Environmental hangover from Indonesia's palm oil thirst
The roar of chainsaws has replaced birdsong, the once-lush, green jungle scorched to a barren grey. The equivalent of six football pitches of forest is lost every minute in Indonesia.
Australia plans drill of ancient Antarctic ice core
Australia Saturday announced plans to drill a 2,000 year-old ice core in the heart of Antarctica in a bid to retrieve a frozen record of how the planet has evolved and what might be in store.
Dollar falls as fiscal cliff worries grow
The dollar dropped to its lowest level against the euro in three months Friday, the euro going above $1.31 as politicians in Washington appeared no closer to averting the economy-crunching fiscal cliff.
Apple shares extend downward slide
Concerns that the latest iPhone may not be a hit in China caused Apple shares on Friday to extend their slide from a record high price hit in September.
Famed futurist to direct engineering at Google
Futurist and inventor Raymond Kurzweil said on Friday that he is going to work as director of engineering at Google to help "turn the next decade's 'unrealistic' visions into reality."
Fiji braces for destructive cyclone
Fijians living in low-lying areas were urged to flee to higher ground Saturday as a cyclone bore down on the Pacific nation after leaving a trail of destruction in Samoa with up to 10 feared dead.
US gun laws vary widely
The horrific shooting that has left 20 young children and six adults dead in rural Connecticut revived the familiar US gun law debate, where restrictions vary widely between different states.
Iran sympathises after 'tragic' US school shooting
Iran was quick on Saturday to express condolences after the "tragic" shooting rampage that left 26 people dead, including 20 small children, at an elementary school in the United States.
Mandela still being treated in hospital a week on
Nelson Mandela remained in hospital Saturday, a week after he was admitted for treatment for a lung infection, a government official said.
Syria troops press assault on town near Damascus
Syrian troops shelled a besieged town near Damascus and clashed with rebels on the outskirts of the capital on Saturday as the country's conflict entered its 22nd month, a watchdog and activists said.
Roma plight one of Romania's major challenges: ambassador
Discrimination against the Roma is one of the biggest challenges facing Romania, the outgoing US ambassador has told AFP, comparing their plight to that of blacks in the American deep south of his childhood.
Japan election candidates make final pitches
Hundreds of candidates vying for a seat in Japan's parliament made their final pitches on Saturday in an election expected to see the return of the country's old guard.
Thai 'Red Shirt' protest leaders go on trial
A terrorism trial against Thai leaders of the 2010 "Red Shirt" protests began on Friday, a day after the nation's former premier was charged over his role in the deadly unrest.
US to deploy Patriot missiles, troops to Turkey: report
The United States plans to send two rocket-intercepting Patriot missile batteries and 400 military personnel to Turkey to deter Syrian attacks.
Coca-Cola FEMSA to acquire Philippine bottler
Coca-Cola FEMSA of Mexico is to take control of the US soft drink firm's bottling operations in the Philippines in a $688.5 million cash deal.
Hugh Jackman gets Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Australian actor Hugh Jackman got a Hollywood double whammy Thursday as he was nominated for a Golden Globe and got his star on Tinseltown's famous Walk of Fame on the same day.
Many Americans see hint of Apocalypse in extreme weather
A third of Americans believe the intensity of recent natural disasters is linked to the Apocalypse described in the New Testament, according to a poll released Thursday.
Clinton holds the key to 2016 White House race
Will she, won't she, will she, won't she, will she join the dance? To borrow from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," that's the question on everyone's lips about Hillary Clinton and the 2016 White House race.
Russia says rebels may win, jihadists claim Damascus bomb
Moscow acknowledged on Thursday that the Syrian regime, its longtime ally, might lose its battle with Arab- and Western-backed rebels, 21 months into a conflict that has cost tens of thousands of lives.
Susan Rice folds US secretary of state bid
Susan Rice asked President Barack Obama not to pick her as his next secretary of state Thursday, after becoming a lightning rod for Republicans over the raid on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
