Iranians claim to down US drone
Iran's armed forces shot down an unmanned US spy plane that violated its eastern borders, military sources say on December 4.
Syria faces new sanctions as Arab League deadline passes
Syria faced additional sanctions from its Arab League neighbors on December 5 unless it agreed to allow international observers into the country to monitor an agreement to end a months-old crackdown on anti-government protesters.
Afghan conference in Bonn as Nato troops eye exit
A major international conference on Afghanistan's future opened in the German city of Bonn on December 5.
Italian PM announces austerity plan
The new government on December 4 adopted a package of emergency austerity measures aimed at fending off bankruptcy and saving the euro from collapse.
Australia's Labor party backs uranium sales to India
Australia's governing Labor party has voted to overturn its long-standing ban on exporting uranium to India.
At least 23 dead in intensifying Syria violence
At least 23 people were reported killed in Syria on December 3 as violence intensified in the eighth month of an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.
Parliamentary elections start in Russia
Elections to the Russian State Duma of the sixth convocation started on December 4.
New regional bloc established at Caracas conference
Leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean have approved the creation of a new regional bloc that excludes the United States and Canada.
Three Nato troops killed by Afghan roadside bomb
Three soldiers from the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) were killed in Afghanistan on December 3, officials have said.
UN Security Council extends UN Mission in Libya for 3 more months
The UN Security Council on December 2 adopted a resolution which extended the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for another three months.