Kerry in Iraq as Sunni militants press western front
US Secretary of State John Kerry landed in Baghdad Monday on a surprise trip to push for Iraqi unity and stability, as Sunni militants advanced in west Iraq after security forces retreated.
Saudi jails Shiites over flag insult
A court in Saudi Arabia sentenced five young Shiites to jail terms ranging from three to six years for insulting the kingdom's flag during protests, an official source said.
Saudi king meets Egypt's Sisi in Cairo
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah visited Cairo, on his first trip to Egypt since the 2011 ouster of dictator Hosni Mubarak, for talks with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Karzai calls on UN to help solve Afghan election crisis
Afghan President Hamid Karzai intervened for the first time in the country's growing election crisis, backing a call for the United Nations to help solve a standoff over alleged fraud.
More than 50 million driven from homes by war, crisis: UN
The number of people driven from their homes by conflict and crisis has topped 50 million for the first time since World War II, with Syria hardest hit, the UN refugee agency said.
US slaps sanctions on Uganda for 'vile' anti-gay laws
The United States Thursday slapped sanctions on Uganda -- cancelling a military air exercise, imposing visa bans and freezing some aid -- amid deep US anger at "vile" Ugandan anti-gay laws.
30 new arrests as Israel presses West Bank hunt for teens
Israeli troops have arrested some 30 Palestinians in the West Bank as they ramped up a search for three teenagers believed kidnapped by Hamas, the army said.
Danish hostage freed in Syria after 13 months
A Danish freelance photographer has been freed after being held hostage in Syria for 13 months, the Danish government said.
Pakistan female singer shot dead
Unknown gunmen shot dead a popular female singer in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar in the latest attack against women artists, officials said.
Obama under pressure to respond to Iraq crisis
President Barack Obama has not decided how to respond to rampant Sunni militants grabbing swathes of Iraq, but is looking at every option short of sending US combat soldiers back to war.
40 Indians in northern Iraq 'uncontactable'
Forty Indian employees stranded in violence-hit Iraq are "uncontactable", the foreign ministry said Wednesday, with a newspaper reporting the construction workers have been kidnapped.
Egypt releases hunger-striking Jazeera journalist
Egypt released Al-Jazeera journalist Abdullah Elshamy, who has been on hunger strike for nearly five months in protest over his detention.
At least 10 dead as Islamists strike again on Kenya's coast
At least 10 people were killed in a new overnight attack near Kenya's coast, police said Tuesday, just 24 hours after Somalia's Shebab rebels massacred close to 50 people in the same area.
Jordanian prince becomes UN's next rights chief
The UN General Assembly Monday approved the nomination of Jordan's Prince Zeid al-Hussein as the next human rights chief, making him the first Muslim and Arab to hold the post.
About 275 US military personnel to Iraq: Obama
About 275 US military personnel are being deployed to Iraq to help American personnel and protect the embassy in Baghdad, President Barack Obama said Monday in a letter to Congressional leaders.
'Super' banana to face first human trial
A super-enriched banana genetically engineered to improve the lives of millions of people in Africa will soon have its first human trial, which will test its effect on vitamin A levels, Australian researchers said.
New Iran nuclear talks as time runs short
Iran and world powers' high-stakes nuclear talks enter a critical fifth round in Vienna on Monday, with both sides still far apart on crucial issues five weeks before a deadline for a deal.
Abdullah slams Afghan election officials for 'fraud'
Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah accused senior election officials of serious fraud, opening a dispute over the vote count that could threaten a smooth transition of power.
Poachers kill famed giant Kenyan elephant
One of Africa's largest elephants has died after being shot by poachers using poisoned arrows in Kenya, wildlife officials said as they mourned the loss of an "old friend."
Morocco raises 1bn euro bond on international market
Morocco has raised one billion euros ($0.7 billion) on the international market in a 10-year bond at 3.5 percent, Finance Minister Mohamed Boussaid said.
