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In eastern Syria, students are reported among the dead from a car bomb explosion near a primary school in the province of Homs.

2013 was a challenging year for President Barack Obama in foreign policy.

Visiting Tacloban, Philippines, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon surveys damage left by Typhoon Haiyan.

The United Nations refugee agency warned that 2013 is on track for some of the highest levels of forced displacement ever seen, owing to unusually large numbers of new refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs).

Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party has announced that it will boycott February's general election.

Authorities in the Philippine capital said the mayor of a southern town, his wife and two others have been killed in an attack outside a terminal at Manila's international airport. Four others were wounded.

European Union leaders plan to discuss the bloc's relations with Ukraine at an EU summit Friday in Brussels. This comes after the EU announced it was suspending talks on pacts with Ukraine's government following President Viktor Yanukovych decision last month against signing an association agreement with the bloc.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel calls China's actions in a near-collision in the South China Sea irresponsible. He also warned that such incidents could aggravate tensions in the region. This latest episode could test the increased U.S. emphasis on Asia.

UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake on Wednesday signed a major contribution agreement with the European Union for €18 million to deliver vitally needed aid to children directly affected by the Syrian crisis.

From right: Paulo Pinheiro, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria and Commission members Karen AbuZayd, Carla del Ponte and Vitit Muntarbhorn at the 24th Session of the Human Rights Council.