69 years on, mixed feelings about war

Sixty-nine years after the fact, sentiment among Japanese people about Japan's unconditional surrender to the Allies at the end of World War II is still mixed.

Indian PM calls recent rapes 'source of shame'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned a spate of rapes as a source of shame for India and urged an end to communal violence on Friday as he vowed to improve the lives of the nation's poor in his first Independence Day speech.

Clashes reported as Pakistan protesters advance on capital

Pakistani opposition politician Imran Khan said he and his followers were fired on by government supporters during a rally on Friday, but police said that although there were clashes between the two sides, no shots were fired.

Thailand won't let surrogate moms' babies leave country

Four couples from the United States and Australia have been prevented from leaving Thailand with surrogate babies as part of a government crackdown on the burgeoning commercial surrogacy industry, an Australian broadcaster reported on Friday.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Iraq's Maliki steps down, backs rival

The decision by Iraq's embattled Nouri al-Maliki to step down as prime minister revived hopes on Friday for the formation of a new government that could take on a growing insurgency by Sunni militants that has engulfed much of the country.

Gaza truce holds as peace talks continue

A fragile ceasefire around Gaza held for a second day on Friday as Israel's relations with its US ally showed new signs of strain, with tough talks looming on a more lasting peace.

Qingdao Special: Qingdao brimming with cheer as beer fest begins

Brimming with malt aroma and a variety of shows and games - along with the arresting smile of a newly selected "beer goddess" - the 24th Qingdao International Beer Festival officially kicks of on Saturday, starting 16 days of revelry across the coastal city in Shandong province.

Putin promises early end to Ukraine crisis

Aid convoy rolls on as fighting intensifies; 74 civilians killed

High-level emergency declared as Sunnis and army clash

Clashes between Iraqi troops and Sunni militants west of Baghdad killed at least four children on Thursday as the United Nations announced its highest level of emergency for the Arab country's humanitarian crisis in the wake of the onslaught by the extremist Islamic State group.

Kids' long wait for urgent treatment

Making gestures with his fingers, breathing hard with tubes placed into his neck and chest, Mohamed Badran repeated the same questions every five minutes: "Why can't I see anything? Where is my father?"

New Gaza truce still holding after shaky start

Israel and militants in Gaza were holding their fire on Thursday after a new truce got off to a shaky start, with nighttime Palestinian rocket fire followed by Israeli airstrikes.