European Unionhits Google with antitrust charge

The European Union charged Google on Wednesday with using its dominant Android mobile operating system to squeeze out rivals, opening a second front against the technology giant that could result in large fines.

Up to 500 feared dead after boat sinks

The UN refugee agency said on Wednesday as many as 500 refugees and migrants may have lost their lives after an overcrowded boat sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Italy. The incident, if confirmed, could be one of the worst tragedies involving refugees and migrants in the past 12 months.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

An 'eyesore' in Paris gets $1bn spruce up

Swapping burgers for lobster souffle and rusty welding for a state-of-the-art canopy roof, Paris' mayor this month unveiled a $1 billion revamp of the city's dilapidated main shopping and transport complex, Les Halles.

New mill raises doubts about forest pledge

A landmark commitment by one of the world's largest producers of tissue and paper to stop cutting down Indonesia's prized tropical forests is under renewed scrutiny as the company prepares to open a giant pulp mill in South Sumatra.

Anger erupts as 1,700 still missing in Ecuador quake

People complain help has been slow to arrive in certain regions

Half of Great Barrier Reef coral now 'dead or dying', say scientists

Australian scientists said on Wednesday that just 7 percent of the Great Barrier Reef, which attracts around $3.90 billion in tourism every year, has been untouched by mass bleaching that is likely to destroy half the coral.

Sex-abuse victims demand to be heard

The Roman Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal has stretched into one of the least Catholic countries: Japan, where former students at a prestigious all-boys parochial school allege they were molested or raped by religious brothers who taught there decades ago.

Debris 'definitely' from missing plane

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau on Wednesday released findings which show debris found in Mozambique is "definitely" from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

Govt will try to reclaim crown jewel

Return of Koh-i-Noor diamond is viewed as partial compensation for centuries of exploitation

Peter Liang will not serve time in prison

Former New York police officer Peter Liang will not serve time in prison after a Brooklyn judge on Tuesday sentenced him to five years probation with six months of house arrest and 800 hours of community service.

Fidel Castro makes surprise appearance

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro made a rare appearance at the meeting of the Communist Party of Cuba on Tuesday, voicing his support for Cuba's economic and social reforms.