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.
15 December 2012
Thai 'Red Shirt' protest leaders go on trial A terrorism trial against Thai leaders of the 2010 "Red Shirt" protests began on Friday, a day after the nation's former premier was charged over his role in the deadly unrest.
Coca-Cola FEMSA to acquire Philippine bottler Coca-Cola FEMSA of Mexico is to take control of the US soft drink firm's bottling operations in the Philippines in a $688.5 million cash deal.
15 December 2012
Hugh Jackman gets Hollywood Walk of Fame star Australian actor Hugh Jackman got a Hollywood double whammy Thursday as he was nominated for a Golden Globe and got his star on Tinseltown's famous Walk of Fame on the same day.
Clinton holds the key to 2016 White House race Will she, won't she, will she, won't she, will she join the dance? To borrow from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," that's the question on everyone's lips about Hillary Clinton and the 2016 White House race.
15 December 2012
Russia says rebels may win, jihadists claim Damascus bombMoscow acknowledged on Thursday that the Syrian regime, its longtime ally, might lose its battle with Arab- and Western-backed rebels, 21 months into a conflict that has cost tens of thousands of lives.
15 December 2012
Susan Rice folds US secretary of state bid Susan Rice asked President Barack Obama not to pick her as his next secretary of state Thursday, after becoming a lightning rod for Republicans over the raid on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
15 December 2012
Spielberg takes awards lead with Golden Globe nods Steven Spielberg's presidential drama "Lincoln" led nominations for the Golden Globes Thursday with seven nods, its second top billing in two days as Hollywood's awards season kicks off.
Candidate, 94, uses funeral fund for Japan election A 94-year-old man who cashed in his funeral savings to use as an election deposit was out canvassing for votes Friday, just two days ahead of Japan's general election.
15 December 2012
20 kids, 6 adults massacred in US school A heavily armed young gunman slaughtered 20 small children and six adults at a school in an idyllic Connecticut town on Friday, in one of the worst mass shootings in US history.
15 December 2012
Myanmar makes new mine protest arrests Myanmar authorities on Friday said they had made a fresh round of arrests over a spate of protests demanding apologies for a police crackdown on a rally at a Chinese-backed copper mine last month.