Abbas warns of disbanding PA if no peace talks
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas warned Thursday that he would disband his Palestinian Authority if there was no Israeli movement toward renewing peace talks after Israel's elections on January 22.
Egypt adopts new constitution as opposition cries foul
Egypt's electoral commission confirmed on Tuesday that a controversial, Islamist-backed constitution was passed by 64 percent of voters, rejecting opposition allegations of polling fraud.
Hawkish Abe to be named Japan's next prime minister
Japan's conservative leader Shinzo Abe is to be named as the country's new prime minister Wednesday, after he swept to power on a hawkish platform of getting tough on diplomacy while fixing the economy.
Son of late icon Kennedy rules out US Senate run
A son of late political icon Edward Kennedy said Monday he will not run for the US Senate in Massachusetts -- the same state his father represented for nearly five decades -- US media reported.
Russia: 'political suicide' if Assad uses chemical arms
Russia said on Monday it would be "political suicide" for the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad if it used chemical weapons against the armed opposition.
2012 an 'extraordinary year' for Britain: PM
Prime Minister David Cameron said 2012 has been an "extraordinary year" for Britain in which the country "showed the world what we're made of" with the London Games and Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee.
Egypt opposition to appeal vote passing new constitution
Egypt's opposition said on Sunday it will appeal a referendum seen as voting in a new constitution backed by ruling Islamists, and vowed to keep up a struggle that has spawned weeks of protests and instability.
Italy election campaign kicks off as Monti quits
Italy's election campaign kicked off in earnest on Saturday after Prime Minister Mario Monti's resignation opened the way for a contest dominated by a raging debate over austerity in the recession-hit country.
Japan's incoming PM pledges to mend ties with China
Japan's incoming premier Saturday pledged to seek a thaw in ties with China after a report said he will send a special envoy on a fence-mending mission to Beijing.
S. Korea president-elect says security priority with North
South Korean president-elect Park Geun-Hye vowed Thursday to put national security first while pursuing greater engagement with a belligerent North Korea.
Russia negotiates union with ex-Soviet states
Russia sought Wednesday to expand its influence over former territories during integration talks that Washington has cast as a bid to "re-Sovietise" the region.
'You need me': Berlusconi on new election run
Italy's indefatigable former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi appeared on television Tuesday for the third time in as many days to vow a return to political life.
Clinton holds the key to 2016 White House race
Will she, won't she, will she, won't she, will she join the dance? To borrow from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," that's the question on everyone's lips about Hillary Clinton and the 2016 White House race.
Susan Rice folds US secretary of state bid
Susan Rice asked President Barack Obama not to pick her as his next secretary of state Thursday, after becoming a lightning rod for Republicans over the raid on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
Honduras fears new crisis over Supreme Court row
The Honduran Congress fired four Supreme Court justices on Wednesday, raising fears of a new political crisis three years after a coup.
World leaders face big challenges in 2013
Barack Obama is back and China has a new leader in Xi Jinping, but world leaders face heavyweight issues in the coming year, from lingering economic crises to bloody tumult in the Middle East.
US report faults Pakistan over Afghan war
Despite an easing of tensions with the United States, Pakistan is persistently undermining security in Afghanistan by permitting safe havens for insurgents.
Clinton cancels Morocco trip due to illness
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has canceled a planned trip to Morocco due to a stomach virus, her office said Monday.
Peru labor minister quits for mistreating airport worker
Peru's labor minister resigned Sunday amid an uproar for allegedly roughing up an airport worker as he rushed to catch a departing plane.
Ghana opposition claims fraud in tight presidential vote
Ghana's main opposition party on Sunday alleged fraud in the country's tight presidential election, claiming it had evidence that its candidate had won the vote even before official results were declared.