Top Labor figure lashes out at 'bastard' Australia ex-PM
Australia's former attorney-general has launched a scathing attack on Labor colleague and ex-prime minister Kevin Rudd, calling him a rude and disorganised "bastard" who should quit parliament.
Congress pulls US back from brink, averts default
The United States was spared the ignominy of a disastrous debt default Wednesday when Congress passed a bill extending the nation's borrowing authority and ending a two-week government shutdown.
Ex-finance minister Ghani bullish as Afghan election race begins
He collected a meagre three percent of the vote last time, but Ashraf Ghani is not short of self-confidence, believing he will win elections in April and be a transformative president of Afghanistan.
Political chaos pushes US up against debt deadline
A day of political disarray Tuesday pushed America to within hours of a debt default deadline, but two veteran senators chased a last-gasp deal to stave off a sudden shock to the global economy.
Conflicts, energy top agenda as Hollande visits S.Africa
French leader Francois Hollande arrived in South Africa Monday for a two-day state visit in which he is set to push for greater cooperation on African crises with the continental powerhouse.