Obama denies being aloof, says 'I like a good party'
President Barack Obama on Monday dismissed the perception that he is aloof and disdains the backslapping bonhomie a US leader sometimes requires to drive his priorities through Congress.
16 January 2013
US to support Afghan village operations: envoy
The US military will keep providing logistical support in villages as it hands over the security lead to Afghan forces this spring, Afghanistan's envoy to Washington said Monday.
16 January 2013
Clinton to testify January 23 on Benghazi attack
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will appear before lawmakers on January 23 to be quizzed about the deadly attack on a US mission in Libya, just days before she steps aside as top US diplomat.
Obama backs new gun reforms as Newtown grieves
President Barack Obama pledged Monday to vigorously pursue "sensible" gun control but, a month after a school massacre traumatized America, questioned whether tough new laws could pass Congress.
15 January 2013
Sri Lanka swears in new chief justice despite protests
Sri Lanka's president on Tuesday appointed the government's senior legal adviser as a replacement for the impeached chief justice, despite protests by lawyers and a chorus of international criticism.
Russian army vows to outlaw foot cloths by year end Russia's defence minister expressed horror on Monday that soldiers were still wrapping cloths around their feet instead of wearing socks, and vowed the historic practice must end this year.
Assad's removal from power 'impossible': RussiaRussia said Sunday that removing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power was not part of past international agreements on the crisis and was impossible to implement.
14 January 2013
IAEA meeting kicks off crunch year for Iran diplomacy Tehran hosts the UN atomic agency for talks on Wednesday, marking the start of a new and perhaps last-ditch diplomatic push aimed at resolving the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme peacefully.
14 January 2013
Venezuelan officials send mixed messages on Chavez Officials sent mixed signals Sunday about the condition of cancer-stricken Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, fueling growing political uncertainty in the oil-rich country.
14 January 2013
Mali crucible gives Hollande chance to forge new imageFrancois Hollande's decision to order French forces into battle in Mali represents a watershed moment for a president derided by his critics as a compulsive ditherer.
14 January 2013
British establishment alarmed over royal succession change Prince William and his wife Catherine's baby will not be born until the summer, but changes to the rules of succession that would fundamentally affect its life are causing disquiet in the British establishment.
13 January 2013
Obama: US to speed up Afghan troop transition President Barack Obama on Friday said NATO troops would speed up a transfer of lead security responsibility to Afghan forces this spring, in a sign the pace of US troop withdrawals could quicken.