Lebanon and Israel, still technically at war and with no diplomatic ties, launched a second round of maritime border talks Wednesday under UN and US auspices to allow for offshore energy exploration. The talks, expected to last for two days, were held at the headquarters of UN peacekeeping...

The United States and several Western allies Tuesday accused the Syrian government of deliberately delaying the drafting of a new constitution to waste time until presidential elections in 2021, and avoid UN-supervised voting as called for by the UN Security Council. US deputy ambassador...

Germany and France prepared to announce restrictions approaching the level of last spring's blanket lockdowns Wednesday as COVID deaths across Europe rose almost 40 percent in a week, sending financial markets sharply lower on fears of the likely costs. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is...

Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to push for a "lockdown light" in crisis talks with Germany's regional leaders Wednesday, as the number of coronavirus cases soars and hospital beds fill up. The proposed new restrictions would include closing restaurants and bars and putting strict...