The US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korean (DPRK) officials hold talks in Thailand on October 18 on resuming recovery of the remains of American soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War, the Pentagon said in a statement.

At least nine paramilitary soldiers have been killed in a militant ambush in a volatile tribal district of north-west Pakistan, military officials say.

The number of people killed by a week of torrential rains, triggering floods and landslides across Central America, has reached at least 80, officials say.

Constant gunfire and loud explosions reverberated in the capital of Yemen on October 17, residents and eyewitnesses said.  

Francois Hollande has been elected the French Socialist Party's candidate for the 2012 presidential vote, where he is expected to face Nicolas Sarkozy.  

A cloud of gloom hangs over Brussels ahead of yet another summit to thrash out yet another "comprehensive strategy" to tackle a sovereign debt crisis that Europe has failed for two years to stem, and that now threatens the world economy.

The death toll from the worst floods in half a century to hit Thailand continues to rise.

The Arab League has called for talks between the Syrian government and opposition forces to take place within 15 days, following months of unrest.

The UN World Food Program says there are growing concerns over food insecurity in the developing world. Some of those concerns are discussed in a report released to coincide with the commemoration October 16 of World Food Day.

Asian shares rose on October 17 and the euro held near a one-month high amid hopes that a crucial week for the Euro zone crisis will see policymakers finally come up with a plan to resolve the region's debt woes and recapitalize its banks.