no deterrent to a US …

Why young men turned out in droves for Donald Trump Read More »

Thousands of people were urged to flee an out-of-control wildfire burning around communities near Los Angeles on Thursday, with scores of homes already lost to the fast-moving flames.Fierce seasonal winds had cast embers up to three miles (five kilometers) from the seat of the fire around Camarillo, with new spots burning on hillsides, farmland and …

Thousands told to flee wildfire near Los Angeles Read More »

Yannick Bestaven already knows what it feels like to win the Vendee Globe but the 51-year-old Frenchman cannot resist the call of the solo, non-stop round the world yacht race, which sets off from Les Sables-d’Olonne on the Atlantic coast on Sunday.”For me, this race is the holy grail of solo racing,” he told AFP.”It’s …

Bestaven in pursuit of sailing’s ‘holy grail’ in Vendee Globe Read More »

Venerated as incarnations of Hindu deities, India’s sacred cows are also being touted as agents of energy transition by a government determined to promote biogas production to cut its dependence on coal.It is an understatement to say that Nakul Kumar Sardana is proud of his new plant at Barsana, in India’s northern Uttar Pradesh state.Firstly, …

Sacred cow: coal-hungry India eyes bioenergy to cut carbon Read More »

For King Faisal, a 20-year-old winger from Ghana, the invitation to move to Brazil to play football is easily summed up: “It was a dream.””I believed when I came here, it would help me change the life of my family and many other people,” he told AFP in Sao Paulo.For the past year and a …

Young African players chase football ‘dream’ in Brazil Read More »

Injury-hit Manchester City are desperate to snap their losing streak in their final Premier League game before the international break as Chelsea aim to deepen Arsenal’s misery.Elsewhere in the English top flight, Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge of his final game as interim manager of Manchester United and winless Wolves play fellow strugglers Southampton.AFP Sport …

Man City seek to end mini-slump as Liverpool soar Read More »

US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday made the first appointment of his new administration — naming a chief of staff — with other key jobs set to be filled in the “days and weeks ahead,” according to his team.”There are some people that will be returning (from Trump’s first term),” senior Trump aide Jason Miller …

Who will staff Trump’s government? A look at top contenders Read More »