Study: E-cigarettes, like regular ones, prime brain for addiction

Like conventional cigarettes, electronic ones may function as a "gateway drug" that can prime the brain to be more receptive to harder drugs, US researchers said on Wednesday.

Germany to provide funds to Holocaust survivors

Child survivors of the Holocaust will receive additional financial assistance from the German government to help with increasing problems stemming from malnutrition and psychological trauma inflicted by the Nazis, under a new agreement worth an estimated $250 million.

Maternal milk banks set global standard

Thirty years ago, poor Brazilian women were paid to give away their breast milk, leaving their children at risk of malnourishment. Equipment at the few milk collection centers that existed was so costly, it limited the country's ability to expand the program's reach.

Malaysia Airlines scraps 'bucket list' promo title

Malaysia Airlines has scrapped the title of a competition asking people what activities and destinations are on their "bucket list", acknowledging that it was inappropriate, given the two deadly disasters it has suffered this year.

Al-Qaida leader: We have entered India

Home minister meets security and intelligence officials for talks on terror threat

UN seeks help to free abducted fijians

The UN Security Council called upon "countries with influence" on Wednesday to press al-Qaida-linked insurgents to release 45 UN peacekeepers from Fiji who were abducted last week in the Golan Heights.

Abe's flight paths put online due to security breach

Tokyo admitted on Thursday that details about the flight path and exact location of the Japanese prime minister's plane had been posted on the Internet for anyone to see.

Iran looks to Mogherini for better relations with EU

Iran is looking forward to improved relations with the European Union following the appointment of an Italian to be the bloc's next foreign policy chief, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in Rome on Wednesday.

Tokyo closes park after dengue mosquitoes found

Tokyo closed most of Yoyogi Park on Thursday, a popular green spot in the Japanese metropolis, after dengue-carrying mosquitoes were discovered there, an official said.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Ukraine cease-fire deal due Friday

Four groups to sign agreement in Minsk, paving way for peace

At high-stakes summit, NATO weighs options

NATO leaders grappled on Thursday with the question of whether the alliance has a role in containing a mounting militant threat in the Middle East, as heads of state converged in Wales for a high-stakes summit that will also address the crisis in Ukraine and next steps in Afghanistan.