Japan says will sign child abduction treaty
Japan's foreign minister said Friday his country's new government would sign a treaty on child abductions, addressing one of the few rifts in relations with its main ally the United States.
20 January 2013
Confusion over fate of foreigners held in Algeria
An American hostage was confirmed dead Friday amid uncertainty over the fate of other foreigners held at an Algerian gas plant, with their captors demanding a prisoner swap and an end to French military action in Mali.
20 January 2013
White House, Pentagon disagree over Mali: report
The White House and the US Defense Department are at odds over the danger posed by radical Islamic groups that have taken control of parts of Mali and are stirring up trouble in other parts of West Africa.
20 January 2013
China ships in waters around disputed islands: Japan
Three Chinese government ships Saturday entered Japanese territorial waters around disputed islands, Japan's coastguard said, hours after a veiled US warning to Beijing not to challenge Tokyo's control.
20 January 2013
Palestinians brace for new rightwing Israeli govt
The Palestinians are bracing for a new right-wing government that Israel's election is expected to produce, hoping that international and domestic moves will strengthen their position.
African diva aims for 'Marilyn moment' at Obama inauguration
South Africa's Lira will be one among many performers at Barack Obama's inaugural celebrations Monday, but she is determined to be remembered for a performance to rival Marilyn Monroe's wooing of John F. Kennedy.
19 January 2013
Obama unveils sweeping gun control measures
President Barack Obama Wednesday demanded an assault weapons ban and universal background checks for gun buyers as part of sweeping gun control measures in response to the Newtown school massacre.
Israel's voting system breeds pluralism but instability Israel's voting system reflects the many different political currents in society, but it has also been behind the repeated failure of governments to form stable coalitions.
German poll kicks off do-or-die year for Merkel alliance German Chancellor Angela Merkel faces her first test at the polls in a general election year Sunday with a state vote that could prove even more decisive for her flailing coalition partners.
Kazakhstan will not give up Boeing 787 Dreamliner Kazakhstan is not planning to give up Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircrafts despite of suspension of their use in the U.S. and Japan after several incidents.