Violence rages in Aleppo, Damascus: NGO
At least 13 people were killed across Syria on Saturday as fierce fighting raged in Aleppo and Damascus, the country's two biggest cities.
Jail for Hong Kongers after huge Australia cocaine bust
Two men from Hong Kong were on Friday handed lengthy jail terms in Australia after importing Aus$173 million (US$181 million) of cocaine hidden in lawnmowers.
China 'regrets' Syria envoy Annan's resignation
China expressed regret Friday over former UN chief Kofi Annan's resignation as international envoy for Syria and said it would continue to "work for a political resolution" to the conflict.
With Islamists gone, Somali displaced make fragile recovery
Afgoye was once a byword for misery; controlled by Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab fighters, the region, long hit by famine, was dubbed the world's largest camp for displaced people.
British pop stars demand fair trial for Russian rockers
A group of British musicians including Pete Townshend and the Pet Shop Boys have urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to give a fair trial to punk band Pussy Riot.
Red Cross helps N. Korea flood victims as toll rises
The Red Cross had allocated almost $308,000 for victims of N. Korea's floods and storms, after state media reported 119 deaths and major crop damage in the food-scarce nation.
As end of transition nears, Somalis pray for peace
Sitting outside a dilapidated building in Mogadishu's heavily fortified government area, Ali Hussein waves his hand dismissively at talk of Somalia's notoriously fractious political elite.
Obama signs covert action backing Syrian rebels: reports
President Barack Obama has signed a covert document authorizing US support for Syrian rebels locked in a battle to overthrow beleaguered President Bashar al-Assad, reports said Wednesday.
Assad says key battle afoot as UN says rebels have tanks
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday that the army was fighting for the nation's future as UN officials said the regime was using fighter jets against rebels armed with tanks.