US pledges first direct aid to Syria rebel fighters
The United States has announced it will provide direct aid to Syrian rebels, but not the arms they had hoped for, as well as $60 million in extra assistance to the political opposition.
Thailand, rebel group agree to seek peace talks
Thailand signed its first-ever public agreement with a rebel group in its Muslim-majority south on Thursday, pledging to work toward peace talks aimed at ending a festering insurgency.
Pakistan's Hazara community under attack
Pakistan's Hazaras, a prosperous, moderate community who found refuge after brutal crackdowns in Afghanistan, are again living in fear as they suffer record levels of sectarian violence.
US urges talks to end decade-old Darfur war
The United States on Tuesday marked 10 years of war in Darfur, warning that without political talks the Sudan region may face another decade of the devastating conflict.
Palestinian tensions set to persist until Obama visit
Clashes that flared in the West Bank after a Palestinian died in Israeli custody are unlikely to turn into a third intifada, but each side will use them when US President Barack Obama visits.
Rocket fired from Gaza Strip hits southern Israel: police
A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed early Tuesday near Ashkelon in southern Israel, police said, in the first such strike since a November truce.
Syria rebels agree to meet Kerry, dismiss Damascus offer
Syria's opposition has cancelled a planned boycott of an international conference on the two-year conflict after appeals from Britain and the US, but rejected an offer of talks from Damascus.
Israel calls for calm as militants vow revenge
Israel has called on the Palestinian Authority to rein in unrest as militants vowed revenge over the death of a prisoner whom the Palestinians allege died under Israeli torture.
Mali crisis disrupts education of 700,000 children: UN
The conflict in northern Mali has disrupted the education of nearly three quarters of a million children.