Libya's abandoned weapons put civilians at risk: report
Abandoned weapons that were once part of toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi's arsenal pose an ongoing and serious threat to civilians in Libya.
Red Cross helps N. Korea flood victims as toll rises
The Red Cross had allocated almost $308,000 for victims of N. Korea's floods and storms, after state media reported 119 deaths and major crop damage in the food-scarce nation.
Indonesian police arrest 62 over Ramadan bar attack
Indonesian police said Monday they had arrested 62 people, most of them minors, involved in attacking a bar in south Jakarta for serving alcohol during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
Power cut blacks out 300 million in northern India
A massive power cut blacked out a vast swathe of northern India Monday, leaving an estimated 300 million people without power in the worst outage in more than a decade.
Many dead in India train fire: official
At least five people were killed when a train caught fire in southern India on Monday, the railways ministry said, adding the toll was likely to rise with some reports already putting it at 25.
UN: 200,000 flee Aleppo as Syria battle rages
Around 200,000 civilians have fled fighting in Syria's most populous city Aleppo and many more were trapped, the UN said as a fierce government offensive against rebels entered a second day.
Syria rebels ready for 'mother of all battles' in Aleppo
Rebel forces were bracing Friday for a decisive "mother of all" battles in Aleppo, as Washington warned the Syrian army could be preparing to carry out a massacre in the country's second city.
Sea rise threatens 'paradise' Down Under
When Elaine Pearce left Sydney for the seaside peace of Old Bar 12 years ago she was assured her new house was a solid investment, with a century's worth of frontage to guard against erosion.
New York bids farewell to 'Queen of Soul Food'
New Yorkers gave a big sendoff to "Queen of Soul Food" Sylvia Woods, whose famed Harlem restaurant served everybody from Muhammad Ali to Bill Clinton.
Beijing floods caused 'significant losses': official
Weekend floods in Beijing caused "significant losses" and casualty numbers are still being tallied, the head of the worst-hit district has said, as residents of China's capital question the official toll.
Scores injured as typhoon lashes Hong Kong
More than 100 people were injured and trees were ripped from the ground as a typhoon lashed Hong Kong packing winds in excess of 140 kilometres (87 miles) an hour.
Olympics: London 2012 in numbers
From the 10,490 athletes heading to London, to the flock of 70 sheep taking part in the opening ceremony on July 27, AFP takes a look at the 2012 Olympic Games in numbers.
Volunteers join firefighters battling Spain blaze
Chugging along on tractors, brigades of volunteers rode to the aid of regular firefighters battling a deadly blaze in northeastern Spain on Monday.
Obama pays tribute to US massacre victims, survivors
President Barack Obama paid emotional tribute Sunday to the victims and survivors of the Aurora cinema massacre, as the shaken US town held a tearful vigil for the 12 dead filmgoers.
Arab nations urge Assad to quit as fighting rages
Arab nations have called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to swiftly give up power as his troops launched a fresh assault on rebels in Damascus and the second city Aleppo.
A Frenchman's union of Islam and homosexuality
A newlywed homosexual Frenchman is on a mission to prove that "being gay and Muslim is possible" after feeling forced for years to choose between his religion and sexuality.
Libya vote shows 'commitment to democracy': US
Libya has taken an "important step forward" with this month's election results and the vote process showed the Libyan people's "commitment to democracy".
Physical inactivity kills 5 million a year: report
A third of the world's adults are physically inactive, and the couch potato lifestyle kills about five million people every year.
10 dead in Egypt building collapse: health ministry
Egypt's health ministry said Sunday that rescue services had retrieved 10 bodies from under the rubble of an 11-storey building that collapsed a day earlier in the coastal city of Alexandria.
Assad troops accused of new massacre in Syria
Syrian troops with tanks and helicopters slaughtered more than 150 people in a central village, rights activists said on Friday, prompting the opposition to call for urgent UN intervention.