POLITICS

Pre-emptive assault on Gaza Strip 'terror squad' foils rocket attack on Israel, says IDF.

Erdogan accused of being as bad as Syrian president Assad after 35 civilians die in Uludere.

'Iron Lady' kept lid on expenses of official residence, say National Archive documents.

Iranian authorities have claimed that they spotted and filmed a U.S. aircraft carrier near the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz, the strategic oil-transit channel, has become the latest focal point of tensions between Iran and the United States.

Syrian opposition members are urging the Arab League for the exclusion of General Mustafa al-Dabi as head of the delegation currently in the country to ensure President Assad's pledges to end the crackdown.

Arab League observers just yards from fatal shooting outside mosque as Syria death toll rises another 13.

Inaki Urdangarin to appear in court over bribery scandal that threatens popularity of king.

Kazakh opposition urges former prime minister to step down as adviser to Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Burning buildings and rampant looting turned parts of London into war zone during August riots.

Egypt's popular Islamist movement commits itself to protecting victimised Christians as they prepare for Coptic Christmas.

Victims' identities disputed after air raid near Turkey's border with Iraq.

Kim Jong-il funeral service ignored by foreign dignitaries apart from China.

Protesters against Syrian president freed as reports surface of deaths in Hama city.

Afghan police officers have rescued a teenage girl who was beaten and locked up in a toilet for more than five months.

Jesus was born in Longarone, a small town in northern Italy, on 25 December 2011, according to a birth certificate issued on that day. It is not a Christmas hoax, but a move proposed by priest Father Gabriele Bernardi to educate sceptical youngsters.

Arab monitors anger anti-Assad protesters by saying 'not overly concerned' by Homs violence.

Around 1,000 pro-democracy activists gathered in Israeli city of Beit Shemesh to rally against ultra-Orthodox Jewish zealots attempting to radicalise religious elements in the country and excluding women from public life.

Cristina Kirchner, third South American head of state with cancer, to undergo throat surgery.

Ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak trial reopens in Cairo after three-month break.

Politicians who made unconventional moves are Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Margaret Thatcher, Robert Bennett and Barack Obama.

Funeral cortege for 'Dear Leader' Kim Jong-il passes through frozen streets of Pyongyang.

Putin loyalist shunted sideways as way to ease row over Russian elections.

Kim Jong-un, son of North Korea's deceased leader, leads procession as thousands of mourners line streets.

Virginity tests in Egyptian military prisons banned after complaints by jailed activist Samira Ibrahim.

Human rights group dismisses Syrian troop withdrawal as scam to confuse Arab League.

2011 marked by series of devastating natural disasters from floods and tsunamis to earthquakes and droughts.

Reporters Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson caught with Ogaden rebel group sentenced to 11 years.

Parliamentary elections continue in Egypt but 10 months after president Hosni Mubarak stepped down, the country is still fighting.

Artillery barrage against Syria's third city winds down as Arab League observers enter country.