A Syrian man goes on trial Monday accused of a knife killing that sparked racist street violence and far-right protests in the eastern German city of Chemnitz last year.

The U.N. envoy for Syria held talks in Damascus on Sunday with Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, who stressed the need for a Syrian-led political solution to the eight-year war.

The main challenger to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in April elections wants an investigation into leaks that led to stories about his phone being hacked, suggesting the premier's allies were behind the leak.

Landmines left behind by jihadists have killed at least 17 people in Syria in a 24-hour period at the weekend, a war monitor said on Sunday.

Thousands of people are believed to remain inside the Islamic State group's last sliver of territory in eastern Syria, a U.S.-backed force said Sunday citing evacuees, hampering the operation to crush the jihadists.

Tunisia said Sunday it is seeking the extradition of deposed president Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali's brother-in-law, who has been arrested in France and is wanted at home for alleged fraud.

Tens of thousands of Algerian protesters have dismissed President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's promise not to seek a fifth term -- but what are those in power likely to do next?

An Israeli court on Sunday ordered the temporary closure of a side building at a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site that has been the source of tensions in recent weeks.

An Israeli was killed Sunday and two others wounded in stabbing and shooting attacks believed to have been carried out by a Palestinian assailant in the occupied West Bank, the army said.

Yemen's Huthi rebels warned on Saturday they could launch attacks against the capitals of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who lead a military coalition against them.