US: Artemis II Launches, Marking First Crewed Lunar Mission in Half Century 4

NASA's Artemis II lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, marking humanity's first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972. The SLS (Space Launch System) rocket carried four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — on a 10-day lunar flyby.

US: Artemis II Launches, Marking First Crewed Lunar Mission in Half Century 2

NASA's Artemis II lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, marking humanity's first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972. The SLS (Space Launch System) rocket carried four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — on a 10-day lunar flyby.

US: Artemis II Launches, Marking First Crewed Lunar Mission in Half Century 3

NASA's Artemis II lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, marking humanity's first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972. The SLS (Space Launch System) rocket carried four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — on a 10-day lunar flyby.

US: Artemis II Launches, Marking First Crewed Lunar Mission in Half Century

NASA's Artemis II lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, marking humanity's first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972. The SLS (Space Launch System) rocket carried four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — on a 10-day lunar flyby.

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians celebrate the Syrian government fall and end of Assad family's half-century rule Middle East in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, December 8, 2024. Photo by Dilara Acikgoz/DIA images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians celebrate the Syrian government fall and end of Assad family's half-century rule Middle East in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, December 8, 2024. Photo by Dilara Acikgoz/DIA images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians celebrate the Syrian government fall and end of Assad family's half-century rule Middle East in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, December 8, 2024. Photo by Dilara Acikgoz/DIA images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians celebrate the Syrian government fall and end of Assad family's half-century rule Middle East in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, December 8, 2024. Photo by Dilara Acikgoz/DIA images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians celebrate the Syrian government fall and end of Assad family's half-century rule Middle East in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, December 8, 2024. Photo by Dilara Acikgoz/DIA images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians celebrate the Syrian government fall and end of Assad family's half-century rule Middle East in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, December 8, 2024. Photo by Dilara Acikgoz/DIA images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians celebrate the Syrian government fall and end of Assad family's half-century rule Middle East in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, December 8, 2024. Photo by Dilara Acikgoz/DIA images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians celebrate the Syrian government fall and end of Assad family's half-century rule Middle East in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, December 8, 2024. Photo by Dilara Acikgoz/DIA images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians celebrate the Syrian government fall and end of Assad family's half-century rule Middle East in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, December 8, 2024. Photo by Dilara Acikgoz/DIA images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians In Istanbul Celebrate Fall Of Assad Regime

Syrians celebrate the Syrian government fall and end of Assad family's half-century rule Middle East in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, December 8, 2024. Photo by Dilara Acikgoz/DIA images/ABACAPRESS.COM

CHINA-XINJIANG-HUOCHENG-LAVENDER-INDUSTRY (CN)

CHINA-XINJIANG-HUOCHENG-LAVENDER-INDUSTRY (CN)

(240727) -- HUOCHENG, July 27, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Tourists visit a lavender field in Huocheng County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 26, 2024. Lavender was introduced in Huocheng County more than half century ago from France. Sharing many similarities with Provence in France as latitude, meteorological and soil conditions, Huocheng become the largest lavender production base in China and the third largest in the world, following Provence and Japan's Furano. In recent years, the county has given impetus to the lavender industry by integrating agriculture, industry and tourism, increasing the income of local people. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Huang Xiaoyong)

CHINA-XINJIANG-HUOCHENG-LAVENDER-INDUSTRY (CN)

CHINA-XINJIANG-HUOCHENG-LAVENDER-INDUSTRY (CN)

(240727) -- HUOCHENG, July 27, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Tourists visit a lavender field in Huocheng County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 26, 2024. Lavender was introduced in Huocheng County more than half century ago from France. Sharing many similarities with Provence in France as latitude, meteorological and soil conditions, Huocheng become the largest lavender production base in China and the third largest in the world, following Provence and Japan's Furano. In recent years, the county has given impetus to the lavender industry by integrating agriculture, industry and tourism, increasing the income of local people. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Huang Xiaoyong)

CHINA-XINJIANG-HUOCHENG-LAVENDER-INDUSTRY (CN)

CHINA-XINJIANG-HUOCHENG-LAVENDER-INDUSTRY (CN)

