Syrian schools stay open for all in spite of conflict

Syria's government is pushing compulsory education in the midst of an escalating civil war, promoting education as an alternative to violence, while using strict measures to compel displaced parents to send their children to school.

Dotcom's party set to win seats in NZ poll

At a recent political rally in Wellington, indicted Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom jokingly asked members of New Zealand's spy agency to raise their hands.

Abbott governs from tent, keeping promise

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott shifted his office to a tent in an isolated Aboriginal community on Monday, keeping a promise made when he came to power despite having just committed troops to the fight against Islamic State.

Typhoon Kalmaegi leaves Philippines largely unscathed

Typhoon Kalmaegi swept out of the Philippines on Monday after causing chest-deep floods in some rural areas but leaving the storm-prone country largely unscathed, authorities said.

Cameron bound for Scotland to boost 'no' vote support

British Prime Minister David Cameron was to plead with Scots on Monday to vote against independence as Scotland enters the most decisive week in its modern history.

Berlin denies knowledge of Kiev weapon deliveries

The German government has no knowledge of any country delivering weapons to the Ukraine government, Berlin said on Monday.

500 migrants thought dead in ship ramming

As many as 500 migrants are feared to have drowned after traffickers rammed and sank their boat in what the International Organization for Migration described on Monday as "the worst ship-wreck in years".

Swedish Social Democrats try to form new govt

Sweden's Social Democrat-led bloc officially began the struggle to form a government on Monday, a day after it ousted the center-right ruling coalition in parliamentary elections but fell short of a majority.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Gaza children return to school

About 500,000 Gaza children made a delayed return to school on Sunday after a devastating 50-day conflict with Israel that killed more than 2,100 Palestinians and damaged hundreds of school buildings.

Rescuers save 111 from sunken Philippine ferry

Rescuers saved more than 111 people overnight and recovered three bodies from a ferry that sank in rough seas after it encountered weather trouble in the central Philippines, officials said Sunday.

DPRK hands out hard labor term to US tourist

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea sentenced a 24-year-old US citizen to six years hard labor for committing "hostile acts under the disguise of a tourist", a statement carried by state media said on Sunday.