Yemeni president says intensifying al-Qaida attacks are government’s biggest challenge

Yemen says al-Qaida is government’s main challenge

Doctors remove nails from Sri Lankan maid who said she was tortured by Saudi couple

Nails, needles removed from abused Sri Lankan maid

Doctors remove 19 nails from Sri Lankan maid who says she was tortured by Saudi couple

Nails extracted from abused Sri Lankan maid

Saudi court asks paralyzed man to drop demand for attacker’s spine to be surgically damaged

Saudi court backing away from paralysis punishment

Former Saudi ambassador to Britain and renowned Arabic poet dies of stomach cancer

Saudi statesman and poet dies of stomach cancer

US warns Americans living in Saudi Arabia of threat in conservative province

US warns citizens in Saudi of threat

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia has warned American citizens that extremists may be planning to attack Westerners in the country.

Saudi, Syrian leaders visit Lebanon to defuse fears of violence between rival factions

Saudi, Syrian leaders make rare visit to Lebanon

Saudi and Syrian leaders visit Beirut amid rising tension between rival Lebanese factions

Saudi, Syrian leaders visit Lebanon amid tension

Saudi and Syrian leaders to visit Beirut amid rising tension between rival Lebanese factions

Saudi, Syrian leaders head to Lebanon amid tension

Saudi king comes to Syria amid regional tensions, heated rhetoric about Hezbollah

Saudi king in Syria amid regional tensions

Yemeni troops battle northern rebels short distance from capital in clash that kills dozens

Yemen’s army battles rebels in north; dozens dead

James E. Akins, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, dead at 83; on duty during ’70s oil embargo

James Akins, former Saudi ambassador, dead at 83

Iranian nuclear scientist at center of intelligence drama heads home

Iranian nuclear scientist on his way home

TEHRAN, Iran — An Iranian nuclear scientist who disappeared a year ago was on his way home to Tehran on Wednesday from the United States, ending a bizarre and mysterious intelligence drama.

Iran says nuclear scientist who showed up in Washington now on his way home

Iran: Nuclear scientist on his way home

TEHRAN, Iran — An Iranian scientist who disappeared a year ago was on his way home to Tehran on Wednesday from the United States, ending a bizarre intelligence drama that could snarl U.S. efforts to gather information on Iran’s nuclear program.

Bill Clinton to officiate at wedding of Rep. Weiner, Hillary Clinton aide

UK’s new government: Thanks Washington, but it’s time we made some new friends

Obama sets White House meetings with Saudi king, Israeli prime minister in upcoming weeks

U.S. President Barack Obama joins Martha Coakley

Nigerian leader: State ’security personnel’ hid and blocked access to ill president

Taliban scorn Afghan national peace conference in Kabul, threatening death to delegates

Taliban dismiss Afghan peace meet before it starts

Turkey withdraws ambassador as deadly Israeli raid on Gaza boats sparks protests, condemnation

Israel faces condemnation, protests after raid

Iran seen as using influence to help Iraq’s al-Maliki stay on as prime minister

Iran seen influencing Iraqi prime minister choice

State Deparment slaps financial sanctions, travel ban on top al-Qaida leaders in Yemen

US slaps sanctions on al-Qaida leaders in Yemen

Goodluck Jonathan sworn in in as Nigeria’s president as nation prepares to bury elected leader

Goodluck Jonathan sworn in as Nigeria’s president

Spokesman: Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua has died after long illness

Iraqi election winner Allawi’s Sunni-supported party courts Iranian support

Iraq’s Allawi courts Iranian support

BAGHDAD — The Sunni-backed secular coalition that came in first in Iraqi elections tried Thursday to improve relations with powerful Shiite neighbor Iran, assuring Tehran that if it heads the new government, it would not let Iraq be used as a launching pad for an invasion.