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George and Amal Clooney attend New York political-comedy reading

George and Amal Clooney attended a performance at New York’s Seaview Studio where the actor took part in a reading of the political comedy Smear!

Thomas Markle released to house arrest after child-abuse-image charge

Thomas Markle Sr, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, has been charged in Florida with one count of possessing child sexual abuse material and released on bond under house arrest.

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Fire engulfs illegal Johannesburg housing block, killing 73

A fire that tore through a five-storey building taken over for illegal housing killed more than 70 people including children in central Johannesburg overnight, the South African city's emergency services said Thursday.

Trapped residents fled through windows in S.African inferno

Blankets and sheets still hang from the blackened windows, used by the desperate to reach safety as flames turned the five-storey building in downtown Johannesburg into a death trap.

Fire engulfs illegal housing block killing 73 in South Africa

A fire that engulfed a five-storey building taken over for illegal housing killed more than 70 people including children in central Johannesburg overnight, the South African city's emergency services said on Thursday.

Five rail maintenance workers killed by train in Italy

Five railway workers died after being hit by a train during overnight maintenance in northern Italy, officials said Thursday, triggering outrage among trade unions who blamed a lack of safety procedures.

Thai ex-PM Thaksin applies for royal pardon: govt source

Thailand's jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has requested a royal pardon, a government minister said Thursday.

73 dead after fire engulfs building in South Africa

A fire that engulfed a five-storey building taken over for illegal housing killed more than 70 people including children in central Johannesburg on Thursday, the South African city's emergency services said.

US envoy feasts on Fukushima fish, slams China water 'dumps'

The US envoy to Japan feasted on fish from Fukushima on Thursday, saying that water discharged from the crippled nuclear plant was safer than that "dumped" by Chinese atomic facilities.

Building fire in S.Africa kills more than 70

A fire that engulfed a five-storey building killed more than 70 people including children in central Johannesburg on Thursday, the South African city's emergency services said.

Building fire in S.Africa kills 64

A fire that engulfed a five-storey building killed more than 60 people including children in central Johannesburg on Thursday, the South African city's emergency services said.

Building fire in S.Africa kills 63

More than 60 people have died in a fire that engulfed a five-storey building in central Johannesburg on Thursday, the South African city's emergency services said.

Building fire in S.Africa kills 52

More than 50 people have died in a fire that engulfed a five-storey building in central Johannesburg on Thursday, the South African city's emergency services said.

Storm Idalia lashes Georgia, Carolinas after slamming Florida

Florida began assessing the damage Wednesday from Idalia's flooding after the powerful storm inundated coastal communities and knocked out power to thousands, as the system advanced up the southeastern US coast bringing additional rain deluges and dangerous storm surge.

In Florida, residents grapple with Hurricane Idalia's toll

The hot Florida sunshine is broken by a gentle breeze, carrying with it salty sea air.

Judge rules US ex-cardinal not competent to stand trial for sexual abuse

A Boston judge ruled Friday that former top US Catholic official Theodore McCarrick was cognitively unable to stand trial for sexually assaulting a teenage boy five decades ago.

UK criminals to be forced to attend their sentencing

Judgescould be given the power to order criminals to attend their sentencing under planned legislation announced Wednesday by the UK's justice ministry.

French minister's topless remark sparks outrage

French journalist groups have condemned "sexist" remarks directed at women reporters by Eric Dupond-Moretti, the country's combative justice minister.

'Extremely dangerous' Hurricane Idalia makes landfall on Florida coast

Hurricane Idalia slammed into northwest Florida as an "extremely dangerous" Category 3 storm early Wednesday, as officials warned of catastrophic impacts including storm surges of up to 16 feet (about five meters).

Hurricane Idalia strengthens to Category 4 storm as it nears Florida

Hurricane Idalia strengthened to a Category 4 storm early Wednesday as it barreled towards Florida, threatening "catastrophic" impacts, with officials forecasting it will slam into the coast within hours.

Pakistan ex-PM Khan's detention extended over leaked documents

A Pakistan court on Wednesday ordered that former prime minister Imran Khan be kept in jail over allegations he leaked classified documents, a day after a judge granted his release in a separate graft case.

Floods drown hope in Pakistan's impoverished Punjab villages

The coursing floods in eastern Pakistan first swallowed Nasreen Bibi's corn crop, then the cattle that fed on it, and finally her family home.

Hurricane Idalia intensifies as nears Florida

Hurricane Idalia intensified early Wednesday as it hurtled towards northwest Florida, threatening "catastrophic" impacts including a dangerous storm surge, with officials forecasting it will slam the coast within hours as an extreme and historic Category 4 storm.

Indonesia arrests 88 Chinese nationals over love scams

Dozens of Chinese nationals were arrested in Indonesia on suspicion of running an online love scam syndicate that ensnared hundreds of victims in China, police said Wednesday.

Few Catholics in Mongolia, but Pope's visit eyes geopolitics

Pope Francis heads to Mongolia this week, an unlikely choice given the isolated nation's small Catholic community, but a strategic one due to the young democracy's geographical position between two superpowers.

UK orders review into air traffic control chaos

Britain's government on Tuesday ordered a review after the country's air traffic control system suffered its worst disruption in almost 10 years, stranding thousands of passengers.

Kiss row highlights Spain revolt over 'old world' machismo

The huge outcry in Spain over football federation chief Luis Rubiales' forcible kiss of World Cup player Jenni Hermoso highlights the waning power of male chauvinism in a country that has become a benchmark for feminism, experts say.

German prosecutors drop sex assault probe into Rammstein frontman

Berlin prosecutors said Tuesday they had closed an investigation into Till Lindemann, the frontman of German metal band Rammstein, following claims of women being drugged and sexually assaulted at concerts.

Florida orders evacuations ahead of 'extremely dangerous' Idalia

Residents along Florida's west coast were under orders to evacuate Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Idalia's arrival, as forecasters said the storm was strengthening over an exceptionally warm Gulf of Mexico and would likely become "extremely dangerous" before landfall.

Pakistan court suspends ex-PM Khan's graft sentence: lawyer

Imran Khan's prison sentence for a graft conviction was suspended on Tuesday, his lawyer said, but it was unclear if the former Pakistan prime minister would be immediately released.

Pakistan court suspends ex-PM Khan's graft sentence: lawyers

A Pakistan high court on Tuesday suspended former prime minister Imran Khan's prison sentence for a graft conviction, his lawyer said, but it was unclear if he would be immediately released.

Brick thrown at Japan embassy in China in Fukushima spat

Japan said Tuesday that harassment being faced by Japanese in China after the release of water from the Fukushima nuclear plant was "extremely regrettable", confirming that a brick was thrown at the country's embassy in Beijing.

Tropical Storm Idalia strengthens off Cuba, barrels toward Florida

Tropical Storm Idalia strengthened as it passed by the western tip of Cuba on Monday, taking aim at the Gulf coast of Florida with what forecasters predicted would be a "life-threatening" rise in tides and storm surge.

Brazil seeks next generation of MMA champions

Self-described "nerd" Caio Borralho quit his chemical engineering studies to become a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, part of a new generation looking to reinvigorate the sport in Brazil, home of legendary champions.

The Japan Times - Boulevard (English)