Slovak PM duels philanthropist in final battle for presidency
Slovaks began voting Saturday to choose their president in a fractious and tight run-off between Prime Minister Robert Fico and political newcomer and philanthropist, Andrej Kiska.
French minister apologises for calling state dinner 'revolting'
An embarrassed French minister has apologised to the head chef at the Elysee Palace after she was caught on camera describing the food at a China-France state dinner as "revolting".
Obama to meet woman activist on Saudi visit
US President Barack Obama will meet a woman activist in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, when women have pledged to defy a driving ban, a US official said.
Fiji sets September 17 for return to democracy
Fiji's military rulers Friday set September 17 as the date for the South Pacific nation's first democratic elections in nearly eight years following a military coup.
Mistrust overshadows Obama's Saudi trip
King Abdullah meets President Barack Obama Friday as mistrust fuelled by differences over Iran and Syria overshadows a decades-long Saudi-US alliance.
Egypt's Sisi announces run for presidency
Egyptian army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Wednesday he had quit the military to run for president and vowed to rid the country of "terrorism" almost nine months after he toppled its elected leader.
China-France set to tie up deals on Xi visit
China and France are expected to sign scores of business deals on the first full day of President Xi Jinping's state visit Wednesday after he was wined and dined in the gastronomic capital of Lyon.
Turkey ruling party accused of copyright breaching by Kazakh composer
Kazakhstan composer Arslanbek Sultanbekov has accused the Turkish ruling party of breaching his copyright.
Ukraine concerned with Kazakhstan's acceptance of Crimean referendum
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine referred to Kazakhstan's acceptance of the referendum in Crimea as an unneighborly act.
Japan, N. Korea move to restart formal talks
Japan and North Korea are moving to restart formal government-level talks, a foreign ministry official said Thursday, after a shift over the contentious issue of Pyongyang's past abductions of Japanese citizens.
Merkel 'very impressed' with Italy PM's economic plans
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday she was "very impressed" with the stimulus and reform package of Italy's new centre-left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Nazarbayev and Cameron discuss situation in Ukraine
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and British Prime-Minister David Cameron have discussed the situation in Ukraine over the phone.
Obama to Putin: US readying 'additional costs' over Crimea
President Barack Obama hinted at possible additional sanctions on Russia, warning his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that the United States and its allies would "never" recognize Crimea's breakaway vote Sunday.
Russia blocks top opposition news sites
Russia has blocked three major opposition news websites as well as the popular blog of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, the latest in a media crackdown that comes amid Moscow's standoff with the West over Ukraine.
Ukraine PM says EU accord may be signed next week
Ukraine's new leaders will likely sign a long-awaited political accord with the European Union next week, interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Wednesday after talks at the White House.
Nigeria gets first visit from UN rights chief
Nigeria, under fire internationally for banning gay marriage and alleged abuses while tackling Islamist insurgents, received its first visit from the United Nations human rights commissioner.
Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed appointed Advisor to Kazakhstan President
Former Minister of Culture of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed has been appointed Advisor to Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Kazakhstan creates Communication and Information Agency and renames ministry
Askar Zhumagaliyev has been appointed Chairman of Kazakhstan's new Communication and Information Agency.
Crimea moves to join Russia, US and EU sanction Moscow
Ukraine stood in danger of breaking apart Friday after Crimea's parliament unanimously voted to join Russia in a sharp escalation of the worst East-West security crisis since the Cold War.
EU freezes assets of Ukraine's ousted leader and 17 others
The European Union on Thursday froze assets held in the 28-nation bloc by 18 Ukrainians accused of embezzlement, including ousted Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovych.