CHINA: Vice Premier Li Vows Action on Dangerous Air Pollution [world politics news]

CANADA: Former PM Paul Martin Asks Chief Spence to End Hunger Strike [world politics news]

PAKISTAN: Supreme Court Orders Arrest of Prime Minister [world politics news]

CHINA: Japan Criticized for Following "Routine" Flight Near Disputed Islands [world politics news]

AUSTRALIA: Labor Jumps In Polls, Coalition, Greens Drop in Support [world politics news]

RUSSIA: Thousands March to Protest Russian Adoption Ban [world politics news]

IRAN: Parliament to Strip President of Some Powers to Oversee Elections (Video) [World Politics News]

CZECH REPUBLIC: Tattooed Man Polling In Third Place in Presidential Race [world politics news]

ISRAEL: Netanyahu's Likud Maintains Comfortable Lead in Polls [world politics news]

BRAZIL: Pres. Rousseff Plans Ambitious Foreign Travels in 2013 [world politics news]

JAPAN: Gov't Orders Increased Surveillance on Disputed Islands [world politics news]

LIBYA: Central Gov't Struggles to Gain Control of Benghazi [world politics news]

Results of a recent bombing in Benghazi

ISRAEL: Polls Show Far-Right Bayit Yehudi Party Overtaking Netanyahu's Likud [world politics news]

VENEZUELA: Crisis in Caracas As Chavez Rumored to be Near Death [world politics news]

VENEZUELA: Opposition Demands Answers on Chavez' Health Rumors [world politics news]

ARGENTINA: Pres. Kirchner Calls for UK to Begin Talks to Hand Over Falkland Islands [world politics news]

FRANCE: High Court Strikes Down 75% Tax Rate; Hollande Gov't to Re-Write Law to Address Concerns [World Politics News]

PAKISTAN: Bilawal Bhutto Zardiri, Son of Slain PM, Makes First Political Speech [World Politics News]

RUSSIA: Putin Signs Retaliatory Ban on U.S. Adoptions of Russian Children [World Politics News]

BELGIUM: Flemish Separatist Party Leader Criticizes King's Christmas Speech [World Politics News]

INDIA: President's Son Apologizes For Calling Protesters "Dented, Painted Women" [World Politics News]

SOUTH AFRICA: Pres. Zuma Takes Heat for Saying Having a Pet Dog is "White" [World Politics News]

JAPAN: Former Prime Minister Aso Named Finance Minister [World Politics News]

UK: Coalition May Use "Nuclear Option" to Force Through Gay Marriage Bill [World Politics News]

CANADA: Liberal Leadership Candidate Trudeau Attends Islamic Conference [World Politics News]

CHINA: Puppet Parties Praise "Multi-Party" System in China

ALGERIA: PM Benkirane's Government Critiqued for Fuel Hikes, Slow Reforms [World Politics News]

JAPAN: New PM Considers Canceling Event Commemorating Island Dispute with S. Korea [World Politics News]

IRELAND: Gov't Amends Abortion Law After Death of Indian Dentist [World Politics News]

EGYPT: Opposition Contests Constitution Referendum Results [World Politics News]

EGYPT: Muslim Brotherhood-Written Constitution Passes [World Politics News]

JAMAICA: Controversial Former PM Spencer Now Produces Reality TV Shows [World Politics News]

INDIA: Violent Protests Erupt as Protesters Call for Tougher Sex Crimes Legislation [World Politics News]

SOUTH SUDAN: Russian Foreign Ministry Demands Investigation After UN Chopper Kills 4 Russians [World Politics News]

RUSSIA: MPs Back Bill to Ban US Adoptions of Russian Children [World Politics News]

SOUTH KOREA: Daughter of Former Dictatorial Leader Elected President [World Politics News]

SOUTH KOREA: Election Signals Softer Line Towards North Korea [World Politics News]

JAPAN: Liberal Democratic Party Sweeps Back into Power; Vows Tough Line With China Over Disputed Islands [World Politics News]

JAPAN: Noda, Abe Make Final Pleas on Eve of Election [World Politics News]

GHANA: Incumbent John Mahama Declared Winner of Presidential Election [World Politics News]

ITALY: PM Monti Plans to Resign After Berlusconi's Party Removes Support; Stocks Fall [World Politics News]

EU: UK PM Cameron's Calls for Repatriation of EU Powers Shot Down By France's Hollande [World Politics News]

JAPAN: Gov't Issues Protest After Chinese Plane Enters Disputed Island's Airspace [World Politics News]

EGYPT: Opposition Urges "No" Vote on Referendum on Constitution [World Politics News]

AUSTRALIA: New Polls Shows Labor Party Losing Support Ahead of 2013 Elections [World Politics News]

BAHRAIN: Crown Prince Calls for Dialogue With Opposition, Condemns Unrest [World Politics News]

ROMANIA: Populist Running Strong Third in Polls for Sunday's Election [World Politics News]

ROMANIA: Cabinet Gains in Polls After Austerity Rollback Promise [World Politics News]

