Boxer: Gay couples 'worse than animals'

Eight-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has sparked a firestorm of criticism in the Philippines after describing gay couples as "worse than animals".

Airstrikes on hospitals kill 50, cast doubt on cease-fire

Hopes for a cease-fire in Syria were fading on Tuesday, after dozens were killed in airstrikes on hospitals that France branded war crimes and the Syrian president said implementing a truce would prove "difficult".

US to dispatch F-22 stealth fighters to ROK

The United States will dispatch nuclear-capable F-22 fighter jets to the Republic of Korea in an apparent show of force to militarily pressure the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday.

Seven dead as gas blast collapses building

At least seven people, including two children, were killed in Russia on Tuesday when a gas explosion caused part of a block of flats to collapse, officials said.

Luxuries found in deadly riot prison

Luxuries such as saunas, a bar, food stands and appliances were discovered by authorities entering a prison in northern Mexico to investigate a riot that killed 49 inmates.

UN investigates new sex abuse claims

The United Nations said on Monday it is investigating new allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation by UN peacekeepers in Central African Republic, including against minors.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Country united by star's goal

Islamic State militants drove Ayman Hussein from his home. Eighteen months later, he sent Iraq's soccer team to the Olympics.

150,000 penguins die after iceberg grounding

About 150,000 penguins died after a massive iceberg grounded near their colony in Antarctica, forcing them to make a lengthy trek to find food, scientists said in a newly-published study.

Official: Soldiers did not enter Syria

Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz denied a report that some Turkish soldiers had entered Syria over the weekend and said Ankara was not considering sending troops into its neighbor, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Monday.

$900m worth of meth hidden in bra inserts seized

Australian police seized approximately $900 million worth of methamphetamine, known on the streets as ice, some concealed in inserts for bras, in one of the country's biggest drug busts, authorities said on Monday.

Olmert becomes first PM to go to prison

Israel's former prime minister Ehud Olmert started serving a 19-month prison sentence for bribery and obstruction of justice on Monday, becoming the first Israeli premier to be imprisoned and capping a yearslong legal saga that forced him to resign in 2006 amid the last serious round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.