The disputed rocks and reefs of the South China Sea are more than an ocean away from the landlocked African nation of Niger.

But that has not stopped the strife-ridden, largely desert country of 17 million people adding its voice to a growing diplomatic chorus that Beijing says supports its rejection of an international tribunal hearing on the waters.

Iraq's operation to recapture jihadist bastion Fallujah has given Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi a political reprieve, drawing attention away from repeated setbacks to reform efforts that have angered protesters.

With the launch of the operation, Abadi can present himself as the commander-in-chief who is fighting back against the reviled Islamic State group, as opposed to a premier whose office was stormed by demonstrators just a few days ago.

While far-right parties across Europe hailed the near-election of one of their own as Austrian president as a boost for their future prospects, his defeat shows that mainstream forces are still capable of rallying to keep extremists out of power.

Norbert Hofer from Austria's anti-immigrant Freedom Party (FPOe), failed by a whisker in Sunday's election to become the European Union's first far-right head of state, with only 31,000 votes between him and power.

Venezuela is sinking deeper into political and economic chaos, but the international response has been timid so far -- and is unlikely to put much pressure on an unbending President Nicolas Maduro, analysts say.

So far, the international community's main plan of action for Venezuela has been to call for a "great national dialogue," in the words of the former presidents of Spain, Panama and the Dominican Republic, one high-profile group trying to mediate the crisis.

Next month France will host the latest diplomatic attempt to salvage the moribund Israel-Palestinian peace process but, according to scholar Hussein Ibish, the initiative won't get far without U.S. support.

Frustrated with progress towards any renewed bid to agree a permanent deal, Paris has invited international supporters of the peace process to talks next month designed to revive hopes for a two-state solution.

President Barack Obama confirmed Monday that a U.S. drone strike in southwest Pakistan had killed Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, heralding a new chapter in the Afghan insurgency which had grown fiercer under him.

- Who will succeed him?

After decades of officially-imposed detachment from the "Great Satan," Iranians are this time transfixed by the wild U.S. presidential campaign, mindful that the next White House occupant could have direct impact on their lives.

At the heart of the matter is last year's deal with world powers, which eased the country's isolation and removed many economic sanctions in exchange for a curtailing of the Iran's nuclear program. Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump has bitterly criticized the accord, which is rather popular here, and says he would rework it.

Turkey's incoming prime minister Binali Yildirim is a longstanding and faithful ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has shown the president unstinting loyalty even before he won the highest office.

Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, who according to U.S. officials was probably killed in a drone strike, took over as head of the insurgent movement last July following the revelation that the group's founder Mullah Omar had been dead for two years.

Venezuela's armed forces, which are conducting exercises against perceived internal and external threats, hold immense power in the government of President Nicolas Maduro and notably have interests in the vital oil sector.

The military boasts Russian and Chinese systems, including Sukhoi strike jet fighters, missiles and tanks.