Politics

Oil spill from major pipeline threatens Israel nature reserve

A major pipeline leak has caused oil to gush into the Arava desert in southern Israel, threatening a protected nature reserve, officials said Thursday.

Dec 5, 2014

Libya_s neighbours in Khartoum to discuss Libyan crisis

Sudan accused _foreign parties_ of fuelling unrest in Libya as it hosted a meeting Thursday of neighbouring countries, which agreed to curb weapon flows to the unrest-plagued nation.

Dec 5, 2014

Peruvian children raise awareness about climate change

Around 700 Peruvian children formed a large image of a tree on Lima_s Miraflores beach on Thursday, to raise awareness about climate change.

Dec 5, 2014

Mugabe warns estranged deputy at key party meeting

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe sought Thursday to shut down a bubbling succession battle at a key party congress, warning that his embattled deputy and onetime heir apparent could face criminal charges.

Dec 5, 2014

UN plane with American aid for refugees lands in Iraq_s Arbil

A United Nations plane carrying aid from the US for Iraqis displaced by the conflict, arrived in the Kurdish capital Arbil on Thursday.

Dec 5, 2014

Russia is _strategic problem_ for EU: Juncker

Russia is now a _strategic problem_ for the EU amid the crisis in Ukraine but Brussels will work to make Moscow a partner again, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said Thursday.

Dec 5, 2014

Algeria PM vows _no concessions_ towards _terrorists

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal says his country will never make concessions when dealing with _terrorists_, after meeting with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls during a trip to Paris.

Dec 5, 2014

Brazen Islamist attack on Chechen capital leaves 19 dead

Islamist insurgents launched a brazen attack in the Chechen capital Grozny on Thursday that sparked heavy clashes with security forces, leaving 19 dead and a central market burnt.

Dec 5, 2014

Ex-Bourguiba minister elected Tunisia parliament speaker

Tunisia_s first parliament since the 2011 revolution on Thursday elected veteran politician Mohamed Ennaceur, 80, of anti-Islamist party Nidaa Tounes as house speaker.

Dec 5, 2014

World Bank announces $160m for Ebola-hit Sierra Leone

World Bank chief Jim Yong Kim announced a $160 million two-year economic recovery plan on Wednesday to help impoverished Sierra Leone battle the worst Ebola outbreak on record.

Dec 5, 2014

Abu Dhabi: Police footage shows arrest of suspect in US killing

An Emirati woman has been arrested over the fatal stabbing of an American teacher and a foiled plot to bomb the home of another US citizen, UAE authorities said Thursday.

Dec 4, 2014

Nigerians displaced by Boko Haram violence seek aid

In north eastern Nigeria, thousands have fled their homes for fear of being attacked by Islamist group Boko Haram. In Yola, in Adamawa state, NGOs and charities are doing all they can to help the displaced.

Dec 4, 2014

Vatican puts up its traditional Christmas tree

Installation of the traditional Christmas tree at St Peter_s square on December 4, 2014 at the Vatican. The tree, that was cut in Calbria southern Italy, is 25,5 metres tall, weights 8 tons and is estimated to be 70-year-old.

Dec 4, 2014

Putin says West using sanctions to undermine Russia

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused the West of exploiting the Ukraine crisis to undermine Russia and said in a key speech that Crimea had _sacred_ significance for Russia.

Dec 4, 2014