Afghan wheelchair hoop stars battle prejudice, wars to make world debut

They have led lives of quiet desperation on the margins of society as victims of never-ending wars and prejudice but Afghanistan's wheelchair basketball team was in celebratory mood as it made its international debut in Italy.

Nepal looks to 'spiritual tourism' for economic boost

Nepal has a prime spot on the world tourism map thanks to its celebrated mountains, particularly Qomolangma, known as Mount Everest in the West.

Freed US soldier may face investigation of claims that he abandoned his post

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, recently freed after five years as a captive of the Taliban, may still be disciplined if the army finds evidence of misconduct, the US military's top officer said Tuesday.

Abbott aiming to mend ties with Jakarta

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Wednesday he hopes to seal security and intelligence pacts with Indonesia as he looks to repair ties hurt by spying allegations.

Hunger Games' three-finger salute used to oppose coup in Thailand

The three-finger salute from the Hollywood movie The Hunger Games is being used as a symbol of resistance in Thailand. Protesters against the military coup are flashing the gesture as a silent act of rebellion, and are being threatened with arrest if they ignore warnings to stop.

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.

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