Politics

Tango treat for Pope Francis as he turns 78

Hundreds of couples performed a tango on St Peter's square on Wednesday in a birthday treat for Pope Francis, who hails from Argentina, the birthplace of the celebrated sultry dance.

Dec 18, 2014

Ski resort patrons defend chip stall at bottom of slopes

Former L'Oreal boss Lindsay Owen-Jones has brought a case against the manager of a chip shop he accuses of stinking out his luxury ski apartment.

Dec 18, 2014

Obama announces 'new chapter' in US-Cuba ties

US President Barack Obama said Wednesday a "new chapter" had been opened in Washington's ties with Cuba, saying it was time to end an "outdated approach" that had failed to move relations forward.

Dec 18, 2014

Countless bullet holes left after Taliban school massacre

Countless bullet holes can be seen on the walls of the army-run school in Pakistan where 132 children and nine school staff were massacred by the Taliban in the country's deadliest ever terror attack.

Dec 18, 2014

CEO of Brazil's Petrobras says she will not resign

The chief executive of Brazil's state oil giant Petrobras said Wednesday that she will not resign, despite the corruption scandal shaking the company and the ruling Workers' Party.

Dec 18, 2014

Security stepped up as Australia orders siege probe

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott orders an urgent enquiry into why a deranged Islamic gunman was not under surveillance and how he obtained citizenship, as security is stepped up after a fatal cafe siege.

Dec 17, 2014

UN: Up to one million facing hunger in Ebola-hit countries

Border closures, quarantines and crop losses in West African nations battling the Ebola virus could lead to as many as one million people going hungry, UN food agencies said on Wednesday.

Dec 17, 2014

North Korea mourns Kim Jong-Il on third death anniversary

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-Ju and other officials, pays tribute at the Kumsunsan Palace on the third death anniversary of his father Kim Jong-Il.

Dec 17, 2014

Priests bring solace to deserted Ukraine village

As a ceasefire holds in the Ukrainian Donetsk region, the village of Pisky on the frontline, near the airport, has been deserted of nearly all residents.

Dec 17, 2014

Ivory Coast 'moving forward' as Abidjan inaugurates third bridge

A year before the presidential election of October 2015, Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara inaugurated a third bridge in the economic capital Abidjan, made to unclogg the city's heavy traffic.

Dec 17, 2014

Protest marks anniversary of Erdogan ministers corruption probe

Around 500 protesters including opposition lawmakers mark the anniversary of the corruption investigation that implicated Erdogan's family and inner circle.

Dec 17, 2014

Peru's finest wool ropes in international markets

Peru is the main producer of alpaca wool, one of the finest and warmest in the world. The "fibre of the gods," as the Incas called it has seen a recent surge in international interest, rivaling cashmere in the luxury design industry.

Dec 17, 2014

We will continue war as long as a single terrorist is on Pakistan soil, says Nawaz Sharif

Peshawar, Dec 17 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed his resolve to continue the war against terrorism till the elimination of the last terrorist from Pakistan's soil. He added that there would be no distinction between good and bad Taliban. Sharif was speaking at a press conference following an all-party meeting in Peshawar in the aftermath of Tuesday's militant attack at a school. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan who was present at the press conference also attended the meeting despite several differences with the government.

Dec 17, 2014

Rahul targets Modi during a rally in Dumka

Dumka, Dec 17 (ANI): Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday trained his guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he campaigned in Jharkhand. Addressing a rally in Dumka, ahead of the final phase of assembly polls, Gandhi accused Modi of favouring the rich only. Gandhi said Modi, during his tenure as chief minister of Gujarat, had gifted vast tracks of land to entrepreneurs at throw-away prices. Gandhi alleged that the Modi government failed to deliver on its promises, including creation of jobs.

Dec 17, 2014