Russia says Assad blundered, as regime courts opposition
Russia's prime minister has said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made a "grave, perhaps fatal error" by delaying political reforms, as Damascus courted opposition forces.
Israel 'surprised' by Argentina-Iran deal on commission
Israel's foreign ministry said Monday it was "surprised" by Argentina's agreement with Iran to create an independent commission to investigate the 1994 attack on a Buenos Aires Jewish centre.
After tobacco, Turkey bans hookah in public places
After banning smoking in public places, the Turkish government has gone one step further by clamping down on an ancient tradition -- the hookah, or water pipe.
French-led troops close in on Timbuktu
French-led troops were closing in on Mali's fabled desert city of Timbuktu after capturing a string of other towns in their offensive against Islamists in the north of the country.
Morsi declares emergency, curfews in Egypt riot-hit areas
President Mohamed Morsi declared a state of emergency in three provinces hit by rioting which has left dozens dead, warning he was ready to take further steps to confront threats to Egypt's security.
Silicosis suit could crush S.Africa's gold mining sector
Thousands of ex-gold miners suffering from silicosis have launched a class action suit in South Africa, in what could prove the final nail in the coffin of the country's battered but vital mining sector.
British PM reaches out to Europe at Davos
British Prime Minister David Cameron insisted he was not turning his back on Europe as he came face to face with world leaders for the first time since unveiling plans for an EU referendum.
Egyptians to protest on revolution anniversary
Huge crowds were expected to demonstrate in Egypt on Friday for the second anniversary of the revolution that ousted Hosni Mubarak and brought in an Islamist government, at a time of political tensions and economic woes.
Australia joins Europeans in Benghazi threat alert
Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia have all urged their citizens to leave the Libyan city of Benghazi due to a "specific, imminent threat to Westerners", linked to French action in Mali.
Leprosy: an ancient disease thrives in 21st century
It has been called the world's oldest recorded disease, an evil that humans have known for more than 3,500 years, as papyri from ancient Egypt testify.
US calls for 'unconditional' Sudan talks with rebels
The United States on Thursday called on Sudan to hold "unconditional" talks with rebels battling government forces in two strife-torn states where the UN says thousands are close to starvation.
French planes destroy Islamist bases in Mali
French warplanes have destroyed two Islamist bases in northern Mali as an Al-Qaeda-linked group there split, with the splinter group calling for talks to end the offensive against the militants.
Kazakhstan ready to host next round of negotiations on Iranian nuclear program
Kazakhstan is ready to host the next round of negotiations of six international mediators on Iranian nuclear program with representatives of Tehran.
Uncertainty, pessimism over next Iran nuclear talks
More than two months after US President Barack Obama's re-election opened the way for new six-power nuclear talks with Iran, no date or location for their first meeting since June has been set.
Netanyahu wins but weakened by centrist newcomer
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to remain in power despite the poor showing by his Likud-Beitenu list, which will push him into an alliance with the centrist Yesh Atid, the surprise winner of Tuesday's vote.
Five foreigners still missing at Algeria hostage site
Algerian authorities searched on Tuesday for five foreigners still missing and tried to identify seven charred bodies, days after a bloody hostage crisis.
Chad seeks regional clout in sending troops to Mali: analysts
In pledging 2,000 desert-trained soldiers to fight Islamic extremists in Mali, Chad's President Idriss Deby looks set to carve out a role as a force for regional stability.
Concerns over media freedoms in Morsi's Egypt
The Cairo cafe is packed with patrons in stitches as television host Bassem Youssef fires his caustic criticism at President Mohamed Morsi, but post-revolution media freedoms have proved no laughing matter for some.
Women join ranks of Assad forces in Syria's Homs
At 40 years of age, Abir Ramadan joined the all-female unit of Syria's new paramilitary force, pledging loyalty to Bashar al-Assad in the armed struggle against those seeking to topple the president.
DR Congo rebels impose new leaders and taxes: officials
Officials in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo accuse a rebel force of replacing traditional leaders and extorting heavy taxes from the people, while peace talks take place in Uganda under a ceasefire.