EGYPT: Opposition Rejects Negotiations with Mursi Over New Powers  [World Politics News]

CHINA: Philippines, India, Vietnam Refuse to Stamp New Chinese Passport With Map Asserting Territorial Claims [World Politics News]

N. IRELAND: Restrictions on Union Flag at Belfast City Hall Spark Riot [World Politics News]

EGYPT: Pres. Morsi Flees Mob Protesting at Presidential Palace [World Politics News]

JAPAN: Newly Formed Restoration Party Calls for Defense Spending Hikes, Tax Cuts, to Spur Economy

ROMANIA: Dec. 9 Elections to Determine Future of Shale Gas Extraction

UK: Anti-Europe Party Comes in Strong Second in By-Elections, Signaling New Strength

KUWAIT: Opposition Forces Boycotting Election Claim Low Voter Turnout Saturday as Victory

JAPAN: Gov't Providing $5 Million to USA to Aid in Clean-up of Tsunami Debris [World Politics News]

USA: April 9 Special Election to Fill Seat Vacated by Congressman Suffering from Mental, Physical Illnesses

ISRAEL: Olmert Will Play "Some" Role in Upcoming Elections

IRAN: Pres. Ahmadinejad Opposes Parliamentary Changes to Election Rules

EGYPT: Assembly Keeps Sharia as Source of Law in New Constitution

FRANCE: Right-Leaning UMP Party In Crisis After Disputed Leadership Vote

AUSTRALIA: MP Calls on Labor Member to Resign Committee Chair After "Sexist" Comments in Tweet

JAPAN: Shiga Prefecture's Governor Launches New Political Party - 19 Days Before Election

ISRAEL: Defense Minister Barak Makes Surprise Retirement Announcement

EGYPT: Thousands Protest "Temporary" Powers Assumed by Morsi; Burn Muslim Brotherhood Offices

SPAIN: Prime Minister and King of Spain Ask Former Colonies for Financial Aid

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy

INDIA: Cash-Strapped UK Gov't to Cut Foreign Development Aid To India (VIDEO)

JAPAN: Noda Dissolves Diet, Elections Set for Next Month

USA: 15 States Petition for "Secession" on White House Website After Obama Victory

JAMAICA: Legislators Unanimously Pass Two Bills Allowing First Casinos

Jamaican Parliament

UK: BBC Director Resigns After News Show Falsely Accuses Conservative of Sexually Abusing Boy in 1970s

UK: Welfare Reforms Not Endangered by Loss of Civil Servants, Says Duncan Smith

UK: Labour Party to Urge Chancellor to Close Tax Loopholes to Avoid Jan. Fuel Price Hike

TUNISIA: Radical Imam Suspected of Inciting Sept. 14 Tunis Attack on U.S. Embassy Arrested

CHINA: Outgoing Pres. Warns of Corruption Danger at Communist Party Congress

JAPAN: Chinese Gov't Lodges Protest Over Dalai Lama Visit

ECUADOR: Pres. Correa Plans Financial Services Tax Hikes to Increase Poverty Program Funding

RUSSIA: Putin Fires Defense Minister over $100 Million Corruption Scandal

UK: Unnamed Conservative Politician Accused of Sexual Abuse of Children in BBC Program

ARGENTINA: Voting Age Lowered to 16 in Bid to Gain Votes for Pres. Fernandez

JAPAN: Upper House Passes Censure Motion Against PM Noda as Budget Standoff Escalates

INDIA: Gov't Pressure Results in Monetary Body to Cut Interest Rates

CHINA: Puppet Political Party Calls for "Ethnic Unity", Stability 

JAPAN: PM Claims Gov't Will "Stall" Without New Debt Bond Bill

MEXICO: Some Upset by Late Azerbaijan Leader's Statue

SOUTH AFRICA: Opposition Party Calls for Impeachment of President Zuma

CHINA: New Laws Crack Down on "Illegal" Geographical Surveys, Citing National Security

SOUTH AFRICA: Elected Officials Can View Corruption Probe Only After "Secrecy Oath"

RUSSIA: Opposition Elects New Leader in Online Vote

SCOTLAND: Ministers Abandon Plans for Minimum Alcohol Pricing

IRELAND: Labor Party Leader, Minister of Trade Gilmore: We Can't Afford to Hand Over Our Economic Destiny To EU

EUROPE: EU Wins Peace Prize Amid Violent Anti-Austerity Protests, Uncertain Future

ISRAEL: Netanyahu Announces New Elections for Early 2013; To Seek "Renewed Mandate"

SPAIN: Parliament Nixes Catalonia Independence Referendum

UK: Clegg Says Liberal Dems Won't Accept New Cuts Without Tax Hikes on the Rich 

JAPAN: New Justice Minister Accepted Contributions from Chinese Firms

TURKEY: "Worst Case Scenarios" Being Played Out With Turkey-Syria Border Clashes

VENEZUELA: Chavez Re-election Signals Accelerated Socialist Revolution

GEORGIA: Western-Leaning Pres. Saakashvili Admits Defeat in Parliamentary Elections