US and Russia the key to Syria talks in Geneva

Russia's desire to keep its last remaining ally in the Middle East collided head-long with the United States' desire to remove President Bashar Assad.

UN study foresees job gains with greener policies

Some 15 million to 60 million jobs

Gates lends Global Fund a helping hand

Bill Gates has rescued a beleaguered health fund by pledging $750-million to fight three of world's killer diseases -- Aids, malaria and TB.

Africa sees lag in funds for UN peacekeeping

Tension arising from the UN Security Council's reliance on African nations to supply peacekeepers came into sharper focus on Friday.