UN atomic team in Iran for nuclear talks
A team from the UN atomic watchdog led by chief inspector Herman Nackaerts arrived early Thursday for talks with nuclear officials on Iran's controversial nuclear programme.
Philippines moves closer to birth control law
The Philippines moved closer to a controversial birth control law Thursday as lawmakers passed a version of the bill after a long debate over an issue that has deeply polarised the largely Catholic nation.
14 December 2012
Japan scrambles fighters for China plane
Japan scrambled fighter jets on Thursday after one Chinese state-owned aeroplane entered airspace over islands at the centre of a dispute between Tokyo and Beijing.
Syria regime using missiles, barrel bombs: US
The Syrian regime has begun using missiles and barrel bombs against rebels, a top US official said Wednesday, signaling a dangerous escalation of the deadly 21-month-old conflict.
13 December 2012
Same laws must apply to bloggers, tweeters: Leveson
The man who led the inquiry into Britain's phone-hacking scandal has warned that bloggers and tweeters should be subject to the same laws as traditional media outlets to prevent a decline in standards of journalism.
13 December 2012
India condemns N. Korea rocket launch, tests own missile
India condemned North Korea's long-range rocket launch on Wednesday even as it tested one of its own ballistic weapons, which were developed when India was a nuclear pariah itself.
13 December 2012
World leaders face big challenges in 2013
Barack Obama is back and China has a new leader in Xi Jinping, but world leaders face heavyweight issues in the coming year, from lingering economic crises to bloody tumult in the Middle East.
WTO approves membership for Tajikistan
The World Trade Organization on Monday approved Tajikistan's 11-year struggle to join the UN's global trade body, paving the way for the Central Asian nation to become its 159th member.
