Britain's Osborne announces shake-up of infrastructure
British finance minister George Osborne is to announce a new cross-party body to reform and speed up planning of major infrastructure projects such as rail links and power stations.
Pentagon chief arrives in Europe amid Syrian, Afghan crises
US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter arrived in Madrid, beginning a European tour amid alarm over Russian bombardments in Syria and the refugee crisis sparked by the conflict.
British PM urges Putin to change course in Syria
British Prime Minister David Cameron urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to "change direction" in Syria and recognise that its President Bashar al-Assad must be replaced.
Iraq PM opens Baghdad Green Zone to traffic
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that Baghdad's "Green Zone" was open to the public for the first time in 12 years, albeit with many remaining restrictions.
Netanyahu: Israel 'in fight to death against Palestinian terror'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was "waging a fight to the death against Palestinian terror", and ordered tough new measures after the killing of two Israelis in Jerusalem.
Syria detains dissident who criticised Russian strikes
The Syrian authorities on Sunday briefly detained a prominent opposition figure days after he criticised Russian air strikes in Syria.
Merkel plays down impact of VW scandal on German image
Chancellor Angela Merkel said the emissions scandal that has hit car giant Volkswagen was "dramatic" but would not inflict lasting damage on Germany's reputation.
Some foreign leaders 'using' Europe's refugee crisis: Tusk
The huge influx of migrants into Europe is being used by some foreign leaders to weaken the European Union politically, EU president Donald Tusk said Friday in Poland.
Brazil president reshuffles cabinet to avert disaster
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff ordered a government reshuffle, axing eight ministries in what was announced as a cost-cutting measure but seemed aimed at ending political paralysis.
Facts about 'routine' mass shootings in the US
President Barack Obama has voiced anger and sadness over "routine" mass shootings in the United States after 10 people were killed in an attack at a community college in Oregon.
Trump pulls out of event at US Hispanic chamber
Republican White House frontrunner Donald Trump has backed out of an appearance at the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Ukraine local elections will not take place in 2015: Hollande
French President Francois Hollande said that local elections in Ukraine, planned for October, will be delayed until next year.
Chechen strongman calls on Kremlin to send local troops to Syria
Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov called on the Kremlin to let a contingent from his region fight the Islamic State in Syria, where Russia launched air strikes earlier this week.
Gorbachev says health improving, can walk again
The Soviet Union's last leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who has been battling diabetes, said his health is improving and that he can walk again with the help of a stick.
Russian air strikes in Syria to last three to four months: Russian lawmaker
Russian air strikes in Syria will last for three to four months and will intensify, a senior Russian lawmaker said as President Vladimir Putin was due in Paris for talks.
Israel PM imposes silence on UN over Iran deal
Israel's prime minister savaged the nuclear deal with Iran, falling silent for nearly a minute at the United Nations in protest and offering to resume direct peace talks with the Palestinians.
Spain's general election set for December 20: PM
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced that Spain's forthcoming general election will be held on December 20.
Clinton urges gun control after deadly Oregon shooting
US presidential candidates took time from campaigning to reflect on Thursday's deadly mass shooting at an Oregon college, with Democrat Hillary Clinton calling for "sensible" gun law reform.
North Korea at UN calls for peace treaty
North Korea's foreign minister told the United Nations that a peace treaty was urgently needed to prevent a repeat of the military standoff that rattled Asia two months ago.
Europe risks being 'destabilized' by migrant crisis: Hungary PM
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned at the United Nations that Europe will be "destabilized" if the mass flows of migrants and refugees continue unabated.