Madagascar's parliament votes to end death penalty
Lawmakers in Madagascar have voted to abolish the death penalty, a move hailed as "historic" by the European Union.
Brazil's Rousseff inaugurates nuclear sub shipyard
Brazilian President inaugurated a naval shipyard that will oversee construction of a nuclear-powered submarine and four others to patrol Brazil's long coastline and oil reserves.
Kerry to meet Russia's Lavrov in Rome on Monday
Top US diplomat John Kerry will meet with his Russian counterpart in Rome, amid a toughening American response to a Kremlin-backed separatist insurgency in Ukraine.
Ukraine cheers US vote for military aid, Russia outraged
Ukraine welcomed a US bill that would allow Washington to provide lethal military assistance to the embattled country.
Japan voters ready unenthusiastic yes to PM Abe
Japan will hold a general election this weekend that looks likely to return Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to power.
Australia's 'macho' PM points finger at sexism
Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who was famously accused of misogyny by former leader Julia Gillard suggested sexism was behind criticism of his female chief-of-staff.
Poroshenko says ceasefire in Ukraine is now 'real'
President Petro Poroshenko said a "real" ceasefire was in place in Ukraine after the first 24 hours in seven months without a military casualty.
The year Putin tore up the rule book
Putin upended the global rules with considerable chutzpah, sowing just enough uncertainty to keep the world unsure of his intentions or his next move .
Spanish king praises unity on visit to Catalonia after vote
Spain's King Felipe VI praised the merits of unity in his first speech in Catalonia since the wealthy northwest region held a symbolic vote on independence.
No time to quarrel: Kerry warns of climate 'tragedy'
Developing nations must cut carbon emissions even if they feel it is unfair, US Secretary of State John Kerry said.
Key quotes from CIA chief on torture report
CIA chief John Brennan acknowledged some of the US intelligence agency's interrogators went too far in their treatment of detaineesю
Monaco welcomes birth of royal twins Gabriella and Jacques
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Charlene welcomed their twin babies to the world, and announced that Jacques will be next in line to the throne.
Japan's Abe set to win powerful majority: poll
Japan's ruling coalition headed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to sweep elections this weekend, retaining its unassailable two-thirds majority.
Hong Kong police haul away protesters from rally site
Hong Kong police began dismantling the city's main pro-democracy site and hauling off a hard core of protesters who nevertheless vow that their struggle lives on.
Syria's Assad backs Russia peace bid, Moscow in touch with US
President Bashar al-Assad met a top Russian envoy who said Moscow is hoping to relaunch peace talks for the war-torn country and could host a Syria-US meeting.
Russia charms Uzbekistan with massive debt writeoff
Russia's President agreed to write off most of the debt owed by Uzbekistan in an apparent bid to steer the Central Asian country towards joining the Eurasian Economic Union.
Afghanistan's Ghani condemns CIA's 'inhumane actions'
Afghanistan's new President condemned CIA torture detailed in a US Senate report, saying the United States' actions violated "all accepted norms of human rights".
Diamond deals to add sparkle to India-Russian ties
India's gemstone industry will hope to add some sparkle to ties between New Delhi and Moscow this week.