CULTURE AND SPORT

Japan's cabinet approved a $24 billion second special budget to finance relief and rebuilding after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

A French writer is set to launch legal action for attempted rape against former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

Police in China had detained a man accused of detonating a remote-controlled bomb in a Shanghai supermarket, destroying several lockers.

Japan's minister in charge of disaster reconstruction said Tuesday he would resign after just a week in the post.

More than 7,000 workers from a US-run massive gold and copper mine in Indonesia started a week-long strike to demand better wages.

Vast deposits of rare earth minerals have been found on the floor of the Pacific Ocean and can be readily extracted, Japanese scientists said.

Singer Thu Minh and her partner Lechezar Todorov became champions in the Vietnamese version Dancing with the Stars 2011.

As the US winds down its shuttle programme, Russia will gain complete control of access to the International Space Station.

Allies of Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra will scramble to form a coalition government Monday after a huge poll victory.

Vietnam’s national flag was hoisted above the Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Singapore, on the 1st day of competition of 2011 ASEAN Schools Games.

Nearly 200 rhinos were killed in South Africa in the first half of 2011, environmental group WWF said.

Novak Djokovic won his first Wimbledon title, dethroning champion Rafael Nadal.

Allies of Thailand's fugitive ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra stormed to victory in elections on Sunday.

Aviation regulators were discussing Sunday whether to seek court approval to extend the grounding of Tiger Airways Australia.

Thailand voted in a closely fought election seen as pivotal to the future of the deeply divided kingdom.

Petra Kvitova stunned favourite Maria Sharapova to win her first Grand Slam title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the women's singles final at Wimbledon.

Aviation regulators grounded budget carrier Tiger Airways Australia Saturday because it posed a "serious and imminent risk to air safety".

David Archuleta, the runner-up in American Idol 2008, will perform alongside many Vietnamese artists in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City this July.

Princess Catherine and Prince William celebrated Canada Day among a huge crowd on the couple's first official international outing.