Japan takes step to ban possession of child pornography

Japan edged closer on Wednesday to banning the possession of child pornography, the last major developed country to do so, but pedophilia portrayed in the country's popular anime comics will be exempt.

Ferry tragedy weighs on ROK ruling party in nationwide vote

Republic of Korea President Park Geun-hye's conservative party fought close races on Wednesday in regional and mayoral elections seen as a referendum on the government's handling of a ferry disaster that killed more than 300 people in April.

G7 powers meet without Russia

The world's leading industrialized nations met without Russia for the first time in 17 years on Wednesday, leaving Russian President Vladimir Putin out of the talks in retaliation for Russia's stance on the Ukraine crisis and its annexation of Crimea.

Putin responds to 'aggressive' US

Eyeing a potential opportunity to exploit the different approaches of the United States and its European allies, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an exclusive interview to French broadcasters Europe1 and TF1 on Wednesday.

Erdogan: CNN coverage of Turkey protests aimed at fomenting unrest

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan called CNN correspondent Ivan Watson a "flunky" and an "agent" on Tuesday for his coverage of anti-government protests days after police harassed him live on air.

Reports: Generals convicted of arming Boko Haram

Ten generals and five other senior military officers have been found guilty in courts-martial of providing arms and information to Boko Haram extremists, several Nigerian newspapers said on Tuesday, though the military insisted there was no truth in the reports.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Super-sized rocky planet found beyond solar system

Astronomers have discovered a new type of rocky planet beyond the solar system that weighs more than 17 times as much as Earth while being just over twice the size, scientists said on Monday.

Male-named hurricanes strike more fear, US researchers find

People are slightly less likely to flee an oncoming storm with a feminine name than a masculine one, a new study finds.

British TV star Savile may have abused 500 children

Late British television presenter Jimmy Savile was a far more prolific sex offender than previously suspected, a charity said on Monday, abusing children as young as 2 and targeting victims in a high-security psychiatric hospital.

Director of JFK to make movie on Snowden

Oliver Stone will write and direct a film about Edward Snowden, one of two high-profile films in the works about the US National Security Agency leaker.

Japan-Australia army ties on the rise

Japan's defense minister said on Tuesday he wants to meet his Australian counterpart this month to push for an agreement to jointly develop military technology, part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's drive for a more robust military.