More troops deployed on Syrian border

Turkey has deployed additional troops and equipment along part of its border with Syria as fighting north of the city of Aleppo intensified, security sources said, but Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said there were no immediate plans for any incursion.

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Great Barrier Reef to stay off UN's 'endangered' list

Australia hailed a United Nations decision to keep the Great Barrier Reef off its endangered list as "tremendous" on Thursday, but activists warned more must be done to improve the marine park's health.

California mulls move to 'zero-emission buses'

Fifteen years ago, California led the way to cleaner transit buses with strict tailpipe emissions standards, which effectively ushered out diesel as the primary fuel for buses in the state and replaced it with natural gas.

Joy over deal to restore ties with US

The announcement that diplomatic ties between Cuba and the United States are to be restored has been welcomed by Cubans.

Veteran diplomat in Havana shortlisted for ambassador

From his office high above Havana, Jeffrey DeLaurentis has a sweeping view of the cerulean Florida Straits and the blood-red letters declaring Cuba's defiance of the United States.

PM ignores growing pressure over same-sex marriage bill

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott brushed off mounting pressure for a parliamentary vote on same-sex marriage from within his conservative coalition on Thursday, saying he was more focused on the economy and security.

36 die as ferry sinks, but many are saved

A ferry carrying 189 passengers and crew capsized off the central Philippines in heavy seas on Thursday, killing at least 36 people, but the majority of those on board were rescued, the coast guard and police said.

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President Xi Jinping sent his condolences on Thursday to Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo over a military plane crash.

Official warns of 'no'-vote aftermath

Greece is likely to "have no place in the eurozone" if it votes "no" in Sunday's referendum on whether to accept the terms of continued international aid, the chair of the council of eurozone finance ministers warned on Thursday.

Referendum campaign starts as cash worries increase for retirees

The battle for Greek votes was in full swing on Thursday ahead of a crucial weekend referendum that could decide whether the country falls out of the eurozone. For Greeks, particularly the elderly, the daily struggle to get cash continued in the face of massive uncertainty.

Young people flee abroad as they see no future in their homeland

What does the future look like for young people in crisis-hit Greece, where years of hardship and sky-high unemployment were followed this week by bank closures? The answer: self-imposed exile.