'Super' banana to face first human trial
A super-enriched banana genetically engineered to improve the lives of millions of people in Africa will soon have its first human trial, which will test its effect on vitamin A levels, Australian researchers said.
17 June 2014
Mother, three children jump to death: Japan police
Police in Japan are probing a possible family suicide after a mother and her three small children plunged to their deaths from an apartment complex, they said.
17 June 2014
Construction stopped on replica of ancient Chinese ship
An ambitious Chinese plan to build a replica of 15th century explorer Zheng He's "treasure ship" has run aground, reports said Monday, with some questioning whether the vessel will ever sail.
Curfew in Sri Lanka resorts as religious riots spread
Sri Lanka's police extended a curfew across two popular coastal resorts Sunday to contain religious riots that left at least 41 people wounded and heightened tensions between Muslims and Buddhists.
Britain makes Angelina Jolie an honorary dame
Angelina Jolie has been made an honorary dame in Queen Elizabeth II's birthday honours list, as Britain paid tribute to the Hollywood star for her efforts to combat warzone rape.
14 June 2014
Poachers kill famed giant Kenyan elephant
One of Africa's largest elephants has died after being shot by poachers using poisoned arrows in Kenya, wildlife officials said as they mourned the loss of an "old friend."
Ousted New York Times chief to teach at HarvardFormer New York Times editor Jill Abramson, who was fired from the so-called Grey Lady of American journalism, will teach at Harvard University in the 2014-15 academic year.
14 June 2014
Obama in 'excellent' health: doctorUS President Barack Obama is in "excellent" health and has given up cigarettes, but still resorts to nicotine gum every now and again, his doctor said.
Wealthy Chinese buy space flight tickets: reportMore than 300 Chinese space enthusiasts have booked tickets costing nearly $100,000 for a five minute trip to outer space, official media reported.
13 June 2014
US condemns Sudan over Christian woman's death penaltyUS Secretary of State John Kerry criticized Sudan on Thursday for sentencing a Christian woman to hang for apostasy, urging Khartoum to repeal its laws banning Muslims from converting.