Cats blamed for decline of marsupials

Small, furry marsupials such as the bandicoot, quoll and tree possum are in dramatic decline in northern Australia, and feral cats could be the cause, according to an analysis reported on Wednesday.

Syrian rebels start pullout in Homs

Rebels started withdrawing from the heart of the Syrian city of Homs on Wednesday, leaving an early center of the revolt against the Syrian government and handing President Bashar al-Assad a symbolic victory less than a month before his likely re-election.

Replacement named for ousted Yingluck

Thailand's prime minister was ordered to step down on Wednesday, along with part of her caretaker Cabinet, after the Constitutional Court found her guilty in an abuse-of-power case, pushing the country deeper into political turmoil.

Manila's seizure of Chinese boat 'pure belligerence'

Manila illegally seized 11 Chinese fishermen and a boat from waters off China's Half Moon Shoal in the Nansha Islands, a move likely to escalate tension in the South China Sea.

Philippine munitions depot blast injures 24

Twenty-four people were injured when fire and a series of explosions struck a Philippine army munitions depot near the country's financial district on Wednesday, officials and witnesses said.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Egypt's Sisi won't assuage rift with the Brotherhood

Egyptian presidential frontrunner Abdel Fattah al-Sisi appeared to rule out reconciliation with the Muslim Brotherhood movement on Monday, raising the specter of a prolonged conflict with a group he said was finished.

Neighbor of Pistorius testifies at murder trial

The former neighbor of Oscar Pistorius testified at the athlete's murder trial on Tuesday, giving evidence on the night he shot his girlfriend dead, saying he heard a man crying loudly and that he called the security of the housing estate for help.

EU: No armed intervention in Ukraine

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy ruled out EU military intervention to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, according to ITAR-Tass.

War 'a few steps away'

Ukraine is close to war, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned in interviews published in four European newspapers on Tuesday.

Court to rule on Yingluck in Thailand

Thailand's Constitutional Court said it will rule on an abuse-of-power case against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday, with a guilty verdict likely to force her from office and possibly bring her supporters to the streets.

US trade pacts 'undermine China's economic security'

Washington's pursuit of free trade pacts spanning two oceans will undermine China's economic security, a report by a leading Chinese think tank warned.