UN chief warns of new peacekeeping threats

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday the world body's peacekeeping efforts face growing dangers from non-traditional threats such as suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices. 1371637907

Japan formally OKs new nuke safety requirements

Japan's nuclear watchdog has formally approved new safety requirements for atomic plants, paving the way for the reopening of facilities shut down since the Fukushima disaster. 1371620454

President Barack Obama listens to French President Francois Hollande during the G-8 summit at the Lough Erne golf resort in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. The final day of the G-8 summit of wealthy nations is ending with discussions on globe-trotting corporate tax dodgers, a lunch with leaders from Africa, and suspense over whether Russia and Western leaders can avoid diplomatic fireworks over their deadlock on Syria’s civil war.

Obama to renew calls for nuclear reductions

President Barack Obama will renew his call Wednesday to reduce the world's nuclear stockpiles, including a proposed one-third reduction in U.S. and Russian arsenals, the White House said. 1371637004

This 2011 image provided by the FBI shows Walter Lee Williams, 65, one of the U.S. FBI's 10 most wanted fugitives has been arrested in the resort city of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Tuesday June 18, 2013. Prosecutor Gaspar Armando Garcia Torres says Williams is wanted on charges of sexual exploitation of children and traveling abroad for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with children.

One of US FBI's most wanted nabbed in Mexico

Mexican authorities have arrested a former university professor who was on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in the resort city of Playa del Carmen. 1371621670

FILE - In this June 18, 2013 photo, North Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan, right, waves as he arrives at the Capital airport in Beijing, China. North Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Kim was expected to discuss bilateral relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui on Wednesday.

China, North Korea hold strategic talks in Beijing

Negotiators from North Korea and China held strategic talks in Beijing on Wednesday as they work to repair strained relations, but offered little indication they will lead to a resumption of nuclear disarmament talks any time soon. 1371636108

Malaysia budget airport launch pushed to May 2014

The opening of a new airport to accommodate budget carriers has been delayed until next year because of design changes and other construction setbacks, Malaysia's airport operator says. 1371637907

Rosalia lies in a hospital bed in intensive care at the Children's Hospital in La Paz, Bolivia, Monday, June 17, 2013. The four-year girl who was attacked by a Rottweiler about 4 months ago, came out of her coma and will be transferred to a U.S. hospital in Boston for reconstructive face surgery.

Bolivian girl mauled by dog to fly to US for help

A 4-year-old Bolivian girl who was unconscious for nearly three weeks after being mauled in the face and body by a Rottweiler is awake and ready to fly to Boston for reconstructive surgery, a doctor said Tuesday. Photo Gallery Available

Australian jailed for life for rape, murder

A serial sex offender was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for raping and murdering an Irish woman while he was free on parole after previous convictions for raping five women.

Brazil lawmakers OK bill for treatment of gays

A Brazilian congressional human rights committee on Thursday approved legislation that would allow psychologists to treat homosexuality as a disorder or pathology.

US senators urge Kerry to review Honduras aid

A group of U.S. senators is urging Secretary of State John Kerry to order a review of aid for Honduras' police and military amid allegations of abuse and human rights violations.

Jamaica eyes expatriates as source of investment

In a bid to kick start Jamaica's chronically stagnant economy, the Caribbean country is wooing its citizens living abroad to invest in the island of their birth.

Afghan peace talks with Taliban at hand but not without their bumps

U.S. officials will meet with the Taliban on Thursday in a major breakthrough aimed at opening peace talks to end the war in Afghanistan, as the U.S. prepares for the end of its combat involvement.

Protestors gather in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Some of the biggest demonstrations since the end of Brazil's 1964-85 dictatorship have broke out across this continent-sized country, uniting multitudes frustrated by poor transportation, health services, education and security despite a heavy tax burden.

Brazil protesters clash with police in Sao Paulo

Protesters surrounding the city hall of Brazil's biggest city have clashed with police when a small group of demonstrators tried to force their way into the building. Photo Gallery Available

Argentine Supreme Court rejects judicial reform

Argentina's Supreme Court has struck down key elements of a judicial reform the government hoped would rapidly make the courts more responsive to majority rule.

Ammunition fire rages at Russian military base

Exploding shells set off a fire that was triggering explosions Wednesday at a military depot in southern Russia, injuring about 30 people and causing the evacuation of more than 6,000 from a nearby village, investigators and emergency workers said.

U.S. Navy sailors stand in formation aboard the USS Stockdale before maneuvers with the Jordanian Navy in the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan as part of Eager Lion, a multinational military exercise, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Under the watchful eye of stern-faced American advisers, hundreds of U.S.-trained Jordanian soldiers are holding war games that could eventually form the basis of an assault in Syria. There is fear of spillover from the Syrian war in this U.S.-allied kingdom, and the potential for a Jordanian role in securing Syria's chemical stockpiles should Bashar Assad's regime lose control.

AP EXCLUSIVE: US war games send signal to Assad

Under the watchful eye of stern-faced American advisers, hundreds of U.S.-trained Jordanian commandos fanned across this dusty desert plain, holding war games that could eventually form the basis of an assault in Syria. Photo Gallery Available

Israeli President Shimon Peres , center, sits flanked by former US President Bill Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, in a Jerusalem convention center as Peres' 90th birthday gala gets underway, Tuesday June 18 2013.

Star-studded party for Israeli president's 90th

Israeli and global leaders, local celebrities and Hollywood superstars celebrated under one roof Tuesday to honor Israeli President Shimon Peres for his upcoming 90th birthday, reflecting world respect for one of the country's peace pioneers. Photo Gallery Available

Sunni-Shiite violence hits Lebanese city of Sidon

The Lebanese city of Sidon exploded into widespread street violence Tuesday afternoon as supporters and opponents of the militant group Hezbollah traded artillery and small arms fire in response to an attack on a prominent Sunni Muslim opponent of the Shiite Muslim group, according to senior security officials and witnesses. At least one person was killed and nearly a dozen wounded, according to Lebanese security officials.

British Prime Minister David Cameron speaks during a media conference at the G-8 summit at the Lough Erne golf resort in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday, June 18, 2013. The final day of the G-8 summit of wealthy nations is ending with discussions on globe-trotting corporate tax dodgers, a lunch with leaders from Africa, and suspense over whether Russia and Western leaders can avoid diplomatic fireworks over their deadlock on Syria’s civil war.

G-8 NOTEBOOK: Cameron Tweets WWII bomb at G-8 site

Well, that was close. Or was it? Shortly after wrapping up one of the most peaceful Group of Eight summits in recent memory, Prime Minister David Cameron let a cat out of the bag.

Syrian pound tumbles on US plans to arm rebels

Many exchange shops closed in Damascus on Tuesday, fearing more chaos a day after the Syrian currency plunged to a new record low, reflecting growing fears in the capital following a U.S. decision to arm rebel groups fighting to topple President Bashar Assad's regime.

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