Glories spread around at 71st Golden Globes

Bumper crop of high-quality films makes Oscars anything but obvious

Australia braces for another wave of record heat

Just a week after declaring that 2013 was Australia's hottest year ever, local officials are warning this sunburned nation to brace for even worse weather, with a tsunami of heat expected to wash over almost all of Australia by Wednesday, leaving further devastation in its wake.

Swedish doctors transplant wombs in 9 women

Nine women in Sweden have successfully received transplanted wombs donated from relatives and will soon try to become pregnant, the doctor in charge of the pioneering project has revealed.

Emotional Rodman apologizes on return from DPRK

An emotional Dennis Rodman appeared to break down on Monday as he apologized on his return from a trip to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, where he sang Happy Birthday to top leader Kim Jong-un.

Iran nuclear deal to take effect Jan 20

A landmark deal that curbs parts of Iran's disputed nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief will take effect on Jan 20, Teheran and Western powers have announced.

US, Russia discuss Syria cease-fires

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov discussed the possibility of cease-fires in parts of Syria, Kerry said on Monday after talks in Paris.

Diplomats, analysts blast Tokyo over islands

Senior Chinese diplomats and analysts have warned of Japan's ongoing efforts to "overthrow the postwar international order", with efforts centered around a global campaign challenging China's sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Sharon funeral reflects conflicting views

Israel paid homage to former prime minister Ariel Sharon at a funeral service held on Monday for a man celebrated as a war hero at home but seen by many in the Arab world as a war criminal.

What they said

"The man had a command and presence. He filled the room ... he was indomitable ... Like all historic leaders, all real leaders, he had a North Star that guided him."

Protests cannot end Thai deadlock, observers say

The political impasse in Thailand cannot be resolved through demonstrations, which will only hurt the economy and people's livelihood, Chinese observers said on Monday.

Shutdown affects 2 million

The "Bangkok shutdown" led by anti-government protesters has affected more than 2 million people in the capital, the local media said on Monday.