Russia to bury Kalashnikov in new 'pantheon' of heroes
Russia was Friday to bury Mikhail Kalashnikov, the designer of the iconic AK-47 assault rifle that was the favoured weapon of guerrillas worldwide, at a newly-opened cemetery for national heroes.
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".
26 December 2013
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.
25 December 2013
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.
25 December 2013
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.
24 December 2013
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.
23 December 2013
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.
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.
19 December 2013
Museum takes possession of long-lost Nazi diary
The US Holocaust Memorial Museum took possession Tuesday of a Nazi war criminal's long-lost diary and posted it online to help researchers decipher the thinking behind Adolf Hitler's "final solution."
Hefty fine for ignoring 'Do Not Knock' sign
A door-to-door salesperson who ignored a "Do Not Knock" sign to try to win over a gas customer has ended up costing their Australian employers Aus$60,000 (US$53,600).
14 December 2013
Scandal over 'schizophrenic' Mandela signer
The South African government admitted Thursday it made a "mistake" in choosing a sign language interpreter for Nelson Mandela's memorial who was later exposed as a fake by experts, and who claimed to be schizophrenic.
13 December 2013
Australia's top court overrules gay marriage in capital
Australia's High Court on Thursday struck down gay marriage in the nation's capital where dozens have wed under a landmark law, ruling that parliament must decide whether to approve same-sex unions.
13 December 2013
One in three kids have no birth certificate: UN
One in three children worldwide cannot have their existence legally verified with a birth certificate since their birth was not registered, UNICEF warned Wednesday.