South African elephant park accused of cruelty

A South African animal rights group has accused an elephant park of cruelty after video footage emerged showing harsh training methods being used on baby elephants.

Russian army gets ready for withdrawal

Russia's Defense Ministry said on Monday its military units close to the border with Ukraine have started dismantling their camps in preparation for returning to their permanent bases, in line with an order from President Vladimir Putin.

Xi, putin gravely concerned

China and Russia issued a joint statement on Tuesday expressing "grave concern" over the political crisis in Ukraine and calling for dialogue to resolve the situation.

Singapore fights illicit soccer betting

Singaporean police said on Monday they had arrested 18 people believed to be part of a multi-million-dollar illegal soccer betting ring less than a month before the World Cup starts.

CIA pledges to end vaccination ruse

A top White House official has pledged that the CIA will no longer use vaccination programs as a cover for spying operations. The agency used the ruse in targeting Osama bin Laden before the US raid that killed him in 2011.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Thai army declares martial law

Thailand's powerful army declared martial law before dawn on Tuesday, deploying troops into the heart of Bangkok in a dramatic move it said was aimed at stabilizing the Southeast Asian country after six months of turbulent political unrest. The military, however, insisted a coup was not underway.

Media blackout imposed for 'national security'

Thailand's army suspended broadcasts on several television channels on Tuesday in a sweeping move to censor the media after the declaration of martial law.

Australia confident money to Cambodia will help

Australia on Tuesday dismissed concerns that money given to Cambodia to resettle refugees could end up in the pockets of corrupt officials as Phnom Penh moves closer to joining Papua New Guinea and Nauru in accepting asylum-seekers.

New Mexico says 57 nuclear waste containers could be threat

Los Alamos National Laboratory packed 57 barrels of nuclear waste with a type of kitty litter believed to have caused a radiation leak at the federal government's troubled nuclear waste dump, posing a potentially "imminent" and "substantial" threat to public health and the environment, New Mexico officials said on Monday.

Ancient synagogue still draws crowds

Tunisian pilgrimage site popular with Israelis despite security fears

Visitors flood into Rome for 'Night of Museums'

Several thousand people crowded museums and archaeological sites in Rome on Saturday night, as Italy took part in the annual edition of the European Night of Museums.