Israel steps up Gaza push with ground offensive

Israeli troops pushed deeper into Gaza on Friday to destroy rocket-launching sites and tunnels, firing volleys of tank shells and clashing with Palestinian fighters in a high-stakes ground offensive meant to weaken the enclave's Hamas rulers.

DPRK threatening to pull out of Asian Games

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea threatened on Friday to pull out of the Asian Games set to take place in the Republic of Korea later this year, accusing Seoul of plotting to block its athletes from taking part.

IN BRIEF (Page 6)

Expert: Flight bans are needed over active war zones

The International Civil Aviation Organization should compel airlines to stay out of airspace that is possibly unsafe, a Chinese expert suggested.

Major AIDS conference to proceed despite crash

Acknowledging that some of its attendees might have been aboard Malaysian Flight MH17, which crashed in Ukraine on Thursday, organizers of AIDS 2014, a major international conference now in its 20th year, said the event will go ahead as planned in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday.

Woman loses relatives in 2 disasters

In an almost incomprehensible twist of fate, an Australian woman who lost her brother in the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 learned on Friday that her step daughter was on the plane shot down over Ukraine.

World reactions

This tragedy would not have happened if there had been peace in that land, or in any case if military operations in southeastern Ukraine had not been renewed. And without doubt, the government of the territory on which it happened bears responsibility for this frightening tragedy.

World reels in shock, grief after MH17 crash

The surprising loss of a second Malaysia Airlines passenger plane within six months is prompting demands for a full investigation

Yingluck gets nod to leave Thailand

Former leader to attend brother Thaksin's 65th birthday party

Pre-dawn attack temporarily shuts down Kabul airport

Gunmen carried out a pre-dawn rocket attack on Kabul International Airport on Thursday, temporarily shutting down the facility and setting off a gunbattle with security forces in which four attackers were killed, officials said.

Modi plans to clean up sacred Ganges

Standing on the banks of the Ganges a day after his election triumph, Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to succeed where numerous governments have failed in cleaning up the filthy river beloved of India's Hindus.

Iran nuclear talks may be extended

Iran and six world powers are working to finalize the terms of a likely extension of negotiations over Teheran's nuclear program beyond a July 20 deadline. An announcement may come as early as Friday, Western diplomats said.