Giant yellow duck explodes in Taiwan...again
A giant yellow duck on display in a northern Taiwan port exploded Tuesday, just hours before it was expected to attract a big crowd to count down the new year.
Strong cyclone hits western Australia
A powerful cyclone lashed Australia's resources-rich west coast Tuesday, bringing torrential rains and destructive gales that ripped up trees and roofs and closed major global iron ore operations.
Philippines allows phone use on planes
The Philippines' civil aviation authority said Tuesday it would allow passengers to use mobile phones and laptops to make calls and access the Internet during flights.
Sparkling Sydney to kick off glitzy global 2014 party
Sydney promised an unprecedented fireworks spectacular to kick off global new year celebrations Tuesday, the first in a wave of pyrotechnics to usher in 2014 from Hong Kong to world record-chasing Dubai.
Indonesia sharia stronghold bans New Year's festivities
Islamic police in Indonesia's sharia stronghold seized thousands of firecrackers and cardboard trumpets after the city administration banned New Year's Eve celebrations for the first time, an official said Tuesday.
New Year on ice as weather stalls Antarctic air-sea rescue
An icebound Russian research vessel prepared to ring in the New Year in remote Antarctica Tuesday as blizzards hampered a helicopter rescue planned after several icebreaking attempts failed.
19,000 Indonesians flee erupting volcano
More than 19,000 people have been displaced by a volcano in Indonesia that has been erupting for months and shot lava into the air nine times overnight, an official said Tuesday.
China holds ex-security chief's colleague over graft
A former close colleague of China's ex-chief of internal security Zhou Yongkang is under investigation for "law and discipline violations", authorities have announced, stepping up anti-corruption inquiries another notch.
Prolific Padukone rises to top of Bollywood A-list
If any Bollywood star can claim 2013 as their year, it is Deepika Padukone. With four hit films, the former model has risen to the top of the A-list -- and now has Hollywood in her sights.
Giant panda in Thailand pregnant, says zoo
A zoo in northern Thailand said Sunday that it was preparing for the birth of a second giant panda in the New Year thanks to artificial insemination.
Eight police station 'attackers' shot dead in China's Xinjiang: govt
Eight "attackers" armed with knives and explosives were killed Monday during an assault on a police station in China's Xinjiang, according to authorities who have blamed "terrorists" for a string of deadly incidents in the largely Muslim region.
Seven Vietnam schoolchildren drown during seaside picnic
Seven Vietnamese schoolchildren drowned while swimming in the sea during a picnic near the southern business hub of Ho Chi Minh City, local police said Monday.
Gunman in deadly attack on Thai opposition rally
A gunman opened fire at an opposition rally in Thailand Saturday in a deadly attack that inflamed tensions in the politically divided kingdom, where anti-government protesters wreaked fresh havoc in election preparations.
Rescue of stranded Antarctic ship stalls
A Chinese icebreaker has failed to break through thick ice to free a ship carrying scientists and tourists stranded off Antarctica, forcing Australian authorities to look at other rescue options Saturday.
Fireworks injure 160 as Philippines readies for New Year
More than 160 people have been injured by fireworks in the Philippines as they prepared to welcome the New Year, the government said Saturday.
23 killed in fire on train in southern India: TV
A fire on an overnight train killed at least 23 people Saturday in southern India as it ripped through a carriage packed with sleeping passengers, local television networks reported.
India anti-graft hero takes subway to swearing-in
Anti-corruption champion Arvind Kejriwal Saturday rode the subway to his swearing-in ceremony as the chief minister of Delhi, in what supporters hope will be a watershed moment in the country's graft-ridden politics.
China formally abolishes labour camps: state media
China's top legislative committee on Saturday formally abolished the country's "re-education through labour" camps and approved a loosening of its one-child policy, state media reported.
Thai government to ask army to secure election
Thailand said Friday that it would ask the army to provide security for February elections after violent clashes between police and opposition protesters left two people dead and more than 150 wounded.
UN urges Thailand to drop charges against website
The United Nations has urged Thailand to drop defamation charges against two Australian and Thai journalists for a report alleging military involvement in people smuggling, warning of a "chilling effect" on press freedom.