site.news_by_theme Conflict
Ban says W. Sahara risks being drawn into Mali war
UN leader Ban Ki-Moon called Monday for urgent international efforts to end the Western Sahara conflict because of fears the Mali war will spill over into the Moroccan-occupied territory.
09 April 2013
Obama coming 'to listen' to Israel, Palestinians
US President Barack Obama said Thursday his forthcoming trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories was to "listen" to both sides and hear their views on how to move forward after over two years without peace talks.
16 March 2013
Vote delay could destabilise Lebanon
A divisive debate over Lebanon's electoral law may delay parliamentary elections scheduled for June 9, stoking fears of instability in a country already rattled by the conflict in neighbouring Syria.
15 March 2013
Japan seeks defence ties with ASEAN amid China rows
Japan on Wednesday called for stronger security ties with Southeast Asia as Tokyo looks to boost alliances at a time of growing territorial tensions with China.
13 March 2013
Australia confirms 'Prisoner X' worked for Israel
Australia on Wednesday admitted for the first time that a man found hanged in a Tel Aviv jail worked for the Israeli government.
06 March 2013
Chad emerges as regional superpower in Mali conflict
Claiming to have killed two Islamist leaders in the Mali conflict so far, Chad is emerging as a regional superpower whose strong army is brushing up the image of what was once most known as one of the world's poorest nations.
06 March 2013
Syria, Moscow condemn US aid to rebels
Syria and ally Russia denounced a US pledge to provide direct non-lethal aid to rebel fighters, saying it will fuel more violence in the two-year conflict.
02 March 2013
Palestinian tensions set to persist until Obama visit
Clashes that flared in the West Bank after a Palestinian died in Israeli custody are unlikely to turn into a third intifada, but each side will use them when US President Barack Obama visits.
27 February 2013
Protesters, whalers clash in Antarctic waters
Japanese whalers and militant conservationists have again been involved in dangerous clashes in icy waters off Antarctica, with both sides accusing the other of ramming their vessels.
26 February 2013
Syria rebels agree to meet Kerry, dismiss Damascus offer
Syria's opposition has cancelled a planned boycott of an international conference on the two-year conflict after appeals from Britain and the US, but rejected an offer of talks from Damascus.
26 February 2013
Kerry in London to start first official tour
John Kerry will push his Russian counterpart to apply pressure on Syria when they meet during the new US Secretary of State's marathon tour of allies.
26 February 2013
Witnesses accuse Malian soldiers of torture and murder
In northern Mali, the country's army frequently turns to torture and murder against people suspected of backing armed Islamist groups.
21 February 2013
Assad says confident of winning Syria war
President Bashar al-Assad said he is confident his troops will win the conflict ravaging Syria, as new calls were made on Monday for the International Criminal Court to launch a probe into war crimes.
19 February 2013
Greater US military role in Mali likely after polls: senator
The United States is likely to play a more active military role in Mali, where French-led forces are battling Islamist rebels, after the country holds elections.
19 February 2013
Mali election timeline 'can be changed': minister
The minister responsible for organising elections meant to haul Mali out of crisis said Friday the timeline can be changed, after interim president Dioncounda Traore raised eyebrows by promising a vote by July 31.
16 February 2013
Japan suggests hotline to Beijing over island spat
Japan has suggested setting up a military hotline with China to avoid clashes between the two countries, which are at loggerheads over a group of disputed islands.
09 February 2013
France bombs Islamist supply routes in Mali
French fighter jets have pounded Islamist supply bases in northern Mali seeking to flush the insurgents out of hiding, as France and the US on Monday called for African troops to quickly take over the operation.
05 February 2013
US police probe Chris Brown fight with rapper Ocean
Los Angeles police are investigating a fight between singer Chris Brown -- still on probation for beating girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 -- and rapper Frank Ocean.
30 January 2013
British PM reaches out to Europe at Davos
British Prime Minister David Cameron insisted he was not turning his back on Europe as he came face to face with world leaders for the first time since unveiling plans for an EU referendum.
27 January 2013
US calls for 'unconditional' Sudan talks with rebels
The United States on Thursday called on Sudan to hold "unconditional" talks with rebels battling government forces in two strife-torn states where the UN says thousands are close to starvation.
27 January 2013