Coastal cities face rising risk of flood losses: study
The world's 136 largest coastal cities could risk combined annual losses of $1 trillion (750 billion euros) from floods by 2050 unless they drastically raise their defences.
Twitter plea for pot costs Canadian his job
A Toronto area mechanic who posted a Twitter message seeking marijuana to alleviate boredom at work this week got an unexpected reply -- from police with an apparent sense of humour.
18 August 2013
Prayers for 'Egyptian martyrs' in Bosnia's mosques
All mosques in Bosnia on Friday heeded the country's top iman's call to hold prayers for the "Egyptian martyrs" killed in a crackdown by security forces of supporters of the ousted Islamist president.
18 August 2013
82 child soldiers rescued in DR Congo: UN
More than 80 children, some as young as eight years old, have been rescued from an armed group in the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and are being reunited with their families.
18 August 2013
Afghan female stars defy clerics' pressure
Judges on TV talent shows always attract controversy for making or breaking the careers of desperate wannabes -- but for Aryana Sayeed, the job is also a fight for Afghanistan's future.
17 August 2013
Cute new critter found in South American forests
A lap-sized critter that looks like a mix between a raccoon and a teddy bear was unveiled Thursday as the first new carnivore in the Western Hemisphere in 35 years.
White House goes green with solar panels
The White House is going green. Solar panels are being installed on parts of the residence, a US official said Thursday -- making good on a pledge that dates back to 2010.
Taiwan panda cub spends first night with doting mother
Taiwan's first new-born panda stayed overnight for the first time with her doting mother, zoo-keepers said Thursday, following a heartwarming reunion that took place in the international limelight.
16 August 2013
Too late to stop extreme heat waves: study
Climate change will trigger harsher and more frequent heat waves in the next 30 years regardless of the amount of Earth-warming carbon dioxide we emit.
US universities top Chinese world rankings
US universities dominate the top 20 in global annual rankings released by a Chinese organisation Thursday, with Harvard once again in top spot.
15 August 2013
New Zealand quake city opens cardboard cathedral
Christchurch's cardboard cathedral officially opens on Thursday, replacing the neo-Gothic structure destroyed in a 2011 earthquake that killed 185 people in New Zealand's second largest city.