People turn to dolls as economy struggles

A craze for lifelike dolls thought to bring good luck is sweeping Thailand, reflecting widespread anxiety as the economy struggles and political uncertainty persists nearly two years after a coup.

Zero fighter flies for the first time since WWII

One of the Japanese legendary Zero fighter planes took to the skies on Wednesday for the first time since World War II.

1 killed, several arrested in armed militia standoff

The FBI and Oregon State Police arrested the leaders of an armed group that has occupied a national wildlife refuge for the past three weeks during a traffic stop that led to gunfire - and one death - along a highway through the frozen high country.

Country's biggest illegal ivory haul destroyed

Sri Lanka's government on Tuesday destroyed its biggest illegal ivory haul in the first public crushing of poached tusks in South Asia, intended to send a stark message to smugglers.

Outrage and new questions after PM Najib cleared in scandal

Malaysia's official explanation of the $681 million that ended up in Prime Minister Najib Razak's personal bank account - it was an entirely proper gift from friends - has triggered derision and fresh questions in a country already well-used to allegations of graft.

Most of world's 50 'most violent cities' in Americas

The Americas are home to 46 of the world's 50 "most violent cities", and the top five most dangerous cities are in Latin America, an annual report by a Mexico-based watchdog said on Tuesday.

White House protester dies after 35-year vigil

Concepcion Picciotto, an 80-year-old Spanish-born nuclear disarmament activist who camped in front of the White House for more than three decades, has died, colleagues said on Tuesday.

Video of men giving police condom balloons goes viral

A video showing a reporter and an actor handing Egyptian policemen condom balloons on the fifth anniversary of the 2011 uprising received more than 1 million views online but could land the min jail.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

WHO says child obesity is developing world nightmare

Childhood obesity has reached alarming rates globally and become an "exploding nightmare" in the developing world, including Africa where the number of obese and overweight children under five has doubled since 1990, a WHO commission said on Monday.

Son's mission exploses possible water-cancer link in NY village

After his factory worker father died a painful death from kidney cancer at age 68 in 2013, Michael Hickey made it his mission to find out why so many people in his hometown along the Hoosic River were getting sick.

PM cleared after $681m gift probe

Malaysia's attorney general said on Tuesday that nearly $700 million channeled into Prime Minister Najib Razak's private accounts was a personal donation from Saudi Arabia's royal family, and cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing.