Islamists smash Timbuktu relics, plant mines in north Mali Islamist rebels smashed the entrance of a 15th-century Timbuktu mosque on Monday, while their Al-Qaeda allies in northern Mali cut off the key city of Gao by planting landmines all around it.
French language takes center stage at Quebec forum The first global forum on French kicked off in the Canadian province of Quebec Monday aimed at strengthening the language of Moliere in a world dominated by English.
03 July 2012
Olympics: Russia seeks to regain superpower status Russia is seeking to win a treasure trove of gold medals across a dozen sports at the Olympics to remind the world it remains a sporting superpower two decades after the USSR's collapse.
South Korea opens controversial new mini-capital South Korea Monday inaugurated a mini-capital to house much of the nation's government, ending a decade of wrangling over a project seen by critics as driven by politics.
Barclays chairman resigns over rate rigging scandal Barclays chairman Marcus Agius resigned on Monday, saying suspected manipulation of inter-bank lending rates by staff had "dealt a devastating blow" to the reputation of the British banking giant.
03 July 2012
Scientologists deny tailing Cruise wife, eyeing daughter The Church of Scientology denied Monday sending anyone to follow Katie Holmes after she filed for divorce from Tom Cruise, amid reports she feared her husband's plans for their daughter.
03 July 2012
Cool reception for Australia's climate tax: poll Australia's new carbon tax received a cool reception in a poll Monday, showing Prime Minister Julia Gillard's mechanism to tackle climate change is unpopular and her government on track to lose office.
03 July 2012
Power slowly returns as US heatwave drags on Utility crews made slow progress Sunday in restoring electricity to millions of households amid a record-setting heatwave in the eastern United States that showed no sign of abating soon.
03 July 2012
Israel sought $1 billion IMF loan for Palestinians Israel sought a $1 billion IMF bridging loan for the Palestinian Authority earlier this year, but was turned down, an Israeli newspaper said Monday in a report.