500 civilians evacuated from besieged Syrian town
Some 500 women, children and elderly civilians trapped in the besieged town of Moadamiyet al-Sham, southwest of Damascus, have been evacuated.
Israel frees 26 Palestinian prisoners
Israel freed another 26 veteran Palestinian prisoners on Wednesday, alongside US-brokered peace talks.
Chinese bank lends Niger $1 billion: minister
Niger has accepted a controversial $1 billion loan from the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) to finance development projects.
Japanese minister to visit Iran as ties with West thaw
Japan's foreign minister will go to Iran next month, he said Tuesday, in the latest sign of Tehran's rapidly thawing relationship with the Western world.
Ancient past challenges modern teaching in 'cradle of mankind'
In Kenya's national museum, wide-eyed school children gaze at blackened skeletons of long gone ancestors, 1.5 million-year-old remains that provide key lessons today for modern teachers of mankind's origin.
Obama, Netanyahu discuss Iran
US President Barack Obama spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Iran, a day after the Israeli leader warned Tehran could convert uranium into weapons-grade material within weeks.
Oil-rich Kuwait warns welfare state unsustainable
Oil-rich Kuwait said Monday that the generous cradle-to-grave welfare system provided to its 1.2 million citizens was "unsustainable" and it was time for change.
Peace envoy heads for Syria, Russia slams rebel threats
UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi headed for Damascus to seek support for a Syria peace conference, as Russia slammed rebels for threatening those planning to attend the so-called Geneva II talks.
35 bodies 'in military uniform' at Nigeria morgue after Islamist raid
Thirty-five bodies in military uniform have been brought to a morgue in Nigeria's restive northeast after a coordinated assault by Boko Haram targeting the security forces.
Turkey fulfils sultan's dream with opening of Bosphorus rail tunnel
Turkey will on Tuesday unveil the world's first sea tunnel connecting two continents, fulfilling a sultan's dream 150 years ago, but also fuelling recent anti-government sentiment for such mega projects.
Saudi braces for 'open driving campaign' by women
Saudi Arabia was braced for possible protests Saturday after women activists declared an "open driving campaign" against the deeply conservative kingdom's ban on women behind the wheel.
Car bomb kills 40 as fears mount for trapped Syrians
A car bomb outside a mosque near Damascus killed at least 40 people on Friday, an NGO said, as a top UN official expressed mounting concern over hundreds of thousands of trapped civilians.
Madagascar vote results trickle in
Madagascar began announcing results in dribs and drabs Saturday after its first post-coup presidential elections, with only 52 polling stations out of 20,001 reported in the morning.
Nigeria says killed 95 Boko Haram fighters
Nigeria's army said Friday it had killed 95 suspected Boko Haram fighters in raids in the country's northeast, as gunmen from the Islamist group battled security forces in a neighbouring area.
Pakistan makes UN call for end to US drone strikes
Pakistan on Friday renewed demands for an end to US drone strikes on its territory as two UN experts called for greater transparency in the use of the weapons.
Johannesburg opens museum of African design
A museum of African design opened in a renovated Johannesburg warehouse Thursday, promising to showcase work by the continent's finest contemporary artists.
Madagascar hopes post-coup presidential vote will end crisis
Poverty-wracked Madagascar began voting Friday in long-delayed presidential elections meant to restore democracy and pull the country out of the crisis it plunged into after a 2009 coup.
EU's Ashton urges Palestinian reconciliation in talks with Abbas
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Thursday called for the end of divisions between Palestinians, in talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.
Syria chemical disarmament on track as rebel attack causes blackouts
Syria is set to hand over a detailed plan for destroying its chemical arsenal Thursday, the international watchdog says, as a rebel attack near Damascus triggered power outages across the country.
Kazakhstan and Qatar planning to esbalish direct flights
Kazakhstan and Qatar are planning to launch direct flights.
