Man arrested for defacing queen's portrait in London
A man was charged on Friday after a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II commissioned to mark her 60 years on the throne was defaced at London's Westminster Abbey.
Kazakhstan Senate approves draft law on renewable energy sources
Kazakhstan Senate has approved the draft law supporting use of renewable energy sources in the first reading.
G8 leaders set to struggle on trade, tax and Syria
Leaders of the G8 nations meet in Northern Ireland next week determined to crack down on tax evasion and boost global trade, while seeking to push Russia to help find a political solution to the Syria conflict.
Turkey PM in emergency talks as protesters defy 'last warning'
Turkish protest leaders went into emergency talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday.
Warm ocean water melting Antarctic ice from bottom
Warming ocean waters are melting the Antarctic ice shelves from the bottom up, researchers said Thursday in the first comprehensive study of the thick platforms of floating ice.
US toughens stance on Syria after 'nerve gas attacks'
The United States dramatically toughened its stance on Syria on Thursday, accusing Bashar al-Assad of using chemical weapons against his people and promising "military support" to rebel forces.
Human DNA not patentable: US Supreme Court
Naturally occurring human gene sequences cannot be patented but artificially created DNA can be.
Host suspended for asking if Australia PM's partner gay
An Australian radio presenter has been suspended after pressing embattled Prime Minister Julia Gillard on air whether her hairdresser boyfriend Tim Mathieson is gay.
China to deal 'appropriately' with EU steel challenge
China said it will deal "appropriately" with the European Union's decision to challenge it at the World Trade Organisation after Beijing slapped duties on some steel products, in the latest salvo in the row between the two sides.
Quebec moves to allow assisted suicide
The government of Canada's mostly French-speaking Quebec province on Wednesday unveiled legislation allowing terminally ill patients to kill themselves with a doctor's help.
Police check of veiled woman sparks clashes near Paris
Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse an angry crowd in a town on the outskirts of Paris where clashes erupted on Wednesday night after they questioned a woman wearing a full facial veil, which is banned in France.
Video game hacks straight into US surveillance storm
A video game with a protagonist who controls the world around him by hacking into systems is generating growing buzz, for its eerie parallels with the current storm about US surveillance.
Obama on campaign trail amid controversies
President Barack Obama rallied voters Wednesday to elect fellow Democrats, defending the role of government as he faces a series of high-profile controversies.
Nazarbayev approves regional Akims election
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has signed a law vesting local government with greater powers.
Foreign aid required to eliminate major oil spills at Kashagan
Large-scale oil spills at Kashagan can only be eliminated by the British company that worked on spills in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska.
Facebook adds Twitter-style hashtags for topics
Facebook on Wednesday added Twitter-style hashtags to help the more than one billion members of the social network tune into topics of interest at the leading social network.
Corruption probe moves closer to IMF chief as aide charged
Stephane Richard, the head of telecoms company Orange and a former aide to IMF chief Christine Lagarde, was charged in a corruption probe related to Lagarde's time as France's finance minister.
US eases trade restrictions on Syrian opposition
The United States eased restrictions on trade with Syria's opposition Wednesday, in a move aimed at helping supply the critical needs of Syrians in "liberated areas."
Gillard teams with Schwarzenegger on climate action
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard joined forces with former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Thursday to urge global action on climate change, saying politics must be put aside.
Colorado fires destroy homes, thousands evacuated
Forest fires raged Wednesday across the western US state of Colorado, destroying dozens of houses and forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents.