(240727) -- HUOCHENG, July 27, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Tourists visit a lavender museum in Huocheng County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 26, 2024. Lavender was introduced in Huocheng County more than half century ago from France. Sharing many similarities with Provence in France as latitude, meteorological and soil conditions, Huocheng become the largest lavender production base in China and the third largest in the world, following Provence and Japan's Furano. In recent years, the county has given impetus to the lavender industry by integrating agriculture, industry and tourism, increasing the income of local people. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Huang Xiaoyong)

CHINA-XINJIANG-HUOCHENG-LAVENDER-INDUSTRY (CN)

CHINA-XINJIANG-HUOCHENG-LAVENDER-INDUSTRY (CN)

(240727) -- HUOCHENG, July 27, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Tourists visit a lavender field in Huocheng County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 26, 2024. Lavender was introduced in Huocheng County more than half century ago from France. Sharing many similarities with Provence in France as latitude, meteorological and soil conditions, Huocheng become the largest lavender production base in China and the third largest in the world, following Provence and Japan's Furano. In recent years, the county has given impetus to the lavender industry by integrating agriculture, industry and tourism, increasing the income of local people. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Huang Xiaoyong)

CHINA-XINJIANG-HUOCHENG-LAVENDER-INDUSTRY (CN)

CHINA-XINJIANG-HUOCHENG-LAVENDER-INDUSTRY (CN)

(240727) -- HUOCHENG, July 27, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- This photo shows lavender blossoms at a lavender field in Huocheng County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 26, 2024. Lavender was introduced in Huocheng County more than half century ago from France. Sharing many similarities with Provence in France as latitude, meteorological and soil conditions, Huocheng become the largest lavender production base in China and the third largest in the world, following Provence and Japan's Furano. In recent years, the county has given impetus to the lavender industry by integrating agriculture, industry and tourism, increasing the income of local people. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Huang Xiaoyong)

CHINA-XINJIANG-HUOCHENG-LAVENDER-INDUSTRY (CN)

CHINA-XINJIANG-HUOCHENG-LAVENDER-INDUSTRY (CN)

(240727) -- HUOCHENG, July 27, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Tourists select lavender products at a lavender farm in Huocheng County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 26, 2024. Lavender was introduced in Huocheng County more than half century ago from France. Sharing many similarities with Provence in France as latitude, meteorological and soil conditions, Huocheng become the largest lavender production base in China and the third largest in the world, following Provence and Japan's Furano. In recent years, the county has given impetus to the lavender industry by integrating agriculture, industry and tourism, increasing the income of local people. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Huang Xiaoyong)

China-U.S. "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" commemorated in Southern California

STORY: China-U.S. "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" commemorated in Southern California SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 21, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 22, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:00 LOCATION: LOS ANGELES, U.S. CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the event STORYLINE: Hundreds of Chinese and Americans gathered in Southern California on Wednesday evening to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of China-U.S. "Ping-Pong Diplomacy." "Looking back over the past half-century, we deeply feel the historical journey from a Ping-Pong friendship to diplomatic normalization. This journey is not only remarkable but also laid a solid foundation for the communications and exchanges between the people of China and the United States," said Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun at a reception held in the Pacific Palms Resort in Los Angeles County. In April 1971, nine players from the U.S. Table Tennis team took a historic trip to China, becoming the first delegation of Americans to visit China in decades. Their trip was the start of what has

Musician with Philadelphia Orchestra cherishes half-century bond with China

STORY: Musician with Philadelphia Orchestra cherishes half-century bond with China SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 10, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:56 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of photos of the 50th anniversary concert 2. SOUNDBITE (English): DAVYD BOOTH, Violinist, Philadelphia Orchestra 3. earlier footages of concerts by Philadelphia Orchestra STORYLINE: A special 50th anniversary concert was held in Beijing on Friday celebrating the Philadelphia Orchestra's 1973 visit to China. It was the first tour to the People's Republic of China made by an American orchestra. Davyd Booth, a violinist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, was on the 1973 trip. At that time, he didn't imagine the orchestra and himself would be so closely connected with China in the following half century and beyond. SOUNDBITE (English): DAVYD BOOTH, Violinist, Philadelphia Orchestra "It was one of the most important events of my life, and it's still a strong thread that has continued for 50 years, I have

Enterprise on final voyage

Enterprise on final voyage

CAIRO, Egypt - Crew members queue for a meal in the cafeteria of the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft-carrier Enterprise in the Arabian Sea, on Sept. 7, 2012, during its last voyage before retirement in December after about a half-century of service since being commissioned in 1961.

