CULTURE AND SPORT

Swiss Re, one of the world's biggest reinsurers, estimated Wednesday that February's New Zealand earthquake would cost insurers up to $12 billion.

The International Air Transport Association downgraded its airline industry outlook for 2011 to $8.6 billion from the $9.1 billion it estimated in December 2010.

Volkswagen AG is resurrecting its iconic microbus, which debuted in 1950 and became a favorite of hippies for its unique styling.

The US military will send a warship to the Mediterranean next week as a first step in a defense shield to protect Europe, a defense official said.

Apple was expected to unveil a second-generation iPad on Wednesday as rivals struggle to compete with the original model.

Half of men in the general population may be infected with human papillomavirus or HPV, U.S. researchers said

Germany's popular defence minister quit Tuesday a week after being stripped of his doctorate for alleged plagiarism.

You'll never look at hummingbirds the same again.

Forces loyal to Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo have opened fire on UN sanctions experts, a UN source has said.

A Vietnamese short film, A Superhero’s Choice, will join 144 short films from around the world in the 48 Go Green competition.

Grieving New Zealanders wept and hugged Tuesday, as the nation fell silent to mark the moment last week when an earthquake tore apart Christchurch.

Bernard Madoff, in prison for the biggest pyramid scheme fraud in Wall Street history, says that in reality he made a lot of people rich and that he suffered alone.

Egypt slapped a ban on ousted president Hosni Mubarak and his family travelling abroad, and also imposed a freeze on their assets, judicial officials said.

The Windsurfing World Cup tournament of the Professional Windsurfers Association opened at Mui Ne beach, Phan Thiet city, on Feb. 27.

Protesters demanding jobs and reform remained on the streets of Oman Monday, a day after police killed at least two

The UN refugee agency said a "humanitarian emergency" was underway as thousands fled Libya in a mass exodus of foreigners from the strife-torn country.

How to prepare for the Connected Generation’s transformation of the consumer and business landscape.

British historical drama "The King's Speech" was crowned with the best film Oscar.

Demand for water in agriculture and energy production could spike in the coming decades while catastrophic floods and droughts strike more often.