Leader of Australia Julia Gillard’s face is said to have turned to stone when partner Tim Mathieson made a bigoted joke at an official reception.
The death toll from a four-day siege at an Algerian gas plant has risen to at least 81, with nine Japanese nationals reported to have been killed.
Lady Gaga will reportedly headline a private party for members of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign staff on Tuesday night.
Richard Branson’s plan is in the balance as Virgin Galactic argues with New Mexico over $200-million spaceport.
The UN has warned it is unable to deliver food to up to a million hungry and desperate Syrians because of spiralling violence and a lack of fuel.
Drones have taken centre stage in an escalating arms race between China and Japan, who are struggle to assert their dominance over disputed islands.
Negotiations to halt fighting in the Central African Republic got off to a late start, after a govtdelegation was delayed in reaching Libreville.
Temperatures in the United States have reached record levels, making 2012 the hottest year to date.
Rebels who captured large parts of Central African Republic have halted their advance, leading to fresh hopes of a peace agreement.
A sales war could determine whether Apple, Google or Amazon will dominate the fastest-growing area of personal computing.