Facebook ramps paid leave time for new dads
With Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg about to become a dad, the social network boosted the amount of time fathers can take off to bond with their new babies.
French PM Valls calls on Gulf to accept more refugees
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has called on the Gulf states to accept more refugees fleeing Syria, saying that a "humanitarian disaster" could erupt in the Balkans if Europe does not control its borders.
Russia-Turkey war of words escalates over downed warplane
Moscow slapped sanctions on Ankara as the war of words over a downed Russian warplane escalated, with Turkish strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan warning Russia not to "play with fire".
French president urges British MPs to back Syria air strikes
Francois Hollande urged British MPs to back air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria "in solidarity with France", in a tight vote expected early next week.
Pope hails Africa as 'continent of hope'
Pope Francis hailed Africa as "a continent of hope" as he toured Uganda on the second leg of a landmark trip that has seen him railing against corruption and poverty.
Merkel berated over refugee policy by Bavarian ally
German Chancellor Angela Merkel came under fire for her welcoming refugee policy from her powerful Bavarian coalition ally, who demanded she cap arrivals "in the national interest".
Eurogroup chief warns of 'mini-Schengen' if EU fails on migrant issue
Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem warned that a small group of EU countries may be forced to form a "mini-Schengen" if the bloc fails to resolve its migrant crisis.
Prince Charles warns of 'perfect storm' should Paris climate talks flop
Prince Charles warned that if international leaders fail to clinch a deal on climate change at talks in Paris next week, it would leave mankind facing a "perfect storm".
American billionaire Jim Rogers considers investing in Kazakhstan
American billionaire Jim Rogers is thinking about investing in Kazakhstan, a country he visited in October.
Dutch PM backs Ukraine-EU accord as key for stability
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte defended an EU cooperation deal with Ukraine as vital for European stability only months before a referendum Dutch eurosceptics have forced on the accord.
Use of GMOs debated in Kazakh Senate
Senator Ahan Bizhanov has called Kazakhstan to forgo the use of genetically modified products.
Kazakhstani peacekeeping corps expands training
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense plans developing a new program for training of peacekeepers to expand its peacekeeping worky.
Adele to go on tour for first time in five years
British singer Adele is to go on tour in Europe next year, her first live dates in five years, she announced.
Blatter compares FIFA ethics probe to 'inquisition'
Sepp Blatter said that he was the target of "an inquisition" by FIFA's ethics committee, which has suspended him for 90 days and called for further sanctions over corruption charges.
France's Hollande heads to Russia to press anti-IS coalition
French President Francois Hollande will hold talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as part of his diplomatic marathon to forge a broader coalition against Islamic State jihadists in the wake of the Paris attacks.
Obama vows better trade ties with new Argentine leader
US President Barack Obama sought to capitalize on Mauricio Macri's election to open a new, less contentious chapter in relations with Argentina.
US Republicans move to dump Trump
Many say the populist crazy talk is typical of the White House primaries, but Republican frontrunner Donald Trump's increasingly incendiary remarks are leading some conservatives to brand him a "fascist".
Kerry, Lavrov speak by phone about Russia plane shootdown
Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by phone with Russia's foreign minister and urged a de-escalation of tensions after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Turkey-Syria border.
Russia sanctions could be lifted if it meets Ukraine commitments: French PM
Sanctions against Russia over its involvement in the Ukraine crisis could be lifted if Moscow fulfils commitments it made to help resolve the conflict, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said.
Canada reviewing military role in anti-IS fight: PM
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada was reviewing its role in the fight against Islamic State jihadists, during a visit to London in which he also bantered with Queen Elizabeth II.