Ex-president Bush expected to leave hospital soon
Former US president George H.W. Bush will stay at a Texas hospital through the weekend after experiencing breathing problems.
NATO to hold ceremony Sunday marking end of its Afghan war
NATO will hold a ceremony in Kabul later formally ending its war in Afghanistan, officials said, after 13 years of conflict.
Japan plans law to speed up overseas deployment of troops
Japan plans to draw up a law to speed the deployment of troops overseas for peacekeeping operations and to support alliesю
Greek don't want new adventure, PM warns ahead of vote
The Greek public doesn't want a new adventure, Prime Minister warned as he sought to stave off a snap election by urging lawmakers to choose a new president.
N. Korea calls Obama 'monkey', blames US for blackout
North Korea on Saturday called US President Barack Obama a "monkey" for inciting cinemas to screen a comedy featuring a fictional plot to kill its leader.
New Russian military doctrine labels NATO as main threat
The Kremlin branded the expansion of NATO as a fundamental threat to Russia in a revised military doctrine that dramatically reflects deteriorating relations with the West.
Ukraine halts trains and buses to Russian-held Crimea
Ukraine said it was suspending all rail and bus services to Russian-occupied Crimea because of security concerns.
Spain PM promises economy will 'take off' in 2015
Spain's Prime Minister promised the country's economy would "take off" again in 2015.
Queen says fixing division in Scotland 'will take time
Healing differences in Scotland after a divisive referendum that came close to splitting the United Kingdom this year will take time.
Queen praises Ebola health workers in Christmas message
Queen Elizabeth II will pay tribute in her annual Christmas Day broadcast to the "selflessness" of medical staff and aid workers fighting the Ebola epidemic.
China city bans Christmas in schools, warns over 'Western' culture
A Chinese city has banned schools from holding Christmas events, highlighting official suspicions about the increasingly popular festival because of its foreign origins.
Obama, Malaysian PM hit the links in Hawaii
Barack Obama, on vacation in Hawaii, tends to golf with buddies and aides, but mixed things up, hitting the links with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Difficult' Ukraine talks end without new date agreement
Ukranian and rebel envoys concluded "difficult" marathon talks without agreeing the date of a new round.
Ban Ki-moon condemns Jordan pilot kidnapping
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed his "concern" over a Jordanian pilot captured by the Islamic State jihadist group after his plane went down in Syria.
US court dismisses immigration lawsuit against Obama
A US federal judge handed a victory to President Barack Obama, throwing out a lawsuit over controversial actions he took last month shielding millions of undocumented migrants from deportation.
Japan PM set for re-election after 'Abenomics' poll win
Japanese Prime Minister is set to resume office with a broadly similar cabinet tasked with re-igniting the world's number three economy following his election triumph.
German president urges compassion, help for refugees
Germany's president appealed in a Christmas message for compassion and openness towards refugees coming to the country.
Outraging Russia, Ukraine takes big step toward NATO
Ukraine took a historic step toward NATO in a parliamentary vote that stoked Russia's anger ahead of talks on ending the ex-Soviet state's separatist war.
Australia fears fresh attacks as Sydney mourns siege victims
Australian Prime Minister warned of heightened "terrorist chatter" in the aftermath of the fatal Sydney cafe siege and said another attack was likely.
French PM calls for 'vigilance' after three attacks
French Prime Minister called for "vigilance" after the country was hit by three bizarre attacks in quick succession, sparking fears of possible copycat action.