New York City raises legal age for cigarettes to 21
A New York City law banning cigarette sales to people under 21 was signed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday, the latest move in the Big Apple's war on smoking.
High-stakes Iran nuclear talks to resume
Iran and world powers resume talks on Wednesday seeking a landmark breakthrough over Tehran's nuclear programme that also satisfies sceptical hardliners in Washington, Israel and the Islamic republic.
20 November 2013
Ukraine to debate Tymoshenko bill to save EU deal
Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday was set to debate a bill to let jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko go abroad for treatment in a last-ditch attempt to save a crucial deal with the European Union.
Obama implores supporters for help on health law crisis
President Barack Obama delved into his grass-roots organizing past Monday, appealing to his most faithful supporters to help him out of the political maelstrom over the botched rollout of his health care law.
19 November 2013
Top Assad officials in Moscow to discuss Syria talks
A senior Syrian regime delegation was Monday in Moscow to hold talks with top Russian diplomats on plans to hold a peace conference in Geneva to end the Syria conflict, the foreign ministry said.
France firm on Iran nuclear issue, Hollande tells Israel
France will never tolerate nuclear proliferation, President Francois Hollande vowed on Sunday as Israel expressed "grave concern" about a looming deal between world powers and Iran.
18 November 2013
Australia spied on Indonesia president: reports
Australian spy agencies attempted to listen to the phone calls of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and targeted his wife and senior ministers, reports said Monday, drawing a demand for answers from Jakarta.
18 November 2013
Irish president to make historic state visit to Britain
President Michael D. Higgins is to become the first Irish head of state to make a state visit to Britain, in another symbolic step forward for relations between the neighbouring countries.
18 November 2013
Russia hands India long-awaited aircraft carrier
Russia on Saturday finally handed over a refurbished ex-Soviet aircraft carrier to India after a refit that overran by five years and went vastly over budget, damaging ties between the countries.