India to hand plots of land to rural poor: reports
India's government is drawing up a major new welfare reform which would hand small plots of land to millions of homeless poor in the countryside.
Afghanistan's Karzai out to prove he is no US puppet
As he contemplates retirement next year, Afghan President Hamid Karzai appears to have one over-riding ambition -- to ensure that his people do not remember him as a puppet of the United States.
Mistrust in Mali for its soldiers in sandals
On the banks of the River Niger, mud-walled buildings festooned with tricolours mark out the ancient trading post of Gao, Mali's largest northern city where the French have been welcomed as heroes.
Australia gets first Aboriginal provincial government leader
The first Aboriginal to head a government in Australia took office on Thursday as chief minister of the Northern Territory, after staging a backroom coup.
Venezuela plans new exchange for better dollar supply
Venezuela is planning a complementary system to increase a supply of dollars hindered by strict currency control measures.
Xi Jinping named president of China: parliament
Xi Jinping was named president of China Thursday after a vote at the nation's parliamentary meeting in Beijing, four months after he took charge of the ruling Communist Party.
Lawyers demand US show steps toward closing Guantanamo
Lawyers for detainees at Guantanamo prison called for the US to show concrete steps towards closing the facility on Tuesday, citing a "humanitarian crisis" at the controversial jail.
Argentine president slams Falklands vote as 'parody'
Argentine President Cristina Kirchner Tuesday slammed as a "parody" the referendum in the disputed Falkland islands, where residents voted in favor of remaining a British overseas territory.
Italy ready to extradite criminals to Kazakhstan
Italian Ambassador Alberto Pieri met with first deputy General Prosecutor of Kazakhstan Iogan Merkel.