Agencies

Direct flights will resume between former Gulf rivals Qatar and Bahrain later this month.

Russia launches another major missile attack on Ukraine, damaging energy facilities.

Jordan has been near-paralysed by over ten days of protests over fuel prices.

The returnees struggle with a "lack of basic services, limited transportation, and largely destroyed public infrastructure," UNRWA said. Some live in houses without doors or windows.

Despite the deaths of hundreds of Palestinian children this year, Israel has been left of the UN child rights blacklist.

IS group says it launched "revenge attack" in Qubba against forces of General Haftar, who launched airstrikes against the group in nearby Derna.

At least a hundred people were killed strikes by Syrian air and ground forces on rebel-held areas across Syria, in the deadliest single-aerial attack by government forces since November 25.

Beji Caid Essebsi tops presidential elections poll, but short of the 50 percent threshold required to win outright. A polarising battle is expected between him and Marzouki ahead of the second round set for 28 December.

Deadline looms for a deal between Iran and world powers over Tehran's nuclear programme and international sanctions. Lavrov arrives in Vienna for frenzy of last-minute talks, as Tehran says willing to extend negotiations by up to a year.

French foreign minister urges the US-led coalition to support Syrian forces fighting both the Assad regime and IS forces in Aleppo.