No-hoper steals S. Korean presidential debate
A far-left candidate polling at around one percent in South Korea's presidential candidate stole the campaign's first TV debate with a scathing attack on conservative front-runner Park Geun-Hye.
Japan eyes reduced emission cut target: official
Japan may backpedal on its pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by a quarter, an official said Wednesday, dealing a further blow to already deadlocked global warming talks in Doha.
US goes gaga over Britain's royal baby-to-be
News that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, aka Prince William and wife Kate, are having a baby lifted Americans' fascination with the British royal family to new heights on Tuesday.
115 killed in Philippines typhoon
The death toll from a powerful typhoon that struck the Philippines has risen to 115, as confirmation of more victims filtered in from isolated areas.
Sperm count of French men falls by one-third: study
The sperm count in French men dropped by nearly one-third between 1989 and 2005 and the quality of sperm also declined.
World's oldest person dies in US, at 116
The world's oldest person, American Besse Cooper, died on Tuesday at the age of 116.
Greece launches bond buyback programme
Greece's PDMA national debt agency said on Monday it had begun a voluntary buyback of the country's bonds at heavily discounted prices, a condition for receiving its latest instalment of EU-IMF bailout funds.
India warns Maldives over airport deal row
India warned its neighbour the Maldives on Monday that it might freeze annual aid worth $25 million amid anger over an attempt to kick out the Indian firm managing the main airport in the country.
Italy's new centre-left leader Bersani faces test: press
Democratic Party chief Pier Luigi Bersani won primaries on Sunday to lead Italy's centre-left but now faces the challenge of uniting different currents in his party.
Egypt protesters encircle presidential palace
Tens of thousands of Egyptian demonstrators encircled the presidential palace Tuesday after riot police failed to keep them at bay with tear gas, in a growing crisis over President Mohamed Morsi's decree widening his powers.
Software mogul slams S. Korean presidential politics
South Korean software mogul Ahn Cheol-Soo formally ended his popular independent presidential campaign Monday with a withering criticism of the country's entrenched left-right political divide.
Russian shareholder drops $9 bn BP suit: report
A minority shareholder in BP's Russian joint venture TNK-BP has dropped a long-running $9.3 billion suit against the British oil giant.
Kuwait opposition to stage post-poll demo
The Kuwaiti opposition is to stage a demonstration at the weekend to protest against the new parliament which was elected amid a huge boycott.
Ukraine's government, PM resign: presidency
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and the entire government.
Immigrants in OECD nations hit by economic crisis: report
Immigrants in OECD nations have been badly hit by the economic crisis especially in vulnerable states such as Ireland, Spain and Italy.
Sophie Marceau hopes to push French cinema in China
Iconic film actress Sophie Marceau said Monday France needs to start pushing its films in China where there is a huge but restricted market for movies that is largely dominated by Hollywood.
'Strong warning' to Assad over chemical arms: Clinton
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday issued a "strong warning" to the regime of Bashar al-Assad over the potential use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people.
Sulphur gas boosts theory of Venus volcanoes
European scientists said on Monday they had found tantalising clues to back theories that Venus -- Earth's cursed sister -- has active volcanoes.
Pope to start tweeting next week
Pope Benedict XVI will join Twitter from December 12, with regular tweets in eight languages from the account @pontifex just in time for Christmas.
Maldives president to face no-confidence vote
The Maldivian parliament Monday voted to hold a secret vote on a no-confidence motion against President Mohamed Waheed in a move that threatens the leader who took charge during turmoil less than a year ago.
