China media slams Elton John for Ai Weiwei dedication
A top Chinese daily on Wednesday condemned pop star Elton John for dedicating his Beijing show to dissident artist Ai Weiwei, saying it was disrespectful and could lead to bans on other Western performers.
29 November 2012
Seoul's working population to fall 1 mn by 2032
South Korea's capital stands to lose one million people of working age over the next 20 years -- a fallout from the country's status as one of the world's most rapidly ageing societies.
Life where you'd least expect it: bacteria survive ice, dark
Researchers have found bacteria thriving beneath ice, in the dark and without oxygen in a lake in Antarctica, pushing the boundaries of what was thought necessary to sustain life on Earth.
28 November 2012
Bitsy beetle warms Canada: study
An army of rice-grain-sized beetles, attracted by warming weather, has moved into Canada's western forests, where its tree massacre is causing the mercury to rise yet further.
27 November 2012
What's eating the sea butterfly? CO2, study says
Rising acidity is eating away the shells of tiny snails, known as "sea butterflies", that live in the seas around Antarctica, leaving them vulnerable to predators and disease.
Climate talks resume amid warnings of looming calamity
Nearly 200 nations gather in Doha from Monday for a new round of climate talks as a rush of reports warn extreme weather events like superstorm Sandy may become commonplace if mitigation efforts fail.
25 November 2012
Japan school aims to create 'Asian leaders'
Asia may be driving growth in the world economy but a Japanese businesswoman behind an innovative new school believes the region is over-reliant on Western-style leadership.
25 November 2012
Spanish king has successful hip operation: palace
Spain's 74-year-old King Juan Carlos had successful hip replacement surgery late Friday, the royal palace said, after two operations on the other hip caused by a fall during a controversial African elephant-hunting safari.
24 November 2012
Philippine leader ignores call to quit smoking
Philippine President Benigno Aquino will not quit smoking despite the country's top medical body publicly appealing for him to lead by example and kick the habit.
24 November 2012
Hijab first in British parliament
A 16-year-old girl is thought to have become the first person to speak from the House of Commons despatch box in the British parliament while wearing a hijab.
Queen Elizabeth takes spin in motorhome
Queen Elizabeth II may be more used to palaces and state carriages but the British monarch nonetheless enjoyed a spin in a motorhome on Thursday, callling it a "real home from home".
24 November 2012
Blind pianist beats odds to become Taiwan movie star
Huang Yu-siang was born with a gift and a disability. He has a huge talent for music, but he is blind. His story has become a movie that has captivated audiences in his native Taiwan.
24 November 2012
Cross-dressing Chinese grandfather finds fame
A 72-year-old Chinese man who became an Internet sensation after his granddaughter used him as a cross-dressing model to promote her clothing store was delighted at his new-found fame, she said.