N. Korea scraps US envoy's invite as tensions mount
Tensions tightened on the Korean peninsula Monday, as North Korea cancelled a US envoy's visit over a jailed Korean American, and Seoul and Washington set dates for military drills denounced by Pyongyang.
DR Congo army in 'last phase' push against M23 rebels
Democratic Republic of Congo troops were in a mopping up operation to rout the remaining pockets of the M23 rebel movement, after seizing their last stronghold in a push to finally break the back of the insurgency.
Assad tells envoy Syrians will decide on peace talks
President Bashar al-Assad insisted in a meeting Wednesday with visiting UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi that Syrians alone will decide on the fate of an initiative for Geneva peace talks.
Syria peace talks in doubt over opposition rifts
The UN-Arab League envoy for Syria says peace talks are in doubt unless a "credible opposition" takes part, overcoming rifts among its factions.
Syria peace envoy begins tour as dozens die in Aleppo
International envoy Lakhdar Brahimi begins a Middle East tour Saturday to pave the way for proposed peace talks on Syria, where dozens of people were killed in the latest fighting in Aleppo province.
UN names envoy for Syria chemical weapons
The head of the United Nations on Sunday named Sigrid Kaag to lead the UN's joint mission with the chemical weapons watchdog tasked with eliminating Syria's arsenal.
UN Council backs Ban's Syria disarmament plan
The UN Security Council on Thursday backed a plan by UN leader Ban Ki-moon for a joint mission with the global chemical arms watchdog to destroy Syria's weapons.
Egypt cabinet orders police to end pro-Morsi sit-in
Egypt's cabinet Wednesday ordered a police crackdown on protests by ousted president Mohamed Morsi's loyalists.
Venezuela ends rapprochement with US: official
Venezuela late Friday said it has "ended" its rapprochement with the United States due to a statement by Samantha Power, nominated to become the US envoy to the United Nations.
Vatican envoy apologises to Malaysia over 'Allah' row
The Vatican's first-ever envoy to Malaysia has apologised for supporting the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims after he was summoned by the foreign minister.
UN envoy in Syria talks as child toll mounts
The UN's special envoy on children in war was in Syria for talks as concern mounted over the rising child death toll in the bloody two-year conflict.
N. Korea in dangerous nuclear showdown: US envoy
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is playing a dangerous game in his nuclear showdown with the international community.
US names new Afghanistan-Pakistan envoy
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday named veteran diplomat James Dobbins to be the new special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan at what he called "a pivotal moment" for the two nations.
Ban talks Syria as UN envoy appears set to quit
UN leader Ban Ki-moon discussed deadlocked efforts to end the Syria conflict with the major powers on Thursday amid mounting signs that peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is to quit.
Tibetan envoy says China can end immolations
An envoy of the Dalai Lama said Wednesday that Tibetans would likely end a wave of self-immolation protests if China reopened dialogue with the exiled spiritual leader to address grievances.
Ban says Syria nearing 'complete destruction'
International governments must act quickly to stop Syria's "complete destruction," UN leader Ban Ki-Moon warned Monday as the conflict entered a third year.
Iran envoy warns West against nuclear pressure
A top Iranian envoy said Wednesday that increased Western pressure over his country's nuclear program could end hopes for a negotiated settlement.
Fierce fighting in Syria, UN envoy meets opposition leader
Syrian rebels launched fierce assaults on government troops in several parts of the country on Sunday, as a UN envoy urged the leader of the opposition to seek dialogue with the Damascus regime.
US, Russia seek to iron out Syria differences
The US and Russia meet in Germany Saturday in a new bid to iron out their differences over the war in Syria, with the head of the opposition saying the world must not be a bystander to the tragedy.
Massacre plunges Syria deeper into 'horror' spiral
The Syrian war has reached "unprecedented levels of horror", UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said Tuesday after dozens of men were killed in a grim new massacre.