Philippines' oldest artworks in danger of disappearing
On a small rock wall a short drive from the Philippine capital, enigmatic carvings that are believed to date back 5,000 years are in danger of disappearing before their mysteries can be solved.
Vienna's Versailles offers imperial hideaway
Schoenbrunn Palace was Marie-Antoinette's summer childhood home and the beautiful and tragic Sissi's favoured residence. Mozart performed there as a child and Napoleon was so smitten he moved in -- twice.
Thousands evacuated, 12 dead in Chile blaze
More than 8,000 people were evacuated Sunday as an army of firefighters battled a killer blaze that tore through parts of Chile's historic port of Valparaiso and left at least 12 people dead.
One dead, dozen wounded in fresh Algeria ethnic clashes
A young man died and a dozen more were injured Friday in fresh clashes between Arabs and Berbers near the southern Algerian town of Ghardaia, local sources said.
'Letters to father' deepen Uzbek first daughter mystery
The appearance of rambling letters said to have been written by Uzbekistan's once all-powerful first daughter Gulnara Karimova has heightened the mystery over her astonishing fall from grace in the ex-Soviet state.
Australia set to return ancient statues to India
Australia is preparing to return two centuries-old statues to India, following allegations they were stolen from ancient sites and sold as part of an audacious art fraud.
China-France set to tie up deals on Xi visit
China and France are expected to sign scores of business deals on the first full day of President Xi Jinping's state visit Wednesday after he was wined and dined in the gastronomic capital of Lyon.
Marshalls govt wins confidence vote over Lebanese general
The government of the Marshall Islands on Tuesday defeated a motion of no confidence brought after it nominated a former Lebanese general -- a suspect in a deadly bombing -- as its ambassador to UNESCO.
New lizard species discovered in Peru
Scientists have discovered a new species of lizard at a national park in Peru.
Time running out for Great Barrier Reef: scientists
Time is running out for Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef, with climate change set to wreck irreversible damage by 2030 unless immediate action is taken.
Future warming imperils Statue of Liberty: study
The sightseer of 4014 may have to pay a virtual visit to the Tower of London or Statue of Liberty, said a climate study Wednesday that warned of dramatic ocean encroachment on heritage sites.
Australia approves plan to dump dredge spoil in Barrier Reef
Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on Friday approved the dumping of up to three million cubic metres of dredge waste in park waters in a move blasted by environmentalists.
$130 billion a year wasted on poor quality education: UN
A quarter of a billion children worldwide are failing to learn basic reading and maths skills in an education crisis that costs governments $129 billion annually.
Ethiopia's Timkat draws crowds to ancient royal baths
The sun has not yet come up, but hundreds of people -- cloaked in white shrouds and chanting biblical hymns -- are already gathered at the holy baths in northern Ethiopia to celebrate Timkat.
Coal port plan will kill Great Barrier Reef: activists
Conservationists on Wednesday slammed Australia's approval for an Indian firm to expand a major coal port on the Great Barrier Reef coast, warning it would hasten the natural wonder's demise.
Oil explorer eyes Spain's pristine Canary Islands
Luring millions of tourists a year with its crystal-clear waters, warm winters and precious wildlife, Spain's Canary Islands may hold another treasure -- oil -- that is attracting a less welcome visitor.
$1mn Picasso yours for just $135
Still stumped for a Christmas present? Then what about an exquisite $1 million Picasso for the living room, yours for just $135 at an online charity raffle.
Armenian monastery finds unlikely saviour in Arab sheikh
Standing next to a newly refurbished bell tower, priest Aristakes Aivazyan says it needed divine intervention to save Armenia's medieval Haghartsin monastery.
Species protection needed at 78 sites: study
A scientific study out Thursday identifies 78 sites worldwide in dire need of environmental protection because they harbor species that could go extinct.
Indian temple to glitter with 300 kilos of Thai gold
India's Mahabodhi temple, one of the world's holiest Buddhist shrines, is to have its dome inlaid with 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of gold donated by Thailand's king and other devotees.
