75 Philippine UN peacekeepers defy Syria rebels
Dozens of heavily armed Philippine peacekeepers defied Syrian rebels in a Golan Heights standoff.
Pollution, smoking, roads, obesity kill 4.7m Chinese a year
Air pollution, smoking, obesity and accidents, kill at least 4.7 million Chinese a year and cost the country tens of billions of dollars.
Australian PM to visit India for potential uranium deal
Australia's Prime Minister said he will visit India next week, where he will reportedly sign an agreement allowing the export of uranium.
Erdogan sworn in as Turkey president, opposition storms out
Turkey's outgoing premier Erdogan was sworn in as president, as opponents who accuse him of authoritarianism stormed out of the ceremony.
Iraqi Kurdish student uses holiday to fight jihadists
Briyar Kamal, a 24-year-old Kurdish student, but instead of relaxing during his summer holiday he is fighting jihadists who have overrun swathes of Iraq.
Thai court drops murder charge against ex-PM Abhisit
A Thai court dismissed murder charges against former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva and his ex-deputy over a bloody 2010 protest crackdown.
South Korea's Samsung and LG unveil new smartwatches
South Korea's Samsung and LG unveiled new smartwatches with upgraded functions and design.
Aid convoys trundle into Gaza as ceasefire holds
Life in Gaza resumed some semblance of normality as a long-term truce took hold following a deal hailed by Israel and Hamas as 'victory' .
Kia to open $1 billion car assembly plant in Mexico
South Korean carmaker Kia Motors on Wednesday announced plans to build its first auto assembly plant in Mexico.
Wolves yawn contagiously, too, study finds
Contagious yawning is a behavior shared by chimpanzees, baboons, dogs and humans, and researchers said Wednesday that wolves can do it too.
Afghan election in crisis as candidate pulls out of audit
One of the two candidates boycotted the UN-supervised vote audit set up to end a prolonged dispute over the rightful winner.
Japan lab unable to replicate 'stem cell' findings: report
Researchers in Japan have been unable to replicate experiments that were hailed earlier this year as a "game-changer", amid claims evidence was faked.
N. Korea calls US 'human rights graveyard' over Ferguson
North Korea has joined the ranks of America's foes who have seized on riots in Missouri, saying the nation is the "graveyard of human rights".
Singapore boosts cyber security after hacking incidents
Singapore announced new measures to strengthen cyber security to prevent a recurrence of attacks on government websites.
Car bomb kills 10 at busy Baghdad intersection: officials
A car bomb ripped through a crowded Baghdad intersection during morning rush hour on Tuesday, killing 10 people.
First Australian MH17 victims due home this week: PM
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott Tuesday said the first remains of Australians killed in the MH17 crash will return home this week.
Five dead, five missing after heavy rain hits S. Korea
Five people have been killed and five others are missing after heavy rains pummelled the southern part of South Korea.
Japan's Babymetal plot world domination with Lolita rock
Japanese pop-metal group Babymetal have toured with Lady Gaga and attracted monster crowds in America and Europe with their sugar-coated hard rock.
India doctors remove foetus left inside mother for 36 years
Doctors in India have removed the foetus that had been inside a woman for 36 years in what is believed to be the world's longest ectopic pregnancy.
Australia tycoon apologises for calling Chinese 'mongrels'
Australian tycoon Clive Palmer apologised for calling the Chinese government "mongrels" who "shoot their own people".