Syria negotiators meet, discuss relief to Homs, release of prisoners
Syria’s opposing parties discussed aid and prisoner releases on Sunday in talks aimed at building some kind of trust before tough political negotiations, but there was no sign of the early progress sought by an international mediator.
Egypt to hold presidential elections before parliamentary polls: interim president
Egypt will hold the presidential elections before the parliamentary polls within the next six months, Egyptian interim President Adli Mansour said in a televised speech on Sunday.
Israel approves entry of construction materials into Gaza Strip
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon authorized to pass construction materials into the Hamas- ruled Gaza Strip, a spokesperson for the Coordinator of Government Activities announced in a statement on Sunday.
Israeli soldier convicted of leaking military secrets released from jail
Former Israeli army soldier Anat Kamm, who was convicted of leaking classified military documents to local Ha'aretz newspaper, was released Sunday, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) confirmed to Xinhua.
49 killed in Saturday clashes across Egypt
At least 49 people were killed and 247 others injured on Saturday during clashes between supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and security forces across Egypt, health ministry said Sunday.
Annan arrives in Tehran for talks on regional issues
Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Sunday to hold talks with Iranian officials on regional issues.
Pro-peace Israeli, Palestinian officials meet in Ramallah
A senior Palestinian official and a pro-peace member of the Israeli Knesset (parliament) met on Saturday in the West Bank city of Ramallah to precipitate Mideast peace talks.
Egyptian police arrests 1,000 over riots
The Egyptian police on Saturday arrested as many as 1,079 supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi over charges of riots and attempted violence, the country's interior ministry said in a statement early Sunday.
4 Jihadists killed while planting bomb in Egypt's Sinai
At least four hardline Jihadists were killed early Sunday morning while planting an explosive device in North Sinai's Sheikh Zuweid city, a security source told Xinhua.
45 killed in fresh violence in Iraq
A total of 45 people were killed and 54 others wounded in violent attacks across Iraq on Saturday, including shelling and clashes in the volatile province of Anbar, security and medical sources said.