Lenin monument toppled as pro-EU protests rage in Kiev
Pro-EU Ukrainian protesters on Sunday toppled a statue of the Soviet Union's founder Vladimir Lenin in Kiev after hundreds of thousands massed for a new protest in an increasingly tense standoff with President Viktor Yanukovych's government.
Russia outraged by US fraud charges against diplomats
Russia voiced outrage Friday at charges in the United States against 49 current and former Russian diplomats and their wives over a $1.5 million fraud, saying it could not understand why the US had gone public with the allegations.
Mexico recovers radioactive waste that was on stolen truck
Mexican authorities Thursday recovered dangerous radioactive material from a cancer-treating medical device that was on a stolen truck and abandoned in a field, the interior ministry said.
Scientists discover vast undersea freshwater reserves
Australian researchers said Thursday they had established the existence of vast freshwater reserves trapped beneath the ocean floor which could sustain future generations as current sources dwindle.
New HQ but little cash for UN climate fund
The UN's new Green Climate Fund (GCF)opened its headquarters in South Korea on Wednesday, facing the key challenge of funding its mission to support low carbon projects around the world.
African elephant survival tops agenda at Botswana talks
African ministers and experts meet next week in Botswana to chart ways to stamp out a spike in elephant killings fuelled by a growing demand for ivory in Asia.
Canada let NSA spy on G20, G8 summits: report
Canada allowed America's National Security Agency to spy on G20 talks in Toronto in 2010 and at the G8 summit days earlier, according to documents cited by public broadcaster CBC.
N. Korea produces more food, but malnutrition persists: UN
North Korea has increased food production for a third straight year, but malnutrition remains widespread, UN agencies say, voicing particular concern over stunting in children.
UN women's rights resolution passed despite backlash
A UN General Assembly committee has agreed a landmark first resolution on women's rights defenders such as Malala Yousafzai, despite a hard fought campaign by an alliance including the Vatican to weaken the measure.
World must avoid 'complete chaos' in Central Africa: UN
The United Nations on Monday called for fast action to halt strife in Central African Republic, which a top official warned is falling into "complete chaos".
Pacific man fails in bid to be first climate refugee
A Pacific islander's bid to become the world's first climate change refugee failed Tuesday, with a New Zealand judge describing his case as "unconvincing".
Scotland to make case for independence
The Scottish government on Tuesday unveils its legal argument for independence from the United Kingdom, but nationalist leaders face an uphill battle in convincing voters to end the 300-year union.
World powers, Iran clinch 'historic' nuclear deal
World leaders hailed Sunday a "historic" nuclear deal with Iran as a triumph for diplomacy, but cautioned the hard work was just starting to keep Tehran from building a bomb.
UN watchdog demands Uzbekistan halt use of torture
Uzbekistan must halt its routine use of torture and cease reprisals against human rights campaigners who expose state abuses, United Nations monitors said Friday.
Obama praises leadership of Morocco's Mohammed VI
President Barack Obama praised the "leadership" of Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Friday after holding wide-ranging talks with the North African monarch for the first time at the White House.
West disappointed after Ukraine scraps EU deal
Ukraine on Friday faced accusations from the West it had missed a historic opportunity and caved into Kremlin pressure after the government scrapped plans to sign a deal to deepen trade and political ties with the European Union.
After a year, no news of US reporter missing in Syria
The family of US journalist James Foley, who on Friday will mark the first anniversary of his disappearance in war-torn Syria, say they have not given up hope of welcoming him home.
N. Korea threatens 'sea of fire' for S. Korea president HQ
North Korea on Friday marked the anniversary of its shelling of a South Korean border island with a threat to turn South Korea's presidential office into a "sea of fire".
High-stakes Iran nuclear talks to resume
Iran and world powers resume talks on Wednesday seeking a landmark breakthrough over Tehran's nuclear programme that also satisfies sceptical hardliners in Washington, Israel and the Islamic republic.
Singapore champions sanitation on first World Toilet Day
Singapore called Tuesday for greater efforts to improve sanitation in developing countries as it celebrated the inaugural UN World Toilet Day, an initiative by the cleanliness-obsessed island republic.