U.S. President Barack Obama says he has spoken with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani by phone regarding Theran's nuclear program. 

It's the first such top-level conversation between the US and Iran in more than 30 years.

Obama said after the conversation, he believes they can reach "a comprehensive solution" over Iran's nuclear program. 

The two presidents also directed their teams to continue to work in cooperation with other countries to pursue an agreement on the nuclear issue. 

Earlier at the UN General Assembly, the new Iranian president said he believes the nuclear issue could be settled "within the not too distant future".

 

UN inspectors to complete 2nd round of investigation on Monday

 

The UN chemical weapons investigation team is set to finish their second round of probe in Syria on Monday.

The team said they are continuing working on a comprehensive report that is expected to be ready by late October.

The team returned to Syria on Wednesday to complete their mission.

The fact-finding group was assembled in The Hague in early August.

They have affirmed the use of nerve agent, sarin, in the eastern Ghouta suburb of Damascus, which allegedly killed hundreds of people. 

Earlierm, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council reached an agreement on a resolution to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons arsenal.

 

Kenya police question 8 suspects over Nairobi mall terror attack

 

Kenyan officials says they are currently holding eight suspects for interrogation in connection with the Nairobi mall terror attack. 

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku says the death toll from the Westgate Mall terror attack blamed on the Al-Shabaab militia group stands at 67, including 61 civilians and six security officers.

Five suspected terrorists were killed during the operation and the ongoing forensic investigations will ascertain their identities.

 

Maldives Elections Commission cancels second round presidential vote amidst unrest

 

Election authorities in the Maldives have canceled the second round of voting for the presidential elections, saying the current atmosphere in the country is not conducive for a peaceful poll.

The Maldives Supreme Court on Monday indefinitely postponed the second round run-off, sparking protests across the capital city of Male. 

Male was tense on Friday evening as thousands of supporters of former president Mohamad Nasheed gathered before the country's Supreme Court, demanding that postponed presidential elections be held as scheduled on Saturday. 

Nasheed, who was controversially ousted from power in 2012, is set to contest Saturday's second round run-off with former autocratic president Abdul Gayoom's half-brother, Abdulla Yamin.

 

Three killed in garage explosion in central Paris

 

An explosion at a garage has left three people dead and another seriously injured in central Paris.

Local media say the blast broke down the ground floor of a three-storey building when four workers were trying to repair the old fuel tank.

One report suggests the manipulation of the fuel tank could be the cause of the explosion.

 

China to stick to peaceful development: FM

 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reaffirmed China's commitment to pursuing peaceful development, dispersing concerns that a stronger and more prosperous China might seek hegemony.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Wang Yi said China is committed to working with other countries to establish a new type of international relations based on win-win cooperation.

On China's disputes with some countries over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the foreign minister said Beijing sincerely hopes to resolve them properly through negotiation and consultations.

 

China says Japan must seek East China Sea peace

 

The Chinese government is calling on Japan to work together to safeguard peace and stability in the East China Sea.

The Chinese side also says its carrying out legitimate maritime activities in the region which don't require a rebuke.

The comments come in response to comments by Japan's prime minister about the potential for a naval conflict.

Shinzo Abe says Japan will not tolerate the use of force in the region.

 

94 children, women rescued in major trafficking case

 

Chinese police have rescued 92 children and two women in a major trafficking case.

301 suspects were arrested, who were part of an "outsized" human trafficking network, since the operation began in March.

Police say kidnappers collected children in southwest China's Yunnan and Sichuan while deliverymen drove them to other regions to the hands of sellers.

Authorities are working on a judicial document to impose harsher punishment on both traffickers and buyers.