Native painters transform hotels

From Tokyo to France, hotel rooms are being decorated by artists asked to add some pop

Basquiat self-portrait scores $57.3 million

A huge self-portrait by Jean-Michel Basquiat brought $57.3 million at auction in New York on Tuesday, a record for the late US artist, Christie's said.

'Social fridges' open as poverty rises

More than 34 percent of nation's 40 million people live in poverty

Ax fragment found in Australia 'world's oldest'

A rock flake found in Australia is believed to be from the world's oldest known ax and likely dates from just after humans arrived in the country around 50,000 years ago, scientists said on Wednesday.

Debate over transgender bathroom access spreads nationwide

There was a showdown in Houston last fall. This spring, North Carolina became the battleground. By now, confrontations have flared across the country over whether to protect or curtail the right of transgender people to use public restrooms in accordance with their gender identity.

Islamist leader hanged for 1971 rape, genocide

Bangladesh hanged Islamist party leader Motiur Rahman Nizami on Wednesday for genocide and other crimes committed during the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan, the law minister said, a punishment that risked provoking an angry reaction from his supporters.

40.8 million across world displaced by conflicts

The number of people internally displaced by conflicts around the world rose last year to a record 40.8 million people, a report out on Wednesday showed.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Startup plans to test futuristic transport system by year end

Hyperloop One startup, intent on zipping people along at near-supersonic speeds in pressurized tubes, announced on Tuesday that the French national rail company had joined its growing list of backers.

Car bomb in Baghdad's Sadr City kills 63

A car bomb claimed by the Islamic State group in a Shiite Muslim district of Baghdad killed at least 63 people and wounded more than 78 others on Wednesday, Iraqi police and hospital sources said, the largest attack inside the city for months.

Families, friends divided over crisis

Political debate that is splitting country is being driven to large extend by popularity of social media

Mercury completes rare 'transit'

Last lineup was 10 years ago, the next will be in 2019, followed by 2032 and 2049