Prominent Irish politician becomes first openly gay minister
One of Ireland's most prominent politicians announced he is gay, becoming the first openly homosexual cabinet minister in Irish history.
Internet fuels Charlie Hebdo conspiracy theories
Could the January 7 Charlie Hebdo attack have been a secret service operation, or perhaps an anti-Muslim plot?
Russian government takes flak as it fails to stem economic crisis
Russian authorities are coming in for growing criticism from economic insiders concerned over a lack of clear policies to deal with the crisis.
UN chief alarmed by flareup in Ukraine fighting
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced alarm over fierce fighting around the Donetsk airport in eastern Ukraine.
Le Pen presses France to condemn 'Islamists'
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen urged the government to denounce as "Islamists" the perpetrators of deadly Paris attacks.
Boyhood bolstered for Oscars at London Critics' awards
Coming of age film "Boyhood" scooped three prizes at the London Critics' Circle awards, nominated for six Academy Awards at next month's Oscars.
Pope to end record-setting Asia tour
Pope Francis will fly back to Rome after a dramatic week in Asia that saw him draw record crowds and hammer home his pro-poor message to millions.
Ukraine says tank offensive pushing rebels from airport
Ukraine rushed tanks to the front lines and claimed Sunday to have cleared pro-Russian rebels from most of Donetsk airport.
Miss Lebanon in hot water after selfie with Miss Israel
Miss Universe contestants are keen to proclaim their desire for world peace, but this year's Miss Lebanon has declared war.
Cameron rebuts pope on speech offensive to religion
British Prime Minister defended the right to speech that gives offense to others' religious beliefs, in a rebuttal to Pope Francis who said there should be limits.
Hungarian Jews mark 70 years since Budapest ghetto liberation
Hungarian Jews and Soviet army veterans gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation by the Red Army of the Budapest ghetto in World War II.
German police ban Dresden rallies Monday citing terror threat
German police banned public open-air gatherings in the eastern city of Dresden Monday, citing a terrorist threat against a planned rally.
Yerkesh Shakeyev and Marat Bisengaliev present Kazakh neoclassical music in London
Marat Bisengaliev played neoclassical music for symphony orchestra and solo violin of Kazakh composer Yerkesh Shakeyev.
Russian Oscar-nominated drama stirs controversy at home
Russian director Andrei Zvyagintsev's sombre social drama "Leviathan" may have been nominated for an Oscar, but at home the film has sparked heated debate.
UN Security Council to meet on Ukraine crisis
The UN Security Council will meet next week to discuss the flareup of violence in Ukraine.
Charlie Hebdo sells 1.9 million copies
French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has sold 1.9 million copies of its latest issue, which has provoked protests by Muslims around the globe.
Moody's cuts Russia debt rating one notch
Moody's cut Russia's credit rating to one step above junk level Friday and warned the country was under review for a further downgrade.
Obama: Europe should better integrate Muslims
US President Barack Obama urged European governments to try to better assimilate their Muslim minority populations.
Barclays loses tens of millions over Swiss franc move
British bank Barclays has lost "tens of millions" of dollars after Switzerland's central bank scrapped its currency ceiling against the euro.
Five charged with terrorism after Belgium raids
Belgian authorities charged five people with "participating in a terrorist group" following a series of raids to foil alleged imminent attacks.