Japan's bullet train turns 50

It was, retired Japanese railway engineer Fumihiro Araki recalls, "like flying in the sky."

New privacy battle looms after moves by Apple, Google

A new battle is brewing over privacy for mobile devices, after moves by Google and Apple to toughen the encryption of their mobile devices sparked complaints from law enforcement.

Volcano death toll climbs to 48

The death toll from a sudden volcanic eruption in Japan hit 48 on Wednesday as rescuers discovered 12 new bodies in previously unexplored areas of the ash-covered peak.

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Story of WWII bombers goes online

Thousands of feet above the Pacific Ocean, the bullets were coming fast and the flak was flying. Japanese fighter planes whizzed around like bees as the US forces in their lumbering B-24 bombers tried everything to reach their targets, save fuel and stay airborne for the long trip home.

Japan suspends search for volcano victims

Mount Ontake continued shaking violently and coughing out toxic steam, suspending efforts on Tuesday to retrieve victims believed to have been killed in the Sept 27 eruption at Japan's second-highest volcano.

Man pleads not guilty in Canada dismemberment trial

A Canadian who allegedly killed and dismembered a Chinese student pleaded not guilty in a court trial here on Monday as his lawyer said he suffers from schizophrenia - a mental illness that can exempt him from criminal responsibility.

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Slim pickings

At 1.69 meters tall and weighing just 39 kilograms, Song Xue is grossly underweight.

Suggested daily food intake

The Chinese Nutrition Society's "nutrition pyramid" recommends four main kinds of food that should make up daily meals.

Niche sports feeling the chill

When the South Korean baseball team completed its Asian Games semifinal against China on Saturday evening, more than 20,000 fans in the home crowd of Incheon's Munhak Baseball Stadium responded with thunderous applause and cheers.

Facts

Brought to China around 1840s by returned oversea students in Beijing and Shanghai, baseball slowly gained public recognition over more than 100 years until it was included in the first Chinese National Games in 1959.