Miss Algeria crowned for first time in 10 years
After an absence of 10 years, the Miss Algeria beauty contest was held Friday in the western city of Oran, with 19-year-old science student Rym Amari taking the pageant honours.
More EU pressure on Iran, Israel PM tells Ashton
Europe must take a firmer line with Iran over its controversial nuclear programme, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday at the start of a working meeting with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
Rebels barring access to Sudan conflict zones: UN
Rebels battling government forces in two southern states in Sudan are holding up relief and medical supplies into areas they control.
'Friends of Syria' meeting in Doha to discuss aid for rebels
Foreign ministers of the "Friends of Syria" group meet in Doha on Saturday to discuss military help and other aid for rebels after an onslaught by government forces who have retaken key areas.
Syria's sectarian war causes Hamas split: analysts
Syria's civil war has caused a split within Hamas over whether to cling to Shiite backers Damascus, Tehran and Hezbollah or side with Sunni allies such as Qatar, Egypt and Turkey.
World rights groups say Jordan trying to censor online media
International rights groups and media freedom defenders expressed concern on Wednesday about a recent Jordanian government decision to block unlicensed local news websites saying it was a censorship attempt.
UAE company to build Abu Dhabi Plaza in Astana
Arabtech Holding PJSC (ARTC) has won the tender for construction of the 88-storey complex Abu Dhabi Plaza in Astana.
Syria opposition vows to fight on to topple Assad
Syria's opposition vowed Wednesday to fight on to topple President Bashar al-Assad, saying any political solution to the conflict must lead to the fall of the regime.
Top US general, diplomat clash over Syria: report
Top US military officer General Martin Dempsey has clashed with Secretary of State John Kerry over the merits of bombing Syria's regime at a White House meeting.
UN vows 'despicable' attack will not end Somalia mission
UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed outrage at a "despicable" Islamist attack on a UN compound in Somalia which left 16 dead but vowed that the organisation would not end its work in the troubled country.
US to open peace talks with Taliban
The United States and the Taliban cleared the decks for peace talks Tuesday even as a deadly attack on US troops underlined the still furious nature of their decade-long war.
Nine students killed in attack on Nigeria school: residents
Suspected Islamists shot dead nine students as they sat an exam in an attack on a private school in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria.
Nazarbayev congratulates Iran's Rowhani on election
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev sent a telegram congratulating Hassan Rowhani on his election as Iran's new President.
UN says refugees, displaced at two-decade high
War and other crises drove one person from their home every 4.1 seconds in 2012.
Afghan forces take over security from NATO
Afghan forces took control of security across the country on Tuesday, marking a major milestone as US-led combat troops prepare to withdraw after 12 years of fighting the Taliban.
Saudi announces four new deaths from MERS virus
Four more people have died from the MERS virus in Saudi Arabia, bringing the death toll from the SARS-like virus in the kingdom to 32.
Nelson Mandela 'doing very well', daughter says
Nelson Mandela, who has been in hospital for 10 days suffering a lung infection, is "doing very well".
Turkey warns it may use army to end protest unrest
Turkey warned on Monday it may bring in the army to help quell nearly three weeks of nationwide anti-government protests as two major union federations went on strike over police violence against demonstrators.
Rowhani firm on Iran nuclear policy but vows more openness
Iran's newly-elected president Hassan Rowhani ruled out any halt to the nuclear activity that has drawn UN sanctions but said he hoped an early deal could be reached to allay the concerns of major powers.
US program marks birth of one millionth HIV-free baby
This month somewhere in sub-Saharan Africa the one millionth baby will be born without HIV to a mother who suffers from the disease, thanks in large part to a decade-old US aid program.
