Councilor paves way for Xi's visit to France

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with French President Francois Hollande in Paris on Wednesday in preparation for President Xi Jinping's visit to France in late March.

Beijing sees hidden agenda in Manila's S. China Sea protest

Beijing on Wednesday questioned the motive behind Manila's extraordinary protest against an incident that happened more than a month ago involving Chinese coast guard vessels and a water cannon in the South China Sea.

Russia, EU offer support for Ukraine

World powers sought to ease tensions over Ukraine on Tuesday as the country's interim authorities grappled with the threat of economic collapse and separatism after the dramatic ouster of president Viktor Yanukovych.

Tension high in crimea

Thousands of pro-Russia separatists and supporters of Ukraine's new leaders confronted each other on Wednesday outside Crimea's regional Parliament before a debate on the political upheaval that swept away president Viktor Yanukovych.

Obama hints at full Afghan pullout plans by year end

US President Barack Obama on Tuesday raised the possibility of complete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, leaving the security of the central Asian country in the balance.

Deadly camel virus may jump to human beings, study shows

A respiratory virus that has killed dozens of people, mainly in the Middle East, is widespread in camels and may be jumping directly from camels to humans, said a study on Tuesday.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Venezuela arrests alleged car bomber

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro told reporters on Monday that a "mercenary from the Middle East" had been arrested for allegedly plotting to set off car bombs in the Latin American country.

Caracas to name ambassador to US

Venezuela, which has been at odds with the United States for years and announced the expulsion of three US diplomats last week, was scheduled to name an ambassador to Washington on Tuesday, President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday.

Ukraine to form government as West seeks lasting solution

Ukraine was scheduled to unveil a new prime minister and Cabinet on Thursday as top Western envoys rushed to Kiev to try to find a lasting solution to the crisis rocking the country.

Village pioneers sex education to Pakistani girls

In neat rows, the Pakistani girls in white headscarves listened carefully as the teacher described the changes in their bodies. When the teacher asked what they should do if a stranger touched them, the class erupted.

Draft calls for nuke power to continue in Japan

Japan unveiled its first draft energy policy since the Fukushima meltdowns three years ago, saying nuclear power remains an important source of electricity for the country.