North Africa

France cuts back on visas for Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco in row over immigration policy

Starting in a few weeks, the French government plans to slash the number of visas given to Algerians and Moroccans by half, and to Tunisians by 30%, according to government officials.

Egypt's Berber speakers cling to language in isolated oasis, confident dialect will survive Arabic dominance

The UN has classified Siwi, the easternmost dialect of the Tamazight language spoken across North Africa as far as Morocco, as "endangered"

Genes from ancient Roman civilization resembles those from the Mediterranean, Middle East

The diversity among people increased in 27 BCE to 300 CE, with the empire stretching from North Africa to Britain to the Middle East.

Over 120 people killed, nearly 600 wounded in Libya since violence escalated in Tripoli, says WHO

Libya has been in turmoil since the NATO-backed overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, which has led to the creation of a bewildering array of militias all seeking to take control.

Malta in talks with Maharashtra govt for tourism promotion, eyes 20% growth in Indian visitor arrivals in 2018

Around 4,000 Indian tourists visited Malta in 2017.

Italy appeals to NATO for help in tackling illegal immigration from Libya, says terrorists could sneak in and cause havoc

Italy has appealed to NATO for greater help in tackling illegal immigration from North Africa, especially Libya.

Emirates stops flying to Tunisia after women claim they were banned from boarding airline's flights to Dubai

The announcement came two days after Tunisian government officials said the UAE had banned Tunisian woman from flying to or transiting through its territory

Indian explorer declares himself 'king' of unclaimed land in North Africa, invites others for citizenship

An Indian adventurer declared himself the ruler of an unclaimed strip of land in North Africa between Sudan and Egypt, and is encouraging people to apply for citizenship

Israel's call to shut Al-Jazeera is brazen attack on media freedom: Amnesty International

Israel's decision to close the offices of broadcaster Al-Jazeera in the Jewish state is "a brazen attack on media freedom", Amnesty International said on Monday.

Hundreds of bodies of Islamic State militants lie unclaimed in Libya as countries refuse to acknowledge them

Months after Libyan forces defeated IS, hundreds of bodies of foreign militants still lie stored in freezers as authorities negotiate with other governments