French warplanes pounded Islamic State positions in Syria on November 15 as police in Europe widened their investigations into coordinated attacks in Paris that killed more than 130 people.

Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi held talks with parliament's powerful chairman on November 15 after an election landslide set to usher in democracy and sweep out much of the military old guard.

The Paris terror attacks are likely to galvanize a stronger global military response to Islamic State, after a US-led air war that has lasted more than a year has failed to contain a group now proving itself to be a growing worldwide threat.

Russia, the United States and powers from Europe and the Middle East outlined a plan on November 14 for a political process in Syria leading to elections within two years, but differences remained on key issues such as President Bashar al-Assad's fate.

Gunmen and bombers attacked busy restaurants, bars and a concert hall at locations around Paris on November 13, killing dozens of people in what a shaken President Francois Hollande described as an unprecedented terrorist attack.

Indonesia has asked China to clarify its claims over the East Sea but has yet to receive a response, the Foreign Ministry said on November 12, a day after Indonesia's security chief said Jakarta could take Beijing to court over an island dispute.

At least 43 people were killed and more than 240 wounded on November 12 in two suicide bomb blasts claimed by Islamic State in a crowded residential district in Beirut's southern suburbs, a stronghold of the Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah.

Two US B52 strategic bombers flew near artificial Chinese-built islands in the East Sea this week and were contacted by Chinese ground controllers but continued their mission undeterred, the Pentagon said on November 12.

The United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) has responded to a funding crunch by developing a mobile app that lets people around the world donate money to help feed the 4 million displaced Syrians living in neighboring countries.

The European Union has offered African states a range of aid as well as easier visa access and lower costs for migrants sending cash home in return for help to curb migration into the EU, including by taking back illegal immigrants.