Drug lord's extradition to US will 'not happen soon'

Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin Guzman won a temporary injunction to block his extradition to the United States where he faces narcotics and arms trafficking charges, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday.

Kingpin's high-tech gadgetry

Joaquin Guzman employed high-tech communications gadgetry and sophisticated counterespionage practices to elude a manhunt for 13 years.

Abe's reliability in doubt: Congress report

A report from the US Congress blasted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's view on Japan's militarist history, saying his visit to the Yasukuni Shrine has led to mounting mistrust between Tokyo and Washington.

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.