Coloured tattoos escape ban in France
Tattoo artists in France, who were up in arms about a government ban on certain dyes, say the health ministry has reassured them they will be able to keep using coloured ink, attributing the uproar to a misunderstanding of thousands of pages of regulations.
Turkey PM reshuffles cabinet amid graft scandal
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan replaced nearly half his cabinet in a dramatic reshuffle after a spreading graft scandal forced the resignation of three top ministers.
Kazakhstan to reach Top 30 by 2025
Professor Robin Matthews of the Kingston Business School predicts that Kazakhstan will be among the Top 30 most developed countries by 2025.
25 December 2013 18:30
Kim urges N. Korea military to bolster combat readiness
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has urged the country's military to bolster its combat readiness, saying a war could break out "without any prior notice", state media reported Wednesday.
Turkey's scandal-hit ministers resign
Turkey's economy and interior ministers, ensnared in a vast corruption scandal that has roiled the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, resigned.
Images show N. Korea efforts to restart nuclear complex
Satellite imagery suggests North Korea is making "wide-ranging, extensive" efforts to fully reactivate its main nuclear complex, a US think tank said Tuesday, in line with Pyongyang's vows to strengthen its weapons programme.
24 December 2013 17:07
Snowden declares 'mission accomplished' on leaks
Just six months after first leaking National Security Agency secrets in a move that triggered a revaluation of US surveillance policies, Edward Snowden is declaring "mission's already accomplished."
24 December 2013 14:30
US ups pressure in S. Sudan, but no military role likely
The United States -- a key backer of South Sudan's 2011 independence -- is increasing diplomatic pressure amid an intensifying conflict there but will not consider military intervention, experts said.
Snowden in charm offensive in Brazil's press
Intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, who has been granted temporary asylum in Russia and faces US espionage charges, on Sunday lauded Brazil's vibrant democracy.
23 December 2013 17:44
Kazakhstan not sending peacekeepers to Syria
According to Kazakhstan ex-Permanent Representative in the UN Senator Byrganym Aitimova, Kazakhstan will not send any peacekeepers to Syria.
23 December 2013 16:21
Uruguay economy minister resigns over airline scandal
Uruguay's economy minister has resigned as he faces a probe over the 2012 collapse of national airline Pluna -- a scandal that has tainted President Jose Mujica's administration.
Queen Elizabeth calls for 'quiet reflection' in 2014
Queen Elizabeth II urged people to take the time for quiet reflection in 2014, in her annual Christmas Day message to the Commonwealth.
