How did the mountain bird get its 'singing wings?'

Solution found to mystery stumping scientists since Darwin's time

Mandelson denies wanting top EU job

Business Secretary is forced to deny he canvassed for the role of EU foreign minister after last-minute visit to Berlin

Palestinians leadership options after Abbas

Marwan Barghouti has been touted as a future head, but he languishes in an Israeli jail, and the current Government is unlikely to free him

Soldier accused of leading anti-war demo

A soldier who is charged with desertion now faces more charges carrying a maximum ten-year prison sentence

Monaco invites the rich to winter in Morocco

Resort operator Monte Carlo SBM is to manage a £120m hotel and private residential complex in Menara district of Marrakech

Richard Lloyd Parry accused of lèse-majesté

An interview in The Times with the ousted leader has caused anger in Thailand and accusations of insulting the monarchy

New limit to protect Berlusconi from charges

The measure to cut the statute of limitations to six years in Italy could offer the Prime Minister protection in two cases

Lebanon’s unity government with Hezbollah

Five months after elections and political wrangling the Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri declares a unity Cabinet

The interview that dared to break Thai taboo

The former prime minister's interview with The Times has angered the country's royalists and set the internet buzzing

Auction of Yves Saint Laurent belongings

Statues, luggage and furniture from the Normandy home of the late designer and his partner are to be sold at Christie’s

Yellow Shirts issue threat over Thaksin visit

Opponents of ousted Thai Prime Minister say they will hold a mass ally as former leader arrives in Cambodia

Father of Kalashnikov celebrates 90th birthday

The man whose name is the biggest brand in warfare is still at work most days of the week as chief designer at an arms factory

Obama to attend memorial service at Fort Hood

Visit to Texas base where Muslim soldier shot 13 people dead will give US President a chance to act as 'healer-in-chief'

Modern Warfare 2 on course to sell $500m

First day sales of new video game set to be 40% above previous record, but controversy persists over its use of violence

School principal held hostage in NY State

Gunman thought to be a parent is holding school principal hostage in town of Pine Plains, New York

Safety alert on Maclaren pushchairs

Manufacturer offers safety modification on 1m US buggies after 12 children lose fingertips - but no action in UK

Australia's koala population hits new low

An environmental group claims there could be only 43,000 of the iconic koala bears left in mainland Australia