Asiaone - World

At least 272 dead in Honduras prison fire: officials

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Investigators are looking into whether the fire was caused by an inmate or by a short circuit. -AFP

Iran denies link with Bangkok blasts, accuses Israel

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

It accused Israel of "trying to harm the friendly and historic relations between Iran and Thailand." -AFP

Blind judges to size up samba at Sao Paulo Carnival

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Five specially-trained blind judges will officiate the eagerly-awaited percussion contest of the city's famed samba schools. -AFP

Afghan teens were armed when bombed: NATO

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

The US-led NATO force in Afghanistan conceded that eight young men were killed during a recent air strike but insisted they were armed teenagers. -AFP

Assad decrees Syria constitution vote for Feb 26

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

The move is clearly aimed at placating growing global outrage over the bloodshed. -AFP

Thais find possible bomb link in Thai, India attacks

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Thai investigators believe they have found a link between this week's bomb blasts in Bangkok and New Delhi. -Reuters

Thailand charges Iranian bomb suspects

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Thailand charged two Iranians Wednesday over an alleged bomb plot against Israeli diplomats. -AFP

Iran denies link with Bangkok blasts, accuses Israel

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Iran denied any link with explosions in Bangkok and accused "elements linked with the (Israeli) Zionist regime" of being responsible. -AFP

Strong 6.0 quake rumbles off northwest US coast

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

The epicenter of the quake was around 155 miles (250 kilometers) off the Oregon coast. -AFP

Afghan TV presenters told 'more veil, less make-up'

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Afghanistan has instructed female TV presenters to stop appearing without a headscarf and to wear less make-up. -AFP

Italy cruise ship passengers file $668 million US lawsuit

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

The suit filed seeks US$78 million (S$98.7 million) in damages and US$450 million in punitive damages.

Rio counts down to wild Carnival extravaganza

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Rio kicks off its world-famous Carnival celebrations on Friday which will showcase its wild dancing and lavish parades. -AFP

Putin loses ground in hometown Saint Petersburg

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

As protests against the rule of Vladimir Putin shake Russia, his popularity is also eroding in his hometown of Saint Petersburg. -AFP

Stolen Dutch artworks found in British warehouse: Report

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Hundreds of works by Dutch expressionist artist Karel Appel have been discovered in a British warehouse ten years after they went missing. -AFP

Kate spends Valentine's solo

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Her husband, Prince William, is deployed to the Falkland Islands. -AFP

Moderate 5.1 quake rattles Mexico: USGS

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. -AFP

McDonald's praised for crate-free pork pledge

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Animal welfare group believes pigs raised in tiny crates are inhumaine. -AFP

Zurich most expensive city, currencies drive costs: Survey

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Zurich has topped Tokyo to become the world's most expensive city. -Reuters

Clashes in Bahrain on eve of uprising anniversary

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Hundreds of protesters in Bahrain on eve of the first anniversary of a pro-democracy uprising in the Gulf Arab kingdom. -Reuters

Second Brazilian journalist killed in less than a week

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

"Initial reports indicate that the crime against the journalist could be politically motivated, but police do not rule out other theories," it said. -AFP

Syria ignores Arab plan to stop bloodshed

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

The United States said it was considering whether a peacekeeping force would work. -AFP

Aussie fined for 'mooning' queen

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Sydney barman Liam Warriner, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance. -AFP

US, N. Korea to hold first talks since leader's death

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Glyn Davies will meet with veteran North Korean negotiator Kim Kye-Gwan. -AFP

US state of Washington legalises gay marriage

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Six US states - Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont - plus the District of Columbia already allow same-sex marriage. -AFP

Obama proposes defence cut after decade of growth

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

The president's spending plan calls for a Pentagon base budget of $525.4 billion, about US$5.1 billion, or 1 per cent, less than approved in 2012. -Reuters