Twins studied for Mars flight

WASHINGTON - A NASA study of a US astronaut who spent a year in space while his twin brother remained on Earth is providing valuable insights into the effects of extended spaceflight on the human body, a key to planning a future manned mission to Mars, researchers said on Thursday.

Member of legendary WWII Flying Tigers dies

DENVER, Colorado - A memorial service will be held Sunday in Denver for decorated World War II Flying Tigers veteran John Yee, who later became a distinguished history professor in Colorado's state capitol.

Crude oil touted as health cure in Azerbaijan

NAFTALAN, Azerbaijan - Immersed up to her neck in a dark viscous liquid, Sulfiya smiles in delight, confident that the fetid substance will cure her painful condition.

Bridges across US in dire need of repair

Crumbling bridges in the United States are in dire need of repair, according to a report and the former president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, but it could take 80 years to fix them.

Bomb rips through Pakistani fruit market, killing 20

At least 20 people were killed and more than 48 wounded on Friday by a powerful suicide blast apparently targeting the Shia Hazara ethnic minority at a crowded fruit market in Pakistan's Quetta city, Agence France-Presse reported, citing local officials.

Transitional military council formed in Sudan

Sudanese Defense Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf was sworn in on Thursday as head of the transitional military council, Xinhua News Agency reported.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

China lending hands to Venezuela

China has decided to provide emergency aid to Venezuela as the United Nations Security Council met on Wednesday to discuss the "very real humanitarian problem" facing the country.

'Ping-pong diplomacy' remembered in US

In 1971, long-stalled US-China relations took an unexpected turn when a pair of Chinese and US ping-pong players ran into each other during the 31st World Table Tennis Championships. That chance encounter resulted in the Chinese government's invitation to a group of US table tennis players to visit China.

New Zealand's new gun laws get final assent to take effect

New Zealand's governor-general on Thursday formally signed into effect sweeping gun laws outlawing military-style weapons, less than a month after a man used such guns to kill 50 people and wound dozens at two mosques in Christchurch, The Associated Press reported.

Beijing to improve women's reproductive rights

There needs more efforts to secure women's reproductive rights, and China vows to keep working with the international community to further promote the development of the population affairs both inside and outside the country.

WikiLeaks founder arrested in London

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, arrested in London on Thursday for breaching his British bail conditions, is also being held over an extradition request from the United States, the Metropolitan Police Service said.