International

Egyptian military helicopters have fired missiles on suspected Islamist militants in Egypt’s northern Sinai peninsula, security officials say.

Iran will continue to back the Syrian government, which acts as a pillar of an Iran-led regional alliance, a high-level Iranian diplomat has told President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.

Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf was ordered on Wednesday to appear before the Supreme Court this month over his failure to comply with orders to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

More than 650,000 people have been displaced or severely affected by fighting in two Sudanese states, the United Nations said on Wednesday, expressing hope that a newly signed aid deal will lead to access after months of restrictions.

A Kenyan court sentenced seven Somalis to 20 years in jail for piracy on Wednesday, a boost to international efforts to drive out pirates from the waters off the Horn of Africa nation.

NTC chief Mustafa Abdul Jalil will pass the reins to the oldest member of the legislative body at a late-night ceremony in the capital, Tripoli.