March 31, 2013
Syrian Rebels Kill Pro-Government Cleric
Syrian rebel forces have killed a pro-government Sunni cleric in the northern city of Aleppo and reportedly mutilated his body. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrian state media reported Saturday that Sheikh Hassan Seifeddine, the…
March 22, 2013
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…
March 22, 2013
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…
March 22, 2013
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…
March 22, 2013
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…
March 22, 2013
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.…
March 20, 2013
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…
March 20, 2013
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…
March 18, 2013
Cyprus parliament to hold bailout crisis session
Cyprus' parliament is due to hold an emergency session to discuss a big bailout, which has angered the public. It is by no means certain that the deal, reluctantly endorsed by the president, will get enough support to pass in parliament. The…
March 18, 2013
Canada prisoners in daring helicopter escape
Two inmates have made a daring escape from a prison in Canada by climbing up a rope into a hovering helicopter. Officials at the St-Jerome prison, near Montreal, said the inmates fled at about 14:20 (18:20 GMT) on Sunday, triggering a massive…