S. Korea presidential favourite open to summit with North
South Korea's presidential front-runner, Park Geun-Hye, promised Monday a new policy of engagement with Pyongyang and said she would be willing to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
Crisis-hit Europe 'still economic power': France
Top European leaders jetting into Laos for a major summit are on a mission to reassure Asia that their crisis-hit region is "still an economic power".
EU to sanction Iran, Syria, help Mali reconquer its north
Europe's foreign ministers will sharply ramp up the pressure on Iran and Syria at talks Monday, while taking a "big step" in Africa by agreeing to assist Mali reconquer its north from rebels and Islamist extremists.
World economy needs action from China, EU: Geithner
US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Saturday the global economy was on the mend, but more needed to be done to stoke domestic demand in China and fix Europe's fiscal woes.
Fiscal policy should be 'growth friendly': IMF body
The world economy needs to balance austerity with growth if it is to recover fully from the global financial crisis, a key IMF committee said in Tokyo on Saturday.
'Wartime' debt threat to global economy: Lagarde
Public debt in developed countries standing at "wartime levels" is the biggest threat to the global economy, IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned in Tokyo on Friday.
Troubled DR Congo hosts struggling Francophonie summit
Leaders from the 75-nation Francophonie were to begin their biennial summit Friday in DR Congo, a country that encapsulates Africa's many woes but also its growing stake in a body searching for a raison d'etre.
Japan hosts IMF meet 50 years after economic miracle
The last time Japan hosted an International Monetary Fund summit nearly 50 years ago, the nation was a leader in innovation and economic growth that made it the envy of the world.
Giants EU, China meet in 'challenging' times
Global giants the European Union and China meet at a Brussels summit on Thursday under pressure to bolster slowing economic growth and tackle tough international dilemmas.
Putin hides Russia's troubles with summit glitz
President Vladimir Putin impressed leaders by holding an Asian summit on an island off a revamped Pacific city but the surface shimmer hid underlying problems in the Russian Far East and the country as a whole.
US pleased with APEC 'green' products list
The United States welcomed Friday a deal to cut tariffs on dozens of "green" products in the Asia-Pacific, saying it would boost the region's economies as well as help protect the environment.
Tensions set to cloud APEC summit
Asia-Pacific leaders gather in Russia's far east this weekend for talks aimed at promoting trade but territorial disputes and other regional tensions may cloud the event.
Clinton says Pacific big enough for US, China
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday that the South Pacific was big enough for both the United States and China but urged the Asian power to ensure it distributes its growing aid fairly.
UN nuclear report wrongfoots Iran summit: analysts
Iran's hopes of boosting its international prestige by hosting a Non-Aligned summit this week were tripped up by a critical new UN nuclear watchdog report.
Kazakhstan taking part in anti-nuclear summit in Iran
Kazakhstan delegation is taking part in the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement that opened on August 30 in Tehran.
IAEA report to detail Iranian nuclear advances
A new UN atomic agency report due Thursday or Friday is expected to detail how Iran is continuing to expand its nuclear programme despite painful sanctions and talk of Israeli military action.
World Muslim body to suspend Syria
An emergency summit of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) began late Tuesday with a proposal to suspend conflict-wracked Syria, a move strongly opposed by Iran.
Kazakhstan Foreign Minister to visit Mecca
Kazakhstan delegation led by Foreign Minister will take part in the 4th emergency summit of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation.
Google chief declares war on 'illicit networks'
Google chief Eric Schmidt declared war on international criminals Tuesday, vowing to harness technology to battle "illicit networks" around the world.
Developing nations to get $2.6 bln for family planning
Rich nations and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said they had pledged more than 2.6 billion dollars towards family planning in developing countries at a summit in London.