Nation evacuates quake-hit town

New Zealand emergency services and defense personnel evacuated hundreds of tourists and residents from a small South Island town amid more strong aftershocks on Tuesday, a day after a powerful earthquake killed two people.

Park hires lawyer ahead of questioning

South Korean President Park Geun-hye has hired a lawyer ahead of questioning by prosecutors over a snowballing political scandal that has engulfed her administration, her spokesman said on Tuesday.

Hate crimes against Muslims up 67 percent last year, FBI says

Reported hate crimes against Muslims rose last year to their highest number since the aftermath of the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to FBI statistics released on Monday.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Boxing champion fighting for youth

He was one of the best middleweight boxers of his time and is now a Belgian lawmaker, but Bea Diallo says he understands what turns youngsters to the dark side.

Divisions over addict prison injections

US prisons are experimenting with a high-priced monthly injection that could help addicted inmates stay off opioids after they are released, but skeptics question its effectiveness and say the manufacturer has aggressively marketed an unproven drug to corrections officials.

Mummy found in coffin during excavation of ancient Luxor tomb

The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has announced the new discovery of a royal tomb at a temple in the ancient city of Luxor, the official Mena news agency reported.

Scientists develop blindness test for diabetics

Australian scientists have developed a groundbreaking trial to detect potential blindness in people with diabetes.

Designer turns the tables with high-end indigenous fashion

Centuries ago, Spanish colonizers forced their Bolivian servants to wear the puffy skirts that have come to symbolize the country's "cholitas", or indigenous women.

Two former aides to Park quizzed over political scandal

Prosecutors on Monday questioned two former key presidential aides over allegations they helped a shadowy confidant of President Park Geun-hye meddle in state affairs and secretly visit her office.

Farms help nation welcome sarus cranes lost for 50 years

A fuzzy-headed baby sarus crane hatched on a rural farm this fall offers a glimmer of hope for wildlife conservationists, organic farming advocates and a nation grieving after the death of their beloved king. That's because this chubby chick named Rice is the first of its auspicious species to survive after hatching in the wild in Thailand in 50 years.

'Utter devastation' after major quake

A powerful magnitude-7.8 earthquake pummeled central New Zealand on Monday, killing at least two people, damaging roads and buildings and setting off hundreds of strong aftershocks.