Population of Zhanaozen exceeds plans
The population of Zhanaozen town in western Kazakhstan has exceeded the development plan.
Gazprom chief escaped sanctions after European lobbying
The head of Russian state gas giant Gazprom escaped being named on a list of EU sanctions over the Ukraine crisis after lobbying from European energy firms, Moscow newspaper Vedomosti reported.
Moldova to sign association agreement on June 27: EU
European Union President Herman Van Rompuy Tuesday invited Moldova to sign a key economic and political deal with the EU on June 27, warning against external pressure on the country in remarks aimed at Moscow.
Toll in migrant shipwreck rises to 17: Italy
The Italian navy on Tuesday said 17 bodies had been recovered and 206 people rescued by patrol boats and merchant ships from a migrant shipwreck in international waters between Libya and Italy.
Explosions, gunfire near Ukraine's Slavyansk
Several explosions and gunfire could be heard near the flashpoint eastern Ukrainian town of Slavyansk Monday, according to an AFP reporter there, as Kiev seeks to flush out pro-Moscow rebels holed up there.
Sun sets on Spaniards' solar power dreams
"The sun could be yours," the Spanish government promised in 2007, encouraging citizens to invest in solar power. Many who did now wish they could give it back.
Lithuania's 'Iron Lady' poised for victory amid Russia fears
Lithuanians began voting Sunday to elect their president, with incumbent "Iron Lady" Dalia Grybauskaite a shoo-in as fears in the EU Baltic state soar over a resurgent Russia.
Famed Sarajevo library reopens 22 years after destruction
Sarajevo's famed architectural jewel, "City Hall", or the National Library, reopened on Friday, 22 years after it was destroyed by Bosnian Serb forces' shelling during the 1992-1995 war.
Death toll rises in Ukraine, fresh warnings of civil war
The death toll from a military offensive in a flashpoint town in east Ukraine rose to at least 34, officials said Tuesday, amid fresh warnings of civil war and the shutdown of a major airport in the region.
Brutal child murders spark outrage in Turkey
Several brutal murders of children have sparked outrage across Turkey, prompting calls to bring back the death penalty and leading the government to stiffen sentences for child killers.
Europe tries new peace bid for Ukraine as Kiev warns of war
European leaders are desperately pushing a new peace bid for Ukraine as the country slipped towards what its interim president warned Monday was already a "war" in the face of spreading violence.
Portugal to end EU-IMF bailout with clean break
Portugal decided to make a clean break from its EU-IMF bailout on Sunday, following in the footsteps of Ireland by forgoing a credit line as it prepares a full return to the credit markets.
India threatens WTO action over EU mango ban
India on Friday threatened to drag the European Union to the World Trade Organization over its ban on mango imports.
EU, US in cautious lockstep on Russia sanctions
The United States has been moving cautiously in slapping sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis, keen to keep its EU allies on board and avoid exposing fault lines within the European bloc, analysts say.
Record Holocaust commemoration march in Hungary
Hungary's annual "March of Life" commemorating the Holocaust drew a record 25,000 people on Sunday as part of events marking 70 years since the start of mass deportations of Hungarian Jews in World War II.
UN set to lift Ivory Coast diamond embargo
The UN Security Council is set to lift a nearly decade-old embargo on Ivory Coast's international diamond trade and plans to relax its arms embargo there, diplomats said.
G7 to impose new sanctions on Russia as Kiev warns of 'world war'
The Group of Seven rich countries agreed Saturday to impose new sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine, after Kiev accused Moscow of seeking to trigger a "third world war".
Obama says Russia not abiding by deal on Ukraine
US President Barack Obama accused Russia on Thursday of failing to respect an agreement to defuse the crisis in Ukraine, the latest salvo in the Cold War-like duel between Washington and Moscow over the future of the ex-Soviet nation.
Biden meets Ukraine leaders as Russia, US swap blame on crumbling deal
US Vice President Joe Biden met Ukraine's new pro-Western leaders Tuesday to offer firm American backing as Washington and Moscow traded blame over an unravelling peace deal to defuse the country's deep crisis.
Kazakhstan welcomes Geneva agreement on Ukraine
Astana supports the document that includes steps for stabilizing the situation in Ukraine, which was adopted on April 17 in Geneva.