Analysis: U.N. mission does nothing to change endgame in Syria

The beginning of the U.N. observer mission to Syria heralds a new phase in more than a year of upheaval across the country. Success, however unlikely, could open the door to some form of dialogue between the regime and its opponents. But such is the polarization in Syria that most analysts see the mission as the least worst option before violence sets the agenda again. It's not as though any "cessation of violence"...

IMF Optimistic About Global Economic Growth

The International Monetary Fund is a little more optimistic about global economic growth as European nations have taken action to cope with their debt crisis, and the U.S. economy grew a little faster. Speaking about IMF's  "World Economic Outlook" on Tuesday, research director Oliver Blanchard said the global economy has been on a "roller coaster" for the past six months, leaving an "uneasy calm." The International...

U.S. strikes kill 6 in Yemen, say officials

Five U.S. drone strikes killed six suspected al Qaeda militants in the southeastern Yemeni province of Shabwa on Monday, two security officials and one defense ministry official told CNN. The drones targeted militant hideouts, checkpoints, training facilities and weapons warehouses in the Azzan districts, considered the stronghold for al Qaeda in Yemen, officials confirmed. Al Qaeda took over Azzan district March...

Playtech down as it eyes deal with top shareholder

Playtech, the world's biggest provider of online gaming software, plans a string of acquisitions as it branches out into the social gaming market but news that it will be buying the businesses from its main shareholder unnerved investors. The Estonia-based firm said on Tuesday that it planned to spend 95 million euros ($124.1 million) buying assets owned by Israeli billionaire Teddy Sagi who founded Playtech and still...

Tokyo governor seeks to buy islands disputed with China

Tokyo's controversial governor wants to use public funds to buy islands disputed between Japan and China, a plan bound to infuriate Beijing. The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, have long been the centre of maritime territorial disputes between China and neighbors both citing historical and other claims over fishing areas and potential rich gas deposits. Shintaro Ishihara, 79, announced the...