Syria's Al-Nusra pledges allegiance to Al-Qaeda
The head of Syria's jihadist Al-Nusra Front has pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, but distanced his group from claims it has merged with Al-Qaeda in Iraq.
Obama speaks to Karzai, days after strike kills civilians
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday spoke to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, for what officials said were regular consultations, three days after a NATO air strike killed 11 Afghan children.
Death toll at 37 as Iran wraps up quake rescue
Rescuers Wednesday wound up operations after pulling 20 people from the rubble of an earthquake that struck near the port city of Bushehr.
Hidden skeletons in the house of C.Africa's Bozize
Looters after gold or jewels in the abandoned home of deposed Central African Republic president Francois Bozize came instead across a gruesome discovery -- two human skeletons hidden beneath the garage floor.
Most conflict-zone sex crimes are against children: charity
Save the Children on Wednesday urged action after releasing a report claiming that most rape and sexual abuse victims in many of the world's conflict zones were children.
Execution-free world getting closer: Amnesty
The use of the death penalty is broadly diminishing around the world although a handful of countries that had not used capital punishment for several years resumed executions in 2012.
Concerns over African force in Mali grow as France withdraws
As France begins withdrawing its troops from Mali, a top US defence official has said a UN-mandated African force was "incapable" of taking over the battle against Islamist extremists.
Ban says W. Sahara risks being drawn into Mali war
UN leader Ban Ki-Moon called Monday for urgent international efforts to end the Western Sahara conflict because of fears the Mali war will spill over into the Moroccan-occupied territory.
France launches major offensive on Mali Islamists
A French force of 1,000 soldiers in a major offensive has swept a valley thought to be a logistics base for Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists near the Malian city of Gao.
Iran opens new uranium production facility: TV
Iran, under global sanctions for its nuclear enrichment programme, on Tuesday launched a new uranium production facility and began operations in two extraction mines.
Kazakhstan welcomes intention to continue talks on Iran's nuclear program
Kazakhstan welcomes the intention of the parties to continue the talks on Iranian nuclear program and expresses hope that the parties find mutually acceptable solutions.
Israel can only rely on self against Iran threat: PM
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel cannot rely on any other country, even an ally, when it comes to facing up to the perceived nuclear threat from Iran.
Afghan roadside bomb hits bus killing nine: officials
A roadside bomb in Afghanistan exploded under a bus on Monday, killing nine people and wounding at least 22 in an attack by suspected Taliban militants.
NATO strike kills 11 children in Afghanistan: officials
A NATO air attack in eastern Afghanistan has killed 11 children, officials said Sunday, the latest case of civilian casualties which provoke great anger in the war-torn country.
Kerry aims to give peace a chance in new Mideast trip
Top US diplomat John Kerry met Palestinian leaders Sunday on a fresh mission to forge a new path forward after a years-long impasse in Middle East peace negotiations.
Sudan says S. Sudan oil exports to resume by end May
South Sudanese oil will be shipped again from Sudan by the end of May, official media said on Saturday, after a shutdown of more than a year which cost both impoverished nations billions of dollars.
Assad warns of instability, Obama to host Syria talks
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has warned that the fall of his regime would destabilise the region "for many years", as US President Barack Obama announced talks with Middle East allies over the crisis.
Salam set to be named Lebanon prime minister
Tamam Salam of the Western-backed opposition is to be named Lebanon's prime minister Saturday, two weeks after Najib Mikati resigned and effectively brought down his Hezbollah-dominated government.
World powers, Iran seek to break nuclear talks deadlock
Iran and world powers met Saturday for the second and final day of new talks aimed at breaking a decade-old deadlock over Tehran's nuclear drive, with the clock again ticking down again on efforts to find a solution.
Call for Britain to help military's Afghan interpreters
British military, political and academic figures on Saturday called on the government not to "abandon" the Afghan interpreters for the troops when they pull out of the country.
