Abbas Confirms Palestinian Vote to be Postponed
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said presidential and legislative elections scheduled for January will be postponed, confirming that he has accepted advice not to hold the vote.
Abbas, speaking to BBC Arabic, ... more |
Major World Powers Meet to Discuss Iran Nuclear Snub
BRUSSELS (AFP) – Major world powers met in Brussels Friday to discuss Iran's rejection of an international nuclear fuel deal, after US President Barack Obama warned Tehran must face the consequences.
Representatives of the five permanent UN Security ... more |
200 Web Sites Spread al-Qaeda's Message in English
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Increasing numbers of English-language Web sites are spreading al-Qaeda's message to Muslims in the West. They translate writings and sermons once largely out of reach of English readers and often feature charismatic clerics ... more |
Egypt, Algeria Soccer Tiff Grows
CAIRO, (AP) – Egypt has recalled its ambassador to Algeria for consultations as part of a growing diplomatic row caused by a bitter soccer rivalry between the two Arab nations.
The Egyptian foreign ministry also summoned Algeria's ambassador in ... more |
Al-Hashemi Vetoes Iraqi Electoral Law
Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat- Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi vetoed the new Iraqi election law on Wednesday, something that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki described as "a serious threat to the political process." Al-Maliki called on the ... more |
Israeli Aircraft Hit Gaza after Rocket Attacks
JERUSALEM, (AP) – Israeli aircraft struck a weapons-manufacturing facility and two smuggling tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, in response to recent rocket attacks on Israel, the military said.
Palestinian security officials reported ... more |
Karzai Sworn in as Afghan Leader, Vows to Fight Graft
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan forces should be ready to take over security in Afghanistan in five years, President Hamid Karzai said at his inauguration Thursday, and pledged to tackle graft which has left his reputation in tatters.
Karzai was sworn in ... more |
Kuwaiti MP Files to Quiz Defence Minister
KUWAIT CITY (AFP) – An Islamist opposition MP on Thursday filed to quiz Kuwaiti Defence Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Sabah over allegations of financial violations in the ministry.
"The minister is responsible for committing a number of financial ... more |
U.S. Warns Iran of Consequences over Standoff
SEOUL/MANILA (Reuters) – World powers could have a package of measures against Iran "within weeks," U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday, warning Tehran of consequences for its failure to respond to an offer of a nuclear deal.
But Iranian Foreign ... more |
Bahrain's Ramzi Loses Olympic Gold for Doping
MANAMA (AFP) – Bahrain's Rashid Ramzi has been stripped of his Beijing Olympic 1500 metres gold medal for doping, the secretary-general of Bahrain's Olympic Committee told AFP on Wednesday.
"The Bahraini Olympic Committee has received a letter from ... more |
Death of an Iran Doctor Raises Suspicion
BEIRUT, (AP) – An Iranian doctor who treated victims of torture at Tehran's most feared detention facility has died, amid conflicting reports of a heart attack, a car accident or suicide — raising opposition accusations that the 26-year-old was killed.
Revelations ... more |
Iraq's Sunni VP Rejects Parts of Election Law
BAGHDAD, (AP) – Iraq's Sunni Arab vice president on Wednesday vetoed part of a key election law, throwing national polls slated for January and a planned U.S. troop drawdown into question.
Tariq al-Hashemi announced he is sending part of the law back ... more |
Afghan Leader to Take Oath, Reputation in Tatters
KABUL (Reuters) – Foreign dignitaries began descending on Kabul on Wednesday, the eve of the inauguration of President Hamid Karzai, who is struggling to rehabilitate his tattered reputation in the West after a fraud-marred election.
U.S. President ... more |
Sarkozy in Riyadh, says Mideast Peace Talks 'Urgent'
RIYADH (AFP) – French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday for talks with Saudi King Abdullah after warning of an extremist backlash if Middle East peace talks do not commence soon.
Abdullah greeted Sarkozy late in the afternoon at ... more |
Huthi Losses Multiply – Saudi Military Source
Jizan, Asharq Al-Awsat- A Saudi military source confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the Huthi infiltrators are following a specific approach in their continuing attacks on the Saudi forces that have been deployed in the border region. The source ... more |
Tensions Mount before Algeria-Egypt WC Qualifier
KHARTOUM, (AFP) — Thousands of Algerian and Egyptian fans descended Tuesday into Khartoum for a decisive World Cup qualifier between the two Arab rivals as Sudanese police went on high alert after weekend unrest.
Arriving en masse at Khartoum airport, ... more |
Baghdad Cop Kidnaps then Kills Boy: Police
HILLA, Iraq (AFP) – A Baghdad police lieutenant kidnapped his wealthy neighbour's 10-year-old son, killed him and then sought 160,000 dollars before being snared when his phone calls were traced, police said on Tuesday.
The crime occurred in Mahawil, ... more |
Saudi Cleric Accuses Iran of Ties to Yemeni Rebels
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, (AP) – Saudi Arabia's most senior cleric accused Iran on Monday of supporting Shiite rebels whose war with the government of neighboring Yemen has spilled across the border and drawn in Saudi firepower.
Yemen and the Saudis have ... more |
Kuwaiti Firm Charged with Defrauding US Military
WASHINGTON (AFP) – A Kuwaiti firm with 8.5 billion dollars in contracts to supply food to US troops in the Middle East has been indicted for fraud, accused of taking elaborate measures to overbill the Pentagon.
Public Warehousing Company (PWC) is ... more |
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