Politics

Pakistan government and Taliban hold first round of talks

Negotiators for Pakistan's government and the Taliban met for more than three hours Thursday in the first round of talks aimed at ending the militants' bloody seven-year insurgency. Duration: 00:55

Feb 7, 2014

Female genital mutilation prevalent in Somalia

February 6th is the International Day against Female Genital Mutilation, a practice that still persists in many countries. According to a report released by UNICEF in 2013, the prevalence of FGM in Somalia remains high at 95%. Duration: 01:15

Feb 7, 2014

Prostitution museum opens in Amsterdam's red-light area

Amsterdam's red-light district opened its first "prostitution museum" on Thursday, hoping to lure tourists who always wondered what life was like for those on the other side of the infamous glass windows -- but were too afraid to ask. Duration: 01:08

Feb 7, 2014

Spanish princess named criminal suspect

Spanish King Juan Carlos’s youngest daughter Cristina has been named as a criminal suspect. On Saturday, she will be grilled by a judge in Palma de Mallorca who suspects her of tax fraud and money laundering.

Feb 7, 2014

Worst winter rainfall since 1766 in parts of Britain

Britain announced emergency funding Thursday to cope with devastating floods after what officials said had been likely the worst spell of winter rainfall in at least 248 years.

Feb 7, 2014

Tunisia marks one year anniversary of Belaid murder

Tunisians Thursday marked 12 turbulent months since opposition politician Chokri Belaid was assassinated, with his family still demanding to know what happened despite the alleged assassin being killed this week.

Feb 7, 2014

Pope's Harley sells to mystery buyer for 210,000 euros

A Harley-Davidson motorbike that briefly belonged to Pope Francis was sold to a mystery European buyer for 210,000 euros ($285,800) at a high-profile auction in Paris on Thursday.

Feb 7, 2014

Tokyo zoo stages 'gorilla escape'

Staff at a Japanese zoo chase a keeper in a gorilla costume as part of an annual escape drill to brush up their skills in the event of a real breakout.

Feb 7, 2014

Ukraine far-right paramilitary defiant over protests

Even as Ukraine's main opposition leaders meet with the authorities to try to resolve their long-running standoff, one influential and unrepentant voice stands out -- that of far-right paramilitary leader Dmytro Yarosh.

Feb 7, 2014

Russia's Lavrov joins in Sochi torch relay

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov took part in the Olympic torch relay in Sochi on Thursday, one day before the start of the Games.

Feb 7, 2014

Russia warns against 'gay propaganda' during Olympics

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak on Thursday warned spectators and athletes against promoting gay rights during the Olympics and played down concerns over security at the event.

Feb 7, 2014

Ambiguity over Egypt army chief's presidential bid

Egypt's army said Thursday a Kuwaiti newspaper "misinterpreted" remarks by Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in which he said he would run for president, saying he would announce such a decision only to the Egyptian people. Duration: 00:33

Feb 6, 2014

Pacific castaway's homecoming delayed

Pacific castaway Jose Salvador Alvarenga's departure from the Marshall Islands is delayed for health reasons as the family of the now-dead companion with whom he set sail seeks answers. Duration: 01:00

Feb 6, 2014

Seven bombs hit Baghdad as US lawmakers slam Maliki

Seven bombs ripped through Baghdad killing five people Thursday, hours after American lawmakers criticised the slow pace of political reconciliation in Iraq which they said was stoking the worsening violence. Duration: 00:36

Feb 6, 2014

Hundreds take on Empire State Building race

Hundreds of runners from around the world gather in New York to compete in the annual Empire State Building Run-Up, racing up 86 floors, 1,576 steps, and 1,050 feet from the lobby to the iconic 86th floor Observatory. Duration: 01:22

Feb 6, 2014