CULTURE AND SPORT

The strongest earthquake ever to hit Japan Friday unleashed a terrifying 10-metre tsunami that claimed hundreds of lives.

International Francophone Day will arrive on March 20, and will include many events aimed at cultural exchange among French-speaking countries.

A powerful tsunami spawned by the largest earthquake in Japan's recorded history slammed the eastern coast Friday. Authorities said at least 32 people were killed.

An elephant from Yang Tao Village won the first ever race for pachyderms held yesterday in the Central Highlands.

A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake shook Japan on Friday, unleashing a powerful tsunami that sent ships crashing into the shore.

The H1N1 swine flu that swept the globe in 2009/10 could morph into a more transmissible form, while an older, mid-20th century virus could come roaring back.

China has said prices rose 4.9 percent year-on-year in February, well above the official target, despite government efforts to rein in inflation.

US President Barack Obama will hold a press conference to discuss rising energy prices and issues as the world heaps pressure on Libya's Moamer Kadhafi.

An earthquake toppled houses in China's extreme southwest near the border with Myanmar, killing at least 22 people and injuring more than 200.

Swimmer Nguyen Huu Viet is preparing to qualify for the World Swimming Championship in Shanghai in July.

Indonesia's self-proclaimed "King of Luwak" is having a hard time keeping up with demand for the beans excreted by his stable of pampered civet "cats".

A US film company is to make a movie about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, based on an article about events leading up to the explosion.

Moamer Kadhafi accused the West of wanting to seize Libya's oil and warned that a no-fly zone would backfire as his forces pounded rebel lines.

The oldest and most traveled US space shuttle, Discovery, landed back on Earth after its final space flight.

Libyan oil output is down by over two-thirds from 1.6 million barrels per day to just 500,000 amid the uprising against Moamer Kadhafi's regime.

Tiger poo is an effective new weapon in warding off animal pests after years of experimenting with big cats' faeces collected from Australian zoos.

The International Boat Racing Festival 2011 is scheduled to take place in Mui Ne in the southern province of Binh Thuan from March 17-23.

China will invest around USD200 billion this year in affordable housing to address mounting public concern over runaway property prices.

A Lionel Messi brace helped Barcelona to a 3-1 victory over 10-man Arsenal to put them into the quarter-finals of Champions League.