Israel invites Italy FM to head EU ministerial visit to Gaza
ROME: Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has invited his Italian counterpart to lead a European ministerial delegation to Gaza, ending a diplomatic blockade on the Hamas-run Palestinian enclave. Lieberman raised…
Four thanawiya amma proctors die on duty; 28 teachers protest bullying
CAIRO: The Prosecutor General received Thursday complaints accusing top government officials of negligence that led to the death of four thanawiya amma (Egyptian national secondary school certificate) exam proctors this…
Satellite firm cuts Hamas TV broadcasts to Europe
PARIS: A Gaza-based television station, accused of inciting hatred of Jews and Israel, has had its broadcasts to Europe shut down, Eutelsat satellite firm said on Friday. Eutelsat said its…
Lebanon arrests Palestinian suspected of spying for Israel
BEIRUT: Lebanese police have arrested a Palestinian refugee on suspicion he was spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, a police spokesman said on Friday. "We have arrested a Palestinian from…
Saudi-funded TV offices in Iraq close in face of warnings
BAGHDAD: The Baghdad offices of Al-Arabiya television closed on Friday after the interior ministry warned the Saudi-funded satellite network was under surveillance by insurgents, a staffer said. "Interior ministry sources…
UNHCR says allowed to part resume activities in Libya
GENEVA: The UN refugee agency said Friday that it has been allowed to resume part of its work in Libya after talks with Libyan authorities over Tripoli's decision to expel…
US Congress approves new Iran sanctions
WASHINGTON: The US Congress on Thursday sent President Barack Obama a sweeping package of tough new energy and financial sanctions on Iran, aiming to force Tehran to halt its suspected…
Israel marks four years of 'cruel' Shalit captivity
JERUSALEM: Human Rights Watch on Friday demanded that Hamas end its "cruel and inhuman treatment" of Gilad Shalit as Israel marked the fourth anniversary of the soldier's captivity at the…
Iraq says gov't workers not exempt from power cuts
BAGHDAD: An Iraqi minister warned government workers Friday against using their influence to escape the country's widespread power cuts and urged Iraqis to cut down on air conditioning as temperatures…
Islamist militants build bunkers in Sahara
TOMBOUCTOU: Islamic militants linked to Al-Qaeda are building fortified bunkers in the Sahara desert of Algeria and Mali to shelter against air attack as their power grows, security experts believe.…