Kidnapped Iranian diplomat found beheaded in Yemen
An Iranian diplomat kidnapped in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa last July was found beheaded in the central province of Marib on Saturday, a provincial security official told Xinhua.
Al-Qaida-linked groups claim responsibility for rocket attacks in east Lebanon
The al-Nusra Front in Lebanon and the Marwan al-Hadidi Brigades claimed responsibility Saturday for rocket attacks on Lebanon's east Bekaa city of Hermel.
Gunmen attempt to attack train in Egypt
A group of masked gunmen forced a train to stop north of the Egyptian capital of Cairo but ran away before carrying out any attack upon the arrival of security forces, official news agency MENA reported.
Death toll rises to 29 in Egypt's clashes, 167 injured
At least 29 people were killed and 167 others injured on Saturday during clashes between supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and security forces in different parts of the country, the health ministry's media spokesman said in a statement.
Iran's IRGC commander dismisses US military threat
Iranian Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) chief commander dismissed Saturday what he called US threat of military action against Tehran over its controversial nuclear program, Press TV reported.
Egyptians mark 3rd anniversary of revolution
Egyptians pray on the Tahrir Square during a celebration event marking the third anniversary of the revolution toppling former President Hosni Mubarak, in Cairo, Egypt, January 25, 2014.
Syrian govt, opposition representatives discussed humanitarian issues
Representatives from the Syrian government and its opposition, sitting down face-to-face to a negotiating table for the first time in three years, talked humanitarian issues Saturday afternoon, said a mediator from the United Nations (UN) Lakhdar Brahimi.
Overseas rally
Egyptian residents in Japan hold banners and wave national flags at a rally in Tokyo on Friday to protest against unrest in Egypt on the third anniversary of the Egyptian revolution. Some 50 Egyptians staged a demonstration to support the democratic movement and protest against the military coup in Egypt. Photo: AFP
Syria foes meet face-to-face at Geneva talks
Syria’s government and opposition finally met face-to-face on Saturday as difficult UN-sponsored peace talks inched forward in Geneva.
Syrian government, opposition reps meet UN envoy together
Syrian government and opposition representatives sat together Saturday in a joint meeting with UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, tentatively initiating talks to end their three-year-old war.