Washington state lights up as marijuana legalized
Pot smokers lit up in Washington state Thursday as recreational marijuana became legal in a historic first for the United States, clouded by the fact that federal law still bans the practice.
Romanian millionaire hopes for upset in Sunday polls
He's under investigation for fraud and on trial for blackmail, but populist millionaire Dan Diaconescu drives a white Rolls Royce and promises to be a reforming figure whose goal is to "uproot the newly rich who have plundered Romania".
07 December 2012 14:33
Malaysia to teach lawmakers what is corruption
Malaysia's government will offer training to lawmakers to teach them how to avoid corruption, a key issue ahead of national elections that must be held by the middle of next year.
07 December 2012 12:04
Beijing to allow visa-free transit trips
China will allow transit passengers from 45 countries including the US, Canada and all members of the EU to spend up to 72 hours in Beijing without a visa from next month.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon arrives in Baghdad: TV
UN chief Ban Ki-moon arrived in Baghdad on Thursday for talks with Iraqi leaders, state television said, after a visit to Kuwait in which he called for a new era in relations between the two countries.
Sun rises over Egypt protesters after palace siege
Hundreds of protesters woke up Wednesday in front of the presidential palace, the new focus of protests against President Mohamed Morsi, as an already-polarised Egypt slipped deeper into crisis.
Obama to Republicans: raise taxes on rich or no deal
US President Barack Obama warned Republicans Tuesday there would be no deal on averting a potentially disastrous fiscal crisis without them caving in to his demand to raise tax rates on the rich.
05 December 2012 17:15
Israel PM heads to Berlin as settlement row grows
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due in Berlin on Wednesday for talks likely to focus on the growing crisis over settlement plans that could torpedo the viability of a Palestinian state.
05 December 2012 16:29
N. Korea completes installing rocket: report
North Korea has completed installing a long-range rocket on its launch pad, ahead of its planned launch this month in defiance of widespread international condemnation.
05 December 2012 15:20
No-hoper steals S. Korean presidential debate
A far-left candidate polling at around one percent in South Korea's presidential candidate stole the campaign's first TV debate with a scathing attack on conservative front-runner Park Geun-Hye.
Software mogul slams S. Korean presidential politics
South Korean software mogul Ahn Cheol-Soo formally ended his popular independent presidential campaign Monday with a withering criticism of the country's entrenched left-right political divide.
05 December 2012 10:18
Kuwait opposition to stage post-poll demo
The Kuwaiti opposition is to stage a demonstration at the weekend to protest against the new parliament which was elected amid a huge boycott.
