'Badge of shame' if Africa exits world court: Annan
Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan said Monday it would be a "badge of shame" for Africa if its leaders voted to leave the International Criminal Court.
Australian PM in travel expenses furore
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was embroiled in a spiralling travel expenses scandal Tuesday as he defended his use of taxpayer money to take part in an ironman competition and other events.
Default fears fuel angst in shutdown Washington
The "unthinkable" threat of a US default weighed on Washington Monday, as a standoff over raising the government debt ceiling drowned out angst over a week-long government shutdown.
North Korea warns US of 'disaster' over joint naval drill
North Korea on Tuesday warned the United States of a "horrible disaster" and put its troops on alert over a massive joint naval drill involving a nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier alongside South Korean and Japanese vessels.
Canada threatens to pull Commonwealth funding
Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper has threatened to withdraw funding for the Commonwealth in an escalating row over rights abuses by Sri Lanka ahead of a summit next month.
APEC leaders meet in shadow of US shutdown
Asia-Pacific leaders opened an annual economic summit on Monday in the shadow of global growth clouds that are darkening by the day as the United States struggles to shake off policy paralysis.
Russia, US agree on mid-November for Syria peace talks: Lavrov
Russia and the US have agreed to push for holding Syria peace talks in mid-November.
Netanyahu: Palestinians must 'recognise Israel as Jewish state'
The Palestinians must "recognise Israel as the state of the Jewish people" in order to achieve real peace.
Azerbaijan cracks down on critics ahead of polls
Sakina Gurbanova says her son is facing 12 years in prison for daring to challenge Azerbaijan's government ahead of upcoming presidential elections in the tightly controlled ex-Soviet state.