Iran hails 'progress' in nuclear talks as Ashton makes first visit to Tehran
Iranian officials hailed " advancement" in the recent expert-level nuclear talks, as the European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton made her first visit to Iran on Saturday, local media reported.
3 Yemeni soldiers killed in al-Qaida attack
About three members of Yemeni armed forces were killed in an al-Qaida attack on their base in Yemen's southern province of Abyan on Saturday morning, a provincial police source told Xinhua.
Iran says expert-level nuclear talks with powers "constructive"
Expert-level nuclear talks between Iran and major world powers to discuss the details of a possible comprehensive deal on Tehran's nuclear program were "constructive, " Tehran Times daily quoted an Iranian nuclear negotiator as saying on Saturday.
9 killed, 29 wounded in attacks in Iraq
At least nine people were killed and 29 others wounded in separate violent attacks across Iraq on Friday, police said.
Hamas rallies against Egypt ban on movement activities
Hundreds of Hamas supporters and leaders demonstrated in Gaza on Friday against a decision by an Egyptian court to ban the Islamist movement's activities and confiscate its headquarters in Cairo.
Israeli prosecution rescinds plea bargain with former PM's aide
The Israeli prosecution rescinded its plea bargain agreement with Shula Zaken, former secretary and confidant of ex-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Israeli media reported on Friday.
Indonesia says Iran should be involved in addressing Syria conflict
The Indonesian government considers that Iran should be included in effort to look for solution to peacefully end bloody conflict in Syria, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said here on Friday.
Turkish PM threatens to shut down Facebook, YouTube
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to take further steps to monitor the Internet, including the closure of some social networks, local Today's Zaman reported Friday.
US military vows to ensure "free flow of energy" from Mideast
The US military's efforts in the Middle East are aimed to ensure the free flow of energy from the region and prevent weapons of mass destruction, a Pentagon official said.
Syrian army advances amid new wave of explosions
Syrian troops continued on Thursday their progress against rebels around a key contested town north of the capital Damascus as well as in central Syria, amid a fresh wave of explosions that have killed at least 17 people, Syria's media reported.