Park proposes new family reunions with N. Korea
South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on Monday proposed fresh reunions of families separated by the Korean War after a previous bid was cancelled by Pyongyang, and promised increased humanitarian aid to the impoverished North.
Tokyo fire stops bullet trains, strands holidaymakers
A fire near a central Tokyo station threw parts of Japan's bullet train system into chaos on Friday, as tens of thousands of passengers tried to return home from New Year holidays.
Dollar gains on euro as new year opens
The dollar rose against the euro Thursday as investors pushed back into the greenback and sent US bond yields lower.
Giant yellow duck explodes in Taiwan...again
A giant yellow duck on display in a northern Taiwan port exploded Tuesday, just hours before it was expected to attract a big crowd to count down the new year.
Sparkling Sydney to kick off glitzy global 2014 party
Sydney promised an unprecedented fireworks spectacular to kick off global new year celebrations Tuesday, the first in a wave of pyrotechnics to usher in 2014 from Hong Kong to world record-chasing Dubai.
Indonesia sharia stronghold bans New Year's festivities
Islamic police in Indonesia's sharia stronghold seized thousands of firecrackers and cardboard trumpets after the city administration banned New Year's Eve celebrations for the first time, an official said Tuesday.
New Year on ice as weather stalls Antarctic air-sea rescue
An icebound Russian research vessel prepared to ring in the New Year in remote Antarctica Tuesday as blizzards hampered a helicopter rescue planned after several icebreaking attempts failed.
Royal baby birth doctor knighted, Beckham snubbed
The gynaecologist who helped deliver the first child of Prince William and his wife Kate was given a knighthood and veteran actress Angela Lansbury was made a dame in Britain's New Year Honours List released Tuesday.
Fireworks injure 160 as Philippines readies for New Year
More than 160 people have been injured by fireworks in the Philippines as they prepared to welcome the New Year, the government said Saturday.
January 1 to 5 - rest days in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan residents can relax and enjoy their New Year holiday from January 1 to 5 in 2014.
US aims lucky 'Year of the Horse' greenbacks at Chinese
The US Treasury is selling red "hong bao" envelopes with "lucky" dollars bearing auspicious serial numbers to mark the Chinese Year of the Horse next year.
Cutting or damaging conifer trees punishable by law in Kazakhstan
Cutting of 7 or more conifer trees in Kazakhstan is a criminal offense in Kazakhstan.
Almaty to light this year's Christmas Tree on December 1
This year's lighting of the main New Year Tree of Almaty city will take place on December 1.
China holiday retail sales jump 15%: government
China on Saturday said retail sales jumped nearly 15 percent on-year during the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, as consumers splurged on jewellery, clothes and food.
Year of Snake sees serpent sales soar in Hong Kong
As Hong Kong prepares to usher in the Year of the Snake, an increasing number of the reptiles are slithering their way into local households, with sales of the uncuddly pet rocketing.
Google maps New Year's resolutions around the world
Google is letting people peg their New Year's resolutions to an online map and see what promises others around the world have set out to keep in 2013.
Kazakhstan residents made 93 million calls on New Year night
Kazakhstan cellular operators gave statistics of phone calls and messages on New Year days.
Record 40,000 Dutch in New Year North Sea dip
A record 40,000 people braved icy temperatures on the Netherlands's North Sea coast Tuesday to take a cold plunge, setting a new record for the traditional New Year's Day dip.
60 dead in New Year's stampede in Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast on Wednesday began three days of national mourning after a stampede among crowds gathered for celebratory New Year's Eve fireworks in Abidjan left at least 60 dead and dozens injured.
Venezuela frets over ill Chavez as 2013 begins
Somber Venezuelans began 2013 fretting over their ubiquitous and garrulous leader Hugo Chavez, wondering what the future holds as the president wages a tough battle with cancer in a Havana hospital.