Bomb attack in Karachi wounds 12 as voting begins A bomb blast targeting an election candidate wounded at least 12 people in Pakistan's commercial hub of Karachi as historic elections got underway on Saturday.
11 May 2013
Strong Iran quake causes damage, injuries A strong earthquake of 6.2 magnitude hit southern Iran early on Saturday, the US Geological Survey said, with local media reporting of damaged villages and several injuries.
11 May 2013
Israel seeking to 'sabotage' peace efforts: Palestinians The chief Palestinian negotiator has accused the Israeli government of trying to "sabotage" US moves to rekindle peace talks by signing off on plans for nearly 300 new settler homes near Ramallah.
Turkish Airlines reverses lipstick ban for stewardesses Turkish Airlines has reversed a ban on air hostesses wearing brightly-coloured lipstick following accusations it was trying to Islamise the company under government influence.
Nigerian Islamists attack town, kill 55: army Nigerian gunmen on Tuesday launched coordinated attacks on military barracks, a prison and police stations in the northeastern town of Bama, killing 55 people and springing 105 inmates.
09 May 2013
Kurdish rebels to begin critical pullout from Turkey Kurdish rebels are due to begin their much-anticipated withdrawal from Turkey into their stronghold in northern Iraq on Wednesday, a major step towards ending a decades-long conflict that has left tens of thousands dead.
08 May 2013
Lebanon 'liberal' for Mideast, but gays still targeted Lebanon has a reputation as the most liberal country in the conservative Middle East, but even a night on the town for gays can end in arrest and humiliating sexuality "tests".
08 May 2013
Two dead, 23 wounded in Pakistan suicide attack: officials Two people were killed and 23 others wounded Wednesday when a suicide bomber crashed his explosives-packed car into a barrier outside a police station in troubled northwest Pakistan.
08 May 2013
DRC named worst place to be mother The Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday displaced fellow African nation Niger to gain the unenviable distinction of being the worst place in the world to be a mother.
SARS-like virus kills two more in Saudi: ministry A new SARS-like virus has killed two more people in Saudi Arabia, taking the number of deaths from the coronavirus that the kingdom has announced to seven in one week.
07 May 2013
Israel warplanes strike near Syria capital Israeli raids early Sunday hit three military sites outside Damascus, the second such reported attack in 48 hours, prompting Syria's government to warn that the regional situation was now "more dangerous."
Libya adopts law barring Kadhafi-era officials Libya's General National Congress, under pressure from militiamen, on Sunday voted through a controversial law to exclude former regime officials from public posts in a move that could see the premier removed from office.
Australia halts cattle exports to Egypt Australian cattle exporters said they had suspended live shipments to Egypt Saturday after abattoir footage shot by animal rights activists showed "horrific" mistreatment of cows.