Millions of Iranians voted in high-stake elections on Friday that could shift the balance of power within the hardline-controlled Islamic elite by ushering in a reformist comeback or help conservatives tighten their grip on power. The contest is seen by some analysts as a...

French oil giant Total has been convicted and fined in a retrial over corruption charges related to the UN's Oil-for-Food programme. The company had been among a number of firms and individuals accused of bribing Iraqi officials in exchange for contracts as part of the programme. Former Iraqi...

(Zaman Al Wasl- Nahar Net)- A senior Hezbollah military commander was killed in the ongoing battles in northern Aleppo province, activists and media outlets said Friday. Ali Fayyad, (dubbed: Alaa of Bosnia), has been killed by rebels near newly regime-captured town of Khanasser. Fayyad was...

(BBC)- President Obama has said the coming weeks will be "critical" for Syria's future, ahead of a two-week truce due to start on Friday. He warned Russia that all parties to the cessation of hostilities needed to stop attacks, including air strikes. If successful, he said, the truce could be...