'Putin tours' retrace Russian leader's life in Saint Petersburg

Rounding a corner in central Saint Petersburg with a group in tow, Georgy Rusanov stops in front of the gray building of the city's oldest maternity hospital - the first attraction on his Vladimir Putin walking tour.

Balloonist bids to fly nonstop around world

A Russian balloonist launched his helium balloon from an Australian Outback town on Tuesday in a bid to set a record for flying around the world nonstop.

Cease-fire declared after deadly clashes

South Sudan's president and his estranged deputy ordered a cease-fire on Monday after a new day of heavy fighting in the capital that sent thousands fleeing and threatened a return to civil war.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Nurse takes a stand in Baton Rouge

The black woman in the photograph stands in calm protest, her long dress fluttering in the breeze as two policemen clad in the heavy black padding and helmets of riot gear rush to remove her from a roadway in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

At least 20 killed, dozens injured as trains collide

At least 20 people died and dozens were injured when two passenger trains collided head-on in southern Italy on Tuesday, a regional official said.

Pentagon to send more troops to Iraq

The United States will send 560 more troops to Iraq to transform a freshly retaken air base into a staging hub for the long-awaited battle to recapture Mosul from Islamic State militants, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Monday. The new US forces should arrive in the coming weeks.

US obstacles blunt hopes from nuke deal

A year ago, a landmark nuclear deal with world powers led jubilant Iranians to dream of an end to isolation and economic hardship, but critics say US obstacles have soured those hopes.

Orchestra sets world record

More than 7,500 classical musicians performed in a German football arena at the weekend to set the world record for the biggest-ever orchestra.

Experts: California ill-prepared for the 'Big One'

Beyond the sunshine, the palm trees and Hollywood, if there is one certainty in California, it's that a massive earthquake will strike at some point.

Mangrove devastation blamed on climate change

Thousands of hectares of mangroves in Australia's remote north have died, scientists said on Monday, with climate change the likely cause.

Maker of bamboo whisks eyes risks of UK exit from EU

Britain might be a world away, but the future of a 500-year-old family company in rural Japan could rest on the United Kingdom's decision to quit the European Union.