Israel okayed nearly 14,000 settler homes during talks: NGO
Israel approved plans for nearly 14,000 new settler homes during the nine months of peace talks with the Palestinians, an Israeli settlement watchdog said Tuesday as the negotiation period formally ended.
29 April 2014
EU, US in cautious lockstep on Russia sanctions
The United States has been moving cautiously in slapping sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis, keen to keep its EU allies on board and avoid exposing fault lines within the European bloc, analysts say.
South Africa celebrates 20 years since apartheid
President Jacob Zuma led celebrations Sunday on the 20th anniversary of post-apartheid democracy in South Africa, insisting it is closer to its dream of a multi-racial nation despite stubborn inequality, poverty and corruption.
28 April 2014
Egypt verdict expected for Islamist chief, 700 others
The Egyptian judge who sentenced to death hundreds of supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi will pass judgment Monday on another 700 people, including Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie.
28 April 2014
Iraqi forces cast ballots ahead of election
Security personnel cast their ballots nationwide Monday ahead of Iraq's first election since US troops withdrew, amid attacks on voting centres and fears the country is slipping into all-out conflict.
Parallels between Ukraine and Kazakhstan inappropriate: Lavrov
According to the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, drawing parallels between Crimea, which was declared a Russian territory as a result of a referendum, and Kazakhstan is completely inept.
27 April 2014
Tanzania marks 50th anniversary with midlife crisis
The east African nation of Tanzania marks its 50th birthday this weekend, but celebrations are being overshadowed by a tussle over the union between the mainland and the islands of Zanzibar.
27 April 2014
Interpol reports low use of stolen passport database
Fewer than 10 countries in the world systematically use an Interpol database to verify whether a passenger is flying with stolen documents, the organization's secretary general said.
UN set to lift Ivory Coast diamond embargo
The UN Security Council is set to lift a nearly decade-old embargo on Ivory Coast's international diamond trade and plans to relax its arms embargo there, diplomats said.
26 April 2014
Obama in first US presidential visit to Malaysia since 1966
US President Barack Obama arrives Saturday in Malaysia hoping to energise aloof ties with a Muslim-majority nation whose government is under the microscope for wide allegations of abuse of power and the loss of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
26 April 2014
Senegal tense as exiled former president returns home
Exiled former Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade made a controversial homecoming with security forces on high alert on Friday, two years after he lost office in an election marred by violent protests.
26 April 2014
New pictures confirm North Korea nuclear activity
A North Korean nuclear test within days "cannot be ruled out" analysts said Saturday, after new satellite imagery showed heightened activity at the test site.