Leprosy: an ancient disease thrives in 21st century
It has been called the world's oldest recorded disease, an evil that humans have known for more than 3,500 years, as papyri from ancient Egypt testify.
US calls for 'unconditional' Sudan talks with rebels
The United States on Thursday called on Sudan to hold "unconditional" talks with rebels battling government forces in two strife-torn states where the UN says thousands are close to starvation.
Taiwan boat leaves islands after Japan water cannon duel
A boat carrying Taiwanese activists headed for disputed Japanese-controlled islands turned back Thursday after coastguard vessels from the two sides converged and duelled with water cannon.
Syringes, surgery and slaps: Thais suffer for beauty
From breast-slapping and gold thread face-lifts, to vaginal whitening soaps and olive oil penis enlargements, image obsessed Thais are going to ever increasing extremes in the quest for beauty.
Apple co-founder says Steve Jobs film inaccurate
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak said Friday that a new film about the late Steve Jobs is factually "wrong," while the movie's makers countered it is meant as entertainment -- not a literal retelling of the computer pioneer's life.
Gatorade pulls 'fire retardant' additive
PepsiCo subsidiary Gatorade said Friday it was removing an ingredient from its popular citrus-flavored sports drink that has a second life as a fire retardant.
Web inventor says governments stifling net freedom
The inventor of the World Wide Web warned Friday that government control is limiting the possibilities of the Internet, as dozens of countries and businesses signed a cybersecurity deal at the Davos forum.
Lets's get small! Bolivians stage miniature festival
Bolivia is throwing a little party. Literally. It's a yearly festival in which street vendors hawk everything miniature -- from houses to clothes to passports -- for small bills of fake money.
US braces for 'six strikes' anti-piracy program
A new voluntary system aimed at rooting out online copyright piracy using a controversial "six strikes" system is set to be implemented by US Internet providers soon, with the impact unclear.
Latin America, Europe open summit to boost trade
Latin American and European leaders open a two-day summit here Saturday to give a fresh impetus to efforts to seal a free trade agreement between their two blocs.
ANA to cancel more Dreamliner flights: media
Japan's All Nippon Airways plans to cancel at least 379 flights in February due to the worldwide grounding of Boeing's Dreamliner.
Music industry finally on road to recovery
News that the global music industry has finally turned the corner and is on the road to recovery should help get the annual four-day gathering of many of the world's top music execs at the MIDEM trade fair.
Child soldiers still recruited in Myanmar: group
Child soldiers are still being recruited in Myanmar despite the nation's recent political reforms, an advocacy group said Wednesday, as it urged better monitoring of the powerful military.
South Korean rocket launch set for Jan 30
South Korea confirmed Thursday that it will make another bid on January 30 to put a satellite in orbit and join an elite club of global space powers that includes China, Japan and India.
French planes destroy Islamist bases in Mali
French warplanes have destroyed two Islamist bases in northern Mali as an Al-Qaeda-linked group there split, with the splinter group calling for talks to end the offensive against the militants.
Robuchon outlets top Asian restaurant poll
Two restaurants run by French celebrity chef Joel Robuchon in Macau and Hong Kong have placed first and third in an annual poll of Asia's Top 20 fine dining establishments.
US military to lift ban on women in combat
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will lift a ban on women serving in combat, officials said Wednesday -- a ground-breaking move after a decade of war that saw female troops thrust onto the battlefield.
Age counts as ex-Communist, aristocrat eye Czech presidency
Milos Zeman, a bold veteran of the Czech left, takes on eccentric Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg on Friday and Saturday in the tight round-two battle of the republic's first direct presidential election.
Is it a bird? A plane? No, just a guy named Oscar
He was a self-styled superhero, prowling the gritty outskirts of Buenos Aires wearing a mask and cartoonish outfit and armed only with a flashlight, compass and pepper spray as he took on bad guys.
Kazakhstan Foreign Minister on adoption of the Latin alphabet
At a press-conference in Moscow today Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister dispelled Russia’s concerns over alleged geopolitical shifts behind Kazakhstan’s decision to have the language shifted to the Latin alphabet.
