CULTURE AND SPORT

Bahrain's Sunni Muslim ruling family came under increased pressure to open in-depth negotiations with the Shiite-led opposition.

The son of Libya's strongman Moamer Kadhafi warned Monday the country would be destroyed by civil war if protests end his father's rule.

Deputy trade ministers from Taiwan and China will meet on the island this week to normalise of ties between the former rivals.

A growing population competing for resources could make for an "unrecognizable" world by 2050, researchers warned.

Prince William and Kate Middleton have invited 1,900 guests to their wedding, filling Westminster Abbey with an array of royals, world leaders, family and friends.

Libyan authorities arrested dozens of foreign Arab nationals for allegedly stoking anti-regime protests amid reports that security forces had killed more than 80 people.

The United States vetoed a UN resolution branding Israeli settlements illegal, prompting Palestinians to vow to re-evaluate the Middle East peace process.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned that putting national interests first will kill off the G20, as ministers met to hammer out common criteria key to ensuring global financial stability.

The budget battle embroiling Washington is heating up in US states as newly elected Republican lawmakers move to bust public workers unions and slash services in the face of big deficits.

Bahraini security forces opened fire Friday on anti-regime protesters in the capital, with reports of up to 55 wounded.

The fifth biennial Sea Festival will be held in Nha Trang City from June 11-15 with the Spratly Archipelago as a key topic.

Facebook began letting over 600 million members indicate whether they are in civil unions or domestic partnerships.

G20 ministers gather in Paris Friday to hammer out common criteria for measuring global economic imbalances at a two-day session.

Libyan security forces killed at least 24 people in a violent crackdown on anti-regime demonstrations during a "Day of Anger".

Serie A title-chasers Napoli will travel to Spanish opponents Villarreal with their Europa League hopes in the balance after they were held 0-0.

Oil prices in New York sharply rebounded in volatile trade once again dominated by concerns about spreading unrest in the oil-rich Middle East.

The late President Ho Chi Minh was in the spotlight at Vietnam Poetry Day, held at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi on February 17.

Ousted Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is hospitalised 'in coma' as more details of corruption under his rule came to light.

Seven people were killed in Libya as Moamer Kadhafi's regime sought to overshadow an opposition "Day of Anger" with its own rally in Tripoli.