Female WWII pilots kept from national cemetery

A rule change is keeping a group of female US pilots who flew noncombat missions during World War II from having their ashes laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

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World welcomes New Year despite terror fears

Global New Year's Eve festivities were held across the globe under tightened security, with Brussels scrapping celebrations as fears of jihadist threats cast a pall, just weeks after brutal attacks in Paris.

Woman beats rap with claim her body brews own alcohol

Drunken-driving charges against an upstate New York woman have been dismissed based on an unusual defense: Her body is a brewery.

Cosby charged with felony sexual assault

Bill Cosby was charged on Wednesday with sexually assaulting a woman after plying her with drugs and alcohol in 2004, the only criminal case against a once-beloved entertainer whose father-figure persona has been marred by dozens of similar misconduct accusations.

President defends 'comfort women' accord with Japan

South Korea defended an agreement with Japan on Thursday to settle the issue of "comfort women" following criticism it was inadequate, saying it was the best any government could do in the lifetimes of the elderly victims of abuse.

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President Nicolas Maduro celebrated on Wednesday the delivery of the final home in the current phase of the Venezuelan Grand Housing Mission, which aimed to build 1 million homes for the Venezuelan people.

Hard-won yields of 2015 shed light on year ahead

Compared to the gloomy global picture, 2015 has not been too bad for China:

Oil pricing to fight pollution

By refusing to cut domestic gasoline prices to reflect the recent fall of international crude oil prices, the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planner, has attracted a storm of complaints from the public.

Minor tax raise on tobacco fails to cut the number of smokers

A RECENT OFFICIAL report has found that the number of smokers in China has increased and they are now smoking more cigarettes a day on average. China Youth Daily says this proves the attempt to control tobacco via minor tax adjustment has failed:

Sensationalizing of experts' opinions counterproductive

WANG XINHAI, a scholar with Peking University, said at a development-themed forum that encouraging residents in North China to migrate to the water-rich southern regions could quench the thirst for natural resources in the north of the country, which has provoked a debate.

Big sports venues do little for residents' lives

IN MANY PLACES, to enhance a city's image, local governments choose to build big modern stadiums that are then little used by local residents. It would be better to encourage people to exercise by creating more, smaller public spaces where people can exercise, says a China Youth Daily comment: