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High-level Security Council debate focuses on peace efforts for Africa's Great Lakes region
The Security Council restated its commitment to the United Nations-brokered peace accord for Africa's strife-torn Great Lakes region and demanded an immediate end to hostilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where fresh clashes between armed rebels and Congolese troops have sent thousands of civilians fleeing for safety. ...

Dempsey Upbeat, Encouraged by Afghan Visit
Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey left Afghanistan upbeat about the progress being made there and encouraged by the attitude of U.S. service members and their partners. ...

UN chief, United States Secretary of State, urge political solution to Syrian crisis
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and United States Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking to the press at United Nations Headquarters in New York, stressed that a political solution is the only way to end the Syrian conflict, adding that they would step up efforts to facilitate dialogue among all parties. ...

US Lawmakers: Aid to Egypt Should Continue - for Now
Some U.S. lawmakers say there should be no immediate cut-off of American aid to Egypt following the military ouster of President Mohamed Morsi. The future of that assistance was the focus of a Senate hearing one day after the Obama administration announced a delay in the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Egypt. ...

US Lawmakers Seek Sanctions on Nations Helping Snowden
US lawmakers on Thursday gave preliminary approval to a measure requiring the federal government to discuss possible sanctions against Russia or any other nation that provides asylum to fugitive former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, who is currently holed up in a Moscow airport while seeking temporary refugee status in Russia. ...

Pakistani Taliban Attack Raises New Fears
Taliban militants in Pakistan have claimed responsibility for Wednesday's unprecedented suicide gun-and-bomb attack on a regional headquarters facility of the country's main spy agency. Authorities say the raid and ensuing shootout left nine people, including five attackers, dead. The high-profile attack in an otherwise sleepy district has refueled criticism of Pakistan's anti-terrorism campaign. ...