Bieber says sorry for Yasukuni Shrine visit

Pop singer Justin Bieber apologized on Wednesday to those he offended by visiting Japan's Yasukuni Shrine this week, saying he was misled into believing it is only a place of prayer.

Ukraine rebels prepare for new assault

Pro-Kremlin rebels in Ukraine braced on Wednesday for a renewed military offensive by Kiev as US troops headed to the region in a show of force after Washington again warned Moscow over the escalating crisis.

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Navies invite public on board for tours

Navies in Qingdao for the 14th annual meeting of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium welcomed the public to tour active warships on Tuesday before sailing out for a joint drill on Wednesday.

Glance

Chinese and foreign navy ships to participate in upcoming drill

Spanish town called 'Kill Jews' considering name change

The tiny Spanish village of Castrillo Matajudios, whose second name means "Kill Jews", will hold a referendum next month to decide if it should change the name that offends outsiders and embarrasses some residents, its mayor said on Tuesday.

Thousands bid farewell to Nobel-winning author

Mexico bid farewell on Monday to its beloved adopted son, Colombian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez, with thousands of fans filing past his ashes in a music-filled tribute to the Nobel laureate.

Agenda will be full during Obama visit

US President Barack Obama's scheduled arrival in Tokyo late on Wednesday will mark the end of his host's elaborate preparations and the launch of a formal state greeting.

Scholar seeks moratorium on shrine

Kazuhiko Togo, director of the Institute for World Affairs at Kyoto Sangyo University, has long called for a moratorium on Yasukuni Shrine visits by serving prime ministers.

Ex-leaders welcome 'China's development'

Former leaders of Japan and the Republic of Korea said China's growth boosts regional development, and its peaceful development is essential for the region's peace and stability.

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Biden pledges to stand by new Ukrainian leaders

US Vice-President Joe Biden said the United States stood beside Ukraine's new pro-Western leaders on Tuesday in the face of "humiliating threats" as Washington and Moscow traded blame over the crisis in the ex-Soviet country.