Egypt votes on new charter as army chief eyes presidency
Egyptians vote for a new constitution Tuesday in a referendum seen as a test of support for a presidential bid by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, almost seven months after he toppled Mohamed Morsi.
14 January 2014
Kerry seeks to bridge US-Russia gap with potatoes
After months of tension between the US and Russia, US Secretary of State John Kerry sought to bridge the diplomatic gap by giving his Russian counterpart an unusual gift of potatoes.
Spain satisfied with US explanation on NSA spying: PM
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Monday after meeting with US President Barack Obama that Spain had received a "satisfactory" explanation of reports that American spies bugged European leaders' phones.
14 January 2014
Rumoured affair turns messy for France's Hollande
French President Francois Hollande's political and personal woes deepened on Sunday after it emerged that his girlfriend had been rushed to hospital following a report he has been having an affair with an actress.
13 January 2014
Iran's Zarif to visit Syria ahead of peace talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is due to travel to Tehran ally Damascus in the next few days, media reported Sunday, amid preparations for a Syria peace conference.
Israel unveils 1,800 settler homes after Kerry visit
Israel unveiled plans Friday for more than 1,800 new settler homes in a move the Palestinians said was aimed at forcing Washington to abandon its Middle East peace drive.
Hollande says may sue magazine over affair claimFrench President Francois Hollande told AFP Friday he was considering legal action against Closer after the magazine said he was having an affair with an actress.
10 January 2014
Malaysia, Turkey aim to conclude free-trade dealMalaysia and Turkey pledged Friday to wrap up a free-trade deal this year as embattled Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan prepared to return home to a political crisis.
10 January 2014
French magazine reveals Hollande 'affair' with actressFrench magazine Closer on Friday said President Francois Hollande was having an affair with actress Julie Gayet, promising to back its claim with photographs after months of swirling rumours.
10 January 2014
Russia blocks new UN Syria statementRussia on Wednesday blocked a British-drafted UN Security Council statement condemning the Syrian government attacks on the city of Aleppo, diplomats said.
09 January 2014
Obama invites Merkel to Washington after phone-tap rowPresident Barack Obama invited German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Washington on Wednesday, hoping to mend fences after a row provoked by revelations of US eavesdropping on her cellphone.
09 January 2014
India asks US embassy to stop 'commercial' activitiesIndia has asked the US embassy to close down commercial activities at its sports and leisure centre in New Delhi in the latest development in a diplomatic row.
09 January 2014
Morsi arrives in court for new hearing in murder trialEgypt's deposed president Mohamed Morsi arrived at the courthouse on Wednesday for the second hearing in his murder trial, as police braced for rallies by his Islamist supporters.
08 January 2014
Japan PM to visit Africa, Mideast with cash pledge: reportsJapanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Africa and the Middle East this week, reports said Monday, bearing development cash pledges as Tokyo pushes back against growing Chinese influence in the resource-rich region.