North Korea lays out tough pre-conditions for talks
North Korea laid down rigid pre-conditions Thursday for any talks with Seoul or Washington, including the withdrawal of UN sanctions and a guaranteed end to South Korea-US joint military drills.
Merkel faces down challenge over female exec quota
Germany's opposition will force a parliamentary vote to require big companies to boost the number of women on their boards.
Dutch crown prince vows less protocol as 21st century king
Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander vowed to be an approachable, 21st century monarch, insisting in a wide-ranging interview.
Japan woman, 77, got $4 mn from man for sex and love
A 77-year-old woman who received $4 million from a 79-year-old man in exchange for sexual and romantic favours has been ordered to repay the cash by a court in Japan.
Murakami book print run hits 1 million in week
The Japanese publisher of the new novel by Haruki Murakami said Thursday it had ordered one million copies of the book, less than a week after it went on sale.
Spain vows to tighten abortion law despite criticism
Spain's centre-right government has vowed to "promptly" tighten the nation's abortion laws, angering the opposition Socialist Party which had eased access to the procedure.
UN tips faster Asian growth, urges poverty action
Asia-Pacific growth will edge up this year on the back of a recovery in the US and emerging nations.
Cannes film festival set to unveil line-up
Hollywood names and arthouse directors on Thursday get to hear if they are in the frame for the Palme d'Or at next month's Cannes film festival, the world's leading cinema showcase.
China foreign news ban criticised by media group
A press freedom group Thursday criticised a ruling that bans Chinese journalists from quoting foreign news outlets without permission, a move that further tightens Beijing's control of the media.
'Boston Strong' the message as sport returns to city
Top-flight sport made an emotional return to Boston on Wednesday as the NHL's Bruins paid tribute to the heroes and victims of the twin bombing that killed three in the US city.
Taliban kill seven Afghan civilians, four soldiers
Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan have killed seven civilians with a roadside bomb and cut the throats of four Afghan soldiers kidnapped while travelling home on leave.
Kazakhstan to create National Investors Council
Kazakhstan Businessmen Council will be transformed into the National Investors Council of Kazakhstan.
KazAgroFinance improves leasing of agricultural equipment
Kazakhstan's KazAgroFinance has lowered interest rate on agricultural vehicles leasing from 12.8 to 5.8 percent.
Boston bombs possibly pressure-cookers full of shrapnel
The deadly explosives detonated at the Boston Marathon were homemade devices full of nails and metal fragments, possibly packed into kitchen pressure cookers.
Kazakhstan Interior Ministry receives An-74TK-200 from Ukraine
Kazakhstan Interior Ministry has received a new An-74TK-200 aircraft manufactured at Kharkov State Aviation Production Facility in Ukraine.
Skiing: Kazakhstan skiers plan to gain 12-14 spots to Sochi Olympic Games
In the 2012-2013 season Kazakhstan skiers showed that they “have good chances to perform successfully” in the forthcoming Olympics.
Pentagon requests more funding for Israel's 'Iron Dome'
The Pentagon has requested $220.3 million in 2014 to bolster Israel's "Iron Dome" missile defense system despite broader cuts to US military spending, according to budget documents.
Orbital Sciences ready for first launch of Antares rocket
Orbital Sciences, one of two private US firms chosen by NASA to shuttle cargo to the International Space Station, is preparing for the first launch of its Antares rocket Wednesday.
Pink diamond sells for nearly $40 million at US auction
A 34.64-carat pink diamond has sold at auction in New York for nearly $40 million, setting a new record for Christie's auction house.
Jordanians feel the heat as more Syrians flee
Jordan, already straining from hosting hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, is increasingly feeling the heat from its own citizens who are fed up with the growing influx.
