SAfrica minister wants ban on insulting president
A South African minister called for a legal ban on insulting a sitting president to counter what he said was a lack of respect from white South Africans.
African Union backs military intervention in Mali
The African Union has endorsed a plan for military intervention to regain control of Mali's desert north from Islamist rebels and restore the authority of the state.
N. Korea shipped missile parts to Syria: media
North Korea tried to export ballistic missile parts to Syria in May in violation of UN sanctions, Japanese media said Wednesday, citing diplomats who have seen a classified UN report.
Reform hopes seen dashed at Sudan Islamist meet
Calls for change by Arab Spring-inspired reformers in Sudan will likely be ignored when thousands of government-linked Islamists begin meeting on Thursday.
Palestinian UN bid on Nov 29: Abbas
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has announced that the Palestinian Authority will present its bid for non-state UN membership, despite US and Israeli opposition.
Two rockets hit Kabul, no casualties: police
Two rockets hit the Afghan capital Kabul early Tuesday not far from the presidential palace, but caused no casualties or damage.
Mali Islamists a threat to Europe: French minister
Islamist extremists occupying northern Mali pose a threat not just to the immediate region but to European security, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Sunday.
Obama tells Abbas of opposition to UN move
US President Barack Obama told Mahmud Abbas on Sunday that his administration opposes a Palestinian bid for non-state membership of the UN.
Russia will back US-Iran nuclear talks: FT
Russia will support one-to-one talks between the United States and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
Israel warns Hamas of 'heavy price' for Gaza rockets
Israel has warned the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas that it will strike with "ever-growing intensity" in response to the latest barrage of rocket attacks into the Jewish state.
UN leader warns Israel-Syria tensions could escalate
UN leader Ban Ki-moon appealed Sunday to Israel and Syria to ease tensions on their disputed Golan Heights frontier amid warnings that conflict in Syria could spread.
Russian Orthodox patriarch visits Holy Land
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill was in Jerusalem on Friday for his first visit to the Holy Land since becoming head of the powerful church in 2009.
Iranian jets fired on US drone in Gulf: Pentagon
The Pentagon revealed Thursday that two Iranian fighter jets fired on an unarmed US Predator drone in the Gulf last week but the aircraft was not hit, in an incident that underscored tensions in the region.
60 countries expected at Tokyo Syria meet
Japan said Friday around 150 delegates from some 60 countries are expected to attend an international conference in Tokyo this month aimed at pressuring the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
UN concerned over Red Cross problems in Syria
The UN human rights chief expressed concern Friday after the Red Cross said it was struggling to deliver aid in war-ravaged Syria.
Refugee crisis mounts as Syria air raids worsen
Hundreds of Syrians are streaming into makeshift refugee camps on the Turkish border every day, fleeing for their lives as the government escalates air raids on northwestern towns and villages.
Migrants in Morocco ready to risk all as winter looms
"I don't want to die of hunger and cold," says Patrick, one of many sub-Saharan migrants in Morocco desperate to reach Spanish shores and start a new life in Europe as winter approaches.
Crocodile captured in Gaza sewer: Hamas
Police in the Gaza Strip on Monday captured a crocodile that roamed the sewerage system of a town in the north of the enclave, the Palestinian territory's Hamas rulers said.
Nazarbayev took part in opening of Formula-1 in Abu-Dhabi
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev took part in the opening of the final of a Formula-1 stage, Abu-Dhabi Grand Prix.
Boxing: Golovkin eyes fighting South African Thomas Oosthuizen
Gennady Golovkin is going to fight against South African Thomas Oosthuizen. The bout was scheduled for January 19.
