Anissa Haddadi

Two main Syrian opposition groups say they have a new weapon against the Assad regime: a "hotline".

Iranian officials continue to remain defiant with a senior commander saying that the US lacks the capability to hinder Iran's efforts to shut down the Strait of Hormuz.

Swiss archaeologists uncover tomb of female singer in Egypt's Valley of the Kings.

Syria: bloodshed and defections continue and prompt Arab League to consider sending troops.

David Cameron arrives in Saudi Arabia for talks with King Abdullah as reports surface of death of protester Issam Mohamed.

Marine Le Pen, the French far-right presidential candidate has criticised Qatar, saying the Gulf state plays a "double game" investing in Muslim areas.

A Chinese company has started the first training programme for female bodyguards in China.

Day that marks beginning of the Egyptian revolution that led to fall of Mubarak - 25 January - will be national holiday.

A Russian ship carrying weapons docked in Syria, amid continued reports of regime crackdown on protesters.

A court ruling upholding a law that prevents Palestinians married to Arab Israelis from obtaining citizenships or residency, angered rights groups.

Footage reveals human safaris taking place on India's Andaman Islands.

West Bank restrictions and growth of settler population 'closing window' on viable Palestinian state.

Adel al-Gazzar languishes in Egyptian jail despite release without conviction from Guantanamo.

Embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma made a public show of solidarity at pro-regime rally in Damascus.

Gazan man faces firing squad over accusations of collaboration with Israel.

Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of the Syrian President claimed the leader could finally step down following a "family initiative."

Ghanaian police follow anonymous tip-off to arrest five found with truck full of armaments.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad addressed a crowd of pro-regime supporters in the capital Damascus.

The Israeli intelligence agency Mossad is using Iranians exiles living in the Iraqi region of Kurdistan to target Iranian nuclear experts, it has been reported.

Iran's uranium enrichment programme director Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan dies in latest nuclear scientist killing.

The affair started when Telecom Tycoon Naguib Sawiris tweeted a picture of a bearded Mickey Mouse and a veiled Minnie back in June.

Twitter posts claim two dead and protesters arming themselves against police.

LSE is at the centre of a new controversy after being accused of giving special treatment to a former Mubarak minister.

Terrorism and foreign conspiracy guided by colonialist ambitions are responsible for the Syrian bloodshed, Syrian President Assad said.

Same-sex protesters launch legal action against conservative Muslim ban on anti-homophobia festival.

The Baath Party leadership is committed to transition from a single to a multi-party political system, Assad said in a televised address.

Guinea Bissau's President Malam Bacai Sanha has died in Paris following a lengthy hospitalisation.

Jews living in Tunisia have spoken out following anti-Semitic slogans chanted during a speech by a Hamas leader in the country's capital Tunis.

The birthday of North Korea's new leader Kim Jong-un, thought to be on January 8, remained a low-key affair.