IS claims full control of Palmyra

Islamic State fighters tightened their grip on the historic Syrian city of Palmyra on Thursday and overran Iraqi government defenses east of Ramadi, the provincial capital they seized five days earlier.

Myanmar finds 200 Bangladeshis in boat

Myanmar's navy found a boat carrying more than 200 Bangladeshis, the government said on Friday, after the military chief said some migrants landing in Malaysia and Indonesia this month are pretending to be Rohingya Muslims so they can get UN aid.

Seoul high court frees Korean Air 'nut rage' executive

A South Korean court on Friday suspended the prison term of the former Korean Air executive whose onboard "nut rage" tantrum delayed a flight last year, immediately ending her incarceration.

Media to collaborate on climate change coverage

More than two dozen media organizations, including China Daily, have created a global media association to collaborate on climate-related coverage ahead of the UN's Climate Change Summit in Paris in December.

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Hundreds of migrants rescued

Nearly 800 migrants were brought ashore in Indonesia on Friday, but other crammed vessels were sent back to sea despite a UN call to quickly rescue thousands set adrift in Southeast Asian waters.

Blues legend B.B. King dies at 89

Blues legend B.B. King, who took his music from rural juke joints to the mainstream and inspired generations of guitarists from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan, has died at age 89.

Governing coalition narrowly approved

The Israeli parliament narrowly approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government late on Thursday as the United States insisted the Jewish state must forge a deal with the Palestinians for its own good.

Missing US helicopter is found

The wreckage of a US military helicopter that went missing with eight people on board while delivering aid in quake-hit Nepal has been located near the Chinese border, the Nepalese army said on Friday.

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Obama vows to keep Arab allies secure

US President Barack Obama assured Arab allies on Thursday that they are safe from the threat of an empowered Teheran as he seeks to shore up some of his country's most critical security partnerships. But Obama's aim of winning Arab support for his nuclear diplomacy appears far from certain.

New govt seeks quick EU deal; Scottish nationalists want second referendum

Britain wants to reach a new settlement with the European Union as fast as possible, according to Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, the Financial Times reported on Friday.