Japan PM Abe visits Yasukuni war shrine
Japan's nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid tribute at Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni war shrine on Thursday, in a move Beijing condemned as "absolutely unacceptable".
Sri Lanka bars Australian luxury hotelier in flag spat
Sri Lankan authorities barred the Australian owner of one of the world's most exclusive hotels from returning to his adopted homeland Tuesday for flying the national flag upside down, officials said.
Mining threatens unique culture of Sweden's Samis
As winter approaches, the Samis of northern Sweden move thousands of reindeer down from the snow-covered mountains for lowland grazing. They have done so for centuries, but they wonder how much longer they can continue.
Britain pardons gay 'father of computing' Alan Turing
Britain on Tuesday granted a posthumous pardon to Alan Turing, the World War II code-breaking hero who committed suicide after he was convicted of the then crime of homosexuality.
Japanese Emperor Akihito turns 80
Thousands of people thronged Japan's Imperial Palace Monday to celebrate Emperor Akihito's 80th birthday, as he lauded his wife for standing by him in his "lonely" pursuit of leading the world's oldest monarchy.
French Revolution's 'monster' gets modern diagnosis
Depending on what you read, Maximilien de Robespierre was a defender of the poor and downtrodden -- "the Incorruptible" who defended the values of the French Revolution to the end.
Professional boxer Beibut Shumenov is true renaissance man
A story of a renaissance man Beibut Shumenov, 30, is one of willpower and the pursuit of greatness despite the spokes life put in his wheels.
Mothers' caravan finds 12 kin in search for missing migrants
Mothers from across Central America whose children went missing in Mexico while trying to reach the United States found 12 family members after a 16-day search, officials said Wednesday.
Winnie Mandela blasts family feud reports
Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie denied Wednesday there was a dynastic battle within his extensive family, amid reports of a renewed feud shortly after the peace icon's death.