Some radiated areas in Japan cleared for residents' return

Japan's government lifted a 4 1/2-year-old evacuation order on Saturday for the northeastern town of Naraha that had driven all the town's 7,400 residents away after the disaster at the nearby Fukushima nuclear plant.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Lunar lovelies

The Chinese word for "round" has a similar pronunciation to the words for "reunion" and "perfect", and round baked delicacies with rich fillings and pastry blessings are an indispensible part of the festival; the tasty tidbits given to extend blessings and best wishes to family, friends and clients.

W Hotels offers stylish way for a healthier stay

W Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc, recently launched an innovative and exclusive workout program designed by Tara Stiles, one of the world's top yoga instructors and founder of Strala Yoga, a movement-focused form of yoga that she says "ignites freedom".

Roundup

MICE venues

Usainity: Cameraman bowls over Bolt

Only when the running stopped and the picture-taking began did Usain Bolt finally meet his match.

China running for redemption

With the 4x100m relay battle between Jamaica and the United States drawing global attention at the IAAF world championships, an ambitious Chinese team hiding in plain sight is looking for redemption on the big stage.

Digest

Basketball

Score board

Pyongyang issues ROK loudspeaker ultimatum

Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, ordered the nation's troops onto a war footing from 5pm on Friday after Pyongyang issued an ultimatum to Seoul to halt anti-DPRK propaganda broadcasts by Saturday afternoon or face military action.

Trembling hostages recall escape

Two Philippine coast guards on Friday trembled and cried as they recalled their harrowing four-month captivity at the hands of Islamic extremists who beheaded one of their fellow hostages.

Canberra mulls US call to bomb IS

Australia is considering a US request to launch airstrikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria in an unprecedented departure from Australian foreign policy that could spark political disputes.