Russia's plans to build the world's biggest nuclear icebreaker are aimed at enhancing commercial opportunities, says a researcher.

The percentage of Americans living in poverty is statistically unchanged from 2011's record high, even as household income fell, a US Census report says.

At least 16 people in the Czech Republic die and a further 22 people are in hospital with alcohol poisoning after drinking bootleg spirits.

UK defence contractor BAE Systems says it is in talks with European aerospace firm EADS over a possible merger.

Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev suggests that three activists from punk band Pussy Riot, jailed for two years, should be freed.

Kenya's Assistant Livestock Minister, MP Dhadho Godhana, is charged with inciting ethnic clashes that have killed more than 100 people in the Tana River area.

Federal police in Mexico detain an alleged gang leader they blame for much of the gang-on-gang violence in the state of Jalisco over the past two years.

UK-listed miner Anglo American suspends operations at a platinum mine in South Africa to "protect the safety of its employees".