Gulf-Russia talks to focus on Syria: Kuwait
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet his Gulf Arab counterparts on February 18 for talks expected to focus on the Syria conflict.
Energy is 'game changer' in new Cyprus peace drive
Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot leaders meet Tuesday to relaunch talks on ending the island's division after a nearly two-year break, with optimism that the energy card could provide a breakthrough.
Ban wants more troops in strife-torn CAR
UN chief Ban Ki-moon spoke Monday with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on increasing the number of European and African troops in the Central African Republic.
Iran agrees to explain nuclear detonators to UN
Iran agreed Sunday to clarify to the UN atomic agency its need for detonators used in nuclear devices, as part of a probe into allegations of its past weapons work.
UN aid to enter Syria's Homs after first evacuations
UN aid deliveries to rebel-held areas in the Syrian city of Homs were to begin Saturday, a day after dozens of civilians who survived more than 600 days of army siege were evacuated.
Olympics: Russia plans glitzy ceremony to sway sceptical world
Russia on Friday officially opens in Sochi its first ever Winter Olympics with a lavish ceremony attended by dozens of heads of state and aimed at impressing a sceptical world with an unforgettable spectacle.
Syria, UN in Homs aid deal as Aleppo fighting hots up
Aid operations were due to start in besieged areas of Homs Friday, a US official said, as Syria and the UN agreed to hold a "humanitarian pause" on fighting in the devastated city.
US diplomat sorry for cursing EU in bugged Ukraine call
The United States tried Thursday to defuse a potential row with its European allies after the leak of an embarrassing phone call in which a top US diplomat cursed the EU response to the Ukraine crisis.
Top US diplomat for Europe caught swearing about EU
Washington's new top diplomat for Europe, Victoria Nuland, has been apparently caught being decidedly undiplomatic about her EU allies in a phone call about Ukraine posted Thursday on YouTube.
Google Doodle flies gay flag for Sochi Olympics
Google marked the Winter Games in Sochi by flying the gay flag in a search page Doodle that linked to a call for equality in the Olympic Charter.
Brazil senator proposes Snowden for Nobel peace award
A Brazilian senator has nominated fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden for this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
Next Iran nuclear talks set for February 18 in Vienna
World powers will hold their next talks on Tehran's contested nuclear programme February 18, top Iranian and European Union diplomats agreed during Friday talks.
Syria foes set to end talks with no concrete progress
Syria's warring sides are expected to wrap up their first peace talks on Friday without concrete progress on ending the violence, a political transition or ensuring humanitarian aid for millions in need.
South Sudan to try rebel leaders, risking ceasefire
South Sudan released seven rebel detainees Thursday but vowed to put on trial key leaders accused of launching weeks of fighting, a move likely to threaten a fragile ceasefire.
$130 billion a year wasted on poor quality education: UN
A quarter of a billion children worldwide are failing to learn basic reading and maths skills in an education crisis that costs governments $129 billion annually.
Syria, spying, Iran in focus at global security meet
Global leaders from politics, defence and diplomacy meet in Germany from Friday to discuss conflict hotspots and looming threats, from Syria and Afghanistan to East Asia and Africa.
World court awards Peru swathe of Chile's fish-rich sea
Lima cried victory Monday after the UN's top court handed it a wedge of sea under Chilean sovereignty, but Peruvian fishermen nevertheless said they gained nothing from the historic ruling.
US ship heads out to destroy Syrian chemical weapons
A specially-equipped US naval ship departed for Italy on Monday on a ground-breaking mission to destroy Syria's most dangerous chemical agents.
Violence rages on Damascus outskirts: monitor
Syrian rebels and government troops clashed Sunday in restive districts of Damascus, a monitoring group said, as representatives of the warring sides met for peace talks in Geneva.
UN's Ban hails 'historic milestone' in Tunisia
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed Tunisia's adoption of a new constitution on Sunday, declaring it a "historic milestone" and a model for other countries seeking reform.