Venezuela extends closure of its borders with Colombia and Brazil for 72 hours amid cash crunch
The development follows President Maduro's drive to fight what he calls criminals hoarding 100-bolivar banknotes.
18th century Chinese imperial seal sold for €21m in Paris
The stamp was one of hundreds owned by Emperor Qianlong, one of the longest serving Chinese monarch.
President Duterte could be impeached over admission of killing drug suspects, Philippines senators say
Duterte declared on 12 December that he had killed alleged drug addicts and traffickers while he was the mayor of Davao city.
Venezuela claims its foreign minister was 'thrown to ground' after trying to crash Mercosur talks
Venezuela was suspended from the Mercosur trade bloc this month due to its poor human rights record.
US schoolboy dies after being buried alive in snow
The boy, Joshua J. Demarast, was playing with his friend at a parking lot in Greenwich.
Malaysia court rejects opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's final appeal against sodomy conviction
'This is a long walk to freedom,' the 69-year-old leader told reporters after the verdict.
Mexico Senate passes bill allowing the use of medical marijuana
The bill must also be passed by Mexico's lower house to become a law.
Venezuela releases 4 opponents of President Nicolas Maduro from jail
They were arrested on several accusations of instigating violence and plotting against the socialist government.
Japan, China and South Korea trilateral summit postponed until 2017
Reports suggest that the meet is being rescheduled due to the political turmoil in South Korea.
Philippines President Duterte's allies file criminal case against Senator Leila de Lima
The development is the latest against the senator since she led an inquiry into the alleged extrajudicial killings.
Malaysia Airlines MH370: Last survey ship departs for final search of missing aircraft
Dutch-owned Fugro Equator will complete the hunt operation by early 2017.
Former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres sworn in as new UN secretary-general
Guterres will take over from South Korea's Ban Ki-moon on 1 January.
South Korea PM to receive briefings from presidential secretaries after Park's impeachment
Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn will receive updates on foreign policy, judicial, personnel and economic affairs.
Sydney's proposed second international airport gets green light from government
The airport plan was formulated after decades of debate about the world heritage site Badgerys Creek.
Venezuela to withdraw highest denomination banknotes from circulation to combat smuggling
Over six billion 100-bolivar notes were in circulation in November, Central bank data says.
South Korea prime minister urges for peace after President Park's impeachment
PM Hwang Kyo-ahn said national security was the priority and restated that the military should be on high alert.
Australia's Dreamworld theme park reopens after fatal accident but witnesses low attendance
The Gold Coast park was closed in end October after the Thunder River Rapids ride tragedy.
Syria: UN diplomat Staffan de Mistura calls for political solution to end war in Aleppo
De Mistura says the only way to win peace in Syria was to reach a power-sharing agreement between rival factions.
Accused Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof confesses to crime: 'I killed them, I guess'
The 22-year-old said he wanted the world to know how much he hated black people.
At least 15 dead after drinking homemade toxic rice wine in Cambodia
The ceremonial drink is a staple at Cambodian festivals, weddings and funerals.
Chinese President Xi Jinping wants country's universities to support the Communist Party
He said China must 'build universities into strongholds that adhere to Party leadership'.
UN appeals to Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi to visit disturbed Rakhine state amid clashes
Myanmar must strengthen efforts to diffuse tension, says UN Special Adviser.
Colombia plane crash: LaMia airline CEO to remain in jail until investigations conclude
Gustavo Vargas and two other employees of the company were detained on 6 December for interrogation.
Australian Islamic preacher emphasizes on TV shows supporting religious values over Peppa Pig
Peppa Pig is a popular British animated children's series shown in 180 countries.
Cuba hopes to sign accords with US before President Obama leaves office
The agreements will cover areas such as seismology and meteorology.
Washington cab driver threatens first Somali-US lawmaker Ilhan Omar, calls her 'Isis'
The driver also threatened to remove her hijab, Omar said.
Malaysia Airlines MH370: Chinese ship quits seabed search of missing plane
Dutch survey ship Fugro Equator will now finish the search of the southern Indian Ocean for MH370.
Bangladesh Supreme Court upholds death for 3 Huji militants over 2004 grenade attack on UK envoy
Former UK envoy to Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury was attacked at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal in Sylhet in 2004.
Colombia plane crash: Bolivia arrests chief of LaMia airline
Gustavo Vargas and two other employees of the carrier were detained and interrogated for eight hours.
World's 'heaviest woman' to get help from India over medical visa
Iman Ahmad Abdulati from Egypt is suffering from a disruption of the glands.
