AUSTRALIA

In an unabated stint for five consecutive years, Vancouver in Canada has been ranked first in the top ten list of world's most liveable cities.

Canada based rare earth mineral company Rare Element Resources is planning to open a strip mine inside a national forest in northeast Wyoming, the Associated Press reported.

Sarah Ferguson, Obamas and Sarkozys will not be attending

In support of gay and lesbian couples across the globe, Facebook has added extra options to 'relationship statuses: 'In a Civil Union' and 'In a Domestic Partnership'.

China's top nickel producer and third-biggest copper producer Jinchuan Group Ltd is seeking a local listing for its technology unit this year, after it bought a Hong Kong-listed firm for its overseas resource assets, a top executive said on Friday.

Tennis World Number 1 Rafael Nadal will make the comeback from his injury against Belgium for Spain's Davis Cup game.

China on Friday raised banks' required reserves by 50 basis points, showing no let-up in a campaign to stamp out stubbornly high inflation.

Researchers are a step closer to creating a medical 'smart bomb' that would seek out and wipe the root of cancer cells.

BAE Systems said it expected sales to fall in 2011 as the impact of defense cuts in the UK and U.S. begin to hit home, sending its shares lower.

ASX Group Ltd (ASX.AX) eked out a small first-half profit growth, but focus was squarely on the completion of Singapore Exchange's (SGXL.SI) $7.9 billion bid for the Australian bourse operator, a move to help the bourses fight growing competition.

Asian stock markets rose on Thursday, buoyed by strong corporate earnings and as the Federal Reserve expressed cautious optimism about the strength of the U.S. economic recovery.

China is now the world's second largest economy, but hundreds of millions of its people still rely on fouled water that will cost billions of dollars to clean.

Asia's first ever snow polo tournament went into its second day on Wednesday at China's newest and largest polo club, with six top global teams promoting the luxury sport to the nation's new and growing ranks of wealthy.

Global miner BHP Billiton's boss, Marius Kloppers, confirmed on Wednesday he had harboured concerns about Chinese and competitor espionage on his business, citing it as a reason behind his push for market pricing of key commodities.

Legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong, who won the coveted Tour de France a record seven consecutive years, has said he's retiring from the sport.

BHP Billiton plans to pour $80 billion into expansion over the next five years rather than chase ambitious takeovers, the world's biggest miner said after booming demand for iron ore and copper helped nearly double its first-half profits.

British PC and video games retailer Game said it is aiming to revive its fortunes by increasing sales over the Internet and converting more visitors to its stores into paying customers.

Global miner BHP Billiton's boss, Marius Kloppers, confirmed on Wednesday he had harbored concerns about Chinese and competitor espionage on his business, citing it as a reason behind his push for market pricing of key commodities.

BHP Billiton , the world's biggest miner, plans to pour $80 billion into expansions over the next five years and return cash to investors rather than chase ambitious takeovers, after nearly doubling its first-half profit to a record.

ING will sell most of its real estate management operations for about $1 billion to U.S.-based property broker CB Richard Ellis Group, helping the Dutch bancassurer to pay down state aid.

Foster's Group , Australia's largest brewer, pushed ahead on Tuesday with plans to split its beer and wine businesses, but it risked dampening bidder appetite for either unit by also reporting soft first-half profits.