Africa's 'right-on' whale capital
Perched away from the world on the rocky southern tip of Africa, the town of Hermanus rose to global whale-watching renown almost by chance.
At least four dead in US consulate attack in Afghanistan
At least four Afghans were killed Friday in a Taliban suicide attack on the US consulate in the Afghan city of Herat.
UN's Ban skeptical Assad will keep chemical arms deal
UN leader Ban Ki-moon said Friday he shares international doubts that Syria's President Bashar al-Assad will respect an international deal on his country's chemical weapons.
Early childhood deaths halved since 1990: report
Early childhood deaths around the world have been cut in half since 1990 but some 18,000 children under five still die every day.
Nazarbayev participated in SCO Summit and had several bilateral meetings
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev arrived in Kyrgyzstan for the SCO summit on September 12.
Taliban bomb US consulate in Afghanistan
Heavily armed gunmen in suicide vests detonated a truck bomb outside the US consulate in the Afghan city of Herat, sparking a shootout with American forces early Friday.
'Prove it,' US tells Assad on chemical arms vow
President Bashar al-Assad confirmed for the first time that Syria plans to give up its chemical weapons as the United States urged him and his Russian allies to quickly make good on his promise.
New meningitis vaccine slashes cases by 94 percent
A new vaccine being rolled out in the "meningitis belt" that stretches across north-central Africa has reduced cases of the potentially fatal disease by 94 percent.
Putin: Unilateral Syria strike would up-end world order
Russia issued a stark warning Thursday that unilateral US military action could destroy world order, as the rival great powers discussed a plan to remove Syria's chemical weapons.
Oil prices mixed as Obama seeks to delay Syria vote
Oil prices were mixed in Asian trade Wednesday, following big falls in New York and after US President Barack Obama asked Congress to delay a vote on US military action in Syria, analysts.
Obama vows to give diplomacy a chance on Syria
President Barack Obama said it was too early to say if a Russian plan to secure Syria's chemical weapons could forestall US air strikes, but vowed to give diplomacy a chance.
Oil prices slide from Syria-fuelled highs
Oil prices lost support Monday after hitting 28-month highs over fears of fallout from a possible US military attack on Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons.
Obama: Russia plan on Syria arms may be 'breakthrough'
President Barack Obama said Monday that a Russian plan to secure Syria's chemical weapons could be a "significant breakthrough" but warned he had not taken US strikes off the table.
World powers to lay off Iran at IAEA, for now
Iran is expected to enjoy a rare let-up in pressure at a UN atomic agency meeting starting Monday, as Tehran's new government and world powers prepare a fresh diplomatic push.
Kenya braces for crimes against humanity trials
Kenya's vice president appears at the world court at The Hague this week for a crimes against humanity trial that could plunge the East African nation back into political chaos.
Top Syrian diplomat passes Assad's thanks to Russia
Syria's foreign minister passed on the personal thanks of President Bashar al-Assad to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for his support.
Obama, Assad go head-to-head in US interview duel
Presidents Barack Obama and Bashar Al-Assad will go head-to-head in dueling US television interviews Monday, as a crucial week dawns for the US leader's push for air attacks on Syria.
Nigeria military says killed 50 Boko Haram fighters
Nigeria's military on Friday said it had killed 50 Boko Haram Islamists in an operation launched in response to an insurgent attack on civilians in the northeast.
In Damascus, a 'Cinema Paradiso' struggles to stay open
The Fardos cinema used to attract poor customers from the outskirts of Damascus, but war has driven its clientele away and forced it to show the same films for two years.
Pope leads fasting and prayer day for Syria
The Catholic Church has called for a global day of fasting and prayer on Saturday for peace in Syria and against any armed intervention, with Pope Francis scheduled to host a mass vigil on St Peter's Square.