Finland takes first step towards legalising gay marriage
Finland's parliament voted in favour of same-sex marriage in a victory for campaigners who gathered thousands of signatures to force parliament to examine the issue.
Brazil leader names pro-market Levy as finance minister
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff named Joaquim Levy to be her new finance minister as her government looks to steer the economy out of recession.
Obama discusses immigration changes with Mexican president
The leaders of the United States and Mexico spoke to discuss President Barack Obama's executive actions to overhaul aspects of America's immigration system.
OPEC mulls oil supply glut weighing on crude prices
OPEC ministers met to try to work out a deal to tackle rising oil supplies that are weighing heavily on crude prices and the cartel's revenues.
Canada to dress Ukrainian soldiers for winter warfare
Canada's Defense Minister Rob Nicholson announced the sending of winter coats, boots and gloves to dress 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers.
Uzbek President marks Nazarbayev's farsighted approach
Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov has marked the farsighted approach of Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Mexico leader forced into action over 43 missing
Protests have swept the nation, sounding a wake-up call for the president to finally tackle corruption and impunity.
Leader of Spain's Catalonia region says he wants early polls on independence
The head of the regional government of Spain's Catalonia region, Artur Mas, said he wants to hold early elections centred on independence.
Russia says Ferguson violence highlights 'massive' US problems
Russia said that the racial unrest in the US town of Ferguson highlighted "massive" domestic problems in America.
Kazakhstan - center of economic miracle: Czech President
The President of Czech Republic Milos Zeman has called Kazakhstan an economic miracle during his official visit to Kazakhstan.
Pope heads to Strasbourg to reinvigorate 'tired' Europe
Pope Francis heads to Strasbourg for a lightning visit to the European Parliament, where he hopes to help reinvigorate a "tired" Europe.
Britain's Prince William to visit China in 2015: reports
Britain's Prince William is to visit China next year, though his pregnant wife Kate is thought unlikely to go with him.
Japan's Abe vows support for victims after quake injures 41
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised "firm" support after meeting victims of a weekend earthquake.
Oil prices mixed ahead of key OPEC meeting
Oil prices were mixed in Asia ahead of a crucial meeting of the OPEC cartel later in the week that will discuss whether to trim output, analysts said.
Tunisia presidential runoff likely after 'historic' vote
Tunisia's incumbent President Moncef Marzouki appeared set for a runoff vote against an anti-Islamist party ex-premier.
French President Francois Hollande to visit Kazakhstan in December
President of France Francois Hollande will visit Kazakhstan’s capital Astana in December 2014.
World powers, Iran discuss extending nuclear deal deadline: US
Iran and world powers are now discussing a possible extension of their deadline for a nuclear deal.
Nazarbayev talks to Putin on phone
Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev has had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
China rejects Uighur scholar's appeal against life sentence
A Chinese court rejected an appeal against a life sentence handed to a prominent scholar from the mostly-Muslim Uighur minority.
Ukraine coalition agrees to make NATO membership a priority
Ukraine's pro-Western political parties agreed to make joining NATO a priority in a coalition deal that will give them a parliamentary majority.