Fukushima 'unprecedented challenge': new Japan PM The clean-up at Fukushima after its tsunami-sparked nuclear meltdowns is unlike anything humanity has ever tried, Japan's prime minister said Saturday during a tour of the plant.
30 December 2012
Pakistan to mark five years since Bhutto murder Pakistan marks the fifth anniversary of the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on Thursday, with her son expected to launch his political career with a speech in the family's ancestral home town.
28 December 2012
Israel PM met Jordan king in Amman over Syria: media Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II in Amman recently to discuss violence in Syria and the country's chemical weapons stock.
28 December 2012
Netanyahu launches re-election bid centred on Iran Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday put Iran at the top of on his re-election campaign, pledging that halting Tehran's nuclear programme would be his first priority as premier.
27 December 2012
Hawkish Abe to be named Japan's next prime minister Japan's conservative leader Shinzo Abe is to be named as the country's new prime minister Wednesday, after he swept to power on a hawkish platform of getting tough on diplomacy while fixing the economy.
26 December 2012
Netanyahu aims to deport tens of thousands of Africans Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he aims to repatriate tens of thousands of African illegal migrants and that the inflow into Israel from the Sinai peninsula has been brought to a halt.
Indian PM appeals for calm, vows to protect women Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urged calm and vowed to protect women as police on Monday struggled to quell increasing outrage over sex crimes following the gang-rape of a student.
24 December 2012
Italy election campaign kicks off as Monti quits Italy's election campaign kicked off in earnest on Saturday after Prime Minister Mario Monti's resignation opened the way for a contest dominated by a raging debate over austerity in the recession-hit country.
24 December 2012
'You need me': Berlusconi on new election run Italy's indefatigable former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi appeared on television Tuesday for the third time in as many days to vow a return to political life.
19 December 2012
Italy faces vote as Monti leaves, Berlusconi returns Italy was preparing prepared for early elections Sunday after Prime Minister Mario Monti said he would soon resign and Silvio Berlusconi announced he would run for the top job for the sixth time in two decades.
British newspapers back PM's opposition to press laws Britain's newspapers on Friday praised senior judge Brian Leveson's report into media ethics but warned its recommendation to introduce new laws could "suffocate the free press".
01 December 2012
Millions select Italian left's nominee for prime minister Milllions of Italian centre-left voters cast their ballots on Sunday to select a nominee for prime minister ahead of a general election next year as the country suffers through a painful recession.
26 November 2012
Japan PM warns of security perils at Obama talks Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Tuesday warned of an increasingly severe security environment in Asia amid raging territorial disputes, as he met US President Barack Obama.
20 November 2012
UN chief urges Israel to avoid 'new cycle of bloodshed' UN leader Ban Ki-moon urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ease tensions with Gaza militants Wednesday and also discussed the crisis with Egypt's president.
15 November 2012
Gandalf actor chides New Zealand PM over gay 'joke' British actor Ian McKellan has criticised New Zealand Prime Minister John Key for using the word "gay" to mock a radio host's attire, saying the term should not be casually used as an insult.
06 November 2012
Israel ready to strike Iran 'if necessary': NetanyahuIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was ready to order a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities "if necessary", in an interview aired by Channel Two television on Monday.
06 November 2012
Hungarian political rivals flex muscles in day of demos Tens of thousands of Hungarians were expected to rally in Budapest on Tuesday in rival political gatherings closely watched for any signs of waning support for Prime Minister Viktor Orban.