More than 1,000 chosen for one-way Mars reality-TV mission
More than 1,000 candidates -- from 200,000 hopefuls -- have been chosen to train for a private Mars colonisation mission to be partly funded by a reality-TV show following their training and subsequent steps, organisers said Thursday.
Thai police battle protesters trying to stop election
Thai police fired tear gas and rubber bullets Thursday as clashes broke out with protesters trying to prevent political parties registering for elections, leaving dozens wounded and forcing officials to flee by helicopter.
Madagascar votes for new president
Madagascans voted Friday for a new president and parliament in run-off elections aimed at pulling the island out of the political and economic doldrums and restoring democracy.
Tajiks set to elect strongman leader for fourth term
Voters in Tajikistan, the poorest state in the former USSR, were set Wednesday to hand President Emomali Rakhmon an easy victory for a fourth term at the helm of his country bordering Afghanistan.
Ex-finance minister Ghani bullish as Afghan election race begins
He collected a meagre three percent of the vote last time, but Ashraf Ghani is not short of self-confidence, believing he will win elections in April and be a transformative president of Afghanistan.
First woman stands for Tajik president backed by Islamic party
A woman is for the first time bidding for the presidency in Tajikistan after an opposition bloc including an Islamic party chose a respected female rights lawyer as its candidate in the majority Muslim country.
Afghan election race kicks off as nominations open
Candidate nominations opened Monday for Afghanistan's presidential election, with a large field expected to register in the race to succeed Hamid Karzai as the US-led war winds down.
Ready for Hillary? Courting a candidate for 2016
How formidable a potential candidate is Hillary Clinton? A group laying groundwork for her possible 2016 presidential campaign said it is being offered million-dollar donations -- before she has even announced a run.
ElBaradei tipped as PM to lead Egypt out of crisis Origin: Egypt
Nobel Peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei tops the list of candidates for premier to lead Egypt out of its crisis, the presidency said Saturday
Early results give Iran moderate clear lead: ministry
With results in from 10 percent of the polling stations, moderate candidate Hassan Rowhani has a clear lead, with 49.87 percent of the vote in Iran's presidential election.
Candidates blame mismanagement for Iran economy crisis
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's "mismanagement" is largely responsible for Iran's severe economic crisis, most candidates for this week's presidential election have argued.
Madagascar strongman says won't run in vote if rivals withdraw
Madagascar leader Andry Rajoelina has vowed to withdraw his controversial candidacy for upcoming presidential polls if his rivals do the same, as mediators scramble to save a deal aimed at ending a four-year political deadlock.
Swazi albinos plead for protection ahead of vote
Swaziland's albinos have called on the government for protection ahead of elections expected later this year, fearing their body parts will be harvested by candidates seeking good luck.
US slams Iran's disqualification of candidates
The United States on Tuesday condemned Iran's disqualification of hundreds of would-be presidential candidates, accusing the "unaccountable" clerical leadership of seeking to tighten its grip on power.
Pakistan election candidate shot dead: police
A candidate running for parliament in next week's historic Pakistani election was shot dead on Friday along with his three-year-old son after praying in a mosque in Karachi.
Brazil's WTO candidate says his election would unblock talks
Roberto Carvalho de Azevedo, the Brazilian candidate to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Peru's first lady to be investigated for spending
Fist Lady Nadine Heredia, a popular Peruvian figure tipped as a likely presidential candidate, will be investigated for spending at the request of opposition lawmakers.
Italy centre-left leader Bersani to resign
Voting for a new Italian president headed towards a fifth round Saturday, after the political deadlock claimed another victim, with centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani saying he will step down.
Shun pro-choice candidates, Philippine Catholics told
The Philippines' powerful Catholic Church is to ask Filipinos to vote candidates who support birth control out of office in the May elections.
Berlusconi says could support leftist president
Italy's Silvio Berlusconi said he could consider supporting a candidate for president from his rivals on the left but only on condition that they form a grand coalition government with him.