US diplomatic picks draw criticism

US foreign policy circles are complaining about the record number of political appointees, especially big donors to US President Barack Obama, getting plum postings at embassies around the world.

Morsi's lawyers walk out of espionage trial

The trial of deposed Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi was adjourned on Sunday after his lawyers walked out of the courtroom in protest at a soundproof cage in which he and other defendants were being held.

Kiev protesters conclude occupation of City Hall

Scores of Ukrainian anti-government protesters ended a 2-month-old occupation of City Hall in the capital, Kiev, on Sunday to meet a government amnesty offer.

Pakistan, China to step up energy, trade projects

Beijing and Islamabad will strengthen energy cooperation and speed up development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, said Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain on Saturday ahead of an upcoming visit to China.

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Street keeps alive Chinese roots

No traveler would want to miss Petaling Street, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, yet few can recite its history.

Activist looks back on cemetery victory

Lee Chun Kong said his biggest achievement was leading the campaign to preserve the century-old Kwong Tong cemetery, which involved more than a decade of negotiations with the Malaysian government in the late 1990s.

Rare ROK-DPRK agreement greenlights family reunions

High-level talks between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea ended on Friday with a rare agreement to go ahead as planned with a reunion for divided families, despite the DPRK's objections to overlapping ROK-US military drills.

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US naval chief's vow will damage regional stability

If the United States provides "help" in the event of a conflict between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, as a US admiral pledged on Thursday, it would damage regional stability and undercut existing efforts to resolve territorial disputes, Chinese observers said.

Ousted Italian PM hosts final meeting

Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta held his last Cabinet meeting before resigning on Friday in a lightning political crisis that paves the way for his 39-year-old rival Matteo Renzi to succeed him.

Volcano erupts in Indonesia; 76,000 flee

More than 76,000 people fled their homes, and flights were grounded across most of Indonesia's densely populated island of Java on Friday after a volcanic eruption sent a plume of ash and sand 17 km into the air.