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.

Trump, Clinton score victories in New York

Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton scored sweeping victories in nominating contests in their home state of New York, and immediately cited them in arguing they are all but unstoppable as their respective parties' presidential nominees.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Eradication of mosquito 'unlikely'

Govt's 'war' on Zika virus threatened by every international traveler and import

One of world's oldest libraries is renovated

The settling dust from renovations and the banging of tools aren't ideal sights and sounds for a library - but this is no ordinary library.