Israel says to free Palestinians and build more settlements
Israel will announce plans for new settlement construction next week, coinciding with the release of a third batch of Palestinian prisoners as part of peace talks, an official said Thursday.
Oil prices up on escalating South Sudan violence
Crude edged higher in Asian trade Thursday on supply concerns following escalating violence in oil-producer South Sudan, but gains were capped as dealers sat on the sidelines awaiting fresh leads after the festive season.
Turkey PM reshuffles cabinet amid graft scandal
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan replaced nearly half his cabinet in a dramatic reshuffle after a spreading graft scandal forced the resignation of three top ministers.
US 'concern' over Uganda anti-gay bill
The United States voiced concern on Tuesday over a draconian anti-homosexuality bill passed by Uganda's parliament.
'Thousands' killed as South Sudan slides towards civil war
Thousands of South Sudanese have been killed in over a week of violence with reports of bodies piled in mass graves, the UN said Tuesday, as the Security Council agreed to nearly double its peacekeepers in the young nation threatening to slide into civil war.
Turkey's scandal-hit ministers resign
Turkey's economy and interior ministers, ensnared in a vast corruption scandal that has roiled the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, resigned.
Pope marks first Christmas as crowds flock to Bethlehem
Pope Francis held his first Christmas Eve mass in the Vatican on Tuesday by highlighting the role played by humble shepherds in the Nativity, as thousands flocked to the historic site of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem.
Egypt PM labels Brotherhood 'terrorist' group after bomb kills 14
Egypt's premier on Tuesday declared the Muslim Brotherhood movement a "terrorist" group, after a car bomb ripped through a police building and killed at least 14 people.
Massacre, rapes, executions carried out in South Sudan: witnesses
South Sudanese soldiers have carried out a string of ethnic killings, including a massacre, house-to-house killings and rapes, following an outbreak of fighting more than a week ago.
US ups pressure in S. Sudan, but no military role likely
The United States -- a key backer of South Sudan's 2011 independence -- is increasing diplomatic pressure amid an intensifying conflict there but will not consider military intervention, experts said.
Pakistan court says it cannot lift Musharraf travel ban
A Pakistani court on Monday said it was unable to lift a travel ban on former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, a day before his trial for treason was due to start.
Dubai police in record $31 mn drugs haul
Dubai police have made a record drug seizure of some 4.6 million Captagon pills, an amphetamine-like stimulant, worth more than $31 million (23 million euros), the local press reported Monday.
Devastating church bombing haunts Christmas in Pakistan
For Christians in Pakistan's troubled, violent northwestern city Peshawar, Christmas this year will be dominated by absent faces.
Mauritania ruling party wins absolute majority
Mauritania's ruling UPR party has won a ruling majority in parliament after a second round of legislative elections.
Syria views Saudi as number one enemy
Syria now views Saudi Arabia as its number one enemy and accuses it of trying to destroy the country by arming jihadists and other rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad.
Mozambique airline captain 'intentionally' crashed: probe
A Mozambican Airlines captain had a "clear intention" to crash an airplane that went down in Namibia killing 33 at the end of November, according to a preliminary investigation reported Saturday.
Suicide attack near Libya's Benghazi kills at least seven: officials
A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-packed vehicle into a security checkpoint outside the restive city of Benghazi in eastern Libya on Sunday, killing at least seven people, witnesses and security sources said.
Uganda adopts tough anti-gay bill
Uganda's parliament on Friday adopted an anti-homosexuality bill that will see repeat offenders jailed for life, sparking an international outcry as lawmakers hailed it as a victory against "evil".
Scandal-hit Turkey PM presses police purge
Turkish prosecutors have begun charging some of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's closest allies in a huge graft scandal he has responded to with a spectacular purge of the police.
S. Sudan at 'precipice' amid growing violence: Obama
US President Barack Obama warned that South Sudan stands at the "precipice" of renewed civil war, amid spiralling violence including an attack on a UN base that killed three Indian peacekeepers.