Iraq's Shi'ite-led authorities have shut the offices of two television channels popular with Sunni Iraqis and ordered a satirical show off air, tightening control over the media as political tensions rise in Baghdad.

• May 15, 2016

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met Saudi Arabia's King Salman in Jeddah on Sunday to discuss the fragile truce in Syria, before broader talks with Russia, Iran and other countries in Vienna on Tuesday.

• May 15, 2016

Turkey said on Friday talks with the European Union on a deal providing visa-free travel in return for stopping a flow of illegal migrants into Europe had reached an impasse and the bloc must find a "new formula" to salvage the agreement.

• May 13, 2016

Russian intelligence agencies were probably responsible for a massive cyber attack on Germany's lower house of parliament last year which forced its computer systems to be shut down for days, Germany's domestic intelligence agency said on Friday.

• May 13, 2016

China and Thailand will hold joint exercises beginning this month, China's Ministry of Defence said on Friday, in another sign of improving relations since the Thai military seized power in 2014.

• May 13, 2016

China has widespread support in the international community for its decision not to have anything to do with a legal case lodged by the Philippines against Chinese claims in the South China Sea, a senior diplomat said on Thursday.

• May 12, 2016

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told Europe's top banks they have nothing to fear from resuming business with Iran, as long as they make proper checks on trade partners and pursue "legitimate business".

• May 12, 2016

Pakistan and Bangladesh summoned each other's ambassadors on Thursday to register "strong protest" in connection with a row over the execution of an Islamist leader in Bangladesh this week, both sides said in statements.

• May 12, 2016