Abe puts off tax hike, calls snap vote

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called a snap election for December and put off a sales tax hike planned for next year, vowing on Tuesday to step down if his strategy to revive the ailing economy falls flat.

Army of housewives saves Nepal's newborns

On a wet and windy morning, Nepalese housewife Bhumisara Upadhyay is out visiting pregnant women, on a mission to slash newborn deaths with a simple tube of gel.

Indonesian police criticized for virginity tests

Indonesia's national police were urged on Tuesday to halt virginity tests for women applying to join the force in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

US reviews hostage policy after killings

US President Barack Obama has ordered a review of how Washington can secure the release of US hostages, as intelligence agencies investigated the involvement of Westerners in the beheading of aid worker Peter Kassig.

Russia says it hopes to avoid 'point of no return'

Russia said on Tuesday it hopes its ties with the EU have not yet crossed the point of no return after Brussels applied more sanctions in response to the conflict in Ukraine.

Shandong shows its talent for attracting researchers

Even though she obtained her postdoctoral degree from the University of California, Zhang Yan says she is happy to focus on research work in China rather than stay in the United States.

Honoring the work of friends from afar

How delightful to have friends come from afar, Confucius said 2,500 years ago. Last Wednesday China's Shandong province, the hometown of Confucius, gave friendship awards to 26 foreigners from 11 countries.

Rock 'n' roll lifestyle among retirees

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was the toast of this quiet New Zealand coastal community when he celebrated the launch of his surprise solo album at his marina restaurant, Phil's Place. Even the mayor was there.

Atari E.T. game from excavated cache sold for $1,500 in auction

What some have called the worst video game ever made has fetched thousands of dollars for a city in the southwestern US state of New Mexico.

Authorities confirm bird flu at UK farm

At least one case of the bird flu virus has been confirmed at a farm in northern England, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), it was reported on Monday.

Ethnic German sweeps to victory in Romania's presidential runoff

Thousands of people gathered in Bucharest to celebrate after ethnic German mayor Klaus Iohannis decisively defeated Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta in a presidential runoff.