Extreme weather threatens butterfly migration

Heavy storms earlier this year hammered the forests that North America's monarch butterflies migrate to in central Mexico, a study showed on Tuesday, fueling fears the habitat could eventually become untenable.

Floods force halt to cremations

India's holy city of Varanasi has been forced to halt cremations along the banks of the sacred river Ganges as deadly floods from monsoon rains hit parts of the country, an official said on Tuesday.

Twitter users mock official who tries to stay high and dry

A senior Indian politician was widely mocked on Monday after photos showed policemen carrying him through ankle-deep muddy water while inspecting deadly floods in the country's center.

One dead, dozens wounded in car bomb explosion

A car bomb exploded in a nightlife district in Thailand's deep south, killing one and wounding more than 30, in a nation already on edge after a bombing spree that targeted tourist towns.

British woman stabbed to death by Frenchman

A 29-year-old Frenchman shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is Great) as he stabbed a British woman to death and wounded two people at a backpackers' hotel in Australia, police said on Wednesday.

New mung bean spread holds hope for allergy sufferers

Australian scientists have developed a mung bean alternative to peanut butter for people allergic to the popular spread.

Turkey launches anti-Islamic State operation in Syria

Extremist group has been blamed for a weekend attack on a Kurdish wedding that left 54 dead

Italy launches massive relief effort

A devastating earthquake rocked central Italy early on Wednesday, collapsing homes on top of residents as they slept, killing dozens and leaving thousands homeless.

Secret data leak hits submarine maker

French defense contractor DCNS has been hit by a massive leak of secret data on its submarines likely to alarm India, Malaysia and Chile which use the boats, The Australian newspaper reported on Wednesday.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

New buses offer swift, clean transit

Sweaty passengers crammed into battered buses and stuck in traffic jams look on enviously as Tanzania's shiny new commuter buses fly by on the pristine asphalt of dedicated highway lanes.

Contemporary art hits Accra's streets

A satirical cartoon depicting a celebrity in Ghana schooling a British diplomat on how to speak pidgin English won laughter and praise from the crowd at a street festival in Accra.