site.news_by_theme leaders

Putin hides Russia's troubles with summit glitz President Vladimir Putin impressed leaders by holding an Asian summit on an island off a revamped Pacific city but the surface shimmer hid underlying problems in the Russian Far East and the country as a whole.

10 September 2012

Ethiopia readies first state funeral of a leader in 80 years Ethiopia will bury its longtime powerful prime minister Meles Zenawi on Sunday in the first state funeral staged for a leader of the Horn of Africa nation in more than 80 years.

31 August 2012

US nuns ready to talk with Vatican after rebuke American nuns in open conflict with the Vatican over claims they have "radical feminist" views and have strayed too far from Catholic doctrine offered Friday to talk with top Church leaders.

12 August 2012

N. Korea's first lady displays Dior-style handbag North Korea's young first lady has been pictured sporting what appears to be a Christian Dior handbag, in stark contrast to widespread shortages elsewhere in the impoverished nation.

08 August 2012

N. Korean leader's wife 'charming', says sushi chef A Japanese sushi chef who served the late Kim Jong-Il and his family for 13 years said he recently met the new N. Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and his wife, whom he described as "pretty and charming".

05 August 2012

North Korea's 'first lady' debut highlights secrecy As celebrity wedding announcements go, North Korea's was terse. It was probably also three years out of date.

30 July 2012

Wife of N. Korea's Kim is former singer: S. Korea media The wife of North Korea's Kim Jong-Un is a former singer who caught the leader's eye while she was giving a performance, South Korean media said Thursday after Pyongyang disclosed the marriage.

26 July 2012

Kim eyes reform in purge of N. Korea old guard: analysts North Korea's young leader has been purging older generals in an attempt to curb the power of the 1.2-million-strong military and potentially open the way for economic reforms, analysts said Thursday.

19 July 2012