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.
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.
31 December 2012
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.
Obama signs law against Iran's influence in Latin America
President Barack Obama enacted a law Friday to counter Iran's alleged influence in Latin America, through a new diplomatic and political strategy to be designed by the State Department.
31 December 2012
Senate renews warrantless surveillance act
The Senate approved a five-year extension Friday of a George W. Bush-era surveillance law that allows US spy agencies to conduct wiretapping on foreign citizens without a warrant.
31 December 2012
Obama 'modestly optimistic' for fiscal deal
President Barack Obama said Friday he was "modestly optimistic" a last-minute deal was possible with Republicans to avert a "fiscal cliff" crisis that could spark a recession and rock global markets.
Running from Putin: Russia's new political refugees In August, a group of Russian environmentalists were walking along a beach on the Black Sea, just outside the walls surrounding a majestic palace that has been linked to President Vladimir Putin.
29 December 2012
Abbas warns of disbanding PA if no peace talks Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas warned Thursday that he would disband his Palestinian Authority if there was no Israeli movement toward renewing peace talks after Israel's elections on January 22.
Russia invites Syria opposition chief for talks Russia, one of the few powers to maintain links with the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad, has sent an invitation for talks to the head of the opposition Syria National Coalition.
29 December 2012
C. Africa leader appeals for help to halt rebel advance The United States evacuated its embassy in the Central African Republic as the nation's embattled leader appealed for French and US help after rebels seized large swathes of the mineral-rich country.