Panetta to tout US shift to Asia at ASEAN defence talks
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will outline Washington's strategic shift to the Pacific and a tentative rapprochement with Myanmar.
Petraeus sex scandal amuses Taliban
The sex scandal that has brought down CIA chief David Petraeus may be causing heartache in the Washington security establishment but the affair has prompted laughter among the Taliban.
Japan wants 'mutually beneficial' relations with new China
Japan said Thursday it wants to develop "mutually beneficial" relations with China's new leaders, as the two countries remain embroiled in a dispute over islands in the East China Sea.
US 'concerns' at Ukraine vote fraud claims: Biden
Vice President Joe Biden expressed US "concerns" Tuesday to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych about alleged fraud in parliamentary elections won by the ruling party.
Who will be on Obama's new dream team?
A week after winning re-election President Barack Obama has yet to reveal his new White House dream team amid fierce jostling for coveted posts key to shaping America's foreign and defense policy.
Reform hopes seen dashed at Sudan Islamist meet
Calls for change by Arab Spring-inspired reformers in Sudan will likely be ignored when thousands of government-linked Islamists begin meeting on Thursday.
Palestinian UN bid on Nov 29: Abbas
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has announced that the Palestinian Authority will present its bid for non-state UN membership, despite US and Israeli opposition.
Darwin earns 4,000-plus votes in US election
Charles Darwin earned more than 4,000 votes in a US congressional race from voters protesting the unopposed candidacy of an ardent creationist.
Congress vote leaves US set for more gridlock
Democrats were projected to hold onto the Senate and Republicans were to retain the House of Representatives on Tuesday, raising the likely prospect of more partisan gridlock in a divided US Congress.
I fear for my mother's life: Tymoshenko's daughter
The daughter of Ukraine's jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko said she cannot talk her out of her hunger strike and wakes every day fearing for her mother's life.
Kabul considers action against ICG over 'bias'
Afghanistan is considering action against the International Crisis Group, with officials on Monday accusing the respected think-tank of bias in its reporting on the troubled nation.
Russia, Arabs agree on need to move forward on Syria
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met in Cairo on Sunday with Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi for talks about the Syrian conflict, agreeing on the need to move forward but finding little common ground.
There will be 6 times less politics in Kazakhstan
The number of Kazakhstan’s political state workers will be slashed down to 538 people.
S. Korea presidential favourite open to summit with North
South Korea's presidential front-runner, Park Geun-Hye, promised Monday a new policy of engagement with Pyongyang and said she would be willing to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
UN warns Bahrain protest ban could worsen tensions
UN leader Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that Bahrain's move to ban protests could "aggravate" tensions in the Gulf state.
Australia wants closer ASEAN ties: FM Carr
Australia will elevate its engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and seek to more closely align its foreign policy with that of the bloc.
Obama banks on Hollywood friends, whatever Clint says
Film legend Clint Eastwood claims that Hollywood's image as a Democratic bastion is exaggerated -- but the evidence says otherwise, with stars like George Clooney leading an A-list Obama cast.
Europe still favours Obama despite disappointments
US President Barack Obama no longer inspires the enthusiasm he once did but Europe still favours him.
US leads concern at Ukraine vote, ruling party set to win
The United States and international observers said Ukraine's elections were a step backwards for democracy as the ruling party was set to win against allies of jailed ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko.
Ukraine ruling party ahead in election: early results
Ukraine's ruling party was set for victory in legislative polls, comfortably ahead of the party of ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko, whose jailing sparked Western concerns of foul play.