CULTURE AND SPORT

The White House warned that failing to raise the USD4.29 trillion debt limit would spark "Armageddon-like" consequences for the US economy.

Foreign ministers and diplomats from ASEAN member countries discussed a wide range of issues at a meeting in Thailand.

A strong earthquake rocked Tokyo, as Japan is to raise the severity of its nuclear emergency to the maximum level.

A strong offshore earthquake rocked Tokyo on Tuesday, swaying buildings in the capital and stopping subway services.

Japan widened the evacuation zone around a stricken nuclear plant as another 7.1 magnitude quake and tsunami alert strained nerves anew.

Ivory Coast leader Alassane Ouattara's forces, backed by French and UN troops, captured his besieged rival Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan.

The U.S. government has prevented more than 350 people suspected of ties to al-Qaida and other terrorist groups from boarding commercial flights.

Nitrogen pollution costs Europe between 70 and 320 billion euros per year in its impact on health and the environment.

South African Charl Schwartzel birdied the last four holes at formidable Augusta National to win the 75th Masters.

The regime of Libya's Moamer Kadhafi has accepted an African Union peace plan designed to the end the current conflict.

The regime of Libya's Moamer Kadhafi has accepted an African Union peace plan designed to the end the current conflict.

A surge in food prices has prompted criticism of US subsidies for ethanol, which diverts corn from global food supplies.

NATO has destroyed key ammunition stockpiles and armoured vehicles in recent airstrikes, while Moamer Kadhafi's loyalists pushed rebels back. 

A dramatic eleventh-hour deal slashing spending staved off a US government shutdown, ending a rancorous budget row.

More than 50 paintings and sketches by the late Vietnamese song-writer Trinh Cong Son will come to HCMC Fine Arts Museum on Saturday.

Tiger Woods roared into contention at the 75th Masters by displaying the long-absent form that made him a 14-time major champion.

Heavy fighting broke out in the besieged Libyan town of Misrata with four civilians killed, as loyalist forces sought to dislodge rebels.

Thirty years after Dudley Moore brought the world "Arthur," Russell Brand breathes new life into the drunken playboy.

European Union finance ministers met on Friday to thrash out the terms of a multi-billion dollar loan to Portugal.