Australia's Barrier Reef slips into 'poor' health
Australia hailed "solid" progress on water quality at the Great Barrier Reef Wednesday but admitted that overall conditions were now "poor" as it battles UNESCO threats to downgrade its heritage status.
10 July 2013
Cambodia's Khmer healers get schooled in ancient art
A lizard dipped in wine may not seem like an obvious asthma remedy, but as Cambodian traditional healers strive to turn their ancient wisdom into a professional industry.
Russia fires Bolshoi Theatre director after scandals
Russian officials on Tuesday announced the sacking of Bolshoi Theatre director Anatoly Iksanov following a series of scandals including the horrific January acid attack on its artistic director.
09 July 2013
Nazarbayev cuts 600kg cake on Astana Day
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev took part in the cutting of the 600kg Astana birthday cake baked specially for the anniversary.
Pope visits Italy refugee island
Pope Francis arrived on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa, a key destination of tens of thousands of would-be immigrants from Africa, in a visit the Vatican hopes will raise awareness of their plight.
09 July 2013
New gene sequencing yields healthy baby
Scientists said Monday they had used a new-generation gene sequencing technique to select a viable embryo for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) that yielded a healthy baby boy.
Art collector Saatchi divorcing TV chef wife after row
British art collector Charles Saatchi told a newspaper on Sunday that he is divorcing his wife, celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, following an incident in which he grabbed her by the neck outside a London restaurant.
Spain's Pamplona bull run festival set to kick off
Spain's best-known fiesta, San Fermin, a nine-day mix of round-the-clock drinking, religious processions and running ahead of a pack of sharp-horned charging bulls, kicks off.
06 July 2013
Britain's royal baby will have surprising family tree
Even before the birth of the new British royal baby to Prince William and his wife Kate, genealogists are looking into its family tree, and are coming up with many surprises.