Thrillseekers tread the boards in drone craze

Skirted on all sides by snow-clad pine forests, Latvia's remote Lake Ninieris would be the perfect picture of winter tranquillity - were it not for the huge drone buzzing like a swarm of angry bees as it zooms above the solid ice surface.

Doctors call for alcohol ad ban

A group of doctors in Australia has called for the nation's cricketing bodies to ban alcohol sponsorship, claiming it is negatively affecting children.

Singapore switchoff highlights digital divide for phone users

When Singapore pulls the plug on its 2G mobile phone network this year, thousands of people could be stuck without a signal - digital have-nots left behind by the relentless march of technology.

The woman in the firing line of Brexit

Gina Miller has endured months of death threats and racist taunts for her decision to challenge the legal basis of Brexit, and while hopeful of victory on Tuesday, she is not looking forward to it.

Nigeria's aviation sector rocked by heavy turbulence

Nigeria may consider itself a regional aviation hub but years of mismanagement and now recession have blighted domestic airline operations, making delays and cancellations the norm.

Trump pledges to unify US on inauguration eve

Billionaire Republican Donald Trump on Thursday pledged to bring unity to the United States as he swept into Washington on the eve of the most consequential moment of his life - his inauguration as 45th president of the country.

Extradited drug lord 'El Chapo' arrives in US

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, one of the world's most notorious drug kingpins, is finally headed for a court date the United States sought for two decades while he made brazen prison escapes and spent years on the run in Mexico.

Extinction threatens 60 percent of primates

From gorillas to gibbons, about 60 percent of primates, the closest biological relatives to human beings, are threatened by extinction due largely to human activities, a study has found.

Four dead after driver ploughs car into Australian pedestrians

A man deliberately drove into pedestrians, killing four and injuring more than 20 in the center of Australia's second largest city Melbourne on Friday, but police said the lunchtime incident was not terrorism-related.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Thai floods threaten key region for rubber

First came drought, then came floods. Rubber farmers in Thailand's south are counting the cost of extreme weather in the world's top growing region.

Eight found alive in avalanche-hit hotel

Eight people have been found alive under the avalanche that hit an Italian mountain hotel almost two days ago and rescuers are working to free them from the snow on Friday.