Franco Dragone to direct Kazakh folk opera Kyz-Zhibek
Kazakh tragic folk legend opera Kyz-Zhibek will be directed by Franco Dragone in Astana Opera theater.
Football: FIFA's policeman vows match-fixing won't ruin World Cup
FIFA corruption-buster Ralf Mutschke has warned that soccer's world governing body will do all in its power to ensure that match-fixing by mafia gangs does not ruin the 2014 World Cup.
Earthly politicians seek roadmap for space exploration
Seeking to boldly go where few politicians have gone before, more than 30 space-faring nations gathered Thursday to map out ways to pool mankind's efforts to explore the stars.
Almaty beats all Asia in Top 10 cities to visit in 2014
Almaty is the most 'alluring city' in Kazakhstan and number 7 of the Top 10 cities to visit in 2014 according to The Rough Guide.
Sparkling Sydney to kick off glitzy global 2014 party
Sydney promised an unprecedented fireworks spectacular to kick off global new year celebrations Tuesday, the first in a wave of pyrotechnics to usher in 2014 from Hong Kong to world record-chasing Dubai.
Some 92 farms expropriated in Brazil for land reform
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Friday signed a decree expropriating 92 farms which will be handed over to small farmers as part of the country's land reform.
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.
Tourists to spend $10 billion during Brazil World Cup
Foreign and Brazilian tourists are expected to spend $10.4 billion during next year's World Cup, more than the public funds invested for staging the event, the Brazilian tourism board said Friday.
Brazil, China to make new satellite launch in 2014
Brazil and China will launch a new joint environmental monitoring satellite next year to replace one which failed to enter orbit earlier this month, Communications Minister Paulo Bernardo said Tuesday.
Snowden offers to help Brazil investigate NSA spying
US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden offered to help Brazil defeat US spying Tuesday but, in an open letter, said he needs permanent political asylum to do so.
Hollande vows to share French technology with Brazil
French President Francois Hollande, on a state visit to Brazil, on touted his country's readiness Thursday to share its technological know-how with the emerging South American powerhouse.
Ford to open plants in China, Brazil; add 5,000 US jobs
US automaker Ford said Thursday it will open two new plants in China and a third in Brazil next year while adding more than 5,000 jobs in the United States.
Hit like ton of BRICS: 2013 tough year for emerging markets
Only recently hailed as the saviours of the world economy, emerging markets had a tough year in 2013, hit by slow growth, market instability and social unrest that have worried investors -- though some analysts say the fear is overblown.
Uruguay becomes world's first country to legalize marijuana trade
Uruguay's Senate has approved ground-breaking legislation legalizing marijuana, becoming the first nation in the world to oversee the production and sale of the drug.
China seen as 'confident', 'belligerent': state media
People around the world see China as "confident", "belligerent" and "arrogant", state-run media reported Tuesday in an unusually direct survey of attitudes towards the country.
Brazil's TV dream machine fueled by 7,000 people
In a Rio suburb, wealthy and beautiful heiresses, orphans and assassins lunch together in a mini-city where Globo television creates the soap operas that captivate more than 50 million Brazilians.
Couples tie knot en masse in Rio's first gay marriages
A total of 130 couples said "I do" in a mass wedding Sunday at Rio de Janeiro's Superior Court of Justice, marking the city's first gay civil marriages.
Football: Brazil risks own goal with high Cup prices
Eyeing a massive boost to tourism and prestige, Brazil hoped it had won the jackpot in earning the right to host the next World Cup and summer Olympics.
Despite rising demand, Brazil ethanol sector struggles
Hobbled by rising production costs and low prices, Brazil's ethanol sector is in crisis, with many sugar mills closing despite rising demand.
Smartphone app to give earthquake warning
A smartphone app designed to give early warning of earthquakes could be ready as early as next year, according to scientists at the World Science Forum in Rio de Janeiro.