Taiwan row a first diplomatic test for Pope Francis
China's angry reaction to Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's attendance at the inauguration of Pope Francis on Tuesday is the first taste of a long-running dispute..
19 March 2013 15:55
Skimmed milk ineffective against toddler obesity
Giving your toddler skimmed or semi-skimmed milk is unlikely to make inroads against the risk of obesity, a large study conducted among American children has found.
19 March 2013 15:36
US aims to protect Antarctic amid calls for fishing ban
US Secretary of State John Kerry joined forces Monday with Australia and New Zealand to call for marine sanctuaries in Antarctica, as conservationists sought a fishing ban in the pristine seas.
Dead pigs in China river exceed 13,000: media
The number of dead pigs found in a river running through China's commercial hub Shanghai has reached more than 13,000, as mystery deepened over the hogs' precise origin.
Mandela's ex-wife 'shocked' over possible death probe
Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie was shocked to learn that South African prosecutors may probe her over the deaths of two anti-apartheid youths who went missing almost 25 years ago.
Sparks of humour in Pope Francis's first days
Starting with the historic moment when the first Latin American pontiff greeted the crowds in St Peter's Square after his election on Wednesday, Pope Francis has shown a lively sense of humour.
18 March 2013 13:51
Parental concerns rise over HPV vaccine: study
A growing number of US parents oppose doctors' recommendations to vaccinate teenage girls against human papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer.
18 March 2013 11:59
Argentine grandmothers attack Pope over 'Dirty War' era
An Argentinian human rights group set up to find babies stolen during the country's "Dirty War" on Friday accused newly elected Pope Francis of failing to speak out against the country's former military rulers.
18 March 2013 09:49
Obama defends green energy push after budget cuts
US President Barack Obama defended green energy research spending Friday, two weeks after budget cuts kicked in, warning that those reductions would leave America trailing its global rivals.
17 March 2013 10:51
Cherry blossom season officially begins in Tokyo
Japan's weather agency announced the official beginning of cherry blossom season in Tokyo on Saturday, equalling the record for the earliest ever start.
16 March 2013 18:43
Canadian astronaut floats through chat with kids
The Canadian commander of the International Space Station delighted schoolchildren in a live question and answer session conducted from space on Friday.
16 March 2013 15:01
Muslim states agree to 'historic' UN statement on women
Muslim and western nations on Friday overcame deep divisions to agree a historic United Nations declaration setting out a code of conduct for combatting violence against women.
16 March 2013 14:41
Dead pigs show dark side of China food industry
Thousands of dead pigs in a Shanghai river have cast a spotlight on China's poorly regulated farm production, with the country's favourite meat joining a long list of food scares.