Water tensions overflow in ex-Soviet Central Asia
The ex-Soviet states of Central Asia are engaged in an increasingly bitter standoff over water resources, adding another element of instability to the volatile region neighbouring Afghanistan.
20 November 2012
Benghazi row in Washington narrows on edited memo
The row over the assault on the US mission in Libya has narrowed to focus on how and why the CIA's determination that it was a terror attack was left out of a public "talking points" memo.
Ban vows peacekeepers will stay in threatened Goma
UN leader Ban Ki-moon vowed Sunday that peacekeepers will stay in the DR Congo city of Goma after UN combat helicopters and government troops failed to stop a rebel advance amid growing international alarm.
19 November 2012
Obama makes history with Myanmar visit
US President Barack Obama arrived in Myanmar on Monday for a historic visit aimed at encouraging a string of dramatic political reforms in the former pariah state.
19 November 2012
ASEAN to press China over sea tensions
Southeast Asian nations are set to press China Monday to quickly begin talks on easing tensions over maritime territorial rows that have shaken the region and overshadowed efforts to boost trade.
Obama reiterates US support for Israel
US President Barack Obama on Friday reiterated US support for Israel's right to defend itself during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the conflict in Gaza.
Hamas says cabinet headquarters hit in Israeli strike
Israeli air strikes hit the cabinet headquarters of Gaza's Hamas government, the group said early Saturday, with eyewitnesses reporting extensive damage to the building.
19 November 2012
Obama eyes deeper reform on historic Myanmar visit
US President Barack Obama will endow Myanmar's startling reform drive with his newly replenished political prestige Monday, as he makes history in a short, but hugely symbolic, visit to the country.
19 November 2012
IAEA says key Iran nuclear site fully equipped
Iran is ready to significantly boost output at its most controversial nuclear plant, a new UN nuclear agency report showed Friday, taking Tehran closer in theory to being able to develop a nuclear weapon.
19 November 2012
Britain has 'encouraging' talks with Syrian opposition
British Foreign Secretary William Hague indicated Friday he would decide within days whether to officially recognise the new Syrian opposition after "encouraging" talks with its leaders in London.
18 November 2012
Messy battle expected in Japan vote next month: media
Japan's election next month will be a messy battle, media said Saturday, with more than a dozen parties fielding candidates and some of them trying to forge a "third pole" between the two largest camps.
18 November 2012
Sierra Leoneans vote in high-stakes elections
Sierra Leoneans voted Saturday in general elections as the west African country continues to recover from a brutal civil war while beginning to reap the benefits of a mining boom.
18 November 2012
US urges Egypt, Turkey, Europeans to press Hamas
The United States called Thursday on Egypt, Turkey and European powers to press Hamas to end bloodshed in Gaza, putting the onus on the Islamist movement to end rocket attacks on Israel.