Wind delays Austrian's edge of space jump in US
US organizers of an Austrian daredevil's record-breaking attempt to jump from the edge of space have delayed the mission by a day due to forecast wind, they said Friday.
Tresses to treasure for Vietnamese hair trader
Hailed as a hero in his native Vietnamese village, Do Van Thu has become rich and transformed the lives of hundreds of families through the sale of a precious and unorthodox crop -- hair.
06 October 2012
US abortion rates plummet with free birth control
Providing free birth control to women and teens in Missouri at high risk of unplanned pregnancies led to a drastic drop in abortion rates and teenage mothers.
06 October 2012
French fashion boss apologises over China gaffe
The boss of French clothing firm Zadig & Voltaire has apologised for saying that Chinese tourists would not be welcome at an exclusive new hotel planned by the company in Paris.
US daredevil to perform million volt show
David Blaine, the US magician, stuntman and all-round daredevil, is going electric -- standing for three days and nights in the middle of a million volts of fiery electric currents.
05 October 2012
Last will and testament of Alfred Nobel, prize creator
Swedish inventor and scholar Alfred Nobel (1833-1896), who made a vast fortune from his invention of dynamite in 1866, ordered the creation of the Nobel Prizes in his will.
Kazakhstan bans anti-Islamic film
A court in Kazakhstan has banned as "extremist" the anti-Islamic film that sparked deadly protests across the world.
04 October 2012
World bishops gather to counter decline of faith
Catholic bishops from around the world are convening for a synod starting on Sunday to debate how to counter rising secularism on the 50th anniversary of the historic but controversial Second Vatican Council.
Guessing game starts as Nobel season nears
Early October means it's time for the annual Nobel Prize announcements and frenzied guessing over possible winners, with 231 Peace Prize nominees.
Australia hits out at Japan at whale research launch
Australian Environment Minister Tony Burke Thursday hit out at Japan's "alleged" scientific whaling as researchers hailed the testing of new acoustic tracking technology for the endangered blue whale.