US lawmakers introduce gun trafficking bill
Lawmakers from both parties unveiled a bill Tuesday cracking down on "straw purchasers" who traffic firearms to criminals, the first in a series of new gun control measures expected in Congress.
06 February 2013
Australian ministers dragged into corruption probe
Two senior Australian ministers have been dragged into a snowballing Labor party corruption scandal, admitting accepting hospitality from a former powerbroker at the centre of an explosive inquiry.
Next Iran talks: stalemate on the steppes?
Agreeing a venue for the next round of talks between Iran and six world powers on Tehran's nuclear drive was hard enough. Achieving progress will be tougher still.
06 February 2013
Russia's Medvedev hunted in mystery video campaign
A slick documentary film has mysteriously emerged on the Russian Internet where former ambassadors, an ex-general and even an ex-prime minister line up to accuse Dmitry Medvedev of betraying Russia's interests.
06 February 2013
Damaged by scandal, Spain PM holds on
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will keep his job despite being named in a corruption scandal, but the affair leaves him weakened as he tries to steer Spain out of a deep economic crisis.
06 February 2013
British lawmakers approve gay marriage in historic vote
British lawmakers voted in favour of controversial legislation allowing gay marriage on Tuesday despite fierce opposition from members of Prime Minister David Cameron's own party.
Supporters of Venezuela's Chavez march on coup anniversary
Supporters of ailing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez marched in Caracas on Monday marking the day 21 years ago that their leader, then a young paratrooper officer, launched a failed military coup.
05 February 2013
Japan summons China envoy in island row
Tokyo summoned China's envoy Tuesday in protest at what it says was another incursion into its territorial waters, after Beijing's ships sailed near islands at the centre of a bitter dispute.
Kairat Mami to meet with the Pope
Kazakhstan Senate speaker and head of the secretariat of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions will render a visit to Vatican on February 5-7.
Cambodians mass for cremation of beloved ex-king
Thousands of Cambodians dressed in black and white gathered Monday ahead of the cremation of revered former king Norodom Sihanouk, who steered the war-ravaged kingdom through six turbulent decades.
04 February 2013
Fidel Castro makes surprise appearance in Cuba
Ailing Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro made a surprise appearance in Havana Sunday to vote in parliamentary polls, expressing confidence in the revolution despite a decades-long US trade embargo.
04 February 2013
Chavez 'clearly' recovering: official
Hugo Chavez is making steady progress recovering from cancer surgery, said the leader of Venezuela's parliament, who said the convalescing president is "clearly" moving ahead in his recovery.