NOUAKCHOTT — After 20 years of oppression under the previous regime, the people of Mauritania have welcomed the arrival of their new leader after a bloodless coup in the country. Nouakchott is bleached by the Saharan sun and smothered in the desert sands on a daily basis. It is a …

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — The Greek Orthodox Church in the Holy Land elected a new patriarch on Monday to succeed their ousted leader, who fell from grace over a controversial East Jerusalem land deal. The church’s Holy Synod elected Metropolitan Theofilos in a 14-0 vote. Church rebels had dismissed Patriarch …

CAIRO — Nearly 10 years ago, Abul-Ela Madi was jailed when he first proposed creating an Islamist party in Egypt. Now, he seems closer than ever to achieving his dream — and if he does, it will further alter his country’s already changing political landscape. If Madi’s Al Wasat Party …