Syria says peace talks possible as rebels kill top officer
Syria says peace talks could be possible next month amid international efforts to push for a conference in Geneva as a top military intelligence officer was killed in clashes with rebels.
Japan gives muted welcome to US debt fix
Japan's finance minister on Friday gave a muted welcome to the US debt deal, but hinted at the need for a more permanent solution to the warring in Washington.
Top Labor figure lashes out at 'bastard' Australia ex-PM
Australia's former attorney-general has launched a scathing attack on Labor colleague and ex-prime minister Kevin Rudd, calling him a rude and disorganised "bastard" who should quit parliament.
Congress pulls US back from brink, averts default
The United States was spared the ignominy of a disastrous debt default Wednesday when Congress passed a bill extending the nation's borrowing authority and ending a two-week government shutdown.
Ex-finance minister Ghani bullish as Afghan election race begins
He collected a meagre three percent of the vote last time, but Ashraf Ghani is not short of self-confidence, believing he will win elections in April and be a transformative president of Afghanistan.