Vote delay could destabilise Lebanon
A divisive debate over Lebanon's electoral law may delay parliamentary elections scheduled for June 9, stoking fears of instability in a country already rattled by the conflict in neighbouring Syria.
Eternal viewing of Chavez may be impossible: Maduro
Venezuela's acting president Nicolas Maduro acknowledged Wednesday that it could be too late to have president Hugo Chavez embalmed "like Lenin" so that his body could be on view permanently.
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.
14 March 2013
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.
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.
14 March 2013
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.
14 March 2013
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.
Australia defends media reforms amid 'Stalinism' claims
Australia defended proposed media reforms arising from Britain's phone-hacking scandal Wednesday after a heated backlash from Rupert Murdoch's local operations, which labelled them dictatorial.
Japan seeks defence ties with ASEAN amid China rows
Japan on Wednesday called for stronger security ties with Southeast Asia as Tokyo looks to boost alliances at a time of growing territorial tensions with China.
13 March 2013
Kazakhstan to gradually raise retirement age for women
The changes should be gradual. For women who will be retiring before 2018 the retirement age will be annually raised by half a year within the following 10 years: Labor Minister.