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Euro up against dollar on US fiscal cliff deal

The euro surged against the dollar on Wednesday as traders flocked to the riskier single currency with the US Congress poised to endorse a deal to avert the "fiscal cliff" budget crisis.

The euro strengthened to $1.3262 in morning Asian t...

Sperm donor offspring call for privacy changes

Hideaki Kato discovered his true identity by accident. During his medical training a decade ago, the now 39-year-old Japanese doctor was performing blood tests on family members when he learned something startling: his dad was not his biologica...

Philippines 'sin tax' introduced, dampens New Year fun

A "sin tax" on cigarettes and alcohol dampened the New Year party spirit when it was introduced in the Philippines, as part of a government bid to boost finances.

Many stores started selling tobacco and drink at inflated prices before mid...

Thousands to march against Hong Kong leader

Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to rally in Hong Kong on Tuesday, calling for the city's embattled new chief executive to quit and for greater democracy.

Organisers are expecting 50,000 people to turn up at the New Year day's...

White House, Republicans seal deal on fiscal cliff

The White House and top Republicans struck a deal to avert huge New Year tax hikes and spending cuts known as the "fiscal cliff" that had threatened to send the US economy into recession.

The pact would raise taxes on the richest American...

Haitian leader urges unity to help rebuild nation

Haitian President Michel Martelly made a New Year plea for unity, urging his countrymen to rebuild together their shattered country almost three years after a devastating earthquake.

Declaring 2013 the "year of the environment," Martelly ...

Third arrested over bomb under N. Ireland policeman's car

A third man was arrested in Northern Ireland on Tuesday over the attempted murder of a police officer who found a bomb underneath his car.

A 41-year-old man was detained in west Belfast, police said, after two men aged 34 and 25 were arre...

14 killed as Nigerian troops clash with Islamists: army

Nigerian troops clashed with militants from the Islamist group Boko Haram in the northeastern city of Maiduguri Tuesday, in an incident that left one soldier and 13 insurgents dead, the army said.

"At about 1600 hours (1500 GMT) today, tr...

Region sends troops to help embattled C. African army

The countries of central Africa began sending reinforcements Tuesday to protect the Central African Republic's capital from rebels who control much of the country and are demanding the departure of President Francois Bozize.

Gabon, Congo-...

Myanmar leader gives first New Year address

Myanmar President Thein Sein on Tuesday called for "mutual trust" between the ruling regime and the people in his first New Year address since taking power and ushering in sweeping reforms.

He pledged a new drive to communicate more direc...