The European Union on December 21 extended its economic sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine until the end of next July, drawing a swift rebuke from the Russian economy minister.

Switzerland and the European Union (EU) are looking into an escape clause in bilateral economic accords that could let Berne curb admissions of EU workers in cases of severe economic and social disruption.

Armed clashes persisted on December 20 across Turkey's southeast, where an operation by Turkish forces intensified on the sixth day of a campaign that security sources said had resulted in the death of 110 Kurdish militants.

Yemen's warring parties have agreed on a broad framework for ending their war at talks in Switzerland but they first have to agree a permanent ceasefire, after a week-long truce was widely violated, the United Nations said on December 20.

Air strikes believed to have been carried out by Russian warplanes killed scores of people in the center of the rebel-held city of Idlib in northwest Syria on December 20, rescue workers and residents said.

Singapore's CapitaLand Ltd is looking to invest in Vietnam's office property segment, its country head said, as the real estate developer seeks to grow its portfolio beyond residential and serviced apartments in the fast-growing economy.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan met with Khaled Meshaal, leader of Palestinian militant group Hamas, on December 19 in Istanbul, Turkish presidential sources said, a day after Israel and Turkey said they were close to patching up five-year political rift.

The World Trade Organization reached deals on agricultural export subsidies, food aid and other issues on December 19, capping a ministerial conference in the Kenyan capital where rich and poor countries had been split over the path of trade reform.

NATO allies agreed on December 18 to send aircraft and ships to Turkey to strengthen Ankara's air defenses on its border with Syria, the alliance's chief said.

The United Nations Security Council on December 18 unanimously agreed a resolution endorsing an international roadmap for a Syria peace process, a rare show of unity among major powers on a conflict that has claimed more than a quarter million lives.