STORY HIGHLIGHTS Roman Catholics will gather at the Vatican Sunday for service marking “Year of Faith” Bones believed to be those of St. Peter will be displayed for first time Vatican analyst says while bones’ identity is unconfirmed, they are an object of devotion John Allen: Bones are a “scientific controversy… wrapped in a blanket of belief” Pope Francis generally comes off as so hip, so completely at home in […]
As a leader in capturing our world through brilliant imagery, National Geographic sets the standard for photographic excellence. Last year, we received more than 22,000 entries from over 150 countries, with professional photographers and amateur photo enthusiasts across the globe participating. The Grand Prize Winner will receive $10,000 and a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual National Geographic Photography Seminar in January 2014: […]
At least six people have been killed and dozens more are feared trapped after the roof of a supermarket collapsed in the Latvian capital, Riga. Two of those killed were emergency workers, officials said. At least 35 people have been injured. It is not yet clear what caused the collapse. A BBC correspondent says a garden was being constructed on the roof of the supermarket at the time. The 500 […]
New airports, hundreds of billions of dollars worth of new aircraft: some of the big-spending Gulf states and their airlines seem to have limitless resources and ambition. But the countries have so far been unable to resolve a problem that now threatens their aviation growth. All those new aircraft ordered at the Dubai Air Show will need space to fly. Trouble is, the airspace above the Gulf is already worryingly […]
These are the astonishing images of the very aptly named Door To Hell, a fiery crater caused by a drilling blunder that is baffling scientists after flaming away for more than 40 years. The 230-feet wide crater, situated near Derweze village in Turkmenistan, was named the Door to Hell by locals, referring to the endless flames and boiling mud that can be found inside. Originally a level surface, the site […]
Many children cannot run as fast as their parents could when they were young, a study of global fitness says. Experts say the work – being presented at the American Heart Association’s annual meeting – suggests children’s fitness levels may be declining. Researchers analysed data spanning 46 years and involving more than 25 million children in 28 countries. On average, children today run a mile 90 seconds slower than did […]
Police in the Indian city of Bangalore are hunting a man who brutally attacked a woman in a cash machine kiosk. Jyothi Uday, a bank manager, was about to withdraw money when a man entered, pulled out what looked like a pistol and asked her to withdraw cash. When Ms Uday resisted the man pulled out a machete and attacked her, leaving her bleeding from head injuries. CCTV footage shows […]
Every year in late spring, Australia’s Christmas Island becomes covered in crabs when the more than 40 million red crustaceans that call the northwest island territory home start their annual migration to the sea, covering the landscape in a mass of crimson claws. The migration starts with the first heavy rains in October, November or December. At that point, there’s enough moisture in the air for the large crustaceans, which […]
Vinicio Riva, 53, suffers from the genetic disease neorofibromatosis His aunt Caterina Lotto fears he and his sister Morena will have to live in a care home when she dies as there will be no one to look after them The pair have learning difficulties and do not leave the house without her Condition has left him covered from head-to-toe in non-contagious growths Earlier this month Pope Francis embraced and […]
At least 22 people have been killed and more than 140 injured in a double suicide bombing outside the Iranian embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut. There are conflicting reports as to whether the Iranian cultural attache survived the attack. Iran is a major backer of the Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah, which has sent fighters to Syria to back the government of Bashar al-Assad. A jihadist group linked to […]
