Airstrikes add to Syria's economic woes

The middle-aged salesman sat glumly among an array of shorts, khaki leisure suits bedecked with gold belts and dresses with plunging necklines in the ancient Damascus bazaar - luxuries few can afford in today's Syria.

Survey shows decline in India's gender equality

Indian women still face some of the world's worst inequality in access to healthcare, education and work, despite years of rapid economic growth, according to a survey of 142 nations released on Tuesday.

Nobel peace laureates seek report on torture

Twelve Nobel Peace Prize laureates are urging President Barack Obama to disclose the CIA's use of torture on terror suspects since the attacks of Sept 11, 2001.

Media: Release US force-feeding videos

Videos of prisoners being force-fed at the Guantanamo prison in Cuba should be released immediately, media organizations said on Monday, but the US government argued that doing so would compromise national security.

Bizarre clown terror spreads in France

A 14-year-old dressed as a clown was arrested on Monday near Paris for attempting to attack a woman. It was the latest incident in a bizarre phenomenon spreading around France involving fake clowns who terrorize people, apparently at random.

German spy agency says IS remains potent

Islamic State militants will be able to mount operations in Iraq "for the foreseeable future" despite US-led airstrikes and efforts by Iraqi security forces to regain territory, Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency said.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Blind sailors find new horizons at sea

Standing at the helm of a three-masted schooner, Alina Koralewska is having no trouble at all staying the course forward Barcelona despite being able to see neither compass nor stars.

Families living a nightmare over missing students

Night has become the most difficult time for the parents of 43 students from a rural teachers college who disappeared a month ago.

Sierra Leoneans in Britain answer Ebola 'call of duty'

Watching with horror as the Ebola crisis ravages their country, Sierra Leoneans in London are mobilizing to help their compatriots fight the deadly virus back home.

Australia suspends immigration from nations hit hardest

Australia said on Monday it was suspending immigration from Ebola-affected West African countries to try to prevent the virus from crossing its borders.

East Jerusalem tensions build on housing plan

The Israeli government is advancing construction plans to build about 1,000 housing units in parts of Jerusalem that Palestinians demand for their future state, an official said on Monday.