Hungary moves to ease tensions after Orban Nazi slur
Hungary has sought to ease tensions with Berlin after Prime Minister Viktor Orban asked Germany not to "send in the tanks again" in a recent interview on state radio.
Far-right writer kills self in Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral
A far-right writer and activist shot himself dead in front of the altar of Paris's famed Notre Dame Cathedral on Tuesday, leaving statements denouncing gay marriage and immigration.
China Communists must slash membership: academic
China's ruling Communist Party should cut its more than 80 million members by nearly half to avoid the bloat that felled the Soviet Union, a political scientist has written in a party magazine.
Merkel offers controlled glimpses into private life
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has revealed she finds "nice eyes" attractive in men, had a Polish grandfather and can easily handle an all-night summit without sleep.
S. Korea rejects 'incomprehensible' North demands
South Korea on Monday dismissed an "incomprehensible" list of North Korean demands for reviving suspended operations at a jointly-run industrial park.
Obama does 'not foresee' US troops in Syria
President Barack Obama came close Friday to ruling out deploying US troops to Syria, saying he did not foresee a scenario in which that would be beneficial to the United States or Syria.
Violence restricts Pakistan's election campaign
Attacks by the Pakistani Taliban are forcing the main party in the country's restive northwest, an important battleground in the upcoming general election, to campaign in the shadows.
Obama, ex-presidents praise 'resolute' Bush
President Barack Obama lauded George W. Bush Thursday as resolute in the face of terrorism, putting ideology aside at the opening of a library which makes his predecessor's case for history.
Moderate leftist Letta nominated to lead Italy
An Italian leftist politician, Enrico Letta, was nominated to be the new prime minister on Wednesday, bringing to an end a bitter two-month deadlock on forming a new government.
Iceland centre-right opposition poised for election win
Iceland's centre-right opposition is seen likely to win general elections Saturday after a leftist coalition failed to meet voters' expectations in the aftermath of a financial crisis that threatened to capsize the country.
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.
Musharraf appears in Pakistan anti-terrorism court
Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf appeared before an anti-terrorism court on Saturday after spending the night at police headquarters in Islamabad.
High drama as new Venezuelan president sworn in
Nicolas Maduro was sworn in as president of Venezuela on Friday, in a ceremony replete with drama as he replaced the late Hugo Chavez and urged dialogue with the opposition to build a better country.
Venezuela rules out recount after vote, deadly demos
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles formally requested a recount in Venezuela's disputed presidential election Wednesday, even after being rebuffed by the country's Supreme Court.
Merkel faces down challenge over female exec quota
Germany's opposition will force a parliamentary vote to require big companies to boost the number of women on their boards.
Britain, world figures bid farewell to Thatcher
The funeral of Margaret Thatcher takes place on Wednesday, with Queen Elizabeth II leading mourners from around the world in bidding farewell to one of Britain's most influential and divisive prime ministers.
Russia puts Putin critic Navalny on trial
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny goes on trial Wednesday on embezzlement charges carrying a maximum 10-year jail term.
Russia hits 18 US officials with tit-for-tat entry ban
Russia on Saturday published its own blacklist of US officials banned from entering the country in retaliation for Washington's move Friday to name 18 Russians who allegedly committed human rights abuses.
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.
US-Russia reset on 'pause': US general
A "reset" in US-Russia relations is now on pause and Moscow likely will be "the primary actor of regional concern".