US calls for release of Americans imprisoned in Iran
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday called for the release of two American dual citizens jailed in Iran, saying Washington was "deeply concerned" about their fate.
Obama not ready to order Syria strike but gives up on UN
President Barack Obama said Wednesday he had not yet signed off on a plan to strike Syria, but action appeared likely after Washington abandoned the hunt for a last-minute UN mandate.
29 August 2013 16:34
Chinese media say 'no excuse' for West to strike Syria
Chinese state media warned the West against strikes on Syria Thursday as momentum mounted for President Bashar al-Assad's regime to be punished over an alleged chemical weapons attack.
UN rights panel urges N. Korea to grant access
The head of a UN inquiry into human rights in North Korea appealed on Tuesday for access to the country, even as Pyongyang condemned his commission's work as slanderous and provocative.
Venezuela nabs hitmen in alleged plot to kill Maduro
Venezuela said Monday it derailed a plot to kill President Nicolas Maduro, arresting two hitmen it said wanted to execute the leftist leader on orders from a Colombian ex-president.
27 August 2013 19:07
Brazil's top diplomat resigns over row with Bolivia
Brazil's foreign minister resigned Monday over soaring tensions with La Paz after Brazilian diplomats spirited away a Bolivian opposition senator wanted for corruption.
Karzai visits Pakistan, looking for Taliban peace
Afghan President Hamid Karzai flew into Islamabad on Monday for key talks with Pakistan's newly elected government, searching for communication with Taliban insurgents to end 12 years of war.
27 August 2013 10:43
Bo claims to wear 50-year-old underwear at trial
Fallen Chinese politician Bo Xilai attempted to counter accounts of his family's luxury lifestyle Monday by telling his corruption trial his underwear was five decades old.
Moscow warns US against Syria military action
Military action against the Syrian regime would be a "tragic mistake", Russia said Sunday, warning the West not to preempt the results of a UN probe into alleged deadly chemical attacks.
26 August 2013 18:46
Russian opposition leader Navalny briefly detained
Russian police on Sunday briefly detained top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny after a campaign rally for the Moscow mayoral election he is contesting next month.