The massacre at a Kenyan shopping mall by Somalia’s al-Shabab insurgents has shown the still-potent threat of the al-Qaida-linked group even as its fighters struggle at home, analysts say. The attack, which follows bloody strikes by al-Shabab suicide commandos earlier this year, including against ...

One of the highlights of the iPhone 5S, the fingerprint scanner, is facing two concerns that may take a little shine off Apple’s cool new feature. Privacy advocates have raised concerns over how Apple plans to handle this highly sensitive data. And many consumers ...

On the eve of a landmark trip to attend the U.N. General Assembly, Iran’s president offered Sunday his most expansive vision that a deal to settle the impasse over Tehran’s nuclear program could open doors for greater cooperation on regional flash points such as ...

Martian life is awfully cryptic — that is a scientific term; it means life that is out of sight, below the surface, burrowed into ecological niches not easily scrutinized by robotic sentinels from the planet Earth.

The death toll from a twin suicide bombing on a church in Pakistan rose to 81 Monday, as Christians protested across the country to demand better protection for their community. The attack on All Saints Church in the northwestern city of Peshawar after a ...

To bolster Tokyo’s dwindling profile in Asia, the metropolitan government has launched the Special Zone for Asian Headquarters project to persuade more than 500 foreign companies to set up shop here by 2016.

With the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics headed to Tokyo, many see the next seven years as a chance to revive the nation’s moribund economy.

Upgrading Tokyo's dense infrastructure for the 2020 Games may be tricky, but a new subway line and an expansion for Haneda airport are on the drawing board.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe heads to Canada and the United States for political talks and to attend a U.N. meeting to pledge support for Syrian civilians.

Chancellor Angela Merkel led her conservatives to a stunning victory in Germany’s election Sunday, a personal triumph that cements her position as Europe’s most powerful leader. However, she will need to reach out to center-left rivals to form a new government after her coalition ...

Four large blasts rocked Kenya's Westgate Mall on Monday, sending large plumes of smoke over the upscale Nairobi suburb as Kenyan military forces moved in to rescue hostages held by al-Qaida-linked militants.

We’re playing in the rain “Rain” is perhaps the most hauntingly beautiful game of 2013. Developed by Sony’s Japan Studio, it’s set in a darkened city and begins with a boy seeing the silhouette of an invisible girl in the rain. The boy follows ...

Do all whole grains contain dietary fiber? What are other sources of fiber? These questions seem simple, but they’re not. Answering them, however, is important because they focus on two healthful eating goals: 1) Eat more whole grains and 2) Eat more dietary fiber. ...

PTA — the mere mention of the three initials is enough to elicit a scowl from many a Japanese mother. So how do foreign women cope in such an environment?

Both statutory and case law are crystal clear on the illegality of firings due to pregnancy. But the law is one thing; practice is quite another.

Cult crime show “Breaking Bad” won the best drama Emmy on Sunday, but there was disappointment for “House of Cards,” which had hoped to win the first major award for an online-only series. The best comedy award went to “Modern Family,” the fourth year ...

The Yomiuri Giants raced out of the dugout after the final out, as streamers and confetti rained down from the stands, and tossed their manager into the air eight times. So what if the title had been secured a little more than three hours ...

Rookie Sho Miyagawa allowed just one hit in seven innings Monday as the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles beat the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters 5-0 and Japan’s newest franchise moved closer to its first Pacific League pennant. The Eagles, who began playing as an expansion ...

Henrik Stenson knows better than most players how it feels to go from the depths of a slump to the elite in golf. He’s done it twice now. And the second time was sweeter — and richer — than ever. Not even among the ...

A trio of local favorites advanced to the second round of the Pan Pacific Open on Monday with Ayumi Morita battling through an injury in a straight-sets victory over Britain’s Laura Robson. Morita, who hurt her lower back on the eve of this summer’s ...

Yokozuna Hakuho widened the gap in his lead, tossing aside rank-and-filer Toyohibiki to remain unscathed after nine days at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday. The Mongolian, who is chasing his 27th career title and fourth in a row, improved to 9-0, a ...

The reality of life after Alex Ferguson is really kicking in at Manchester United, which is languishing in mid-table after a painful 4-1 loss to its local rival. To chants of “Easy! Easy!” Manchester City ripped United apart at Etihad Stadium to leave the ...

Humble as ever, Mariano Rivera began his special day by paying tribute to a Hall of Famer. The New York Yankees retired Rivera’s No. 42 Sunday, and the great reliever honored Jackie Robinson during a ceremony in Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park. Robinson’s No. 42 ...