Enterprise on final voyage

Enterprise on final voyage

CAIRO, Egypt - Photo shows an FA-18 fighter in the hangar of the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft-carrier Enterprise in the Arabian Sea, on Sept. 5, 2012, during the vessel's last voyage before retirement in December after about a half-century of service since being commissioned in 1961.

Enterprise on final voyage

Enterprise on final voyage

CAIRO, Egypt - Photo shows the combat direction center of the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft-carrier Enterprise in the Arabian Sea, on Sept. 5, 2012, during its last voyage before retirement in December after about a half-century of service since being commissioned in 1961.

Enterprise on final voyage

Enterprise on final voyage

CAIRO, Egypt - Crew members look out from the bridge of the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft-carrier Enterprise in the Arabian Sea, on Sept. 6, 2012, during its last voyage before retirement in December after about a half-century of service since being commissioned in 1961.

Enterprise on final voyage

Enterprise on final voyage

CAIRO, Egypt - Photo shows FA-18 fighters preparing to take off from the deck of the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft-carrier Enterprise in the Arabian Sea, on Sept. 5, 2012, during its last voyage before retirement in December after about a half-century of service since being commissioned in 1961.

Enterprise on final voyage

Enterprise on final voyage

CAIRO, Egypt - Crew members stand around the bridge of the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft-carrier Enterprise in the Arabian Sea, on Sept. 7, 2012, during its last voyage before retirement in December after about a half-century of service since being commissioned in 1961.

Enterprise on final voyage

Enterprise on final voyage

CAIRO, Egypt - Photo shows an FA-18 fighter taking off from the deck of the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft-carrier Enterprise in the Arabian Sea, on Sept. 5, 2012, during the vessel's last voyage before retirement in December after about a half-century of service since being commissioned in 1961.

Improving wheat in Afghanistan

Improving wheat in Afghanistan

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Tomohiro Ban (L), a professor at Yokohama City University, and research students from Afghanistan examine a sheaf of wheat cultivated from Afghan wheat seeds in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on June 26, 2012. A project is under way to help Afghanistan produce wheat based on Afghan wheat seeds brought to Japan about a half century ago.

Japanese climbers reunite with Polish rivals after half century

Japanese climbers reunite with Polish rivals after half century

HARKLOWA, Poland - Goro Iwatsubo (L), 76, and Toshiaki Sakai (R), 78, both climbers from Japan's Kyoto University who scaled the 7,492-meter Mt. Nowshak in 1960, reunite with Stanislaw Biel, 81, a member of the Polish climbing party, in Harklowa, Poland, on Aug. 29, 2010, for the first time since they vied to become the world's first party to conquer the highest mountain in Afghanistan a half-century ago. The Kyoto party, whose members reached the summit first, attributed their success largely to the support from the Polish.

Japanese climbers reunite with Polish rivals after half century

Japanese climbers reunite with Polish rivals after half century

HARKLOWA, Poland - Goro Iwatsubo (L), 76, and Toshiaki Sakai (C), 78, both climbers from Japan's Kyoto University who scaled the 7,492-meter Mt. Nowshak in 1960, reunite with Stanislaw Biel, 81, a member of the Polish climbing party, in Harklowa, Poland, on Aug. 29, 2010, for the first time since they vied to become the world's first party to conquer the highest mountain in Afghanistan a half-century ago. The Kyoto party, whose members reached the summit first, attributed their success largely to the support from the Polish.

Yamada conducts AAC orchestra marking Japan's 50th year in U.N.

Yamada conducts AAC orchestra marking Japan's 50th year in U.N.

