POLITICS

Li Yuanchao beats former propaganda minister Liu Yunshan to coveted role.

Washington's warning comes hours after inauguration of final phase of Iran-Pakistan natural gas pipeline.

Gianluca Mezzofiore and Umberto Bacchi recount the key moments on the day the Catholic Church found a new pontiff.

Overwhelming 'Yes' by islanders to stay loyal to UK with just three out of 1,517 votes against.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda withdrew charges against Uhuru Kenyatta's co-defendant Francis Muthaura due to lack of evidence.

Italian Cardinal Angelo Scola is bookmakers' favourite next Pope, followed by Peter Turkson, Odilo Scherer and Marc Ouellet.

Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone at centre of fresh diplomatic dispute between India and Italy.

Earlier reports had blamed Israeli strike but UN points finger at Palestinian missile that fell short of target.

Monsignor Charles Scicluna says Pope Benedict XVI quit as he could not get rid of all those opposing him.

As French troops and their allies start their tenth week fighting against Muslim militants and terrorists in Northern Mali, opinion in one of the world's poorer countries remains firmly in favour of the intervention by France, the old colonial power, in the country's struggle against the extremists which so nearly brought down the country's government. If the fundamentalists had reached Bamako, the capital, it is more than likely that the victorious Islamists would have imposed the str...

Yousif al-Muhafda of Bahrain Centre for Human Rights found not guilty of spreading false news.

Japan observes minute's silence in tribute to victims and survivors of disaster.

US-South Korea joint military exercise underway amid high tensions in Korean peninsula.

Indian government orders inquiry into the death of Ram Singh, who was under suicide watch in Tihar Jail.

Islanders starting two-day referendum on whether to remain British territory.

Clegg to block government exit from human rights convention as activist quits over secret courts.

Shadow home secretary said that Tory attacks on the Human Rights Act are being used to 'hide the government's failings.'

Justin Welby lends support to letter signed by 43 bishops that warns tens of thousands of children could be tipped into poverty by government cuts.

Afghan president says recent suicide bombings intended to prove foreign troops' indispensability.

Centre for Social Justice alleges large number of children among victims of sex traffickers.

North Korea's mouthpiece Rodong Sinmun says nuclear weapons also in readiness.

Acting president Nicolas Maduro to face Henrique Capriles in fresh presidential election following Hugo Chavez's death.

Theresa May has set out her vision of the 'three pillars' of Conservatism at a conference on Tory strategy, fuelling rumours that she is preparing a bid to oust David Cameron.

Deputy Prime Minister surprises party activists with fulsome tribute to disgraced former minister, who may go to jail next week.

Venezuelan leader's body to be embalmed in the tradition of Lenin, Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong.

Eastleigh by-election shows party can win, but commitment to a stronger and fairer economy is key to success, says former Lib Dem leader.

Deputy prime minister Uhuru Kenyatta appears to have narrowly clinched the presidential vote.

Raila Odinga to go to court if Uhuru Kenyatta is officially declared winner of the election in Kenya.

Afghan Taliban claims responsibility for attack saying it is a "message" for Hagel who is to hold talks with President Hamid Karzai .