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.
'Je suis le sexy chien!': UK papers lap up Hollande scandal
British newspapers on Saturday leapt on allegations that Francois Hollande is having an affair with an actress, splashing the story over the front pages and poking fun at the French president.
Hollande says may sue magazine over affair claim
French 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 deal
Malaysia 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.
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.
Harry Potter wizard invoked again as Japan hits back at ChinaThe diplomatic bickering between Japan and China has descended into name-calling in the British press, with claim and counter-claim by the countries' ambassadors invoking the fictional evil wizard of the Harry Potter series, Lord Voldemort.
06 January 2014
Obama proposes new gun rules for mentally illThe Obama administration proposed two new federal gun control rules Friday to ensure more information about the mentally ill reaches background check databases, after a series of high-profile US shootings.
06 January 2014
Deadly clashes kill 11 as Morsi backers rally in EgyptAt least 11 people were killed Friday in clashes across Egypt as police dispersed thousands of protesters demanding the reinstatement of deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, the health ministry said.
06 January 2014
Indian PM Singh says will step down after 2014 electionsIndia's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced Friday that he will step down after elections this year and said reluctant political scion Rahul Gandhi should take his place if the ruling Congress party wins an unlikely third term.