The UN Security Council unanimously recommended the General Assembly approve five-day old South Sudan become a member of the United Nations.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chanted dirges again on Wednesday for Muammar Gaddafi, saying days for the Libyan leader "are numbered."
Rebel fighters said they had retaken the village of Al-Qawalish in western Libya from forces loyal to Muammar Gadhafi on Wednesday.
Libya's opposition leader met on Wednesday morning with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on the prolonged crisis in Libya.
Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to extend funding for France's military intervention in Libya.
More than 11 million people in the Horn of Africa are confronting the worst drought in decades and need urgent assistance to stay alive.
In a bid to step up pressure on Syria, Obama criticized Syrian President for missing the opportunity to bring about reform in the country.
Senior French officials said that political solution on Libya crisis is taking shape, and emissaries from Gadhafi said he is "prepared to leave".
The Quartet of Middle East peace mediators failed to announce any progress toward reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks after a lengthy meeting.
France's foreign minister said Paris has had contact with emissaries from Gadhafi who say the embattled Libyan strongman is "prepared to leave."
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe confirmed on Tuesday contacts with the Libyan government to negotiate terms of Muammar Gaddafi's leave.
Air raids carried out by the Yemeni air forces against several al-Qaida targets killed at least two militants and injured five others in the province of Abyan.