UN to investigate North Korea human rights abuses

The UN human rights council has set up an inquiry into human rights abuses in North Korea for the first time. The council unanimously voted for the probe, which will examine allegations of prison camps, slave labour and food deprivation in the…

Nicolas Sarkozy to be investigated in Bettencourt scandal

French ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy has been placed under formal investigation over claims his 2007 election campaign received illegal donations from France's richest woman.  Mr Sarkozy is accused of accepting thousands of euros from L'Oreal heiress…

Xi Jinping heads to Russia in first foreign tour

Xi Jinping is heading to Russia on the first stop of his maiden overseas tour as president of China. Mr Xi is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the two likely to discuss energy and investment deals. Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr…

Australia’s Kevin Rudd in party leadership vow

  Kevin Rudd has ruled out any return to the Australian Labor Party leadership, as ructions continue after Thursday's abortive ballot. In a statement, Mr Rudd said there were "no circumstances" under which he would seek the party's top job. His…

Obama: Peace with Palestinians Crucial to Israel’s Future

  President Barack Obama leaves Israel on Friday, going to Jordan on the next stop of his Mideast trip. Obama told Israelis on Thursday that Palestinians deserve an independent state and Israel's future depends on forging a lasting peace.…

Lindsay Lohan given rehab over Los Angeles car crash

Lindsay Lohan has been given 90 days in rehab for charges relating to a car crash last June in Los Angeles. She accepted a deal to avoid the case going to trial after her sports car crashed into a truck on the Pacific Coast Highway last summer. She…

Nuggets beat Thunder for first 13-game win streak

  Ty Lawson scored 25 points, Andre Miller had 20 points and nine assists and the Denver Nuggets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 114-104 Tuesday night to win a 13th straight game for the first time since joining the NBA. The Nuggets trailed by one at…

Asia currencies gain as Cyprus bailout fears hurt euro

  Asian currencies have continued to strengthen as uncertainty over the developments in Cyprus hurt the euro.   On Tuesday, Cyprus rejected a controversial levy on bank deposits, proposed by the EU and IMF as part of their bailout package for the…

Obama On His Way to Israel, West Bank, Jordan

U.S. President Barack Obama is on his way to what the White House calls a very important visit to Israel, the West Bank and Jordan.   This is Mr. Obama's first official visit to Israel. He will be joined by Secretary of State John Kerry as a new…

French Hostage in Mali Reported Executed

  An African news agency says al-Qaida's North African branch has executed a French hostage in retaliation for France's military intervention in Mali.  Mauritania's ANI news agency Tuesday said the execution of hostage Philippe Verdon was relayed in…