IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Coke targets 'foodies' as more people move away from sodas

This beverage with burgers and pizza are now part of US culture

Virus found could rewrite smallpox history

The discovery of smallpox DNA in a 17th century child mummy may shorten the timeline of the deadly infectious disease's history, according to a study published on Thursday.

All-conquering teen eyes final step on adventurous quest

Japanese teenager Marin Minamiya has already conquered Qomolangma, known as Mount Everest in the West, and the highest peaks on six other continents, plus a journey to the South Pole.

Museum unlocks Houdini's secrets

Ninety years after his death, the secrets of the world's greatest escape artist, Harry Houdini, have been unlocked in a recently opened Hungarian museum devoted to the Budapest-born illusionist.

Dark matter 'smoother' than first thought, study discovers

Dark matter, the mysterious substance believed to comprise a quarter of our universe, is spread out more smoothly than previously thought, said a study on Wednesday that may challenge some tenets of physics.

Thousands of geese die after landing in toxic mine water

Thousands of migrating geese have died after taking refuge from a snowstorm in toxic mine waters in the western United States, mine officials have said.

Extinction warning for endangered giraffes

The giraffe, the tallest land animal, is now at risk of extinction, biologists say.

Aid groups descend on quake zone; 102 dead

Humanitarian organizations descended on Indonesia's Aceh province on Thursday as the government in Jakarta promised tons of emergency aid and officials raced to assess the full extent of damage from an earthquake that killed more than 100 people.

Renzi resigns, hints at early election

Matteo Renzi bowed out as Italian prime minister with a combination of jokes, regrets and a strong hint that he wants to lead his party into an early election battle.

Investigators seek clues on deadly plane crash

Pakistan on Thursday mourned the 47 victims of its deadliest plane crash in four years, among them two infants and three foreigners, as officials sought to pinpoint the cause of the disaster.

Opposition-controlled Parliament sets up impeachment vote

South Korea's opposition-controlled Parliament introduced an impeachment motion on Thursday against President Park Geun-hye, setting up a likely vote on Friday on whether to suspend her powers over a huge political scandal.