The “Kangaroo Route” from Australia to Britain became a shorter hop Saturday when the first direct passenger service left Perth for London, with the 17-hour flight set to break aviation records. Qantas’ 14,498 kilometre (9,009-mile)…
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Rap mogul Simmons hit with another rape suit
Hip-hop magnate Russell Simmons was slapped Friday with a $10-million rape lawsuit filed by a woman in Los Angeles, the latest in a string of accusations against him ranging from harassment to rape. The unidentified…
Cosby lawyers ask trial judge to step aside
Bill Cosby’s lawyers are demanding a Pennsylvania judge step down from his upcoming molestation re-trial, alleging the jurist is biased because his wife works with sexual assault victims. It appeared the latest move to hinder…
‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’ sets sights on ‘Black Panther’
Fresh from his confirmation as the crown prince of feel-good fantasy, Guillermo del Toro is cranking the volume up to 11 as producer of the sequel to smash-’em-up blockbuster “Pacific Rim.” “Pacific Rim: Uprising” —…
#DeleteFacebook movement gains prominent backer
As Facebook reels from the scandal over hijacked personal data, a movement to quit the social network has gathered momentum, getting a boost from a high-profile co-founder of the WhatsApp messaging service acquired by the…
World sees rapid upsurge in extreme weather: report
A world addled by climate change has seen a four-fold increase in major flooding events since 1980, and a doubling of significant storms, droughts and heat waves, Europe’s national science academies jointly reported Wednesday. In…
Hip cafe chain staffed by disabled workers opens in Paris
It is a hip-looking cafe like any other in central Paris, thronged with lunchtime dinners. Except that Joyeux has a little something extra — many of its cooks and waiters have one more chromosome. The…
US court upholds landmark ‘Blurred Lines’ copyright verdict
A US appeals court upheld Wednesday a landmark $5.3 million verdict that Robin Thicke’s hit “Blurred Lines” lifted from Marvin Gaye, dismissing warnings that many more artists could face lawsuits. The Ninth Circuit Court of…
Australian media firms fail in Rebel Wilson bid
Six Australian media companies seeking to join the battle against a record Aus$4.5 million (US$3.5 million) defamation payout to Hollywood star Rebel Wilson had their case knocked back Thursday. The “Pitch Perfect” star was awarded…
Obama shares parenting tips with New Zealand PM Ardern
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern received parenting tips from Barack Obama when she met the former US president in Auckland on Thursday. Ardern, who is expecting her first child in June, held discussions with…