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.
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.
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.
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.
Democratic Party chief Pier Luigi Bersani won primaries on Sunday to lead Italy's centre-left but now faces the challenge of uniting different currents in his party.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
Israeli 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.
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.
Australian opposition leader Tony Abbott apologised Tuesday after saying the government was inexperienced when it comes to having babies, a comment seen as a dig at childless Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's popularity has surged following her aggressive speech calling the opposition leader a misogynist and a sexist, a poll showed Monday.
Lebanese police clashed with protesters trying to storm the prime minister's office in Beirut, amid calls for him to quit after a top security official was killed by a car bomb blamed on Syria.
Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is facing mounting pressure following his justice minister's admission to past links with a yakuza gang, just 10 days after he was appointed.
Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras stressed the urgency of sealing an austerity pact ahead of crucial talks Monday between Greek officials and the so-called troika of international creditors.