Indian PM overturns bull-wrestling ban

An Indian state on Saturday lifted a Supreme Court ban on a popular bull-wrestling festival  after Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered the event should be allowed to go ahead.

Chinese Lunar New Year : Travel peak comes as Chinese go home for Spring Festival

Chinese authorities have forecast a peak travel rush in the second week of China's 40-day "Chunyun," starting Friday, as many Chinese people are rushing back home for the Spring Festival.

Russians in icy plunge to celebrate Epiphany

Thousands of Russian Orthodox Church followers plunged into icy rivers and ponds across the country to mark Epiphany, cleansing themselves with water deemed holy for the day.

Some two dozen Democrat lawmakers to skip Trump's inauguration

About two dozen US Democratic lawmakers have now said they will break with tradition by skipping US President-elect Donald Trump's Friday inauguration in protest.

Russia to celebrate its traditional ‘Second New Year’s Eve’ on January 13

On the eve of January 13, Russians will usher in the so-called Old New Year, a unique holiday that offers everyone the chance to celebrate the New Year with those near and dear to them for a second time.

Outrage in Berlin as German-funded school in Turkey ‘bans mention of Christmas’

Berlin says it'd raise a “completely unacceptable” issue with Ankara after reports emerged that teachers at elite gymnasium in Istanbul, co-funded by the German government, were ordered to stop telling students anything about Christmas rites. The school denies the accusation.

Spanish top court overturns Catalan bullfighting ban

Spain's constitutional court has overturned a ban on bullfighting in Catalonia, declaring it unconstitutional.

Riders on the plateau: Tibetans gather for horse festival

Thundering across the vast Himalayan plateau in their traditional finery, Tibetan horsemen gather for an annual riding festival which is a colorful feast for the eyes.

Spain: Running of the bulls off to spirited start

The annual running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain started this year with four injuries but no one gored, yet always with the flavor of danger in the air as thousands dared to run alongside 1,400 lb. wild bulls.

Poland sees large-scale pro and against EU marches

Three large-scale marches went through the streets of Warsaw in Poland on Saturday, representing the country's divided attitudes towards the European Union and the government's policy.

US delegation visits Cuba to increase cultural bond

A delegation representing US President Barack Obama's arts and humanities committee began a four-day visit to Cuba on Monday as a sign of further rapprochement between the two countries and their common will to boost cultural exchanges.

Indian temple authorities allow women worshipers, ending centuries-old tradition

Authorities at a Hindu shrine in India's western state of Maharashtra on Friday allowed female worshipers to enter the inner sanctum of the temple.

"Sea burials" gaining popularity in Beijing

The ashes of more than 13,700 deceased residents of Beijing have been scattered at sea since the service began to be offered in May 1994, the overseas edition of the People's Daily reported on Monday, China's Tomb-Sweeping Day.

Nepal's challenge of ending child marriage. Despite ban, an estimated 41 percent of girls in the country are married before they turn 18.

As Nepal prepares to host the Girl Summit in Kathmandu promoting gender equality, the government says it aims to end child marriage by the year 2030.

Thousands throng in Limassol to watch carnival parade

Tens of thousands of revelers thronged into the sea-side city of Limassol, in the south of the Mediterranean island Cyprus on Sunday to watch the annual carnival parade.

Japanese ward off evil spirits with cute dolls on Hina Matsuri

1,000 neatly arranged and opulently clothed dolls would be an odd sight in most places and at most times, but it's not in Japan, where Thursday the country celebrates Hina Matsuri - Doll's Day, or Girl's Day.

Cuba to host 18th cigar festival, more US visitors expected

Cigar enthusiasts from around the globe will gather in Havana this week for the 18th Habanos Festival.

Thousands pay homage in Mao’s hometown during Spring Festival

More than 70,000 people traveled to the hometown of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong in Shaoshan, Central China's Hunan Province during the Spring Festival as part of a local tradition to pay tribute to the Great Helmsman at the start of each lunar year.

Fireworks, Parades Begin Chinese Year of the Monkey

Celebrations are kicking off around the world to mark the new Chinese year - the Year of the Monkey.

Bosnians protest against hijab ban in judiciary

Some 2,000 people, mostly women, protested on Sunday in downtown Sarajevo against a recent ban on wearing a hijab headscarf in the majority Muslim country's judicial institutions.