New Netanyahu government wins MPs' approval as Obama urges deal
The Israeli parliament late narrowly approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government.
Netanyahu denounces 'resurgent' anti-Semitism
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced a resurgence in anti-Semitism both in the Middle East and in the West.
Black Miss Japan fights for race revolution
Ariana Miyamoto entered the Miss Universe Japan beauty contest after a mixed-race friend committed suicide.
Aged 100, Australian dancer still hears call of the stage
Starring in music videos at the age of 100, Eileen Kramer is probably the oldest working dancer and choreographer in Australia.
Beijing raises cigarette tax to deter smoking
China will more than double the tax on tobacco to 11 percent, as authorities try to deter smoking in the world's largest producer and consumer of tobacco.
Russia expects UN peace talks on Yemen to re-start quickly
Russia's UN envoy said he expected UN-brokered peace talks on Yemen to re-start quickly and warned that sending ground forces to Yemen would be a reckless escalation.
Bollywood's Khan jailed for 5 years for deadly hit-and-run
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was sentenced to five years in prison for killing a homeless man with his SUV in a 2002 hit-and-run after a night out drinking at an upmarket bar.
Rebuilding the economy of Nepal after the earthquake crisis
Recommendations that may bring good results in Nepal: Rethinking monetary policy in order to take into consideration the growing economic relation with China, pushing for a Roosevelt infrastructure plan, developing the hydro energy sector.
Malaysian opposition activists held after May Day protest
More than two dozen protesters including a leading human rights activist and opposition politicians were detained overnight in Malaysia.
Passion and lunchboxes: K-pop's 'auntie' fans stand proud
They don't fit the normal fan profile, but South Korea's 40-something K-pop "aunties" are every bit as obsessed with their idols as their teenage counterparts.
Australia calls for regional fight against drug trade after executions
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop called for a regional approach to tackle drug trafficking, saying the death penalty would not halt the illegal trade.
McDonald's supplier gets Beijing's biggest pollution fine: Xinhua
A McDonald's joint venture in China supplying its outlets with French fries has been slapped with a record 3.9 million yuan fine for water pollution.
Katy Perry risks China Firework as she dons Taiwan flag
The intricacies of cross-strait diplomacy may not have been uppermost on her mind but Katy Perry caused a stir in both Taiwan and China.
Nepal quake survivors clash with riot police, UN seeks $415 mn
Desperate survivors of an earthquake that killed more than 5,000 people clashed with riot police in Nepal's capital.
Female Afghan 'Top Gun' soars above gender barrier
With a hint of swagger, Afghanistan's first female pilot since the fall of the Taliban is defying death threats and archaic gender norms.
Japan PM says 'deeply pained' over WWII 'comfort women'
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his remorse over the sexual slavery of Asian women during World War II.
Sam Smith cancels Australia tour over vocal hemorrhage
Young singing sensation Sam Smith canceled the rest of an Australian tour after developing a hemorrhage on his vocal cords.
Russian cargo spacecraft hit by glitch: official
Russian officials said an unmanned Progress spacecraft carrying supplies to the International Space Station had suffered a glitch.
Iran's Rouhani warns change coming for 'sanctions busters'
President Hassan Rouhani warned that middlemen who have circumvented sanctions will need to "think of another job."
Australia's FM slams chaos ahead of Indonesia executions
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop criticised Indonesia's "chaotic" handling of the execution of nine prisoners.