Headlines

18th-century mechanical volcano roars to life 250 years later

A centuries-old vision of a mechanical volcano has finally erupted into reality, as two University of Melbourne engineering students recreated a design first imagined in 1775 by volcanology enthusiast Sir William Hamilton. Drawing from an 18th-century watercolor and a preserved

Taiwan's 12 remaining diplomatic allies

May 2 - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini on Saturday on a surprise trip, after his government blamed Chinese pressure for the cancellation of a visit that was meant to have taken place last month.

Asia

Boosting one protein helps the brain fight Alzheimer’s

Scientists have discovered a way to help the brain clean itself of harmful Alzheimer’s plaques by activating its own support cells. By increasing a protein called Sox9, researchers were able to boost the activity of astrocytes, star shaped cells that help maintain brain health.

Iran military official says renewed war with US 'likely'

A senior Iranian military officer said on Saturday that renewed fighting with the US was "likely", hours after President Donald Trump said he was not satisfied with an Iranian negotiating proposal. Iran delivered the new draft to mediator Pakistan on Thursday evening, state

Spirit Airlines pulls plug on flights, moves toward closure

Spirit Airlines announced early Saturday that it will immediately shut down operations after failing to reach a deal for a government bailout, citing rising oil prices as a major factor. The airline's parent company Spirit Aviation Holdings started "an orderly wind-down of