Annan in Syria hoping to save peace plan
International envoy Kofi Annan has arrived in Syria after admitting that his peace plan has so far failed to end nearly 16 months of carnage, as scores more die in the violence-wracked country.
Afghan President hails aid, calls for help on graft
Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai on Monday hailed international donors for pledging $16 billion in aid to the war-torn nation, but called for more help to clamp down on corruption.
US designates Afghanistan as major ally: Clinton
The United States has designated Afghanistan a major non-NATO ally, giving the war-torn country special privileges as the US prepares to pull its troops out in 2014.
Russia accuses West of distorting Syria deal
Russia accused the West on Tuesday of seeking to distort an agreement for a political transition in Syria, after international peace envoy Kofi Annan said a ceasefire was imperative.
Conflict, economic woes, in tough first year for South Sudan
The world's youngest nation South Sudan has had a rough first year: border wars with the North, internal violence and shutdown of the oil production its economy depends on.
Algeria celebrates anniversary with musical, fireworks
Algerian celebrations to mark 50 years since gaining independence from France kicked off on Wednesday with a giant open air performance inspired by the liberation struggle, followed by nationwide fireworks displays.
Fresh tensions cloud India, Pakistan peace talks
Top Indian and Pakistani foreign ministry officials met Wednesday to bolster a fragile peace dialogue undermined by fresh tensions over the 2008 Mumbai attacks and political flux in Pakistan.
Cholera outbreak in northern Mali kills two
Two people have died and 26 others have been infected by an outbreak of cholera in the city of Gao, northern Mali, a region occupied by hardline Islamist groups.
Explosion hits shopping centre in Nigerian capital
An explosion went off on Tuesday at a shopping centre in the Nigerian capital Abuja, where an unexploded bomb was later discovered.
Pakistan reopens Afghan supply routes as US says sorry
Pakistan agreed to reopen key supply routes into Afghanistan Tuesday, ending a bitter stand-off after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was sorry for the loss of life in a botched air raid.
Libya heads to polls after decades of dictatorship
Libyans vote on Saturday for a constituent assembly, the first body elected since the ouster of dictator Moamer Kadhafi, tasked with steering the country through its critical transition.
UN leader condemns lack of regulation for arms trade
UN leader Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday it was a "disgrace" that there is no global arms trade regulation as he opened treaty talks held up by Palestinian demands for a place in the negotiations.
ICC team released from Libya back in the Netherlands
Four envoys of the International Criminal Court who were detained in Libya last month after visiting the son of slain leader Moamer Kadhafi arrived Tuesday in the Netherlands.
Nigeria signs $4.5 billion refinery deal with US energy firm
Nigeria on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with an American energy firm to build six oil refineries, in a project worth 4.5 billion dollars.
Syria opposition meets as UN slams new violations
Exiled opposition groups tried to forge a common vision for a transition in Syria as they met Monday in Cairo as the UN rights chief accused both the regime and opposition of "serious" violations.
Islamists smash Timbuktu relics, plant mines in north Mali
Islamist rebels smashed the entrance of a 15th-century Timbuktu mosque on Monday, while their Al-Qaeda allies in northern Mali cut off the key city of Gao by planting landmines all around it.
Israel sought $1 billion IMF loan for Palestinians
Israel sought a $1 billion IMF bridging loan for the Palestinian Authority earlier this year, but was turned down, an Israeli newspaper said Monday in a report.
Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort zone will become a Kazakhstan brand
Kazakhstan Ministry of Industry and New Technologies will work out a package plan of development of Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort zone.
Syrians bemoan failure of world talks on crisis
The opposition and state media on Sunday both branded an international plan for a transition in strife-torn Syria a failure, as the death toll for a weekend of violence topped 160.
Israel gives West Bank Hamas chief 54 life terms
An Israeli military court on Sunday sentenced a former military leader of Hamas to multiple life sentences after convicting him of ordering the killing of dozens of Israelis.
