EU envoy criticises 'tightening' curbs on China human rights
The European Union's outgoing ambassador to China on Friday criticised growing curbs on human rights in the country, raising several individual cases including an arrested activist and a detained Uighur academic.
Donors in major fundraising push for Syria
Donors gathered in Kuwait Wednesday in a major fundraising drive for 13 million Syrians affected by war following a record UN appeal for $6.5 billion.
Defamation to remain criminal charge in Kazakhstan and 27 European countries: no freedom of speech for Kazakhstan only?
Defamation is expected to remain a criminal charge in the revised Criminal Code of Kazakhstan.
Ukraine ex-minister beaten in fresh Kiev clashes
Ukraine's ex-interior minister and current opposition leader Yuriy Lutsenko was under intensive care in hospital Saturday after being beaten in fresh clashes that erupted between pro-EU demonstrators and club-wielding police.
Kazakh-Iran economic and trade cooperation to ease tension in the region
Iranian Deputy Minister Valiola Afkhami visited Astana to meet with his Kazakhstani counterpart at the 3rd sitting of the Kazakh-Iranian Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation.
Malaysia, Turkey aim to conclude free-trade deal
Malaysia and Turkey pledged Friday to wrap up a free-trade deal this year as embattled Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan prepared to return home to a political crisis.
Wanted: Billions of bees for European farms
Many countries in Europe face a worrying lack of crop-pollinating honeybees, a problem caused mainly by an EU policy shift in favour of biofuels.
China has world's most outbound tourists: report
Nearly 100 million Chinese tourists visited foreign countries last year, and they are likely to extend their lead as the world's biggest-spending travellers, state media reported Thursday.
Ukrainian novelist Kurkov backs 'school for revolution' protests
The long-running opposition protests on Kiev's central Independence Square are becoming a "school for revolution" as the country's leaders lose touch with society, top Ukrainian novelist Andrey Kurkov told AFP.
Children beheaded in C.Africa fighting: UNICEF
At least two children have been beheaded in the fighting which has gripped the Central African Republic, the UN agency for children said Monday, adding "unprecedented" levels of violence were being committed against youngsters.
Philippines allows phone use on planes
The Philippines' civil aviation authority said Tuesday it would allow passengers to use mobile phones and laptops to make calls and access the Internet during flights.
Greece eyes return to bond markets in 2nd half of 2014
Bailed-out Greece is hoping to return to bond markets in the second half of 2014 -- but only if growth and a primary budget surplus permits, its finance minister said Sunday.
Final amnestied foreign Greenpeace activist leaves Russia
The last of the 26 foreign Greenpeace activists who were detained after an Arctic protest flew out of Russia on Sunday, the group announced, finally ending a saga that had caused global concern.
Fireworks but no joy as Latvia joins eurozone
Fireworks will light up the skies above Riga when Latvia adopts the euro on January 1, but on the ground the feeling will be far from festive among those fearing the impact of the switch.
Britain to become Europe's biggest economy by 2030: report
Britain will surpass France and Germany to become Europe's biggest economy by 2030, according to a study released on Thursday.
Israel says to free Palestinians and build more settlements
Israel will announce plans for new settlement construction next week, coinciding with the release of a third batch of Palestinian prisoners as part of peace talks, an official said Thursday.
Turkey PM reshuffles cabinet amid graft scandal
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan replaced nearly half his cabinet in a dramatic reshuffle after a spreading graft scandal forced the resignation of three top ministers.
Mining threatens unique culture of Sweden's Samis
As winter approaches, the Samis of northern Sweden move thousands of reindeer down from the snow-covered mountains for lowland grazing. They have done so for centuries, but they wonder how much longer they can continue.
EU banking union too complicated, too slow: analysts
An EU system to prevent a repeat of the massive bank bailouts which crippled the economy is a major step but it is also too complicated when speed is absolutely essential, analysts said.
Mozambique airline captain 'intentionally' crashed: probe
A Mozambican Airlines captain had a "clear intention" to crash an airplane that went down in Namibia killing 33 at the end of November, according to a preliminary investigation reported Saturday.