Russia military backing for Syria counterproductive: Kerry
Russia's military backing for the Syrian regime only risks sending more extremists to the war-torn country and could further hamper any effort at bringing peace.
US open to talks with Russia on Syria
The White House said it was open to limited talks with Moscow following the controversial deployment of Russian troops and heavy weapons to war-torn Syria.
Moscow wants talks with US military about Syria ops: Kerry
Russia wants talks with the US military to ensure their forces do not come into conflict as it continues its build-up in Syria, Secretary of State John Kerry said.
Hollande says air strikes against IS in Syria 'necessary'
French President Francois Hollande, whose country is carrying out surveillance flights over Syria, said it would be "necessary" to carry out air strikes against Islamic State militants there.
Obama orders US to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees
President Barack Obama has asked for at least 10,000 Syrian refugees to be admitted to the United States next year, amid criticism his government has done too little to help.
'Mama Merkel' cheered by Syrians at refugee centre
Chancellor Angela Merkel won a hero's welcome as she visited a Berlin migrant centre, with Syrians cheering and taking selfies as Germany threw open its doors to thousands of refugees.
Kerry, Lavrov hold second Syria call, as US fears boost for Assad
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed the Syrian conflict with US Secretary of State John Kerry for the second time in four days.
Thousands of Palestinian structures under Israeli demolition orders: UN
Some 13,000 Palestinian structures in the West Bank are currently under Israeli demolition orders, leaving residents and homes "in a state of chronic uncertainty and threat".
Netanyahu says will not allow Israel to be 'submerged' by refugees
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not allow Israel to be "submerged" by refugees after calls for the Jewish state to take in those fleeing Syria's war.
Putin says Assad agrees to early parliamentary polls
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was willing to hold early parliamentary elections and share power with the "healthy" opposition.
Britain 'to take thousands more Syrian refugees'
Britain promised to take in thousands more Syrian refugees and give 100 million pounds in extra aid, as their plight raised pressure on European leaders.
Australian PM says IS militants worse than Nazis
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was slammed by Jewish groups after saying that Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria were worse than Nazis.
Russia holds up start of UN Syria chemical weapons probe
Russia said it was considering details of how to establish a UN team to investigate chemical weapons attacks in Syria.
Migrants using fake Syrian passports to enter EU: Frontex
A market in fake Syrian passports has sprung up, particularly in Turkey, to help migrants and refugees enter the EU, the head of Europe's border agency Frontex said.
Palmyra temple appears intact after blast: Syria official
A blast rocked the ancient ruins in Syria's Palmyra on Sunday but the site's famed Temple of Bel appeared to be largely intact.
UN chief appalled by 'barbaric' attacks in Palmyra
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was appalled by reports that Islamic State militants had demolished a temple in Syria's ancient Palmyra.
UN aid chief 'horrified' by attacks on civilians in Syria
The UN's humanitarian chief fiercely condemned attacks against civilians in Syria at a press conference in Damascus on Monday.
IS truck bomb kills at least 54 in Baghdad market
A truck bombing claimed by the Islamic State group killed at least 54 people in a Shiite-majority area of Baghdad, the deadliest single attack in Iraq's capital in months.
Iran's FM, Syria's Assad discuss fight against 'terror'
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, and called on regional countries to "fight terrorism and extremism".
Lavrov slams 'unfounded claims' of Syria chemical weapons
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned against what he called unfounded claims that Syria has chemical weapons.