At the moment, the project that will transform the future of El Hierro doesn't look like much more than a hole in the ground. Or two, to be exact: one on top of a mountain, another smaller one down below, and in between, a long stretch of pipeline tinted the same color as the scrub that grows so abundantly on this volcanic island. But when this innovative wind-power system goes online at the end of 2011, it ...

There was something for almost everyone on this year's list of the San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants. Beneath the stained glass windows of London's Guildhall, an audience of journalists, chefs, and ardent foodies learned that, for the second year in a row, the terroir-centered cuisine of Rene Redzepi, the brilliant young chef of Copenhagen's noma, had again taken the top spot. For Spain, bereft of long-time winner Ferran Adri now that his restaurant elBulli is ...

Hurricane Rick weakened to a Category 4 storm Sunday evening as it churned in the Pacific off the west coast of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said. Rick, still a powerful storm, was expected to weaken further before landfall by midweek. "Interests in southern Baja, California, and western Mainland, Mexico, should monitor the progress of this extremely dangerous hurricane," forecasters said. "A hurricane watch may be required for portions of southern Baja, California, early Monday." At 8 p.m. (11 p.m. ...

A few drinks in the People's Republic of China led me to discover European delights and other unexpected finds in modest Qingdao. Another round of toasts and exclamations of "hajiu" sounded out around me. I took a sip and set down my small glass of Tsingtao beer as my new friends downed theirs and refilled. Our seafood dinner, perched on the single cluttered table of a tiny antique shop, was punctuated regularly by such moments. I joined in happily, although ...

A Hong Kong property developer has sold a duplex apartment for a world record price, less than three months after the territory technically emerged from recession. Henderson Land, controlled by tycoon Lee Shau-kee, said it had sold the property on Hong Kong island for HK$71,280 (US$9,200) per square foot, or HK$439 million, to a buyer from mainland China. News of Wednesday's sale came just hours after Donald Tsang, Hong Kong's chief executive, echoed concerns "about the supply of flats, difficulty ...

An imperial "dragon" throne owned by a Chinese emperor set the world auction record for Chinese furniture Thursday, selling for about US $11 million. There was frenzied bidding among mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan collectors at the Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong. Thirty-six bids came in 10 minutes, with tension building as a new telephone bidder jumped into the competition. "These mainland (China) buyers, mainland collectors are ready to pay the premium it takes to secure an object of ...

The death toll from the mudslides on the Italian island of Sicily now stands at 21, the head of Italian Civil Protection said Saturday. Guido Bertolaso said about 30 people were still unaccounted for in the mudslides, which occurred after a heavy downpour hit Sicily two days ago. Messina, which sits along the strait separating Sicily from mainland Italy, was one of the worst-hit areas. Mudslides blocked roads, with some of the towns near Messina reachable only by sea or ...

A frog that eats birds and a gecko with leopard stripes are among the 163 new species discovered last year in the Greater Mekong region of southeast Asia, according to a report by the World Wildlife Fund. The discovery of 100 new plants, 28 fish, 18 reptiles, 14 amphibians, two mammals and one bird species highlights the extent of the biodiversity in the region, said Barney Long, head of the WWF's Asian Species Conservation program. "It's a melting pot of ...

The Dalai Lama -- on a visit to Taiwan that includes prayers for recent typhoon victims -- has rebutted China's claims that he is there for political reasons. In a Monday interview with CNN's Sara Sidner, the Tibetan spiritual leader said he was visiting the island to comfort victims of Typhoon Morakot. He added that he would not meet Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou, to avoid politicizing the trip. The Dalai Lama was in southern Taiwan on Monday to meet and ...

Taiwan said Thursday that it will allow a visit by the Dalai Lama to pray for the victims of the typhoon-battered island. Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou made the announcement Thursday while visiting a school in the southern part of the island, a government spokesman said. Typhoon Morakot slammed into Taiwan on August 8 and unleashed floods, mudslides and misery. More than 400 people were killed. The Tibetan spiritual leader's visit could anger China, which accuses him of advocating for an ...