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.
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.
Spanish youth protest around the world against unemployment
Spanish youths demonstrated Sunday in cities across Spain and near the country's embassies abroad against sky-high unemployment and poor working conditions.
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.
Cyprus bank workers to strike over pension fears
Cyprus bank workers are to go on strike Thursday over fears pensions may be at risk under the country's crippling bailout, after the new finance minister vowed to do "whatever it takes" to right the economy.
Israeli aircraft hit Gaza in first strikes since November
Israeli aircraft carried out apparent warning strikes in the Gaza Strip early Wednesday, hitting empty fields after a militant rocket earlier struck waste ground in southern Israel.
Mali troops sweep Timbuktu for Islamist rebels after battle
Malian troops swept Timbuktu for remaining Islamist fighters after a weekend battle that left seven dead and forced France to dispatch reinforcements and fighter jets to help Mali's army.
Scores of bodies discovered in C.Africa capital
The Red Cross said Friday it had found some 78 bodies in the streets of the Central African Republic's capital since it fell to rebels last weekend, as jittery residents waited to hear about a new government.
Guatanamo hunger strikers ready for death - lawyer
His body ravaged and weakened by a 50-day hunger strike staged in protest at alleged mistreatment of Korans at Guantanamo jail, Abd al-Malik Abd al-Wahab has a message for his loved ones.