IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Cuba calls on US to halt 'subversive' political missions

The Cuban government called on Washington to halt hostile "covert" operations against it in the wake of information that an Obama administration program secretly sent young Latin Americans to Cuba on politically motivated missions.

5 ways to create stronger passwords

This week's news that a Russian crime ring has amassed some 1.2 billion username and password combinations makes now a good time to review ways to protect yourself online.

Comet-chasing spacecraft about to meet its quarry

European scientists were preparing for a historic rendezvous on Wednesday between a comet and a space probe, the climax of a 10-year chase over 6 billion kilometers of the solar system.

Aspirin reduces risk from cancers

Daily, long-term doses of aspirin can slash the risk of cancer of the digestive tract, according to an overview of research published on Wednesday.

'Soldier' kills US general

A US major general was shot to death on Tuesday in one of the bloodiest insider attacks of the long Afghanistan war.

Indonesian court opens hearing on election dispute

Indonesia's Constitutional Court on Wednesday began hearing a challenge to the result of the country's July 9 presidential election, which ended in victory for Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo.

Hiroshima residents plead with Abe to change course

About 1,000 Hiroshima residents on Wednesday protested against Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's reinterpretation of the country's pacifist Constitution near the city's Peace Memorial Park, where a ceremony was held to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the US atomic bombing in 1945.

Father in baby scandal called a pedophile

Australian authorities on Wednesday were investigating the father at the center of a Thai surrogate baby scandal who reportedly is a convicted pedophile. It wants to determine whether his young daughter is at risk.

Cease-fire in Gaza holds for 2nd day

A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that ended a month of war was holding for a second day on Wednesday, ahead of negotiations in Cairo on a long-term truce and a broader deal for the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

Stolen grandson found in Argentina

An Argentine grandmother whose rights group has fought to find babies stolen during the 1976-1983 military rule finally found her long-lost grandson on Tuesday, 36 years after he was snatched from his mother.

Nigeria confirms another Ebola death

Nigeria confirmed five new cases of Ebola in Lagos and a second death from the virus on Wednesday, bringing the total number of infections in sub-Saharan Africa's largest city to seven.