Middle East
Obama to face Syria scrutiny in Jordan
Mar 22, 2013 05:19 EDT
A day after challenging Israelis to embrace peace with Palestinians, US President Barack Obama Friday will face scrutiny over his strategy on Syria during an overnight stay in Jordan.
Palestinians invoke civil rights on Obama tour
Mar 22, 2013 04:49 EDT
Palestinians sour at Barack Obama's perceived failure to honour their historical struggle have invoked the US civil rights movement and South Africa's apartheid in a bid to win his sympathy.
Motorbike bomb kills six in Pakistan
Mar 22, 2013 04:03 EDT
A bomb planted on a motorbike killed six people and wounded another 15 on Friday in a crowded Pakistani market in troubled southwestern province Baluchistan, police said.
Women in white march to defend Algeria tradition
Mar 22, 2013 03:02 EDT
Covered from head to toe in white, their faces partly masked by embroidered triangular cloths, Algerian women marched through the capital Thursday to defend their traditional Islamic dress.
Putin welcomes China's Xi for landmark talks
Mar 22, 2013 02:13 EDT
Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's new leader Xi Jinping are to hold landmark talks Friday in the hope of further cementing the two countries' partnership with a range of strategic agreements.
Pro-Assad cleric among 42 killed in Damascus bombing
Mar 21, 2013 23:10 EDT
A suicide bomb attack on a central Damascus mosque has killed 42 people, including Syria's most prominent pro-regime Sunni cleric, wounding dozens of others, the health ministry said.
Serena eases through Miami opener
Mar 21, 2013 22:59 EDT
Serena Williams got her quest for a record sixth Miami WTA title off to a brisk start on Thursday with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Italian Flavia Pennetta.
Putin welcomes China's Xi for landmark talks
Mar 21, 2013 22:49 EDT
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's new leader Xi Jinping are to hold landmark talks on Friday in the hope of further cementing the two countries' partnership with a range of economic and strategic agreements.
Struggling China boss needs the 'Becks effect'
Mar 21, 2013 21:55 EDT
China boss Jose Antonio Camacho will hope a sprinkling of stardust from the visiting David Beckham will rub off on his team as he fights for his job in Friday's crunch Asian Cup qualifier with Iraq.
Obama in direct peace appeal to young Israelis
Mar 21, 2013 21:04 EDT
In a powerful direct appeal to Israelis, President Barack Obama insisted that a two-state peace with the Palestinians could still be forged and is their only hope of true security.
Cyprus convicts Hezbollah man over anti-Israel plot
Mar 21, 2013 19:36 EDT
A Cypriot court has found guilty a self-confessed Hezbollah militant who had been accused of involvement in a plot to attack Israeli interests on the Mediterranean island popular with tourists.
Gunfire kills two in Lebanon's Tripoli
Mar 21, 2013 18:45 EDT
Two people were killed and 18 more wounded in renewed violence in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on Thursday, a security source told AFP.
'No indication' Syria rebels used chemical weapons: US
Mar 21, 2013 18:34 EDT
The United States has found no evidence to support a Syrian government allegation that opposition rebels used chemical weapons in an attack this week, a US official said Thursday.
IMF urges Iraq to bolster non-oil sector
Mar 21, 2013 18:19 EDT
The IMF forecast Thursday that Iraq's economy would grow around nine percent this year helped by surging oil production, but said Baghdad needs to do more to support private, non-oil business.
Gaza hardline Islamists claim rocket attack
Mar 21, 2013 17:36 EDT
A hardline Islamist group claimed a rocket attack against southern Israel on Thursday, in a statement that condemned a historic visit by US President Barack Obama to the region.
Capello plays down Chelsea link
Mar 21, 2013 17:29 EDT
Russia coach Fabio Capello insists he has had no contact with Chelsea after being linked with a move to the Premier League club.
Obama in direct appeal to young Israelis on peace
Mar 21, 2013 17:16 EDT
In a powerful direct appeal to Israelis, President Barack Obama Thursday insisted a two-state peace with the Palestinians could still be forged and was their only hope of true security.
Serena quick out of blocks in Miami
Mar 21, 2013 17:03 EDT
Serena Williams got her quest for a record sixth WTA title on the hardcourts of Miami off to a brisk start on Thursday with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Italian Flavia Pennetta.
Gunfire kills one in Lebanon's Tripoli
Mar 21, 2013 17:00 EDT
One man was killed and five others wounded in two separate exchanges of fire in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on Thursday, a security source said.
Police probe documents obtained in Abu Qatada search
Mar 21, 2013 16:55 EDT
Jordanian terror suspect Abu Qatada is under investigation over documents obtained by police during a search of his London home, Scotland Yard said Thursday.