ISS crew ready for spacewalk after 'serious' ammonia leak
The ISS crew were preparing for an emergency spacewalk to fix a "very serious" leak of ammonia from the orbiting laboratory's power system seeping into space.
Strong Iran quake causes damage, injuries
A strong earthquake of 6.2 magnitude hit southern Iran early on Saturday, the US Geological Survey said, with local media reporting of damaged villages and several injuries.
Historic greenhouse gas level sparks calls for action
The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has surpassed 400 parts per million for the first time in human history, US monitors announced Friday, sparking new calls for action to scale back greenhouse gases.
Family album of last tsar surfaces in Russian museum
Held a virtual prisoner by the Bolsheviks months before his execution, Russia's last tsar Nicholas II pasted informal snapshots of his family into an album which has now come to light in a Russian provincial museum.
Getty Museum in LA lands Rembrandt, Canaletto works
The Getty Museum of Los Angeles announced Thursday it has acquired a self-portrait by Rembrandt and a painting by the Venetian artist Canaletto.
N. Korea in dangerous nuclear showdown: US envoy
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is playing a dangerous game in his nuclear showdown with the international community.
New Zealand's Mighty River in strong stock market debut
Shares in hydro-electric generator Mighty River Power debuted on the New Zealand stock exchange at NZ$2.73 ($2.29) Friday, a 9.2 percent premium on the NZ$2.50 initial public offer (IPO) price.
Blueprints for 3D handgun take refuge in Pirate Bay
Virtual blueprints for the world's first 3D printable handgun found a safe harbor Friday at file-sharing website The Pirate Bay, dodging a US government attempt to pull them off the Internet.
Israel seeking to 'sabotage' peace efforts: Palestinians
The chief Palestinian negotiator has accused the Israeli government of trying to "sabotage" US moves to rekindle peace talks by signing off on plans for nearly 300 new settler homes near Ramallah.
Chinese professor fined in poetry row: report
A Chinese court ordered a controversial professor who claims descent from the ancient sage Confucius to apologise and pay a fine after a heated online row over poetry.
'Political, not military' solutions needed in Mideast: Hagel
The problems that plague the Middle East, including Iran's nuclear ambitions and Syria's civil war, require "political, not military" solutions.
Turkish Airlines reverses lipstick ban for stewardesses
Turkish Airlines has reversed a ban on air hostesses wearing brightly-coloured lipstick following accusations it was trying to Islamise the company under government influence.
Cricket: TV networks tussle for Australian rights
Australia's Ten Network television has offered Cricket Australia Aus$500 million (US$505 million) in cash for coverage rights over the next five years.
Search off for Australian couple who fell from cruise ship
Australian officials Friday called off a massive air and sea search for a couple who fell overboard during a cruise, as the cruise ship company involved said safety was its first priority.
G7 nations meet as US pressures Europe over austerity
Finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the Group of Seven leading economies will meet in the English countryside on Friday for talks on spurring growth, amid US-Europe divisions over the scale of austerity.
Berlin's Barbie Dreamhouse a pink feminist nightmare
The opening this month of the first life-sized Barbie Dreamhouse in Europe may be the fantasy of many a little girl, but Berlin feminists are mobilising against what they call a sexist icon.
Bangladesh toll passes 1,000 as stacks of bodies found
The death toll from last month's collapse of a garment factory complex in Bangladesh rose past 1,000 Friday as piles of bodies were found in the ruins of a stairwell where victims had sought shelter.
YouTube launches paid channels, in TV challenge
YouTube on Thursday unveiled its first paid subscription channels as the Google-owned video service made a long-anticipated move to challenge streaming services like Netflix.
US aircraft carrier Nimitz to join drills in S. Korea
A US naval strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz will arrive in South Korea this weekend for sea drills, officials said Friday, following joint exercises that infuriated North Korea.
Cannes facts: Glamour, drama and offbeat
Following is a selection of facts about the Cannes Film Festival.
