The 90-year-old al-Sistani is the top Shia Muslim cleric in Iraq and a powerhouse in the Shia world, but his influence stretches beyond the religious.
During his first visit to Khartoum since the fall of Omar al-Bashir, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned Ethiopia against filling its Nile dam.
Egypt 'fake gynaecologist' examined scores of women before arrest
The man, identified as Salah Abdo, 39, had allegedly been treating pregnant women using forged diplomas that claimed he graduated with a medical degree from an Egypt university.
Iraqi PM declares National Day of Coexistence
Iraq’s prime minister has declared March 6 a National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence in Iraq.
Sisi visits Khartoum for first time since Sudanese revolution
Sisi's first visit to Sudan since the 2019 revolution aims to revive the two countries' relations, and address tensions with Ethiopia over its ...
Gaza girl dons 3D-printed mask to heal burnt face
An eight-year-old Palestinian girl, severely burned in a fire in Gaza last year, has been using a 3-D printed mask to heal her face.
Canada calls for Syrian regime to face torture charges
Canada has called on the UN to hold the Assad regime accountable for crimes against its own people after a similar request by the Netherlands.
Pope to visit Iraq church damaged by IS militants
For Christians, the IS reign dealt a blow to a population already shrinking since the security breakdown and rise of militancy that followed the ...
Pope meets top Iraq Shia cleric in interfaith milestone
The two elderly, respected men of religion met at Sistani's humble home in the shrine city of Najaf on Saturday, the second day of the ...
UN still waiting for proof Dubai's Sheikha Latifa alive
Despite discussions with UAE representatives in Geneva, the UN's Human Rights Office is yet to receive proof Sheikha Latifa is alive.
Ten killed in Mogadishu blast: police
Al-Shabaab Islamists drove a rickshaw packed with explosives into a popular restaurant in Mogadishu, killing at least ten people and ...
Iraqis welcome Pope as 'messenger of unity'
Pope Francis used the imagery of the fabrics that make up a carpet to illustrate how Iraq's single churches, each a thread, make up the ...
Pope urges Iraq to embrace its Christians on visit
Pope Francis opened his historic trip with a plea for Iraq's Muslims to embrace their Christian neighours as a precious resource.
Pope Francis and Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani: A groundbreaking dialogue
In-depth: There are high hopes in both Iraqi Christian and Shia Muslim communities ahead of Pope Francis' historic meeting with Grand Ayatollah ...
Will Pope Francis' visit help fix Iraq's many problems?
In-depth: Pope Francis' visit to Iraq is significant to Iraqis who have faced violence by scores of militant groups over previous years, but ...
Yemen’s army declares breakthrough in fight against Houthis
Yemeni government forces say they have thwarted suicide attacks in Marib by Houthi rebels, while fighting is continuing in the city of Taiz.
Amnesty slams Egypt's 'forced disappearance' of family with toddler
Amnesty International has called for the release of an Egyptian couple who were detained with their infant son on terrorism charges and have not ...
Sudan to launch historic review of its federal system
Sudan has long been torn by multiple conflicts between the central government and rebels from various ethnic groups.
Pope urges end to violence on historic Iraq trip
The pope is defying the pandemic and renewed security fears to make a "long-awaited" trip to comfort one of the world's oldest Christian ...
Pope Francis 'happy' to land in Iraq
Banners all over Najaf have celebrated "the historic encounter, between the minarets and the church bells".
Syria TV marks third anniversary with timely new programmes
A pioneering Syrian TV station has celebrated its third anniversary with a new range of programmes geared to an audience which has experienced ...
'Pilgrim of peace' Pope Francis heads to war-scarred Iraq
The pope left Rome early today for the four-day journey.
The long read: Jalel Harchaoui dissects the fluid alliances and histories behind the new characters on Libya's political scene, as the country ...
Pope Francis in Iraq: Healing, piety and PR
Comment: Pope Francis' highly anticipated visit to Iraq places a host of spiritual and political expectations on the charismatic pontiff. Here's ...