Japan's Liberal Democratic Party win election; North Korea commemorates one-year anniversary of Kim Jong-il's death; Taliban target US company in Afghanistan; EU and Singapore sign free trade pact; and more
Read MoreKim Jong-Il
World News Brief, Friday January 6
EU agrees in principle to oil embargo that would ban member states from buying Iranian oil; EU move follows US sanctions on Iran's central bank, as Western countries call for Iran to stop work on nuclear programme; North Korea chides Japan for holding a security meeting in the wake of Kim Jong-Il's death; Australia says it will not pay $2 million ransom for Australian man taken hostage in southern Philippines; Taliban say they are responsible for deaths of 15 Pakistani soldiers; Rwandan militia kill 26 civilians in Democratic Republic of Congo; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday August 25
Rebels capture Qaddafi's compound and relocate headquarters to Tripoli; experts say public disorder and instability could emerge in Libya after Qaddafi regime falls; Kim Jong-Il meets with Russian president to discuss ending its nuclear weapons programme; Moody's downgrades Japan's economy; Israel claims to have killed Islamic Jihad militant; US markets respond to possible monetary stimulus; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 24
Obama begins six-day Europe visit; Obama will address both houses of Parliament at Westminster; Middle East expected to be a major topic of conversation between Obama and European leaders; Kim Jong-Il to meet Chinese premier Jiang Zemin; Sony reports huge losses for the year, partly attributed to Japan earthquake and tsunami; Yemen's leader refuses to sign deal to step down; 89 killed as tornado rips through Missouri; and more
Read MoreIt's the South, stupid... geographical dyslexia Palin-style
Another botched foray into international affairs sees Sarah Palin mistakes North Korea as America's ally. A little 'refudiation' is required just days after Barbara Bush suggested it would be best for the beautiful Sarah to stay in Alaska.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 24
Nuclear talks with Iran tipped to resume; Iran's Ahmadinejad is facing domestic challenges; US is reasserting itself in Asia as China and neighbours bicker; North Korea rearranges Communist Party in anticipation of succession by Kim Jong-Il's son; UN accuses Israel of war crimes; Obama announces US aid revamp; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 22
Arab states arming themselves with $123 billion in US weapons; deal with Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and UAE major boost to US defense industry; North Korean convention next week linked to Kim Jong-Il's succession plan; US concerned at estrangement between China and Japan; Turkey questions Iran sanctions; US recession longest since Great Depression; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday August 27
Bernanke to announce new economic plans amid worrying numbers (+ analysis); Leadership bid hits Japanese ruling party; Kim Jong-Il visits China; America's contradiction: Corrupt Karzai aide on CIA payroll; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday June 8
Global markets tumble as G20 dithers and Hungary threatens debt default (+ analysis); Israel rejects Sir Geoffrey Palmer's flotilla inquiry; North Korea reshuffles officials preparing for succession; Germany cuts welfare, jobs and increases taxes; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 6
Times Square bomb suspect confesses as US security failures exposed (+ analysis); Speculation North Korea will return to nuclear disarmament talks in return for Chinese aid; Greek bailout fails to steady market as strike begins; Tenuous Shiite coalition formed in Iraq; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 4
Global conference to review Nonproliferation Treaty begins as former UN rep calls for military strikes against Iran; Is Kim Jong-Il in China?; Nationwide strike stalls Nepal; European Bank the latest to offer lifeline to Greece; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday February 18
American stimulus one year on – salvation or waste of billions?; Japan becomes largest holder of US debt as China bails; Kim Jong-Il's birthday celebrations; Tensions growing around Falkland Is.; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 7
Pentagon to teach US troops Afghan culture; Kim Jong-Il willing to rejoin Six-Party talks; Taliban: international aid not in "the interests of muslims"; Israeli leader cancels UK trip fearing arrest; and more
Read MoreKim Jong-Il plays with the Americans. Again
By demanding that none other than Bill Clinton come to resuce the imprisoned US journalists, the reclusive Kim Jong-Il has added to Barack Obama's foreign policy headache
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday July 14
Rising death toll in Afghanistan; is Kim Jong-Il dying?; Japan to head to the polls; Obama in Africa; and more
Read MoreNorth Korea couldn't care less
North Korea's latest bargaining chips, two US journalists, are a human dimension to an out of control nuclear situation which has left the world's diplomats stumped—again. It is now a waiting game to see what they are worth
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 4
Obama and McCain make a final push for votes, still debating Iraq; Chinese diplomat heads to Taipei as relations thaw; new photos of Kim Jong-Il; Gordon Brown seeks "hundreds of billions" from Gulf states; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 7
European stocks fall sharply; US bail-out hasn't eased the crisis; China's finances well buffered; African governance improving - Mauritius number one; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 25
North Korea expels nuclear inspectors; no succession plan for Kim Jong-Il; Japanese PM confirmed, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad predicts end of US empire; Zimbabwe deal falters; and more
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