Retirement reform picking up in Kazakhstan
A special attention is given to employees working in tough and hazardous conditions; their employers will allocated extra 5% into their pension funds.
02 April 2013
S.Korea leader vows to strike back at North
South Korea's new president on Monday promised a strong military response to any North Korean provocation after Pyongyang announced that the two countries were now in a state of war.
02 April 2013
Syria, elections cloud next Iran nuclear talks: experts
Experts Monday downplayed hopes of any breakthrough in upcoming nuclear talks with Iran, cautioning that progress is unlikely before Iranian elections or while the Syrian conflict rages.
02 April 2013
US visa day sparks new debate on tech workers
As the US government opened up visa applications Monday for highly skilled immigrants, debate flared anew on the tech sector's demands to be able to hire more foreign workers.
02 April 2013
Serbia pessimistic over agreement with Kosovo
Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Monday cast doubt on whether a final agreement with breakaway Kosovo is attainable, a day ahead of highly anticipated EU-sponsored talks with the Pristina leadership in Brussels.
US criticizes EU restrictions on wine labels
The United States on Monday criticized the European Union's restrictions on wine labeling, saying they hinder US wine exports to the 27-nation bloc.
02 April 2013
C.Africa's new post-coup government to start work
The Central African Republic's new post-coup government was due to hold its first meeting as soon as Tuesday, its spokesman said, as anger rose in South Africa over its military mission in the restive country.
02 April 2013
UN General Assembly set to adopt arms treaty
The UN General Assembly is expected to adopt the first global treaty on the conventional arms trade Tuesday after the 193 member states failed to reach consensus on it last week.
Kazakhstan bans smoking shisha in public places
Kazakhstan Healthcare Ministry introduced a ban on smoking shisha in public places, including night clubs, restaurants, cinemas and any indoor public entertainment facilities on March 14, 2013.
01 April 2013
US says kit removal from Afghanistan to cost $5-6 bn
The US operation to remove military hardware and vehicles from Afghanistan as troops withdraw after 12 years of war will cost between five and six billion dollars.
Rebels, opposition form government in Central Africa
The Central African Republic's prime minister has named mostly rebels and opposition figures to his new post-coup government, as reports emerged of child soldiers killed in the fight for the capital.
China 'two-child policy' town shows scope for reform
A few places in China give parents a rare right to have two offspring rather than one, but many stop at a single child anyway -- fuelling demands to end what critics call an unnecessary, harmful rule.