Ex-finance minister Ghani bullish as Afghan election race begins
He collected a meagre three percent of the vote last time, but Ashraf Ghani is not short of self-confidence, believing he will win elections in April and be a transformative president of Afghanistan.
Political chaos pushes US up against debt deadline
A day of political disarray Tuesday pushed America to within hours of a debt default deadline, but two veteran senators chased a last-gasp deal to stave off a sudden shock to the global economy.
Conflicts, energy top agenda as Hollande visits S.Africa
French leader Francois Hollande arrived in South Africa Monday for a two-day state visit in which he is set to push for greater cooperation on African crises with the continental powerhouse.
World powers set for nuclear talks with Rouhani's Iran
World powers will meet for fresh talks with Iran on its controversial nuclear programme on Tuesday, as hopes rise for a more conciliatory approach from the new Tehran government.
UN names envoy for Syria chemical weapons
The head of the United Nations on Sunday named Sigrid Kaag to lead the UN's joint mission with the chemical weapons watchdog tasked with eliminating Syria's arsenal.
14 October 2013
US lawmakers split despite October 17 debt deadline
The United States is still facing a potentially devastating sovereign debt default, after senators failed to agree on terms to reopen the federal government and raise the country's borrowing limit.
14 October 2013
Vietnam's leaders mourn independence hero General Giap
Vietnam's top leaders gathered early Saturday to pay their last respects to independence hero General Vo Nguyen Giap, who died last week at 102, as his state funeral began in Hanoi.
13 October 2013
Venezuela holds US-operated oil ship in spat with Guyana
Venezuela on Friday said it has detained a US-operated oil exploration ship sent from Guyana in disputed waters off its coast, in a fresh border spat between the two neighbors.
13 October 2013
N. Korea warns of 'all-out war'
North Korea on Saturday issued a fresh warning of an "all-out war", urging the United States to stop military drills and what it described as "nuclear blackmail".
African summit attacks 'unfair' ICC
The ICC was under fire over its "unfair" and "totally unacceptable" treatment of Africa, with African Union ministers calling for cases against Kenyan and Sudanese leaders to be deferred.
12 October 2013
US denies plotting against Gambia leaders
The United States refuted Thursday what it said were "baseless accusations" that it was plotting against the government of the tiny west African nation of Gambia.