News about talks
US, Iran deny deal for bilateral nuclear talks
Iran and the United States both denied any deal had been reached for one-on-one nuclear talks, as The New York Times reported -- even though the White House said it was open to such a dialogue.
23 October 2012 15:01
Annan says anti-drug policies have failed
Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan called Thursday for a discussion on decriminalization of drugs, criticizing the crackdown on traffickers in Mexico led by outgoing President Felipe Calderon.
21 October 2012 12:30
US still undecided on no-fly zone for Syria
The United States is still mulling ways to stop the fighting in Syria, including a no-fly zone, as the Syrian regime is "ratcheting up the brutality of their tactics" .
20 October 2012 14:36
UN envoy urges Syria truce as conflict enters month 20
International envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has called for a ceasefire in Syria during the upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, as the revolt enters its 20th month with a death toll of more than 33,000.
16 October 2012 16:23
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.
15 October 2012 15:34
World leaders meet on disaster management in Japan
Politicians and aid officials gathered on Tuesday in the northeast of Japan, devastated by last year's quake and tsunami, to discuss what lessons can be learned from disasters.
10 October 2012 16:25
Maliki in Russia for huge arms deal, Syria agreement
Russia eyes a record arms deal and rare agreement over Syria on Tuesday when it hosts Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for the first time in almost four years.
09 October 2012 15:49
Greek PM stresses urgency of austerity deal
Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras stressed the urgency of sealing an austerity pact ahead of crucial talks Monday between Greek officials and the so-called troika of international creditors.
01 October 2012 10:43
Japan PM to reshuffle cabinet 'to cool China row'
Japan's unpopular prime minister will use a cabinet reshuffle Monday to try to mend fences with China and to boost his flagging popularity ahead of an expected general election.
01 October 2012 10:24
Israel okays development of Gaza offshore gas field
Israel has held new talks with the Palestinians over the development of a gas field off the coast of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli foreign ministry said in a new report released on Sunday.
24 September 2012 15:32
US rejects calls to slow Afghan withdrawals
US President Barack Obama on Wednesday held a video conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai focusing partly on an unprecedented wave of attacks on NATO troops by their local comrades.
21 September 2012 12:06
S.Africa Lonmin miners end strike, accept pay raise
Lonmin platinum mine workers in South Africa on Tuesday ended their strike in return for pay rises of up to 22 percent, after a nearly six-week standoff that claimed 45 lives.
20 September 2012 10:47
Protests stall US move to aid Egypt: report
The protests that erupted in Cairo over an anti-Islam Internet video have stalled talks on relieving $1 billion worth of Egyptian debt to the United States.
19 September 2012 11:21
Pentagon chief seeks to calm China-Japan row
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was to deliver an appeal for calm in talks with senior Chinese military leaders Tuesday amid an escalating territorial dispute between Beijing and Tokyo.
18 September 2012 19:14
US, Morocco launch first strategic dialogue
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday the United States was looking to Morocco "to be a leader and a model" in the region as the two countries launched their first ever strategic dialogue.
14 September 2012 15:24
Platinum firm makes offer to striking S African miners
Lonmin, the world's number three platinum producer, announced a new offer to striking miners at its South African operations following a fresh round of talks late Thursday.
14 September 2012 11:43
EU ministers explore fresh help to Syria opposition
EU foreign ministers gather in Cyprus some 100 kilometres from the Syrian coast Friday to explore how to best assist its opposition while defusing a humanitarian crisis looming in Europe's backyard.
08 September 2012 11:27
Rebels to seek ceasefire in Colombia peace talks
Colombia's FARC rebel group said Thursday it will seek a ceasefire in Latin America's oldest armed conflict when peace talks begin next month with the government, which has ruled out a truce.
08 September 2012 10:25
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.
05 September 2012 18:41
Britain urges fresh talks with Ecuador over Assange
Britain wants to resume talks with Ecuador and find a diplomatic solution to the standoff over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as soon as possible.
05 September 2012 10:43