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Libya council hands over power to new assembly

Libya’s National Transitional Council on Wednesday handed power to a new assembly, in a symbolic move marking a peaceful transition following the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi’s 40-year dictatorship. ‘I hand over the constitutional prerogatives... Full story

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Nagasaki marks bomb with nuclear-free Japan call

The mayor of Nagasaki called Thursday for a Japan free of nuclear fears as the city marked the 67th anniversary of its World War II atomic bombing by the United States. ‘Even during wartime there are certain unacceptable... Full story

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Appeal to help 2 million Philippine flood victims

Philippine authorities appealed Thursday for help in getting relief to two million people affected by deadly floods in and around the capital, warning that evacuation centres were overwhelmed. Full story

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New human species identified from Kenya fossils

Researchers studying fossils from northern Kenya have identified a new species of human that lived two million years ago. The discoveries suggests that at least three distinct species of humans co-existed in Africa. Full story

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New US study finds diverse beliefs in Muslim world

The global Muslim community of 1.6 billion people agree on the core principles of their faith, but differ widely in religiosity and religious tolerance, according to a poll published Thursday. Full story

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Number of Syrian refugees in Turkey tops 50,000

More than 2,000 people fled violence in Syria to reach neighbouring Turkey in the past two days, bringing the total number of Syrians who have sought refuge there to more than 50,000, Turkish authorities said on Thursday. Full story

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Taliban threaten to kill Imran Khan

The Taliban have threatened to kill Pakistani cricket star turned politician, Imran Khan, if he holds a planned march to their tribal stronghold to protest US drone attacks. Although the Pakistani Taliban also... Full story

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Swiss lab wants guarantee in Arafat death inquiry

A Swiss laboratory will help investigate the unexplained 2004 death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat only if it receives guarantees its findings will not be used for political purposes, a spokesman for the lab said on Wednesday. Full story

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Japan PM to face confidence vote

Japan’s prime minister looked set to survive a no-confidence motion on Thursday after reaching an 11th hour deal with a major opposition party over his much-cherished sales tax bill. Full story

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Ramdev draws thousands to anti-graft rally

Tens of thousands of followers of a graft-fighting Indian yoga guru gathered in New Delhi on Thursday in a fresh demonstration against corruption. About 40,000 supporters turned out at the Ramlila ground in central... Full story

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Obama in new push for women’s votes

The US president, Barack Obama, aggravated a culture war battle over contraception as he wooed women voters Wednesday, warning that Mitt Romney’s Republicans would turn back the clock to the 1950s. Full story

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Afghan soldier fires on NATO troops

An Afghan soldier turned his weapon on NATO allies Thursday in the latest in a series of so-called green-on-blue attacks, the US-led International Security Assistance Force said. Full story

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July hottest month on record in US

July was the hottest month in the contiguous United States since record-keeping began in 1895, government scientists have said, a trend that meteorologists attribute to climate change. Full story

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Gunfire in Egypt’s tense Sinai

Gunfire broke out Thursday in the Sinai town of El-Arish, reports said, as tensions simmered after the Egyptian authorities vowed to crush a surge in Islamist militancy in the tense peninsula. Full story

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Warning shots, tear gas fired to disperse Tunisia demo

The police on Thursday fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a protest in the central Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid, birthplace of last year’s revolution, an AFP journalist reported. Full story

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