Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal is no longer in a critical condition and his health is improving rapidly, more than a month after he was poisoned with a nerve agent in England, the hospital treating him says.

Vietnam's Culture Ministry issues a directive against "inappropriate" statues after images of godlike sculptures with animal heads and human genitalia on display at a holiday resort stokes controversy.

Former South Korean president Park Geun-hye is convicted and sentenced to 24 years in prison, a year after she was driven from office and arrested over a corruption scandal that saw months of massive street rallies.

Richard Branson's company, which plans to take tourists into space from its 'Spaceport America' in New Mexico, launches its first rocket since a pilot was killed in a 2014 crash.

The Australian hit his ball into a patron's beer cup, Sergio Garcia cards equal worst-ever hole while world number one Jordan Spieth enjoys a dream start during an entertaining Masters opening round.