Hollande says air strikes against IS in Syria 'necessary'
French President Francois Hollande, whose country is carrying out surveillance flights over Syria, said it would be "necessary" to carry out air strikes against Islamic State militants there.
Obama travels to US election battleground
US President Barack Obama travelled to the political battleground state of Iowa, bringing a pro-middle class message that Democrats hope will resonate in the 2016 election.
Australian PM Abbott faces leadership challenge
High-profile Australian minister Malcolm Turnbull challenged Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the leadership of the Liberal Party.
Russia votes in local polls as opposition claims mass fraud
As Russians voted in local elections set to confirm the ruling party's dominance, the opposition reported mass vote rigging and police stormed the office of independent vote monitors.
Obama orders US to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees
President Barack Obama has asked for at least 10,000 Syrian refugees to be admitted to the United States next year, amid criticism his government has done too little to help.
Trump, Cruz join forces to slam Iran deal
They are rivals on the campaign trail, but Republican presidential challengers Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz joined forces at a rally denouncing the Iran nuclear deal being debated by the US Congress.
Merkel wants 'binding' EU refugee quotas with no ceiling
German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged the EU to agree to a proportional distribution of refugees with no limits on actual numbers, going much further than plans unveiled by the European Commission.
France urges EU members to 'scrupulously' respect Schengen rules
France called for the "scrupulous respect by all European Union countries" of rules setting out the bloc's borderless Schengen zone.
British PM says Labour under Corbyn threat to UK security
Prime Minister David Cameron said that veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn's election to the Labour leadership made the main opposition party a threat to Britain's national security.