WORLD

Despite rising cigarette prices and public bans on smoking, the French still love their tobacco.

Hassan Rowhani, a moderate, has been elected the next president of Iran.

The so-called Merry Christmas Bill signed into law by Texas Gov. Rick Perry will protect Christmas and other religious celebrations from legal issues in public schools.

Facebook reported Friday it had between 9,000 and 10,000 information requests related to national security in the last six months of 2012.

A 2010 report reveals information-sharing shortfalls that may have contributed to intelligence about the marathon bombings going unheeded.

After the government announced an increase in the price of bus tickets, Brazilians took the streets.

In arming Syrian rebels, the White House faces the difficult situation of risking proliferation or providing ineffective weapons.

Abyei, a conflicted, oil-rich region, is at the heart of a fresh battle between Sudan and South Sudan.

Uganda may levy a new tax on mobile money usage, a controversial move given corruption concerns in the government.

Michael Karkoc, the 94-year-old former commander of a Nazi SS unit accused of wartime atrocities, has been found living in Minnesota.

After losing its coastal territory in 1904, Bolivia wants access to the sea. Will Chile agree to President Evo Morales' demands?

If Detroit's proposal to pay lenders 10 cents on the dollar is seen as a default, it could force the city into Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

Iranians headed to the polls on Friday to vote, with turnout estimated to be large but with no front-runner indicated.

Japan's increasingly large elderly population is not considered in Abe's economic reforms.

A year after arriving in New York City on a fellowship with New York University, university spokespersons are confirming Chen's departure.

Gillard, who is 51 years old and has never been married, has long been the subject of rumors and innuendos, while suffering negative comments about her appearance.

Alleged tax havens like the Isle of Man and Jersey have fought back against criticism from developed nations that they allow tax evasion.

At 3 a.m. local time, Turkish officials announced the prime minister had agreed to halt construction in Gezi Park.

The decision comes after the U.S. and its allies determined that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used chemical weapons.

Randy Zipperer, 49, allegedly stabbed his brother Edward after getting into an argument over his missing macaroni and cheese.

Two students in the Mexican city of Xalapa founded a mock campaign for a cat that is "running" for mayor in an upcoming election.

China’s central bank recently stopped injecting cash into the economy to reel in borrowing, and now appetite for its bonds has waned.

Thousands of U.S. firms that work with spy agencies get benefits in return, according to a new report.

U.S. lawmakers question Edward Snowden’s links to China while Chinese media weigh how useful the ex-NSA contractor could be to Beijing.

Portugal's President Aníbal Cavaco Silva says the IMF has different goals than the EU, which governs the two other branches of the Troika.

The Newtown, Conn., shooting added more strength to gun control activists than any event in recent history.

France's prisons, like prisons in many other European countries, are overcrowded, raising fears about security and rising numbers of inmate suicides.

The poverty-stricken Gaza Strip has seen a decrease in aid funding since the Syrian conflict began.

The U.S. government won an unlikely ally in Putin, who defended the NSA’s spying programs and U.S. drone strikes.