Ukraine president returns to work as protests persist
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych returns to work from four days of sick leave after opposition leaders appealed for Western assistance and an injured militant accused of rioting left the country for medical treatment.
Ecuadoran cartoonist sanctioned over sketch
A newspaper cartoonist was sanctioned by a new Ecuadoran media watchdog after publishing an image deemed harmful to President Rafael Correa, the artist said Friday.
North Korea envoy scoffs at death-by-dog story
A senior North Korean diplomat has scoffed at sensational rumours that the executed uncle of leader Kim Jong-Un was stripped naked and fed to a pack of starving dogs.
31 January 2014
Syria foes set to end talks with no concrete progress
Syria's warring sides are expected to wrap up their first peace talks on Friday without concrete progress on ending the violence, a political transition or ensuring humanitarian aid for millions in need.
Kerry to meet Ukrainian opposition leadersIn a major show of support for pro-democracy protesters in Ukraine, US Secretary of State John Kerry will meet top opposition leaders for the first time this weekend.
US admiral nominated to be next NSA chiefPresident Barack Obama has nominated a US Navy officer, Vice Admiral Michael Rogers, to take over as head of the embattled National Security Agency.
31 January 2014
Obama repels new Iran sanctions push... for nowPresident Barack Obama appears to have prevailed, for now, in a campaign to stop Congress from imposing new sanctions on Iran he fears could derail nuclear diplomacy.
30 January 2014
Philippines stands firm in diplomatic row with Hong KongThe Philippines insisted Thursday it would not apologise for a 2010 hostage crisis in which Hong Kong tourists died, saying its response to the tragedy had been generous and compassionate.
Syria, spying, Iran in focus at global security meetGlobal leaders from politics, defence and diplomacy meet in Germany from Friday to discuss conflict hotspots and looming threats, from Syria and Afghanistan to East Asia and Africa.