Fierce fighting raged on Friday in east Ukraine between government troops and Russian-backed separatists as the warring sides attempted to bolster their positions ahead of a weekend cease-fire deadline. Combat persisted in the first hours after the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France signed a peace deal on Thursday …

Boko Haram militants attacked a village on the shore of Lake Chad early on Friday, marking the first such violence against the neighbour contributing the most military might to the regional fight against the Nigeria-based terror group. The assault took place in the village of Ngouboua, according to Army Col. …

In an ice-breaking move after a six-month hiatus in Indo-Pak ties, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif after which it was announced that Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will visit Islamabad when he will “push bilateral agenda”. Using cricket diplomacy, Modi called leaders of …

The United Nations and its partners today launched an appeal for nearly $2 billion to provide vital humanitarian assistance to millions of people in nine countries across Africa’s Sahel region. “I am gravely concerned by the crisis in the Sahel. Families are extremely vulnerable to changes in the climate and …

French President Francois Hollande on Thursday confirmed earlier reports that Egypt has decided to purchase 24 Rafale fighter-bombers, the first foreign sale of the high-performance French aircraft. “The Egyptian authorities have just made known to me today their intention to acquire 24 Rafale fighter planes and a multi-mission frigate as …

The international mediation team of the inter-Malian dialogue Wednesday called on the parties to the conflict to seize the opportunity of the Algiers negotiations as “a unique and historic opportunity” to end the crisis in the country and reach a comprehensive and final agreement likely to boost development in Mali …

The leaders of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine have agreed a deal to end fighting in eastern Ukraine, participants at the summit talks said on Feb. 12. The deal reached after all-night negotiations in the Belarussian capital Minsk included a ceasefire that would come into effect on Feb. 15, followed …

President Barack Obama urged Congress on Wednesday to authorise military action against the Islamic State militants who are cutting a swath across the West Asia, vowing their forces “are going to lose.” Yet he ruled out large-scale U.S. ground combat operations reminiscent of Iraq and Afghanistan. “I’m convinced that the …

Pakistan and China Thursday reiterated their resolve to boost their existing ties and further deepen their cooperation in various sectors. Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and advisor to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz made the announcement while addressing a joint news conference …

At least 17 militants were killed Wednesday during security raids in Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid cities in Egypt’s North Sinai province, a security source said. “Four were killed in land raids while the other 13 were killed in an airstrike,” the source said. He added that the raids destroyed seven …