DR Congo army in 'last phase' push against M23 rebels
Democratic Republic of Congo troops were in a mopping up operation to rout the remaining pockets of the M23 rebel movement, after seizing their last stronghold in a push to finally break the back of the insurgency.
Israel frees 26 Palestinian prisoners
Israel freed another 26 veteran Palestinian prisoners on Wednesday, alongside US-brokered peace talks.
Japanese minister to visit Iran as ties with West thaw
Japan's foreign minister will go to Iran next month, he said Tuesday, in the latest sign of Tehran's rapidly thawing relationship with the Western world.
Obama, Netanyahu discuss Iran
US President Barack Obama spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Iran, a day after the Israeli leader warned Tehran could convert uranium into weapons-grade material within weeks.
EU's Ashton urges Palestinian reconciliation in talks with Abbas
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Thursday called for the end of divisions between Palestinians, in talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.
Syria peace talks in doubt over opposition rifts
The UN-Arab League envoy for Syria says peace talks are in doubt unless a "credible opposition" takes part, overcoming rifts among its factions.
Afghan peace on the table as Pakistan PM heads to US
Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif departed Saturday for talks in the United States, with the Afghan peace process and the prickly issue of Washington's drone campaign likely to top the agenda.
Syria peace envoy begins tour as dozens die in Aleppo
International envoy Lakhdar Brahimi begins a Middle East tour Saturday to pave the way for proposed peace talks on Syria, where dozens of people were killed in the latest fighting in Aleppo province.
Syria says peace talks possible as rebels kill top officer
Syria says peace talks could be possible next month amid international efforts to push for a conference in Geneva as a top military intelligence officer was killed in clashes with rebels.
World powers set for nuclear talks with Rouhani's Iran
World powers will meet for fresh talks with Iran on its controversial nuclear programme on Tuesday, as hopes rise for a more conciliatory approach from the new Tehran government.
APEC leaders meet in shadow of US shutdown
Asia-Pacific leaders opened an annual economic summit on Monday in the shadow of global growth clouds that are darkening by the day as the United States struggles to shake off policy paralysis.
Russia, US agree on mid-November for Syria peace talks: Lavrov
Russia and the US have agreed to push for holding Syria peace talks in mid-November.
White House talks fail to end government shutdown
Talks between an exasperated President Barack Obama and top Republicans failed to end a government shutdown, with both sides accusing the other of refusing to negotiate.
Obama and Iran's Rouhani hold historic phone call
US President Barack Obama and Iran's President Hassan Rouhani spoke by phone Friday in the historic, first direct contact between leaders of their estranged nations since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
UN powers make progress on Syria resolution: envoys
The world's major powers made important progress Wednesday on key points of a UN Security Council resolution on destroying Syria's chemical weapons.
Rowhani-Obama handshake was 'too complicated'
The US and Iranian presidents, Barack Obama and Hassan Rowhani, came agonizingly close to a historic handshake on Tuesday.
US, Iran foreign ministers to hold first nuclear talks
In a diplomatic breakthrough, the foreign ministers of arch rivals, the US and Iran, will hold their first talks on Tehran's contested nuclear drive at a landmark meeting.
Iran president offers to broker Syria talks
Iranian President Hassan Rowhani said Thursday his government was ready to "help facilitate dialogue" between the Syrian government and the opposition.
Beijing and ASEAN in talks on South China Sea
A code of conduct for handling disputes in the South China Sea should be discussed "gradually", Beijing said after meetings with Southeast Asian nations, suggesting any agreement is still far off.
British PM to challenge Brussels over welfare powers
Prime Minister David Cameron will push the EU to curb migrants' access to British welfare payments during talks ahead of the country's membership referendum.