Indonesian volcano erupts 30 times as 20,000 displaced
An Indonesian volcano that has erupted relentlessly for months shot volcanic ash into the air 30 times on Saturday, forcing further evacuations with more than 20,000 people now displaced, an official said.
05 January 2014 13:45
Relief at Antarctic rescue turns to fear for Chinese ship
Australian authorities expressed relief Friday after 52 passengers were safely evacuated by helicopter from a Russian ship stranded in Antarctica, but then raised concern for a Chinese rescue vessel caught in heavy ice.
Tokyo fire stops bullet trains, strands holidaymakers
A fire near a central Tokyo station threw parts of Japan's bullet train system into chaos on Friday, as tens of thousands of passengers tried to return home from New Year holidays.
03 January 2014 13:03
Two Mexican clowns detained over kidnapping
Two men who worked as clowns named "Pistachon" and "Freski Star" in western Mexico have been arrested in connection with an alleged kidnapping, authorities said Thursday.
Thai protests push rebel peace talks down agenda
Stuttering peace talks to end Thailand's bloody southern rebellion are under threat from political turmoil in Bangkok, observers say, as the conflict enters its second decade with no end in sight.
Strong cyclone hits western Australia
A powerful cyclone lashed Australia's resources-rich west coast Tuesday, bringing torrential rains and destructive gales that ripped up trees and roofs and closed major global iron ore operations.
31 December 2013 17:29
Children beheaded in C.Africa fighting: UNICEF
At least two children have been beheaded in the fighting which has gripped the Central African Republic, the UN agency for children said Monday, adding "unprecedented" levels of violence were being committed against youngsters.
31 December 2013 17:10
Russia buries dead as bombings toll hits 33
Russia beefed up security and mourned its dead on Tuesday as the toll from jarring successive-day suicide strikes in the run-up to the Sochi Winter Olympic Games rose to 33.
31 December 2013 14:39
19,000 Indonesians flee erupting volcano
More than 19,000 people have been displaced by a volcano in Indonesia that has been erupting for months and shot lava into the air nine times overnight, an official said Tuesday.
31 December 2013 13:08
Evacuation in North Dakota town after fiery oil-train explosion
A freight train loaded with crude oil derailed in the US state of North Dakota Monday, sending a massive plume of toxic smoke skyward and forcing the evacuation of part of a small town, US media reported.
31 December 2013 11:12
Egypt police arrest Al-Jazeera journalists: ministry
Egyptian secret police have arrested an award-winning Australian journalist and an Egyptian reporter for the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera channel on suspicion of illegally broadcasting news harming "domestic security", the interior ministry said.
31 December 2013 10:38
China holds ex-security chief's colleague over graft
A former close colleague of China's ex-chief of internal security Zhou Yongkang is under investigation for "law and discipline violations", authorities have announced, stepping up anti-corruption inquiries another notch.