Reuters
Pakistan: 32 militants killed in ambush
The Pakistani army killed 32 militants in an ambush in a remote valley near the Afghan border, the military said on Friday, and 27 in other clashes, four days after a Taliban massacre of children at a school.
Hundreds trapped by Islamic State freed on Sinjar Mountain
Kurdish peshmerga fighters have fought their way to Iraq's Sinjar mountain and freed hundreds of people trapped there by Islamic State fighters, a Kurdish leader said on Thursday.
China: Judge calls for crackdown on terror in Xinjiang
China must crack down "harshly and quickly" on cases involving terror attacks, national security and social stability in its restive region of Xinjiang, the country's top judge said, in comments likely to further worry rights groups and exiles.
CAR: 10,000 child soldiers recruited in conflict
Up to 10,000 children have been recruited by armed groups during the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) despite a U.N.-backed peacekeeping presence, Save the Children said on Thursday.
Australia: Eight children murdered in 'unspeakable' crime
Eight children have been killed and a woman who was mother to seven of them was injured in the northern Australian city of Cairns, police said on Friday, in what several media outlets reported was a mass stabbing.
Vatican smooths path to Cuba and US reconcilation
The two Cold War enemies have made a breakthrough in relations after moer than 50 years.
Executions and death sentences in US fall to new lows
Botched executions may have fed growing public unease about capital punishment.
Vandals target atheist displays in Christmas fightback
Banners and billboards have been destroyed by protesters against atheist incursions into Christmas scenes.
India's Narendra Modi reins in Hindu hardliners
Prime minister urges focus on economy rather than religious conversion.
Charity that exposed atrocities of the Lord's Resistance Army is to fold
Invisible Children, whose campaign highlighted the appalling crimes of Joseph Kony, will close next year.
CIA torture scandal highlights Romanian connection to secret interrogations
Victim says Romania should come clean about its role in detention programme.
Sydney hostage tragedy sparks review of security laws
Man Haron Monis was a violent criminal and known extremist - but was still allowed bail.
After the Pakistan school attack: mourning, mass funerals and calls for vengeance
A three-day mourning period has been announced amid calls to review policy toward the Taliban.
Peshawar: More than 120 dead in Taliban attack on Pakistani high school
At least 126 people, most of them children, were killed when Taliban gunmen stormed a school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
Bill Cosby's wife defends him: 'He is the man you thought you knew.'
Camille Cosby has backed her husband in the face of a wave of accusations about misconduct.
Palestinian man shot in Israeli raid on West Bank refugee camp
Violence has surged in recent months as confrontations have increased.