Obama signs 'fiscal cliff' bill into law
President Barack Obama has signed into law a contentious compromise bill hammered out in Congress that narrowly averted the US 'fiscal cliff of tax hikes and drastic, immediate cuts in spending.
US House to vote imminently on 'fiscal cliff' deal
The House of Representatives will vote late Tuesday on a bill already approved by the Senate to avert huge New Year tax hikes and spending cuts known as the "fiscal cliff".
Venezuela frets over ill Chavez as 2013 begins
Somber Venezuelans began 2013 fretting over their ubiquitous and garrulous leader Hugo Chavez, wondering what the future holds as the president wages a tough battle with cancer in a Havana hospital.
Nazarbayev signed amendments to state service law
Kazakhstan President has signed amendments to Kazakhstan state service legislation called to improve efficiency of the state machine.
Turkey is yet to decide on use of land lots in Almaty and Aktau
Kazakhstan Parliament has approved the draft law On ratification of the protocol between the governments of Kazakhstan and Turkey on transfer of property in Kemer district of Antalya province, Turkey, into Kazakhstan ownership.
East Timor bids farewell to peacekeepers after 13 years
The UN ends its peacekeeping mission in East Timor Monday after 13 years of boots on the ground in Asia's youngest nation following a bloody transition to independence.
Vatican backs Monti, the anti-Berlusconi
The Vatican has thrown its weight behind outgoing prime minister Mario Monti, ditching the scandal-hit Silvio Berlusconi in favour of a practising Catholic they hope may lead Italy after February's general election.
Talks stall as fiscal cliff looms
Two days of last-gasp talks produced no deal Sunday between US political leaders struggling to averting a fiscal calamity due to hit the American and world economy within hours.
China law says family members should visit elderly relatives
China has passed a new law stipulating that family members should pay regular visits to their elderly relatives, according to the government's official website.