Typhoon Phanfone pummelled the central Philippines on Christmas Day, bringing a wet and miserable holiday season to millions in the mainly Catholic nation. Thousands were stranded at shuttered ports or evacuation centres at the height of the festive season on Wednesday, and residents...

(Zaman Al Wasl)- The Syrian Military Intelligence has transferred 34 former rebels to Sednaya military prison near the capital, a military source told Zaman al-Wasl Tuesday.   Most of the detainees are originally from the village of al-Thyabiya south of Damascus who agreed on the...

Russian-backed Syrian troops have encircled a Turkish observation post as they approach the city of Maarat al-Numan in an offensive into the last significant rebel pocket of Syria, sources on both sides said on Tuesday. It is the first major bout of fighting since the leaders of Turkey,...

Iraq’s parliament approved on Tuesday a new electoral law, a key demand of protesters to make elections fairer, but political deadlock is still holding up the selection of an interim prime minister, threatening renewed unrest. Mass protests have gripped Iraq since Oct. 1 and protesters,...