Society News

Former ECB chief Trichet worried by euro 'unease'

Jean-Claude Trichet, former chief of the European Central Bank and one of the architects of the Maastricht Treaty, adopted 20 years ago, says he is worried by EU-wide 'unease' concerning the euro, but remains optimistic that 'the story is not over.'

Oct 30, 2013

Fujimori's bid to switch jail term to house arrest denied

Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori's request to have his prison term switched to house arrest has been rejected by a court on Tuesday. He is serving a 25-year sentence for human rights violations.

Oct 30, 2013

Health Sec. apologizes for poor 'Obamacare' web rollout

President Barack Obama's health secretary publicly apologized Wednesday for the rocky rollout of the US health care law's new website, stressing that citizens "deserve better" from the system.

Oct 30, 2013

UN warning over millions of teenage mothers

Around 7.3 million girls under the age of 18 give birth each year in developing countries, risking death and suffering that can only be addressed by changing social attitudes, a UN report said Wednesday.

Oct 30, 2013

Trial of veiled woman in France postponed

The trial of Cassandra Belin, a woman wearing a full veil whose identity check by police sparked violent protests in 2012, has been postponed until December.

Oct 30, 2013

Syrian civilians evacuate war-battered Damascus suburb

Some 500 women, children and elderly civilians trapped in the besieged town of Moadamiyet al-Sham, southwest of Damascus, have been evacuated, activists said.

Oct 30, 2013

Abbott lauds Australian troops' effort in Afghanistan

Prime Minister Tony Abbott declares Australia's longest war at an end during a surprise visit to Afghanistan, with more than 1,000 troops to return home before Christmas in a "bitter-sweet" withdrawal. Duration: 00:39

Oct 30, 2013

Winter Olympics shine light on Russian gay community

Russia's treatment of homosexuals has been condemned the world over, and now with months to go before the 2014 Winter Olympics, Russia's gay community is hoping it will be an opportunity to expose and improve how they are treated. Duration: 02:31

Oct 30, 2013

Hollande pays hommage to hostages back from Niger

French President François Hollande pays hommage to four French hostages returning home after three years of captivity. Duration: 00:58

Oct 30, 2013

Chinese women shrug off Beijing police driving tips

A series of blog postings from the Beijing police department, aimed at women drivers, falls on deaf ears among some Chinese women who say they can drive just fine.

Oct 30, 2013

Palestinians jubilant after Israel releases prisoners

A new batch of long-term Palestinian prisoners, freed by Israel as part of US-brokered peace talks, arrive home in Gaza and Ramallah. Duration: 01:23

Oct 30, 2013

Brahimi to meet Assad Wednesday: diplomatic source

UN-Arab League peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi will meet Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Wednesday morning, a diplomatic source told AFP. Duration: 00:34

Oct 30, 2013

Bachelet leads Chilean presidential election debate

Former Chilean president and socialist candidate, Michelle Bachelet, leads the first televised presidential election debate, two weeks before elections in Chile. Duration: 00:41

Oct 30, 2013

Court adjourns case against bin Laden doctor

A Pakistani court adjourns the hearing in the case against doctor Shakeel Afridi, who helped the CIA track down Osama bin Laden. Duration: 00:43

Oct 30, 2013

CPI slams Kirit Parikh panel's recommendation of diesel price hike

New Delhi, Oct 30 (ANI): CPI leader D Raja on Wednesday slammed the Kirit Parikh panel's recommendation of a Rs 5 per litre hike in diesel price with immediate effect. Raja said that this move will spell disaster for the Congress party in the forthcoming general elections.

Oct 30, 2013