Afghanistan's Karzai out to prove he is no US puppet
As he contemplates retirement next year, Afghan President Hamid Karzai appears to have one over-riding ambition -- to ensure that his people do not remember him as a puppet of the United States.
Malta's opposition Labour party wins elections
Malta's opposition Labour party has won a general election for the first time in over 15 years, with leader Joseph Muscat claiming a "landslide victory" Sunday in the eurozone's smallest member.
Rivals trade barbs as race to succeed Chavez starts
Venezuela entered a bitter election race to succeed Hugo Chavez on Sunday, with his chosen successor branding his challenger a "fascist" after the opposition candidate accused him of lying about the late leader's death.
Chavez political heir takes over after rousing funeral
Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro took over as acting president late Friday in a ceremony rejected by the opposition after a tearful farewell to Hugo Chavez during a rousing state funeral for the firebrand leftist.
Iran's Ahmadinejad mourns 'martyr' Chavez
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad paid tribute to late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez on Wednesday saying he had fallen "martyr" to a "suspect illness".
Venezuela-US ties unlikely to thaw soon: experts
The US has long hoped that a post-Chavez era could herald a new era in ties with Venezuela, but allegations of a US plot to kill the leftist leader show any rapprochement is still far off.
LatAm leaders mourn Chavez, US urges improved ties
Latin America mourned the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday as the United States expressed hope his passing would lead to improved relations with the oil-rich state.
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.