Kerry heads to Middle East next week for peace talks: US official

Last Updated: Sunday, December 29, 2013, 08:48

Secretary of State John Kerry will return to Israel and the Palestinian territories for peace talks next week, the State Department said on Saturday, in a visit that will come days after Israel is due to free another group of Palestinian prisoners.

Middle East Christians being `massacred`: Anglican leader

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 25, 2013, 16:55

Christians in the Middle East are being "attacked and massacred" and driven into exile, the leader of the world`s Anglicans said Wednesday in his first Christmas sermon.

Jerusalem patriarch urges `just` Israel-Palestinian solution

Last Updated: Tuesday, December 24, 2013, 20:48

The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem called on Tuesday for a "just and equitable solution" to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict and for reconciliation in the Middle East.

Saudi ready to act alone on Iran, Syria: Ambassador

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 16:51

The West`s policies on Iran and Syria are a "dangerous gamble" and Saudi Arabia is prepared to act on its own to safeguard security in the region, a top Saudi diplomat said.

India, Arab League agree on `new format` to bolster ties

Last Updated: Tuesday, December 17, 2013, 17:21

India and the 22-nation Arab League on Tuesday held wide-ranging discussions on key bilateral, regional and international issues like situation in Syria and the Middle East peace process, and have decided to explore new areas of cooperation to further enhance ties.

`Barrel bomb` raids in Syria`s Aleppo kill 76

Last Updated: Monday, December 16, 2013, 22:34

The Syrian air force was on Monday accused of killing 76 people by unleashing barrels packed with explosives on Aleppo, a focal point for fighting between regime and rebel forces.

Syrian refugees to nearly double by end 2014: UN

Last Updated: Monday, December 16, 2013, 21:37

The number of Syrian refugees in the Middle East will nearly double over the next year to exceed four million, the United Nations said on Monday.

Cairo sees first snow in years as cold snap hits Egypt

Last Updated: Saturday, December 14, 2013, 05:25

A regional cold snap spread to Egypt, with some Cairo suburbs seeing snowfall for the first time in years, a weather official said.

John Kerry hopeful of Israel-Palestine peace deal

Last Updated: Saturday, December 14, 2013, 04:57

US Secretary of State John Kerry is hopeful that the shaky negotiation talks between Israel and Palestine will be on track as the two sides are committed to seal a peace deal by the end of a nine-month deadline which ends in April.

'40% of Middle East's UHNW wealth held by 157 billionaires'

Last Updated: Monday, December 9, 2013, 16:11

As much as forty percent of the Middle East's ultra high net worth (UHNW) wealth is being held by the region's billionaires, while in Europe it is 28 percent, in North America 22 percent and in Asia 18 percent.

Pope says `no Middle East without Christians`

Last Updated: Thursday, November 21, 2013, 21:06

Pope Francis on Thursday said the Catholic Church will not accept a Middle East without Christians, who often find themselves forced to flee areas of conflict and unrest in the region.

Easing Middle East tensions push down oil price: IEA

Last Updated: Thursday, November 14, 2013, 23:32

A recent plunge in oil prices reflects a perceived easing of Middle East tensions and record non-OPEC supply, but strains in the market could soon reappear, the IEA said Thursday.