US to appoint gay rights envoy: official
The United States will appoint an openly gay official as a special envoy to promote the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people overseas.
UN chief wants more peacekeepers for CAR
UN chief Ban Ki-moon is seeking to boost the UN force in the Central African Republic by 1,030 peacekeepers as the country prepares for elections.
NATO agrees to boost defences in eastern EuropeNATO defence ministers agreed to immediately set up six bases in eastern Europe and establish a spearhead force of 5,000 troops in response to Russian aggression.
Chinese expansion in Kazakhstan's energy field?China has been increasing its presence in the oil and gas sector of Kazakhstan. There is no consensus on whether this is a positive or a worrying development.
Australian PM Abbott defiant as MPs call for his headAustralian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was fighting for his job after backbenchers publicly called for a Liberal Party leadership challenge following months of tensions.
04 February 2015
Obama dismissive as US House votes to repeal 'Obamacare'US House Republicans took the increasingly routine step of voting to repeal "Obamacare," a seemingly doomed effort that President Barack Obama ridiculed as making "absolutely no sense."