Millions of Shiite Muslim pilgrims beating their chests in mourning thronged the Iraqi city of Karbala Sunday under the protection of thousands of members of the security forces. The Arbaeen pilgrimage is one of the world's largest religious events and is seen as a major potential...

President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted on Sunday as saying that Turkey did not need to join the European Union "at all costs" and could instead become part of a security bloc dominated by China, Russia and Central Asian nations. NATO member Turkey's prospects of joining the EU look more remote...

Violence subsided Sunday in Yemen, a day after the beginning of a 48-hour ceasefire declared by the pro-government Arab coalition battling rebel fighters for almost 20 months. An AFP correspondent in Sanaa said there had not been any air strikes in the rebel-held capital by warplanes of the...

A top Iraqi commander said on Sunday that troops were continuing to advance toward the center of Mosul, pushing back ISIS fighters, but hindered by sniper fire and suicide bombings as well as concern over the safety of civilians. Maj. Gen. Sami al-Aridi told The Associated Press that his...