Russia: 'political suicide' if Assad uses chemical arms
Russia said on Monday it would be "political suicide" for the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad if it used chemical weapons against the armed opposition.
Ahmadinejad aide returns to jail after short parole
Ali Akbar Javanfekr, a senior aide to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, returned to jail on Monday after a four-day parole during which he underwent medical treatment.
Thousands flock to Bethlehem for Christmas
Thousands of Palestinians and tourists were flocking to the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Monday to mark Christmas at the site where many believe Jesus Christ was born.
Egypt waits on referendum results; opposition cries fraud
Egypt on Monday was awaiting official results of a referendum on a new constitution reportedly backed by two-thirds of voters but which the opposition alleged was riddled with fraud.
Surge in Pakistan violence raises fears for elections
A surge of violence in northwest Pakistan culminating in the assassination of a senior provincial minister has raised fears of a renewed Taliban campaign that could threaten national elections.
Afghan policewoman shoots dead foreign adviser
A female Afghan police officer on Monday shot dead a foreign civilian adviser in Kabul police headquarters, officials said, in the first "insider" attack to be carried out by a woman.
Egypt opposition to appeal vote passing new constitution
Egypt's opposition said on Sunday it will appeal a referendum seen as voting in a new constitution backed by ruling Islamists, and vowed to keep up a struggle that has spawned weeks of protests and instability.
Russia denounces West's 'dangerous' stance on Syria
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday denounced the West's "dangerous" stance in support of Syrian rebels seeking to unseat President Bashar al-Assad.
Egyptians vote on controversial draft charter
Egyptians voted on Saturday in the final round of a referendum on a new constitution championed by President Mohamed Morsi and his Islamist allies against fierce protests from the secular-leaning opposition.
UN Security Council approves Mali intervention force
The UN Security Council on Thursday unanimously approved sending an African-led military force to help reconquer northern Mali from Islamist militants.
Canada adds elite Iranian force to terror list
Canada added Iran's Quds Force to a list of terrorist groups on Thursday, saying the elite special operations unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard had been arming the Taliban, Hamas and others.
ConocoPhillips sells off Nigerian operation
US energy giant ConocoPhillips has agreed to sell its Nigerian operations to growing African group Oando for 1.79 billion dollars (1.35 billion euros).
Media outnumber doomsayers in Turkish 'apocalypse haven'
As the village of Sirince waited for what some say is an apocalypse from which the tiny Turkish hamlet will be spared, its streets were teeming not with doomsayers but a hoard of disappointed journalists.
UN sanctions two Iran firms over Syria arms supplies
The UN Security Council on Thursday slapped sanctions on two Iranian firms accused of supplying arms to the Syrian government.
Dakar-2013: Arthur Ardavichus told about goals of Astana crew in Dakar-2013 rally
The most important goal for Kazakhstan's Astana crews is to keep our teams safe both in Africa Race an in Dakar Rally Raid: Arthur Ardavichus.
Rebels continue Central Africa push as Chad troops arrive
Rebels in the Central African Republic seized a town near the border with Chad on Wednesday, a day after Chadian troops entered the country at Bangui's request to help the army contain the rebel offensive.
Record backing expected for UN anti-death penalty vote
A record number of countries are expected to back a UN General Assembly call for a moratorium on capital punishment on Thursday.
Love online challenges Pakistan taboos
Sania was just a schoolgirl when she logged onto an Internet chat room and met a young college student called Mohammad. They fell in love and decided to get married.
US to seek death penalty in Afghan massacre case
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for an American soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan villagers in one of the most appalling atrocities of the war.
US inquiry slams 'grossly inadequate' Benghazi security
A long-awaited inquiry into a deadly militant attack on the US mission in the Libyan city of Benghazi late Tuesday slammed State Department security arrangements there as "grossly inadequate."
