FARC rebel chief confirms Colombia peace talks
The leader of Colombia's leftist FARC rebels confirmed on Monday that they were ready to take part in peace talks aimed at ending Latin America's longest-running armed conflict, now nearly 50 years old.
New UN envoy 'scared' by Syria conflict task
New UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said Friday that he was "scared" at the size of the task of ending the Syria conflict.
Mexico murders almost triple since 2005
The murder rate in drug-violent Mexico has almost tripled since 2005, government figures showed Monday, though officials did not specify how many homicides were linked to the country's war on drugs.
Syria pounds rebel bastions as UN names new envoy
Syrian forces launched new air strikes and shelled rebel strongholds in several key cities on Saturday, a watchdog said, after the UN named a new envoy to try to end the conflict.
World Muslim body to suspend Syria
An emergency summit of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) began late Tuesday with a proposal to suspend conflict-wracked Syria, a move strongly opposed by Iran.
US says Iran forming pro-regime militia in Syria
The US on Tuesday accused Iran of setting up a pro-regime militia in Syria as Washington increasingly ties the crisis there to interference by its long-time foe Tehran.
Aleppo battle rages as both sides report atrocities
The Syrian army pressed its assault on rebels in commercial capital Aleppo on Sunday, while both sides reported atrocities and Arab foreign ministers postponed a planned meeting on the 17-month conflict.
Elton John brands Madonna 'fairground stripper'
Elton John has reignited his public spat with Madonna, calling her a "fairground stripper" whose career is over.
Reliant on Ethiopia, Somali officials struggle to fill void
Standing in front of the rag-covered tent that has been her family's home for 18 months, grandmother Halbo Maow says that while the men with the guns might have changed, life still remains tough.
Egypt army promises to avenge Sinai attack
The Egyptian army on Monday promised to "avenge" the deaths of 16 border guards in an assault the previous day on a post near the border with Israel, in a statement issued by state news agency MENA.
Blame game after Annan quits as Syria envoy
World powers traded blame on Friday after Kofi Annan quit as international peace envoy to Syria, complaining that his initiative to end the bloodshed there never received the support it deserved.
Kazakhstan Secretary of State gave his own statists of labor conflicts
A labor conflict in the gold-mining company in Akmola oblast may escalate: Secretary of State.
13 labor conflicts took place in Kazakhstan in 2012
13 labor conflicts have taken place in Kazakhstan companies since the beginning of 2012.
Oil strikes two-year high; soya scores record high
Oil prices hit two-month highs this week, driven by Federal Reserve stimulus hopes and Middle East unrest, while soyabeans soared to a record high as US supplies were hit by drought.
Unrecognised Karabakh votes as tensions rise
The self-declared state of Nagorny-Karabakh, recognised by no country in the world, votes in leadership elections as fears grow of a new conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over its status.
Annan, Ban call on UN Council to act on Syria
UN chief Ban Ki-moon and international envoy Kofi Annan called on the UN Security Council to take strong action on the Syria conflict ahead of a vote Thursday on a western-backed resolution calling for sanctions.
Armenia-Azerbaijan time bomb ticks down in Karabakh
Only the wind is heard rustling the wheat fields at the Karabakh frontline, but the silence is deceptive -- the soldiers lined along the Mardakert Heights know that shooting can start at any time.
Kazakhstan to toughen punishment for instigators of social protests
Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev has instructed to toughen the legislation against instigators of social and labor conflicts.
Experts forecast tensions in Central Asia in 2012
Possibility of further increase in conflicts and tensions in 2012 remains high in three Central Asian states: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Libyan and Syrian conflicts can repeat themselves in Central Asia: Head of Russian General Staff
We have to be prepared for everything. That is why we hold trainings: Makarov.
