Kazakhstan scientists speak of doomsdayKazakhstan biophysics and astrophysics commented predictions of the coming doomsday from the scientific point of view.
World leaders express shock over latest US shooting World leaders expressed shock and horror after a gunman massacred 20 small children and six teachers Friday in the US state of Connecticut, in one of the worst school shootings in history.
Divided Egypt votes on new constitution Egyptians vote Saturday on a new constitution supported by the ruling Islamists but bitterly contested by a secular-leaning opposition that failed to scupper the referendum with mass protests.
16 December 2012
Confusion on Internet future after UN treaty split The freewheeling, unregulated Internet seemed to survive a push for new rules at a UN treaty meeting, but the collapse of talks leaves unanswered questions about the Web's future.
Environmental hangover from Indonesia's palm oil thirst The roar of chainsaws has replaced birdsong, the once-lush, green jungle scorched to a barren grey. The equivalent of six football pitches of forest is lost every minute in Indonesia.
16 December 2012
Australia plans drill of ancient Antarctic ice core Australia Saturday announced plans to drill a 2,000 year-old ice core in the heart of Antarctica in a bid to retrieve a frozen record of how the planet has evolved and what might be in store.
16 December 2012
Dollar falls as fiscal cliff worries growThe dollar dropped to its lowest level against the euro in three months Friday, the euro going above $1.31 as politicians in Washington appeared no closer to averting the economy-crunching fiscal cliff.
16 December 2012
Apple shares extend downward slide Concerns that the latest iPhone may not be a hit in China caused Apple shares on Friday to extend their slide from a record high price hit in September.
16 December 2012
Famed futurist to direct engineering at Google Futurist and inventor Raymond Kurzweil said on Friday that he is going to work as director of engineering at Google to help "turn the next decade's 'unrealistic' visions into reality."
16 December 2012
Fiji braces for destructive cyclone Fijians living in low-lying areas were urged to flee to higher ground Saturday as a cyclone bore down on the Pacific nation after leaving a trail of destruction in Samoa with up to 10 feared dead.
16 December 2012
US gun laws vary widely The horrific shooting that has left 20 young children and six adults dead in rural Connecticut revived the familiar US gun law debate, where restrictions vary widely between different states.
16 December 2012
Iran sympathises after 'tragic' US school shooting Iran was quick on Saturday to express condolences after the "tragic" shooting rampage that left 26 people dead, including 20 small children, at an elementary school in the United States.
Syria troops press assault on town near Damascus Syrian troops shelled a besieged town near Damascus and clashed with rebels on the outskirts of the capital on Saturday as the country's conflict entered its 22nd month, a watchdog and activists said.
15 December 2012
Roma plight one of Romania's major challenges: ambassador Discrimination against the Roma is one of the biggest challenges facing Romania, the outgoing US ambassador has told AFP, comparing their plight to that of blacks in the American deep south of his childhood.
15 December 2012
Japan election candidates make final pitches Hundreds of candidates vying for a seat in Japan's parliament made their final pitches on Saturday in an election expected to see the return of the country's old guard.