Six ancient Syrian sites as well as Australia's Great Barrier Reef could be listed as endangered by UNESCO, which Sunday begins its annual session to decide which global cultural and natural treasures merit World Heritage status. The main task of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation committee will be to decide whether 31 sites, including Japan's Mount Fuji and the city of Agadez in Niger, are of "outstanding universal value".

Six ancient Syrian sites as well as Australia's Great Barrier Reef could be listed as endangered by UNESCO, which Sunday begins its annual session to decide which global cultural and natural treasures merit World Heritage status. The main task of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation committee will be to decide whether some 31 sites, including Japan's Mount Fuji and the city of Agadez in Niger, are of "outstanding universal value".

DHAKA, Bangladesh - Several hundred garment workers were sickened at their factory outside Bangladesh's capital on Sunday, apparently after drinking water there. Police official Mohammad Jahid said many of the workers were treated at various hospitals after the incident at East West Factory in Gazipur district. Jahid said most of the workers suffered vomiting and stomach problems. None was life-threatening. He said up to 4,000 workers are employed in the factory.

The spiritual heart of Shiite Islam and a hub for religious tourism in Iraq is being badly hit as sanctions against neighbouring Iran have resulted in fewer pilgrims with less money to spend. Business leaders, shopkeepers and hotel owners in Najaf, site of a shrine to a revered figure in Shiite Islam and home to most of the sect's top clerics, all report declining trade as economic sanctions targeting Iran's controversial nuclear programme have made it harder for visitors from Iraq's eastern neighbour to make the trip.