March 19, 2012
Greece’s Pasok party elects Evangelos Venizelos leader
Greece's Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos has claimed victory in the Pasok party's leadership election. The 55-year-old ran unopposed in the contest to take over the centre-left party from George Papandreou, who resigned as prime minister in…
March 19, 2012
Red Bull creator and Thai tycoon Chaleo Yoovidhya dead
The creator of the energy drink Red Bull, Chaleo Yoovidhya, has died. Mr Chaleo rose from humble origins to become one of Thailand's richest men, with a wealth estimated at $5bn (£3.2bn) last year. His pharmaceutical company produced a tonic drink…
March 19, 2012
Syrian rebels ‘in Damascus firefight’
A firefight is reported to have erupted in Syria's capital, Damascus, between the rebel Free Syria Army and the forces of President Bashar al-Assad. Witnesses say the sound of machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades can be heard from the…
March 19, 2012
East Timor President Concedes Election Defeat
East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta conceded defeat on Monday in his bid to win a second term in office. With more than 70 percent of the ballots counted, results show Francisco Guterres, from the main opposition Fretilin party, ahead with about…
March 19, 2012
Seoul Slams North Korean Rocket Plan as Nuclear Test
South Korea accused North Korea on Monday of using a planned satellite launch to further development of a long-range missile capable of carrying a nuclear payload. The North announced Friday that it would launch a rocket in mid-April to put a…
March 19, 2012
King of Tonga Dies
Tonga's prime minister has announced the death of the Pacific island nation's King George Tupou V. Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano says the 63-year-old monarch died Sunday in a Hong Kong hospital, with his younger brother and heir to the throne,…
March 16, 2012
Sachin Tendulkar scores his 100th international century for India
India's Sachin Tendulkar has become the first player to score 100 international centuries by compiling a ton in a one-day game against Bangladesh in Dhaka. The 38-year-old completed his landmark century, his 49th in one-day cricket, with a single…
March 16, 2012
Falkland Islands oil dispute: UK hits back at Argentina
The UK has hit back at Argentina's threats of court action over Falkland Islands oil exploration, calling its behaviour "illegal intimidation". Foreign minister Hector Timmerman had threatened legal action against firms drilling off the UK…
March 16, 2012
India uses budget speech to sound upbeat economic note
India's Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has unveiled the country's annual budget, saying that the economy is turning around. He added that India would look to reduce subsidies, accelerate reforms and state asset sales and boost infrastructure…
March 16, 2012
Fiat plants in Italy shut over fuel strike
Italian carmaker Fiat has shut down five of its plants in its home country as it struggles to cope with an ongoing transport strike. Lorry drivers have been protesting over taxes on petrol passed in the austerity budget of Prime Minister Mario…