MECCA — Divided in their troubled homeland, Iraqi pilgrims who made the perilous journey to Mecca for Hajj this week are united in their prayers for peace, stability and the loved ones they have lost.

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) — Sudanese President Omar  Bashir has told the United Nations he endorses a plan for a joint African Union-UN peacekeeping force to help quell violence and protect civilians in Darfur.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The US court due to verify the case with a large number of Iranian clay tablets entrusted to Chicago University late December postponed the session to 25 days later.