Zika link to new, paralysing disease
Causing brain damage in babies and a rare neurological ailment in adults, the Zika virus is also linked to paralysis-causing myelitis.
EU delays weedkiller decision amid cancer uproar
The EU postponed a decision to extend the approval of a key weedkiller for another 15 years amid an uproar that it may cause cancer.
Mutations, DNA damage seen in Fukushima forests: Greenpeace
Conservation group Greenpeace warned that the environmental impact of the Fukushima nuclear crisis five years ago on nearby forests is just beginning to be seen.
Qatar population hits 2.5 million on worker influx
Qatar's population has reached 2.5 million people, swollen by the huge numbers of foreign workers employed in the tiny Gulf emirate.
Lennon not Lenin: Ukraine renames street after late Beatle
A Ukrainian village renamed a street, which honoured Soviet founder Lenin, after The Beatles' John Lennon.
China jails Christian pastor for 14 years: official
Chinese court sentenced a Christian pastor to 14 years in jail for embezzlement, after he opposed forced removal of crosses from churches.
Hollande acknowledges impact of nuclear testing in Pacific
French President Francois Hollande acknowledged that three decades of nuclear tests in French Polynesia had had "an impact" on health.
Climate change 'forcing species to move'
Warming temperatures are causing about half of the world's plants and animals to move location, with every major type of species affected.
Trump: Celebrity billionaire, next US president?
Donald Trump is a billionaire real estate tycoon with bravado to spare, a former reality television star who says winning is everything.
13 million pupils in OECD nations 'failing at 15'
13 million pupils in OECD countries fail to attain a sufficient level of proficiency in either reading, maths or science by the age of 15.
Rio Carnival conquers Zika fears with repellant and samba
With crazy costumes, pulsating music the Rio Carnival's top performers swatted aside Zika worries to get down for the world's biggest party
Scottish islanders don helmets for Viking fire festival
Residents of Scotland's remote Shetland Islands brandishing swords and shields celebrated their Nordic roots in a fest that culminated in burning of a Viking ship replica.
Lucky Thai dolls 'non-human' says aviation authority
Thailand's air safety body warned passengers that lucky 'child angel' dolls cannot be considered real people and must be properly stowed.
British astronaut dials wrong number on Xmas call from space
Tim Peake, the first British astronaut on the International Space Station, dialled a wrong number after trying to phone home for Christmas, asking a woman "Is this planet Earth?"
Russia 'warming 2.5 times quicker' than global average: ministry
Russia is warming more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, sounding an alarm on the rise in floods and wildfires nationwide.
Thousands of plants cut production as Beijing smog persists
Beijing has ordered 2,100 factories to suspend or reduce production as part of its 'red alert' measures to deal with smog.
Time names Merkel as its Person of 2015
Time magazine named German Chancellor Angela Merkel as its Person of the Year 2015, hailing her leadership during Europe's debt, refugee and migrant crises and Russia's intervention in Ukraine.
Japanese monks karate chop, chant in funeral contest
Japanese Buddhist monks strutted their stuff in a contest highlighting sutra chanting skills, giving funeral sermons and loud karate chops.
70,000 sign petition to ban Trump from Britian
Over 70,000 people sign a petition to ban Donald Trump from entering Britain after his call to bar Muslims from entering the United States.
'Virtual trees' turn the Eiffel Tower green for COP21
The Eiffel Tower turned green Sunday for the opening of the Paris climate conference, marking the launch of an art project that will see "virtual trees" grow on the landmark to support reforestation.