US congratulates Japan's Abe on re-electionThe United States welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's easy re-election victor in snap polls, hailing his "strong leadership" on international crises
Australia's 'macho' PM points finger at sexismAustralia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who was famously accused of misogyny by former leader Julia Gillard suggested sexism was behind criticism of his female chief-of-staff.
Japan's Abe set to win powerful majority: pollJapan's ruling coalition headed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to sweep elections this weekend, retaining its unassailable two-thirds majority.
Hong Kong police haul away protesters from rally siteHong Kong police began dismantling the city's main pro-democracy site and hauling off a hard core of protesters who nevertheless vow that their struggle lives on.
11 December 2014
Russia charms Uzbekistan with massive debt writeoffRussia's President agreed to write off most of the debt owed by Uzbekistan in an apparent bid to steer the Central Asian country towards joining the Eurasian Economic Union.
11 December 2014
Afghanistan's Ghani condemns CIA's 'inhumane actions'Afghanistan's new President condemned CIA torture detailed in a US Senate report, saying the United States' actions violated "all accepted norms of human rights".
India Nobel winner says helping poor kids a 'passion'For Indian campaigner Kailash Satyarthi, who receives his award as co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, giving poor children a better chance in life has been his "passion".
10 December 2014
Hackers urge Sony to pull N. Korea comedy film: reportsA group which claims to have hacked Sony's servers demanded that its movie studio pull a soon-to-be-released comedy depicting a fictional CIA plot to kill North Korea's leader.
Rains lash disaster-weary Philippines as typhoon nearsHeavy rain and strong winds began to hit the eastern Philippines ahead of a giant storm threatening more devastation to areas yet to recover from a super typhoon.