German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has accused the European Union of adopting a patronising stance in talks with eastern European members about the distribution of migrants.

With pictures of ecstatic citizens standing in applause, happily tearful legislators and even a social media game, China's propaganda drive has kicked into high gear following Xi Jinping's unanimous reappointment as president.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena said on Sunday he had lifted a nationwide state of emergency imposed on March 6 after Buddhist-Muslim clashes.

At each other's throats for two decades, militants of Venezuela's socialist state and opposition seldom agree on anything. Yet mention the name of presidential candidate Henri Falcon, and both are liable to spit.

Russians began voting in a presidential election on Sunday set to give Vladimir Putin a commanding victory that could only be blemished if large numbers do not bother taking part because the result is so predictable.

Germany is trying to stimulate domestic demand to offset strong exports, but wants a keen appetite for German products to continue, Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a video podcast on Saturday.