Thousands of Catalans demand snap regional vote
Thousands of pro-independence Catalans rallied, demanding snap elections after the region's leader Artus Mas watered down plans for a referendum on separating from Spain.
Kerry in 'frank' talks with top Chinese official
US Secretary of State John Kerry wined and dined a top Chinese official as Washington and Beijing grapple with a number of bilateral differences and global issues.
Russia under fire over MH17 crash probe
Australian Foreign Minister delivered a diplomatic version of the "shirt front" promised by Prime Minister as Russia came under fire over the fate of flight MH17.
'Maximum cooperation' demanded on MH17: Dutch PMDutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has met Russian President Vladimir Putin to demand "maximum cooperation" in the probe into doomed Malaysia flight MH17.
17 October 2014
New Zealand PM says UN seat a win for small statesNew Zealand's election to the UN Security Council is a victory for small states that shows chequebook diplomacy is not needed to win a spot at the top table.
17 October 2014
Rousseff falls ill after tense Brazil debateBrazil's President Dilma Rousseff fell ill at the end of a tense and at times bitter televised debate Thursday with challenger Aecio Neves.
Putin accuses Obama of hostility, meddlingPresident Vladimir Putin accused US counterpart Barack Obama of a hostile attitude towards Russia, warning against "attempts to blackmail" Moscow.
Kerry seeks elusive breakthough in Iran nuclear talksUS Secretary of State John Kerry was due back in Vienna for a fresh push with his Iranian counterpart to jumpstart stalled talks over Tehran's nuclear programme.