Kerry in Kabul on key mission to calm election turmoil
US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Afghanistan on a key mission to try to quell tensions over disputed presidential polls which have triggered fears of violence and ethnic unrest.
De Mistura to succeed Brahimi as Syria peace mediator
Italian-Swedish diplomat Staffan de Mistura will be the new UN mediator for Syria, taking on the Herculean task of finding a political solution to the devastating civil war, diplomats say.
Syrian opposition elects Hadi el-Bahra as new leader
The Syrian National Coalition, the main exiled opposition group seeking the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, elected Saudi-based Syrian opposition figure Hadi el-Bahra as its new president.
Israel hits 160 targets in Gaza overnight: army
The Israeli air force bombed 160 targets in the Gaza Strip overnight as it pressed a widescale campaign to stop volleys of Palestinian rocket fire, an army official said.
Militants storm Somalia presidential palace
Islamist Shebab rebels carried out a major bomb and armed attack on Somalia's presidential palace late Tuesday, penetrating the heavily fortified complex in the capital Mogadishu before blowing themselves up.
Abdullah claims victory in contested Afghan election
Presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah claimed victory in Afghanistan's disputed election, blaming fraud for putting him behind poll rival Ashraf Ghani in preliminary results.
Abbas demands Israel halt Gaza raids 'immediately'
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas demanded Israel immediately halt its latest offensive against Gaza following a night of air strikes and militant rocket fire on the Israeli south.
Senior US diplomat 'unwelcome' by Bahrain
Bahrain has told a senior US diplomat, who has met with representatives of the country's opposition, that he was "unwelcome" in the kingdom and should "leave immediately."
Trapped Indian nurses on way home from Iraq
A group of 46 Indian nurses who were trapped in an area of Iraq seized by Islamic militants were set to be welcomed home by anxious relatives Saturday after being freed from the rebel-held city of Mosul.
'40 percent' of Madagascar budget lost to corruption: PM
Madagascar's Prime Minister Roger Kolo has vowed to stamp out corruption after revealing that 40 percent of his country's budget is lost to graft.
Senegal prime minister sacked
Senegal's president sacked Prime Minister Aminata Toure, who has only been in power since September, less than a week after her ruling party was beaten in local elections.
Hackers take over Israel army Twitter account
Internet hackers briefly took over an Israeli army Twitter account, the military said, posting an alarming message that a nuclear facility had been hit by rocket fire.
India nurses in Iraq conflict 'to be freed'
A group of 46 Indian nurses trapped in Iraq are to be freed, one of them told AFP Friday, in a rare piece of positive news in a crisis threatening "Syria-like chaos".
Land mine kills four Tunisian soldiers: ministry
Four Tunisian soldiers were killed by a land mine in the country's northwest, where the army has been battling Islamist militants, the defence ministry said.
Oil extends losses on return of Libyan supplies
Oil extended losses in Asia Thursday on prospects that Libya will begin exporting more crude into a global market flush with supplies, while easing concerns about the Iraqi crisis also weighed on prices.
Saudi MERS: Philippines urges its Muslims to abort Hajj
The Philippines urged its large Muslim minority to reconsider plans to join pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia this year due to a deadly virus outbreak there.
Taliban suicide attack on military bus kills 8 in Kabul
A Taliban suicide bomber in Kabul killed eight military officers Wednesday in an attack on an air force bus, Afghan officials said, in the latest strike against the national security forces as US troops withdraw.
Kenyan cargo plane crashes into building, killing 4 on board
At least four people died when a cargo plane crashed into a building shortly after takeoff on Wednesday from the Kenyan capital's main airport, the busiest in east Africa.
UN to slap sanctions on Ugandan rebels in DR Congo
The UN Security Council decided to slap sanctions on Ugandan rebels Allied Democratic Forces, who are active in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, diplomats said.
Sacked Saudi deputy defence minister named spy chief
Saudi King Abdullah appointed a new spy chief, giving the job to the former deputy defence minister days after sacking him from that post, SPA state news agency reported.
