'Mama' screams to top of N. America box office
Newly released horror film "Mama" pushed the Oscar-tipped bin Laden manhunt movie "Zero Dark Thirty" out of the top slot at the North American weekend box office.
Obama takes oath of office to begin second term
US President Barack Obama took the oath of office Sunday to begin his second term at a simple ceremony stripped of the hope and historic promise that greeted his inauguration four years ago.
Mali operation another burden for French budget
The French offensive in Mali will burden a defence budget that was expected to get relief from the withdrawal of French forces from Afghanistan.
New Iraq parliament up in air amid political row
For weeks, Iraqi MPs have been locked in a political crisis that has stalled progress on key decisions including one affecting their own offices in a future parliament complex.
Clinton stands by Japan on China island row
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a veiled warning Friday to China not to challenge Japan's control of disputed islands as Tokyo's new government vowed not to aggravate tensions.
Japan says will sign child abduction treaty
Japan's foreign minister said Friday his country's new government would sign a treaty on child abductions, addressing one of the few rifts in relations with its main ally the United States.
Football: Messi funds hometown sports centre rebuild
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has donated one million pesos (152,000 euros) to finance the refurbishment of a sports centre in a rundown area of his hometown, Rosario.
Brazil auto workers, GM fail to agree on job cuts
Brazilian auto workers on Friday failed to talk General Motors out of cutting 1,598 jobs as the two sides agreed to meet again next week.
US flu epidemic worsens, 29 children dead
A flu epidemic gripping the United States is more severe than usual, striking the elderly especially hard, health authorities said Friday as they also announced 29 child victims.
Confusion over fate of foreigners held in Algeria
An American hostage was confirmed dead Friday amid uncertainty over the fate of other foreigners held at an Algerian gas plant, with their captors demanding a prisoner swap and an end to French military action in Mali.
Camillo goes back to basics for Cerruti fashion debut
New Cerruti designer Aldo Maria Camillo presented a classic collection at the Paris menswear shows with a firm emphasis on the trinity of "fabrics, colours and silhouette".
Oops! Norwegian maple leaf adorns new Canada $20 bill
The maple leaf shown on Canada's new $20 bills is from a Norway maple, which is not native to Canada, several botanists cited by Canadian media decried Friday.
White House, Pentagon disagree over Mali: report
The White House and the US Defense Department are at odds over the danger posed by radical Islamic groups that have taken control of parts of Mali and are stirring up trouble in other parts of West Africa.
China ships in waters around disputed islands: Japan
Three Chinese government ships Saturday entered Japanese territorial waters around disputed islands, Japan's coastguard said, hours after a veiled US warning to Beijing not to challenge Tokyo's control.
Mercury treaty adopted in Geneva by 140 countries
Delegations from some 140 countries have agreed to adopt a ground-breaking treaty limiting the use of health-hazardous mercury.
HSBC to pay $249 mn fine for US mortgage abuse
British bank HSBC has agreed to pay $249 million in compensation to home-loan borrowers hurt in the massive US mortgage and foreclosure scandal.
HRW urges Egypt to halt deportations to Syria
Egypt government unlawfully expelled two Syrian refugees back to the war-ravaged country last week, and two Palestinians from Syria now risk being deported.
Yemen gunmen blow up oil pipeline
Gunmen in southeast Yemen have blown up an oil pipeline that transports some 8,000 barrels per day to export terminals on the Gulf of Aden, suspending operations.
New UK Times editor raises Murdoch titles merger prospect
The editor of British newspaper The Sunday Times was appointed Friday as acting editor of its sister title The Times, raising speculation that media baron Rupert Murdoch may seek to merge the two.
Obama's inauguration a boon for businesses
Tucked behind a tidy souvenir shop storefront on the ground floor of an office building one block from the White House.
