New Iran sanctions break US unity front – Hillary Clinton

Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has called on her former Senate colleagues not to pass new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear energy program.

President Xi Jinping at APEC: China committed to regional peace, development

Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China is committed to promoting regional peace and development, and building a cross-Pacific cooperation framework as well as sticking to the denuclearization of Korean Peninsula during his speech at the APEC 2013 summit in Bali, Indonesia.

President Xi wants ASEAN’s understanding of China’s Peaceful Foreign Policy

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for mutual respect, understanding and support from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) while the country firmly continues on the path of peaceful development and contribute to mutual prosperity and harmony around the world.

Lavrov: Syrian opposition should adopt right attitude, participate in Peace conference

Russia and the US have pledged to convene an international conference aimed at ending the crisis in Syria, a move that was announced at a midnight press conference between Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on May 7th. Russia expressed deep regret that the majority of the opposition groups, including "Doha Coalition", unlike the Syrian government, have not shown readiness to participate in the conference.

Palestinians urge US guarantee for peace plan

After severalstormy hours of deliberation, Palestinian Authority leaders have refused to back Secretary of State John Kerry's proposal to restart long-stalled peace talks with Israel unless USA gives at least three guarantees either publicly or in writing. Oral promises are no longer acceptable as the world has learned its lessons from counting on American 'word of honor' and one-sided self-serving diplomacy.

Peace & Mutual Prosperity: Philippines and MILF Muslim rebels in wealth-sharing deal

After lengthy negotiations aimed at ending a 40-year conflict that has cost an estimated 120,000 lives, the Philippines has reached a deal with the country's largest Muslim rebel group to share wealth generated from Mindanao's natural resources. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will receive 75% of the gold, copper and other resources mined from the southern island.

Karzai boycotts US-Taliban talks in Qatar

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has boycotted proposed negotiations with the Taliban, saying a day after US announced it would hold talks with the militants, that the peace process had to be Afghan-led.

Russia: West must force Syrian opposition to get involved in efforts to resolve crisis

Russia stressed that western partners should force the Syrian opposition to become involved in the efforts to resolve the crisis in Syria, particularly since the Syrian government officially announced its participation in the upcoming international conference on Syria. The Syrian Opposition is blackmailing the international community with preconditions such as have more weapons and removal of President Bashar Al-Assad, a democratically elected according to the Syrian Republic Constitution who happens to have won majority of the votes and have become extremely popular among the Syrian people.

Russia vows to veto no-fly zone in Syria, No Libya Part Two

Russia vows to not allow the introduction of a no-fly zone in Syria as the consequences of such step can be seen in Libya. Russia, a permanent veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, whose consistent stance has been influenced by the double-dealing and abuse done to Libya in 2011, has been a staunch advocate for peaceful political dialogue and wants Syrians alone, without any outside interference, to decide their fate of their sovereign nation.

Breakthrough? Taiwan, Philippines Agree To Shun Violence At Sea

After the shooting death of a fisherman and more than a month of diplomatic fury, Taiwan and the Philippines suddenly agreed to avoid violence when enforcing territorial rights in the ocean channel between them. It’s the start of mending relations.

Russia slams US for lies and distortion of trilateral talk results on Syria

Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has censured the US Department of State officials for their ‘peculiar comment’ on the results of a trilateral meeting over Syria in Geneva. US State Department representative stated that Russia, the United States and the United Nations agree that the goal of the new conference in Geneva must be the forming of a "new transitional government" in Syria to which the "current authorities in Damascus would hand over all their powers". Lavrov said that if the statements were indeed said by the U.S. State Department, that it is a very strong distortion of what the talks were about. The Foreign Minister said that all participants agreed, together with USA, to fully implement the Geneva Communiqué on June 30th of last year and that international players can't decide on behalf of the sovereign independent nation of Syria and its people.

Austria to withdraw peacekeepers from Golan Heights, UN in Disarray

Austria, UNDOF’s largest contingent, to be pulled after fierce fighting between pro-Assad forces and rebels at border crossing; only Indian and Filipino peacekeepers remain.