December 11, 2013
Pope Francis named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year
Pope Francis has been named Person of the Year by Time magazine. During his nine months in office, the Pope had pulled "the papacy out of the palace and into the streets", managing editor Nancy Gibbs said. "Rarely has a new player on the world…
December 11, 2013
Obama-Castro Handshake Draws Attention at Mandela Tribute
Tuesday's memorial service for Nelson Mandela generated some informal diplomacy and political controversy, alongside the praise for the late South African president. In a moment caught by television cameras, U.S. President Barack Obama shook hands…
December 11, 2013
Japan to Beef Up Military in Response to China: Panel
Japan will set up a new amphibious military unit and deploy surveillance drones as part of its new defense plan in response to China's growing military power. The proposals were included in drafts of new security strategy and defense guidelines…
December 11, 2013
Burma Frees 44 Political Prisoners
Burma has released 44 political prisoners, in the latest step towards fulfilling President Thein Sein's promise to free all political detainees by the end of the year. Even after the amnesty Wednesday, activists say at least 40 political prisoners…
December 11, 2013
More Than 60,000 Pay Tribute to Mandela in Johannesburg
More than 60,000 people gathered in Johannesburg Tuesday for a memorial service to honor late South African President Nelson Mandela. A steady rain did not stop mourners from singing and dancing in tribute to Mr. Mandela, as speakers praised his…
December 6, 2013
Mideast Peace Deal Closest in Years
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says he believes Israel and the Palestinians are closer to a peace agreement than they have been in years at the end of a three-day trip to the region. Kerry told reporters Friday before leaving Israel that…
December 6, 2013
World Leaders Remember Nelson Mandela
World leaders, past and present, are remembering anti-apartheid leader and former South African President Nelson Mandela. At the White House, a solemn President Barack Obama called Mandela an influential, courageous, and profoundly good human…
December 6, 2013
Mandela Hometown Burial Set for Dec. 15
South Africa says Nelson Mandela will be buried Sunday, December 15, in his hometown of Qunu. President Jacob Zuma gave details on the official services and memorials for Mandela on Friday as South Africans mourned the loss of their former…
December 6, 2013
Deadly storm and tidal surge batter northern Europe
Hurricane-force winds and tidal surges have killed at least seven people in northern Europe, flooded parts of Hamburg and left thousands of homes without electricity. The storm, called Xaver, blew a tree on to a car in Poraj, northern Poland,…
December 6, 2013
Hundreds dead’ in CAR violence
At least 300 people have been killed in two days of violence in the capital of the Central African Republic capital, says the Red Cross. The organisation said its staff stopped collecting bodies in Bangui as night fell but would resume over the…