Kerry to meet Palestinian negotiator in London talksJohn Kerry meets chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat hoping to avert a diplomatic crisis over a UN bid to force Israel to withdraw from Palestinian land.
China's mountain hermits seek a highway to heavenHis unheated hut is half way up a mountain with no electricity, and his diet consists mostly of cabbage. But Master Hou says he has found a recipe for joy.
Australia mourns after tragic end to cafe siegeGrieving Australians eulogised the victims of the Sydney cafe siege as authorities investigated why its Iranian-born perpetrator had remained at large despite a history of violence.
#illridewithyou supports Muslims amid Sydney siegeAustralians came out in solidarity with the Muslim community following a siege at a Sydney cafe, as tens of thousands tweeted the hashtag #illridewithyou.
Belgium cut off from world by national strikeBelgium ground to a halt in its biggest strike in years Monday as trade unions grounded flights, cut international rail links and shut sea ports to protest the new government's austerity plans.
15 December 2014
X Pin to desktop X Teen killed by shark in AustraliaA teenager was killed in a shark attack at a reef off Australia's northeast coast, with ambulance officials saying he was dead by the time he reached shore.
15 December 2014
Russian arms sales soar on domestic spendingSales by Russian arms manufacturers continue to expand thanks to Moscow's investments despite a downturn in global defence spending.