Chavez breathing woes worsen: govt
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is suffering from a "new and severe" infection that has worsened his breathing as he undergoes intensive chemotherapy.
Opposition march demands 'truth' about Chavez health
Hundreds of opposition protesters marched in Caracas on Sunday, chanting "we want the truth" as they demanded that the government reveal more about the health of cancer-stricken President Hugo Chavez.
Jackie Chan's China appointment draws Hong Kong ire
Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan this week joins China's top political advisory body in a move analysts say highlights Beijing's growing "soft power" efforts to project unity between itself and the former British colony.
Top Cuban dissidents launch opposition coalition
Top Cuban dissidents Guillermo Farinas and Jose Daniel Ferrer joined forces Wednesday to create a more powerful opposition as Raul Castro celebrates his re-election to lead the Communist-run island.
Italian leftist leader seeks way out of deadlock
Italian leftist leader Pier Luigi Bersani admitted Tuesday he had "come first but not won" key elections and asked parties to help him push through reforms amid a political deadlock that sent markets tumbling.
Khrapunov does not preclude coming back to Kazakhstan
"Kazakhstan is the country that has brought me up and this connection is very strong," Khrapunov.
Centre-left favoured as Italy holds landmark election
Italy on Monday holds a second day of voting in a critical election for the future of the eurozone in which the centre-left Democratic Party is expected to win but fall short of a governing majority.
Japan eyes ADB chief to head central bank: reports
Asian Development Bank president Haruhiko Kuroda is seen as the leading candidate to become Japan's next central bank governor.
Japan PM wants 'good relationship' with S. Korea
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Friday he wanted a strong relationship with South Korea, which responded angrily over a rally in Japan against Seoul's control of a set of islands.
US executive blasts 'extremist' French government
An outspoken American CEO criticized France's government anew Thursday, but praised French women and wine and said that he himself was named after the iconic crooner Maurice Chevalier.
U.S. Secretary of State discovers new country... Kyrzakhstan
Speaking of the new directions of American foreign policy, new U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry read Kyrgyzstan as Kyrzakhstan in his speech.
Alliance in focus as Japan PM meets Obama
Japan's new premier Shinzo Abe will meet US President Barack Obama this week for the first time since taking power, seeking to breathe new life into a key alliance at a time of heightened tensions across Asia.
Conservative seen set to win Cyprus presidency
Cyprus heads for a presidential runoff on Sunday, with the first round's rightwing winner, who backs a bailout for the near bankrupt island.
N. Korea top task for South's first female president
Park Geun-Hye will be sworn in as South Korea's first female president next week -- a historic landmark clouded by North Korea's recent nuclear test and threats emanating from Pyongyang.
Has politics weighed on Oscars race?
Perhaps it is no surprise, given that 2012 was a US election year, but this year's Oscars crop includes a heavy dose of politics -- which has arguably influenced Hollywood's top awards race.
Tunisia in crisis as president's party rejects govt plan
Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki's secular party said Monday it would stay in the ruling coalition reversing a previous threat, but maintained its call for key Islamist ministers to resign.
Scotland may have to reapply to UN and EU, says Britain
Scotland may have to reapply for membership of international organisations such as the UN and EU if it votes for independence.
Russia's Medvedev hunted in mystery video campaign
A slick documentary film has mysteriously emerged on the Russian Internet where former ambassadors, an ex-general and even an ex-prime minister line up to accuse Dmitry Medvedev of betraying Russia's interests.
Chavez 'clearly' recovering: official
Hugo Chavez is making steady progress recovering from cancer surgery, said the leader of Venezuela's parliament, who said the convalescing president is "clearly" moving ahead in his recovery.
Berlusconi vows to refund money from unpopular tax
Former premier Silvio Berlusconi vowed Sunday to refund the money Italians have had to fork out for an unpopular property tax if his coalition wins this month's elections.