Russia negotiates union with ex-Soviet states
Russia sought Wednesday to expand its influence over former territories during integration talks that Washington has cast as a bid to "re-Sovietise" the region.
Hopes for stronger ties as Hollande visits Algeria
President Francois Hollande arrives in Algeria on Wednesday seeking to end simmering resentment over French colonial rule and bolster ties with the OPEC country.
19 December 2012 18:07
South Koreans vote in presidential election
South Koreans cast their votes Wednesday in a tight and potentially historic presidential election that could result in Asia's fourth-largest economy selecting its first female leader.
'You need me': Berlusconi on new election run
Italy's indefatigable former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi appeared on television Tuesday for the third time in as many days to vow a return to political life.
19 December 2012 10:02
Kazakhstan Foreign Minister comments Strategy-2050
Many people were skeptical about Kazakhstan’s future. Foreign analysts and observers believed that Kazakhstan would most probably not be growing a sovereign state, because the country had a demanding geopolitical surrounding, complicated ethnic composition of the population and backward economy: Yerlan Idrissov.
UN to increase contacts with Syrian opposition
The UN humanitarian chief said Monday she has asked the Syrian government for 10 more aid groups to work in the country and will increase contacts with the opposition to help those in need.
18 December 2012 10:12
Kazakh strongman backs switch to Latin alphabet
Kazakh strongman Nursultan Nazarbayev on Friday called for a modernisation drive to turn the energy-rich Central Asian country into of the world's most developed, including a switch to the Latin alphabet.
Roma plight one of Romania's major challenges: ambassador
Discrimination against the Roma is one of the biggest challenges facing Romania, the outgoing US ambassador has told AFP, comparing their plight to that of blacks in the American deep south of his childhood.
15 December 2012 15:30
Japan election candidates make final pitches
Hundreds of candidates vying for a seat in Japan's parliament made their final pitches on Saturday in an election expected to see the return of the country's old guard.
15 December 2012 15:06
Clinton holds the key to 2016 White House race
Will she, won't she, will she, won't she, will she join the dance? To borrow from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," that's the question on everyone's lips about Hillary Clinton and the 2016 White House race.
15 December 2012 12:45
Susan Rice folds US secretary of state bid
Susan Rice asked President Barack Obama not to pick her as his next secretary of state Thursday, after becoming a lightning rod for Republicans over the raid on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
15 December 2012 11:58
Candidate, 94, uses funeral fund for Japan election
A 94-year-old man who cashed in his funeral savings to use as an election deposit was out canvassing for votes Friday, just two days ahead of Japan's general election.
