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.

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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.

Police open defamation probe against ex-leader Mahathir

Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad is under investigation for defaming the attorney-general in blog posts criticizing his failure to bring corruption charges against Prime Minister Najib Razak, police said on Monday.

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A South Korean military helicopter crashed in a field near an army base on Monday, killing three crew members and leaving one seriously injured.

Common vision, shared aspirations

Editor's note: As intensive preparations get underway for the 11th G20 Summit, which will be held in Hangzhou on September 4 and 5, attention and expectations about the summit are running high among the international community and Chinese in particular. Our correspondent talked to State Councilor Yang Jiechi, who is in charge of preparations, in a special interview. The following is the comprehensive overview of the preparatory work as given by Yang.