Hundreds of prisoners escape in Taliban jail attack
Taliban insurgents armed with mortars and grenades launched a major attack on a jail in northwest Pakistan, escaping with 230 prisoners including hardline militants after a gunbattle with security forces.
Ban warns Egyptian leaders over demonstration deaths
UN leader Ban Ki-moon warned Egypt's interim leadership on Sunday that every death in demonstrations is making it harder to drag the country out of its crisis.
Malians go to polls in watershed election
Mali voted on Sunday for a new president in a bid to usher in peace and stability in the first election since a military coup helped plunge the country into chaos.
Children paying high price of DR Congo fighting: UN
The United Nations warned Friday it had "worrying" evidence that a growing number of children are being killed or injured in the renewed fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
US poised to sell Iraq $2 bn in military equipment
The Pentagon has informed the US Congress of a possible sale of $2 billion worth of military equipment to Iraq.
Cairo pro-Morsi demo to be ended 'legally': minister
A long-running sit-in in Cairo by supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi will be ended "in the framework of the law".
Senegal police chief suspected of drug trafficking
Senegal's top police chief and former drug buster is suspected of drug trafficking and was dismissed from his job Thursday as police launched an investigation.
Africa backs French Mali mission, Mideast against: poll
Africans generally approve of France's military intervention to help drive Islamists out of northern Mali, while Middle Easterners are opposed.
Widest study highlights risks from MERS virus
The broadest probe yet into the deadly MERS virus which erupted in Saudi Arabia last year says older patients, men, and people with underlying medical conditions are those particularly at risk.
Syria opposition asks Kerry for US arms
Syrian opposition leaders on Thursday pressed US Secretary of State John Kerry to arm rebel groups and said there could be no peace talks while government forces kill civilians.
Syria death toll tops 100,000: UN
More than 100,000 people have now been killed in the Syrian civil war, UN leader Ban Ki-moon said Thursday, as he appealed for new efforts to convene a peace conference.
Qatar joins calls for release of Egypt's Morsi
Gas-rich Qatar has joined international calls for his release from detention while expressing concern at violence sweeping Egypt.
Putin to visit Iran for nuclear talks: report
President Vladimir Putin is to visit Iran in August to try and restart talks on Tehran's controversial nuclear programme.
Syria opposition leader set to meet France's Hollande
Syria's opposition leader is scheduled to meet French President Francois Hollande Wednesday, a day after asking France for military aid to boost the forces fighting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
US plan to arm Syria rebels gains support in Congress
President Barack Obama's plan to provide vetted Syrian rebels with weapons and strategic military aid has gained traction in Congress.
Iran denounces blacklisting of ally Hezbollah
Shiite Iran has denounced the European Union for its decision to blacklist Hezbollah's armed wing as a terror group, accusing it of acting in Israel's interests.
EU puts Hezbollah 'military wing' on terror list
The European Union on Monday put the military wing of Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah on its of terrorist organisations, a move that the group slammed as aggressive and unjust.
Cairo clashes kill four as Morsi family to sue army
Clashes between supporters and opponents of Mohamed Morsi killed four people on Monday as the ousted Egyptian president's family vowed to sue the army over his ouster.
From Mecca to Rio, Spain seeks buyers for high-speed rail
Encouraged by a multi-billion euro contract to build a high-speed rail in Saudi Arabia, recession-hit Spain is fighting to win more lucrative train contracts abroad.
Kerry finalizing MidEast peace talks team
Secretary of State John Kerry is finalizing his team to help shepherd Middle East peace talks and take on the heavy lifting on a day to day basis.