Russia downgraded to junk status as economic crisis worsens
Russia credit rating falls below investment grade for first time in a decade.
Greece set for collision with creditors ahead of crucial talks
Greece's new prime minister Alexis Tsipras set to meet with other EU leaders next week.
Central African Republic crisis: Rebels seize minister in bid to free commander
Armel Sayo was kidnapped while driving in the capital city of Bangui.
Egypt pound slides to record low after deadly anti-government demonstrations
Egypt pound falls to record low as central bank seeks to narrow gap to unofficial exchange rate.
Oil price slides further as eurozone uncertainty pushes up dollar
Dollar denominated oil has fallen more than 58% since summer of 2014.
Ruble slides after deadly weekend in Ukraine sees US consider tighter sanctions on Russia
Seven Ukrainian servicemen killed on Sunday after 30 civilians killed on Saturday in east.
Fracking UK: MPs call for ban on shale gas extraction to meet carbon targets
Influential group of UK lawmakers call for a moratorium on shale gas development.
Syriza victory in Greece sends euro to 11-year low
Alexis Tsipras said Greece's new government would restore Greek people's pride and end austerity.
Russia: Vladimir Putin condemns Ukraine's 'criminal orders' as death toll hits 5,000
UN human rights office says conflict in deadliest period since September ceasefire.
Rwanda jails two policemen for murder of activist Gustave Makonene
Two Rwandan policemen jailed for 20 years for killing anti-corruption activist near DR Congo border
Boko Haram: Nigeria 'does not need UN help' to counter militant group's threat
National security advisor says Nigeria and neighbours best placed to defeat Boko Haram
Latvia threatens tougher Russia sanctions over renewed Ukraine fighting
Latvian foreign minister Edgards Rinkevics says EU could impose new sanctions if violence continues.
Ukraine switches to European gas amid Russia dispute
Russia previously cut off gas supplies to Ukraine amid rising political tensions between neighbours.
North Korea will resume talks with South 'if sanctions lifted'
South Korea suspended most commercial and political ties in 2010 over deadly attack on navy ship.
Euro slides to 11-year low after ECB President Mario Draghi announces €1.1tn QE injection
ECB boss Draghi revealed stimulus package of €1.1tn of bond purchases from March 2015 until September 2016.
BP chief predicts 3 years of low oil prices as firms slash 2015 budgets
BP chief executive Bob Dudley has said he expects oil to remain low for up to three years.
Jordan set for electricity price hike as government reaches compromise
Electricity tariffs to increase by 7.5% as government seeks to reduce debts by removing subsidies.
Deadly clashes in DR Congo as government urged to scrap election law
Rights groups say 40 people killed in protests this week ahead of vote on change to electoral law.
Russia PM Dmitry Medvedev's plan to recapitalise banks ready by end of month
Ruble steady as Medvedev says plan to recapitalise banks through wealth fund almost ready to go.
Ukraine wants bigger IMF deal as economy collapses
Ukraine's economy has collapsed amid the ongoing conflict with pro-Russian forces in its east.
US speaker John Boehner invites Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress on Iran
US speaker Boehner invites Netanyahu to address congress after Obama warned against fresh sanctions.
Oman joins Iran and Venezuela to criticise Opec output policy
Oman first non-Opec member to criticise the oil cartel's output policy.
Obama calls for more White House power to make trade deals
Obama tells nation that US and not China must set trade rules in Asia.
Russia condemns US plan for 'world domination' after Obama State of the Union address
Russia's top foreign policy official Sergei Lavrov condemns US desire to be 'number one'.
Thai workers face abusive conditions on Israel farms, Human Rights Watch
Thai nationals face low pay, excessive hours and unsafe conditions in Israel's agricultural sector.
Barack Obama showdown with Congress looms after US House approves Keystone XL pipeline bill
Obama previously said he would veto the Keystone XL legislation.
Falklands set for Margaret Thatcher statue unveiling as UK-Argentina tensions escalate
Bronze statue of 'Iron Lady' to be unveiled in Falkland Islands capital Stanley.
2,100 people died in Syrian prisons in 2014 says monitor
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported at least 2,100 deaths in Syrian prisons in 2014.
Oil price fall helps narrow UK trade gap
Declining oil prices helps UK trade gap as value of imports falls.
BRICs to become the 'ICs' if Russia and Brazil keep sliding says Jim O'Neill
Russia and Brazil likely to see economic growth fall behind India and China in 2015.
