UN cautions Lebanon against getting pulled into Syrian war

The United Nations Security Council has backed Lebanon's military action against extremist groups but urged it to stay out of the conflict in neighboring Syria, as Beirut vowed no leniency for "terrorist killers".

South Korea plans to publish white paper on 'comfort women'

The South Korean government announced on Monday that it will publish a white paper on wartime sexual slavery victims to tell the world the truth about the Japan's military role in creating the "comfort women" system.

25 Turkish police detained in new raids

Police in Turkey launched a second wave of raids at police officers' residences on Tuesday, detaining at least 25 officers suspected of conducting illegal wiretaps, the country's state-run television reported.

Discredited Japanese researcher commits suicide

A Japanese scientist at the center of discredited research initially hailed as a potential breakthrough for stem-cell treatment killed himself after months of stress and exhaustion, officials said on Tuesday.

Israel withdraws troops

Israel pulled its ground forces out of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday and started a 72-hour cease-fire with Hamas, mediated by Egypt, as a first step toward negotiations on a more-enduring end to the month-old war.

War takes toll on devastated Gaza families

The stench of rotting animal carcasses was in the air as 10-year-old Ahmed al-Kafarna picked through the debris of his Gaza home, looking for his toys, after a cease-fire began on Tuesday.

Second Ebola patient due to arrive in US

The second American aid worker infected with Ebola in West Africa is due to arrive in Atlanta on Tuesday in serious medical condition, while a New York hospital completes tests on a man for the deadly virus.

Russia may limit EU flights over Siberia

Russia may impose restrictions or a ban on European airlines using trans-Siberian routes, raising the cost of their flights to Asia, in response to European Union sanctions over Ukraine, the Russian business daily Vedomosti reported on Tuesday.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Rap reporters give hip-hop twist to news

Two Senegalese hip-hop artists are taking current affairs in a brash new direction - rapping the news.

Cuban scorpion venom helps fight cancer

Venom from a scorpion native to Cuba, Rophalorus junceus, is being used by scientists as an effective weapon against cancer.

Jihadists threaten Kurds after battlefield victories

The Islamic State group warned on Monday it would seek to further expand into autonomous Kurdish territory after claiming key towns and areas over the past 48 hours.