Japan's economy unexpectedly shrank for the second consecutive quarter, marking a technical recession in the world's third largest economy.

Ukraine's president is to chair a crisis meeting of his security chiefs, following elections in rebel-held areas which Kiev describes as a "farce".

 Millions of Brazilians are set to vote for a new president in what correspondents say is the tightest vote the country has seen in decades.

 The Hong Kong government is to meet student leaders for talks amid pro-democracy street protests that are now in their fourth week.

 Afghan President-elect Ashraf Ghani is set to be inaugurated in a ceremony at the presidential palace in Kabul.

 Acting Thai Premier Yingluck Shinawatra said on Wednesday she will soon set up a "council for reforms of the country" which will begin to work in parallel to the upcoming Feb. 2 election.

The National Assembly on November 16 elected additional members to join the NA Standing Committee and also voted people to fill the roles of Vice Chairman of the NA Council of Ethnic Affairs and Vice Head of several other committees.

As Minister of Finance, Vuong Dinh Hue has been assigned with another duty, the National Assembly will elect a new Finance Minister at the upcoming session, which will open on May 20 in Hanoi.

 VietNamNet Bridge – On May 15, at an extraordinary meeting, the People’s Council of Nghe An Province elected Mr. Nguyen Xuan Duong, the province’s Deputy Party Secretary and Deputy Chairman as the Chairman in the 2011-2016 term.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The XI Politburo has had two new members: Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, 59 and Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan, 60, bringing the total number of members to 16.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has nominated its officials to the three most important positions of the Vietnam Football Federation – the President, Vice President and General Secretary.

Venezuela's top election official said Thursday that authorities will complete a 100% audit of votes cast in Sunday's presidential election.

VietNamNet Bridge - The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Executive Board meeting held last week finalized the number of candidates for the new executive board of 44 people.