NEW YORK, United States - Japan's Atsushi Yamada (R) conducts the Asian Artists & Concerts Orchestra during their debut performance on May 22 at the General Assembly hall marking Japan's half century as a member of the United Nations and the international body's 60th anniversary.

Europe-based firm sees China as priority market

STORY: Europe-based firm sees China as priority market DATELINE: Oct. 4, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:39 LOCATION: GUANGZHOU, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Chinese cities 2. various of factories 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JERRITY CHEN, Head of North Asia at Louis Dreyfus Company 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JERRITY CHEN, Head of North Asia at Louis Dreyfus Company STORYLINE: Despite the sluggish global economy and COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of foreign-funded enterprises still regard China as their priority market. Lots of foreign enterprises have benefited from China's opening-up policy and outstanding business environment. The Europe-based Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) is one of them. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JERRITY CHEN, Head of North Asia at Louis Dreyfus Company "In the past half century, we keep growing our business in China and also keep investing in China, so we have a lot of achievements in China. We have already become the major suppliers of feed grain, coffee, sugar, cotton as well as ju

Insect Museum in Mexico celebrates International Museum Day

STORY: Insect Museum in Mexico celebrates International Museum Day DATELINE: May 20, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:35 LOCATION: Mexico City CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): JESUS PUENTE, Entomologist and director of Insects Museum in Queretaro 2. SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): CAROLINA, Mother of family 3. SOUNDBITE 3 (Spanish): ESMERALDA SANTIAGO, Elementary school teacher STORYLINE: The Insect Museum in Mexico on Wednesday celebrated the International Museum Day with interaction activities, which allowed visitors to place tarantulas and giant cockroaches from Madagascar in their hands. This museum was founded by the 70-year-old entomologist Jesus Puente, who shared his collection of 2,600 insects which he has spent almost a half-century on studying and collecting. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): JESUS PUENTE, Entomologist and director of Insects Museum in Queretaro "Well, I started this collection 50 years ago. It was a hobby. I started to like insects in elementary school, and then in middle school I began t

Great Buddha of Kamakura opens to public

Great Buddha of Kamakura opens to public

Tourists visit the Great Buddha in Kamakura, near Tokyo, on March 11, 2016, when the national treasure reopened to the public after two months of maintenance, the first repairs in around a half century. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Great Buddha of Kamakura opens to public

Great Buddha of Kamakura opens to public

Tourists visit the Great Buddha in Kamakura, near Tokyo, on March 11, 2016, when the national treasure reopened to the public after two months of maintenance, the first repairs in around a half century. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese talk show marks 40th anniversary with host eying half century

Japanese talk show marks 40th anniversary with host eying half century

Photo shows Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, actress and host of "Tetsuko's Room," a talk show broadcast by TV Asahi. The program, which was recognized by Guinness World Records in May 2015 for reaching its 10,000th episode, marked another milestone on Feb. 2, 2016, as it had its 40th anniversary. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Great Buddha of Kamakura to undergo 1st maintenance in half-century

Great Buddha of Kamakura to undergo 1st maintenance in half-century

Photo taken July 28, 2015, shows the Great Buddha of Kamakura in Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture. Kotokuin Temple said the same day that the 11-meter-high bronze stature will undergo maintenance in the first quarter of 2016, the first of its kind since it had major repairs between 1959 and 1961. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan PM Abe, S. Korean FM Yun Byung Se meet

Japan PM Abe, S. Korean FM Yun Byung Se meet

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung Se speaks to reporters after a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at his office in Tokyo on June 22, 2015. Marking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral ties, Abe said he is willing to work, together with South Korean President Park Geun Hye, to further improve ties in the next half century. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

PM Abe meets with S. Korean FM Yun Byung Se

PM Abe meets with S. Korean FM Yun Byung Se

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) meets with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung Se on June 22, 2015, at the prime minister's office in Tokyo. Marking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral ties, Abe said he is willing to work, together with South Korean President Park Geun Hye, to further improve ties in the next half century. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

