Palestinian rivals postpone reconciliation talks
DAMASCUS: The Islamist Hamas movement which rules Gaza said on Tuesday that planned reconciliation talks with the Fatah faction of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas have been postponed at its rival's…
Iraq to auction gas fields despite uncertainties
BAGHDAD: Energy companies face tough terms, shaky security and local opposition when they fly to Baghdad this week to take part in a gas bidding round. Iraq's plan to auction…
Iran says consular access granted to detained Germans
TEHRAN: Iran said on Tuesday it has granted consular access to two Germans arrested in the Islamic republic while they were reportedly interviewing the son of a woman sentenced to…
Rights groups wary on South Africa return to UN Security Council
JOHANNESBURG: Rights groups will keep a close eye on South Africa's return to the UN Security Council, where the country's last term drew complaints it had betrayed the legacy of…
Iran doesn’t need nuclear weapons, says Pakistan
WASHINGTON: The foreign minister of Pakistan said Monday that Iran had no justification to pursue nuclear weapons and urged the neighboring country to embrace overtures from the United States. In…
Anti-Qaeda militiamen defecting in Iraq hotspots, say commanders
BAQUBA: Members of the Sunni Arab militia credited with turning the tide against Al-Qaeda in Iraq are rallying to the jihadists in some key hotspots amid unhappiness with their treatment…
4,000-year-old priest’s tomb unearthed in Egypt
CAIRO: Egyptian archaeologists have discovered the tomb of a priest who conducted prayer rituals before statues of a dead pharaoh more than 4,000 years ago, the antiquities council said on…
Government to restructure bread industry monitoring
CAIRO: Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif has ordered the Ministers of Finance and Trade and Industry to coordinate with the Minister of Social Security in forming an organizational authority to overlook…
Al-Dostor journos protest procrastination of new owner
CAIRO: A few dozen journalists for the daily independent newspaper Al-Dostor gathered on Monday outside the Higher Press Council’s headquarters in downtown Cairo to protest against the procrastination of the…
Goal is dubious but served Ahly right: Esperance assistant
CAIRO: Esperance's goal against Ahly in the CAF Champions League semi finals was dubious but it definitely gave the Red Devils a dose of their own medicine, said Tunisian side…