Russia arming Mali, more Islamist attacks feared
Russia revealed Wednesday it was supplying guns to Mali's government, as French troops defused a massive bomb in the north of the country, the latest bid by Islamist rebels to strike back.
Israel censor eases some restrictions over 'Prisoner X'
The Israeli censor on Wednesday slightly eased tight restrictions on the death of "Prisoner X", allowing the press to publish excerpts of an ABC report which said he was an Australian with ties to Mossad.
Iran scorns Israel's nuclear red line as 'laughing matter'
Iran on Tuesday scorned as a "laughing matter" comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Tehran is moving closer to making a nuclear bomb.
Islamic clerics seek dialogue with new pope
Senior Muslim clerics in Egypt believe Pope Benedict XVI's abrupt resignation could reopen the way for dialogue with the Catholic Church, severed after Benedict's controversial 2006 remarks on the Muslim prophet.
Obama vows US will back human rights in Middle East
US President Barack Obama vowed to maintain the pressure on the Syrian regime and to defend human rights in the Middle East on Tuesday, but offered no new ideas to halt bloodshed in the Arab world.
Obama says 34,000 US troops to leave Afghanistan
President Barack Obama announced Tuesday that 34,000 troops would be pulled out of Afghanistan in the next year, and vowed that by the end of 2014 the US war in the country would be over.
Qaeda urges jihad against France in Mali: SITE
Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has called for jihad, or holy war, to thwart France's military intervention in Mali against Islamist rebels.
Iran expecting new nuclear offer in Kazakhstan: negotiator
Iran is expecting a new offer from world powers in talks later this month in Kazakhstan over its controversial nuclear programme.
France bombs Islamist hideout as Mali insurgency deepens
France has bombed an Islamist rebel hideout in northern Mali's largest city, intensifying a security lock-down against guerrilla attacks as the French-led campaign entered its second month.
Tunisia in crisis as president's party rejects govt plan
Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki's secular party said Monday it would stay in the ruling coalition reversing a previous threat, but maintained its call for key Islamist ministers to resign.
UN Security Council looms for Iran as IAEA tries again
Iran faces possible referral to the UN Security Council in early March unless Tehran and the UN atomic agency defy expectations in talks Wednesday and reach a deal on enhanced inspections.
Islamists attack north Mali city after suicide bombings
Islamist gunmen attacked the largest city in northern Mali on Sunday following two straight days of suicide bombings, intensifying their insurgency on territory reclaimed by French-led forces.
Fierce fighting in Syria, UN envoy meets opposition leader
Syrian rebels launched fierce assaults on government troops in several parts of the country on Sunday, as a UN envoy urged the leader of the opposition to seek dialogue with the Damascus regime.
OIC summit supports nuclear-free world declaration
The 12th OIC summit finished in Cairo. Kazakhstan delegation was led by Foreign Minister Yerlan Idrissov.
Zulu goes high-tech
When a middle-aged South African engineer recently set out to write a novel in his native Zulu, he found himself hamstrung by a lack of words to describe modern life.
Clashes in Egypt as anti-Morsi camp demands change
Thousands of protesters clashed with police in several Egyptian provinces in rallies calling on Islamist President Mohamed Morsi to fulfil the goals of the revolt that brought him to power.
Gunmen kill 10 in attacks on Nigeria polio clinics
Gunmen killed at least 10 people in horrifying attacks on two Nigerian polio clinics on Friday that dealt a new blow to the campaign to wipe out the disease.
UN leader worried by guerrilla fightback in Mali
UN leader Ban Ki-moon said Thursday he is worried by a guerrilla fightback in Mali and that no firm decision has been made to send a peacekeeping force there.
Aid workers in DRC appeal for $900 million
Aid workers in the conflict-torn Democratic Republic of Congo said Thursday they will need nearly $900 million (673 million euros) to meet the needs of the population this year.
UN investigating Iran link to Yemen arms seizure
UN sanctions experts are investigating the Yemeni government's claims that Iran supplied rockets and explosives seized from a ship last month.