Defiant Putin sets himself up as G8 outsider
Vladimir Putin's participation in the first G8 summit of his new term was supposed to seal his comeback to the global stage as Russia's paramount leader after winning a third presidential term last year.
Rowhani firm on Iran nuclear policy but vows more openness
Iran's newly-elected president Hassan Rowhani ruled out any halt to the nuclear activity that has drawn UN sanctions but said he hoped an early deal could be reached to allay the concerns of major powers.
18 June 2013
Palestinian statehood at 'dead-end': Israel minister
Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett said on Monday that the idea of a Palestinian state was at a "dead end", prompting the Palestinians to accuse him of sounding the death knell of a two-state solution.
18 June 2013
Vote shows Iranian people want 'different direction': Obama
US President Barack Obama said that Iran's election result showed the country's people wanted to back away from confrontation with the outside world but ruled out for the moment lifting economic sanctions on Tehran.
18 June 2013
Minister supports Kok-Zhailyau ski resort
Ecosystem and Kazakhstan economy in general will benefit from Kok-Zhailyau ski resort in Almaty if it is approached correctly: Minister.
Activist says China pressured New York University
Activist Chen Guangcheng charged that China waged an "unrelenting" pressure campaign that led New York University to end his studies as he voiced fear for academic freedom in the United States.
17 June 2013
Czech PM Necas quits amid corruption scandal
Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas said Sunday he would step down amid a massive corruption scandal in which his top aide -- and alleged lover -- was indicted for bribery.
17 June 2013
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan call for UN review of disputed dams
The presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan called for the United Nations to review the potential impact of two disputed hydroelectric dams proposed by their regional rivals Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
S. Korea calls for action from North, not words
South Korea on Monday joined the United States in insisting that rival North Korea take "concrete" steps towards abandoning its nuclear weapons if it genuinely wants to end its international isolation.
Kuwait court dissolves parliament, upholds electoral law
Kuwait's top court on Sunday scrapped last December's parliamentary election, which was boycotted by the opposition, but approved the controversial electoral law that sparked the boycott.
17 June 2013
Iran elections could be a game-changer: experts
The election of the moderate Hassan Rowhani as Iran's new president is a game-changer which could set a new tone and soothe tensions with the West over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.