RUSSIA

The former KGB-man spoke of how he was favored by a majority of Russians, with recent polls putting his popularity at around 60 percent.

Blake Lively was granted a restraining order on Friday against her stalker, obsessed fan Sergei Mifle who claims he has a metaphysical connection with the actress.

John Salemme explores Sarajevo 20 years after the start of the Bosnian War.

Rebel fighters were finally driven out of the Baba-Amro district in Homs when forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad launched a final assault on the beleaguered city Thursday after a siege that had lasted 26 days. Meanwhile, Turkey's president said Russia and Iran will have little choice but to join diplomatic efforts toward Assad's ouster .

A Red Cross aid convoy prepared to enter the shattered Baba Amro district of the city of Homs, Syria, on Friday after a government official declared the area cleansed and the opposition spoke of a massacre by President Bashar al-Assad's forces. Rebels withdrew Thursday in a key moment in the year-old uprising.

Defeated Syrian rebels abandoned their shattered stronghold in Homs, giving way to a 26-day army assault on a city that had become a symbol of the year-long revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

Defeated Syrian rebels abandoned their shattered stronghold in Homs Thursday, giving way to a 26-day army assault on a city that had become a symbol of the year-long revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

Defeated Syrian rebels left their shattered stronghold in the city of Homs Thursday after a bloody 26-day army siege aimed at crushing a symbol of the year-long revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

Gas prices have risen to above $4 per gallon in many parts of the United States, sending economists into a tizzy about its impact on consumer spending, consumer confidence and the effects it will have on the housing market.

Thursday's statement marks the first by the Security Council relating to Syria in seven months, after previous efforts were blocked by Russia and China.

Defeated Syrian rebels left their shattered stronghold in Homs on Thursday after a bloody 26-day army siege aimed at crushing a symbol of the year-long revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

North Korea has agreed with the United States to suspend major elements of its atomic weapons programme in a surprise breakthrough that could pave the way for the resumption of long-stalled nuclear disarmament talks with the secretive state.

Chevron executives met this week with Russian government representatives about possible oil exploration by the U.S. company in Russia's Arctic.

Almost all the fighters battling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces withdrew from their stronghold in the Baba Amro district of the city, leaving behind comrades to cover their retreat.

China welcomed the pact, but remained somewhat cautious about hopes for a nuclear-free future on the Korean peninsula.

North Korea has agreed with the United States to suspend major elements of its atomic weapons program in a surprise breakthrough that could pave the way for the resumption of long-stalled nuclear disarmament talks with the secretive state.

Arsene Wenger has big names involved in transfer discussion.

Heavy fighting raged near Baba Amro in Homs Wednesday evening after elite Syrian troops attacked the rebel-held bastion that has endured 25 days of siege and fierce bombardment, activists said.

South Korea embraced the decision and said it hoped it could lead to a broader framework of peace between the two countries.

Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners announced on Wednesday the 1.8 billion euro ($2.4 billion) acquisition of technical products wholesaler Ahlsell from Cinven and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, marking Europe's largest private equity deal in almost a year.

CVC Capital Partners is to buy Nordic construction products and machinery distributor Ahlsell from Cinven and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners for 1.8 billion euros ($2.4 billion), in Europe's biggest private equity deal since last summer.