Former first lady plans meeting with Kim Jong-un

The widow of Republic of Korea president Kim Dae-jung will visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as early as July and possibly meet DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un.

Govt extends sanctions on Western foodstuffs

The Russian government announced on Thursday that it had extended the import ban on certain food products from the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and Norway.

IN BRIEF (Page 7)

Lexus takes us back to future with hoverboard

The future is here already - or at least the one imagined for Marty McFly - with a carmaker unveiling a real, working hoverboard, like that used in the Back To The Future film franchise.

Bee highway aims to protect nature's pollinators

From flower emblazoned cemeteries to rooftop gardens and balconies, Norway's capital Oslo is creating a "bee highway" to protect the endangered pollinators essential to food production.

Dual attacks target Syrian army, Kurds in new push

Islamic State fighters launched simultaneous attacks against the Syrian army and Kurdish militia, moving back to offense after losing ground in recent days to Kurdish-led forces in Raqqa province.

Trapped between battle lines, war means hunger, fear for civilians

Abdullah Musleh lay screaming in pain in a Sanaa hospital on Wednesday as a doctor cleaned his shrapnal-torn face. At 8, he's the victim of a worsening war that threatens millions of Yemenis with hunger, homelessness and death.

Random attacker executed for brutal murder

Japan has executed a man who robbed and killed a woman after plotting the crime with accomplices he met online.

PM appeals for aid, pledges funds will reach victims

Nepal's prime minister pledged on Thursday to ensure that all aid would reach earthquake victims, seeking to allay fears about corruption and red tape as he appealed for funds at a meeting of international donors in Kathmandu.

7 bears rescued from bile farmers

Seven long-suffering Asiatic moon bears have been rescued from bile farms in northern Vietnam as efforts to end the illegal trade are intensified.

Obama reassures France on spying

US President Barack Obama moved to reduce tensions on Wednesday after revelations of US spying on three French presidents angered France.

Boston Marathon bomber apologizes

Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev broke his silence on the death and devastation he caused two years ago with words that were not a political tirade or a justification.