Freedom-of-navigation operation: Beijing Protests US Sail-By in South China Sea

A U.S. Navy warship sailed through South China Sea waters claimed by China Saturday in a "freedom of navigation" exercise, which China denounced as "grave misconduct."

Syria: Key opposition group to join Geneva talks

The key Syrian opposition group has said it will join peace talks that have opened in Geneva.

The Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee (HNC) earlier said it would only join if Syrian government forces ended their air strikes and blockades.

China backs UN resolution, stresses need to restart N.Korea dialogue

China agrees that the UN Security Council should take further action and pass a new resolution on North Korea, following its nuclear test earlier this month, but the new resolution should not stir up tensions or cause chaos in the peninsula, Chinese foreign minister said.

UN invitations to Syria talks spark controversy

The UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has sent out invitations to the Syrian participants of the Geneva talks scheduled for Friday.

Libya parliament rejects UN-backed unity government

Libya's internationally recognised parliament based in Tobruk has voted against the UN-backed unity government with rival authorities based in Tripoli, Libyan news agencies reported.

Turkey detains 23 ISIS suspects along Syrian border

Turkey detained 23 suspected Islamic State (IS) militants trying to enter Turkey through Syria, according to the Turkish General Staff's released statement Sunday.

U.S. ‘prepared’ for military solution in Syria, says VP

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said that the U.S. was prepared for a military solution in Syria if a political solution was not possible.

Syrian opposition rejects talks before goodwill steps

A senior Syrian opposition official on Friday ruled out even indirect peace talks with the government before a halt to Russian air strikes and the lifting of government blockades on populated areas.

Bomb kills six in Cairo during police raid

A bomb blast killed six people including three policemen Thursday as a team of officers raided an apartment in the Egyptian capital suspected to be a militant hideout, police said.

US agencies say 2015 hottest year on record globally

Last year's global average temperature was the hottest ever by the widest margin on record, two US government agencies said.

Eiffel Tower sees fewer visitors after Paris attacks

The Eiffel Tower, one of the world's top tourist draws, saw visitor numbers drop after the devastating terror attack on the French capital in November, figures showed Tuesday.

Turkey's Erdogan files $32k lawsuit against opposition leader who called him a 'dictator'

 Attorneys for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan have filed a lawsuit against a major opposition leader for stating that Erdogan is a dictator, presidential sources and the opposition party told Reuters. The president is reportedly seeking $32,000 in damages.

U.S. imposes ballistic missile sanctions on Iran

The United States imposed sanctions on 11 companies and individuals for supplying Iran’s ballistic missile program, the U.S. Treasury Department said just a day after sanctions targeting its nuclear program were lifted.

30 hostages freed in terror attack on hotel in Burkina Faso

Some 30 hostages have been freed from the Splendid Hotel that was attacked by an Al-Qaida affiliate Friday, Burkina Faso's Minister of Communications Remis Dandjinou said Saturday.

China urges Japan not to distort facts about Diaoyu Islands

China's defense ministry on Friday urged Japan not to distort the facts about the Diaoyu Islands issue.

Turkey hits ISIS targets after Istanbul bombing

Turkish land forces have fired nearly 500 times on ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq, killing almost 200 militants in response to a suicide bombing in Istanbul which killed 10 German tourists, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Thursday.

US thanks Iran for swift release of 10 Navy sailors

The US has thanked Iran for the swift release of 10 US sailors held for entering its territorial waters.

Istanbul explosion carried out by suicide bomber of Syrian origin (Turkish President)

A huge explosion that rocked Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet district on Tuesday was carried out by a suicide bomber of Syrian origin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

Syria: UN and partners get relief convoy in to starving residents of besieged town of Madaya

UN, 11 January 2016 – A humanitarian convoy has finally reached the besieged Syrian town of Madaya with life-saving health and food supplies from the United Nations and its partners for the 42,000 desperate residents after reports of people starving to death under encirclement by pro-Government forces.

Baghdad Denies Daesh Attack on Turkish Forces in Iraq

 Turkish forces foiled an attack on their training camp in Iraq, killing 18 jihadists, said President Erdogan in defense of an unauthorized military deployment. However, Iraq’s military said no battles between Turkish troops and ISIS recently took place.

Erdogan: Turkish troops needed in Iraq after attack

 An attack by ISIS militants on a military base in northern Iraq shows Turkey’s decision to deploy troops there was justified, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday.

Syrian Government To Let Aid Into Besieged Villages

The United Nations says the Syrian government has agreed to allow humanitarian aid into three beleaguered villages.

UN Security Council to prepare 'further measures' against North Korea

The UN Security Council agreed on Wednesday to prepare further unspecified measures against North Korea after it carried out a fourth nuclear test.

Pakistan PM calls Modi on airbase attack, promises action against possible perpetrators

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday called his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, promising "prompt and decisive action" against possible Pakistan-based perpetrators of the attack upon Pathankot airbase last weekend, said the prime minister's office.

Saudi Arabia allies suspend Iran ties over Shiite cleric row

Following Saudi Arabia, other Arab countries on Monday moved to scale back or sever diplomatic ties with Iran amid growing tensions over the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.

World welcomes New Year despite terror fears

Millions of people around the world welcomed in the New Year on high security alert, with Munich stations evacuated over an imminent terror threat and fireworks canceled in Paris and Brussels, while a huge fire ripped through a Dubai hotel.