PM Abe meets with S. Korean FM Yun Byung Se

PM Abe meets with S. Korean FM Yun Byung Se

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) meets with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung Se on June 22, 2015, at the prime minister's office in Tokyo. Marking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral ties, Abe said he is willing to work, together with South Korean President Park Geun Hye, to further improve ties in the next half century. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

SNAPSHOT: 50 yrs since confirmation of Niigata Minamata Disease

SNAPSHOT: 50 yrs since confirmation of Niigata Minamata Disease

Setsuko Kotake looks at her deformed fingers in the central Japan city of Niigata on May 8, 2015. Kotake, who believes herself to be a victim of Niigata Minamata Disease and has taken on a role to tell children of her painful experiences, said the issue will not be solved until the whole picture is clarified although a half century has passed since "the second Minamata disease" was officially confirmed. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Whisky bar owner perfects art of mixing highballs over half century

Whisky bar owner perfects art of mixing highballs over half century

"Uncle Torys," the popular character created in 1958 for Suntory Whisky's advertisements, stands next to a glass of highball prepared by bar owner Takao Tsuyuguchi in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on Oct. 21, 2015. Tsuyuguchi has perfected the skill of mixing highballs over half a century. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Whisky bar owner perfects art of mixing highballs over half century

Whisky bar owner perfects art of mixing highballs over half century

Takao Tsuyuguchi (L), owner of Suntory Bar Tsuyuguchi in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, prepares a highball on Oct. 21, 2015, while his wife Asako looks on. The whisky bar opened in 1958, the same year as Suntory Whisky's advertisement mascot "Uncle Torys" was created. Tsuyuguchi has since perfected the skill of mixing highballs. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

SNAPSHOT: 50 yrs since confirmation of Niigata Minamata Disease

SNAPSHOT: 50 yrs since confirmation of Niigata Minamata Disease

Tomoko Sekikawa, a doctor who has examined victims of Niigata Minamata Disease for more than 40 years, examines a man complaining of symptoms of the mercury-poisoning disease on May 22, 2015, at a clinic in the central Japan city of Niigata. A half century has passed since "the second Minamata disease" was officially confirmed, after a similar disease was detected in the southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto in 1956. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

SNAPSHOT: 50 yrs since confirmation of Niigata Minamata Disease

SNAPSHOT: 50 yrs since confirmation of Niigata Minamata Disease

Photo taken from a Kyodo News airplane on May 22, 2015, shows the mouth of the Agano River in the central Japan city of Niigata. Mercury-tainted wastewater discharged by a Showa Denko K.K. plant into the river caused Niigata Minamata Disease, which was officially confirmed a half century ago. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

SNAPSHOT: 50 yrs since confirmation of Niigata Minamata Disease

SNAPSHOT: 50 yrs since confirmation of Niigata Minamata Disease

Photo taken May 6, 2015, in the central Japan town of Aga shows a drain outlet from which mercury-tainted wastewater entered the Agano River, causing Niigata Minamata Disease. While a half century has passed since "the second Minamata disease" was officially confirmed, the whole picture of the tragedy has not yet been clarified. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Yamada conducts AAC orchestra marking Japan's 50th year in U.N.

Yamada conducts AAC orchestra marking Japan's 50th year in U.N.

NEW YORK, United States - Japan's Atsushi Yamada (R) conducts the Asian Artists & Concerts Orchestra during their debut performance on May 22 at the General Assembly hall marking Japan's half century as a member of the United Nations and the international body's 60th anniversary. (Kyodo)

Japanese climbers reunite with Polish rivals after half century

Japanese climbers reunite with Polish rivals after half century

HARKLOWA, Poland - Goro Iwatsubo (L), 76, and Toshiaki Sakai (R), 78, both climbers from Japan's Kyoto University who scaled the 7,492-meter Mt. Nowshak in 1960, reunite with Stanislaw Biel, 81, a member of the Polish climbing party, in Harklowa, Poland, on Aug. 29, 2010, for the first time since they vied to become the world's first party to conquer the highest mountain in Afghanistan a half-century ago. The Kyoto party, whose members reached the summit first, attributed their success largely to the support from the Polish. (Kyodo)