From sculptors to actors and filmmakers, Berlin has become a magnet for Syrian artists fleeing their country's brutal violence to a place where they can express themselves without fear. While Beirut and Paris have long been the destinations of choice for Arab artists, the German capital has...

US President Barack Obama on Monday sought to reassure Washington's European allies that his imminent successor Donald Trump had reaffirmed his "commitment to NATO." Obama said he would tell allies "there is no weakening of resolve when it comes to America's commitment to maintaining a...

Donald Trump's victory has been a shock for America's major partners around the world. But perhaps nowhere has the blow been more painful than in Germany, a country that under Angela Merkel has come to see itself as a bastion of openness and tolerance. On virtually every issue of importance...

Eleven Middle East and North African countries are accusing Iran of sponsoring "terrorism" and constantly interfering in the internal affairs of Arab nations, sparking tension and instability in the region. In a letter to the U.N. General Assembly circulated Monday, the 11 countries cited...

Russia's defence ministry said Monday that a fighter jet crashed while attempting to land on the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean off Syria, but the pilot survived. In a statement to Russian news agencies, the defence ministry said the MiG-29K fighter crashed due to a...

(The Guardian)- Four men used aid convoys bound for Syria to transport items that would be used to commit terrorism offences, a court heard. Syed Hoque, 37, of Stoke-on-Trent, allegedly handed over £3,000 and a further sum of £1,500 on 21 December 2013, to help his nephew, who was fighting...

The European Union extended its sanctions on Syria on Monday, putting 17 government ministers and the country's central bank chief under travel bans and asset freezes as part of its strategy to punish President Bashar Assad. "This decision brings to 234 the total number of persons subject to...

President-elect Donald Trump is seeking quick ways to withdraw the United States from a global accord to combat climate change, a source on his transition team said, defying broad global backing for the plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Since Trump's election victory Tuesday, governments...

(The Guardian)- Seven Pakistani soldiers were killed by Indian shelling across the frontier in the disputed Kashmir region overnight, Pakistani’s military has said. The military media wing, ISPR, said in a statement the seven soldiers were killed in the Bhimber sector on the “Line of...

(The Daily Star)- Samsung Electronics said Monday it would buy U.S. auto parts maker Harman International Industries for $8 billion in a bid to enter the growing market for automotive technology to produce "connected" cars. Board members of Samsung -- the world's largest producer of...

Tehran officials shut schools Monday as the first of the winter season's heavy pollution hit the Iranian capital. A blanket of choking brown-white smog descended on the city Sunday, blocking out the view of the mountains that line its northern edge and leading many of its 14 million...

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived Monday in Muscat, Omani state media said, for talks expected to focus on efforts to end Yemen's 19-month conflict. ONA news agency said Kerry will be in the Gulf sultanate for two days, in one of his last trips as secretary of state before President...

Violence between a persecuted Muslim population and Myanmar security forces escalated over the weekend as two soldiers were killed by crudely armed attackers, according to government officials and Muslim residents. In retaliation, troops of the Buddhist-majority government burned villages deep...

At least two people were killed and more fatalities were feared after a powerful 7.8 earthquake struck New Zealand just after midnight Monday, Prime Minister John Key said. Nearly seven hours after the first quake struck, the prime minister confirmed two fatalities, saying "we cannot rule...

(The Guardian)- South Korean prosecutors have said they will question the president, Park Geun-hye, this week over a snowballing corruption scandal involving a close friend that has triggered massive protests calling for her resignation. The scandal centres on Park’s confidant, Choi...

A University of Michigan student was approached by a stranger who threatened to set her on fire with a lighter if she didn’t remove her hijab, police said. The incident occurred between 5:30 and 7 p.m. on Friday just outside the campus in Ann Arbor. Police said the woman complied and left....

(Sky News)- Hillary Clinton has blamed FBI director James Comey for her surprise defeat in the US election. She pointed the finger during a conference call with her top campaign funders, according to two participants in the call. Mrs Clinton led in almost every poll before America...

The United Nations on Sunday appealed for $152 million to provide shelter, sanitation and food for a huge influx of refugees returning to Afghanistan from Pakistan. Pakistan has stepped up the pressure for its 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees to return home, citing security concerns....

Toyota has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit and pay approximately $3.4 billion to owners of trucks and SUVs in the United States who complained that their vehicles lacked proper rust protection. The agreement relates to some 1.5 million Toyota Tacomas, Sequoias and Tundras sold in the...

(Independent)- Thousands of marchers took to the streets of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago on Saturday as protests continued across the US following the election of Donald Trump as president. At least 25 cities have seen major anti-Trump demonstrations in the five days since the controversial...