Veteran rebel exposes Iran’s ‘fear of ideas’
Ebrahim Yazdi’s arrest in Tehran on the first day of Ashura shows the regime is ‘afraid of ideas’, says Youseph Yazdi, Mr Yazdi’s son, a biomedical engineering professor at Johns Hopkins University in the US
Dubai tops its troubles with tallest tower
The grand unveiling comes on the heels of global concerns about the emirate’s $100bn debt mountain, which triggered a crisis in November when a government holding company admitted it would not be able to pay its debts
Saudis keen to address electricity issue
The kingdom is considering a range of measures to slow consumption of its cheap, subsidised power and aims eventually to liberalise the market and allow full competition
US reopens Sana’a embassy
The US has reopened its embassay in Sana’a, the Yemeni capital, after local security forces said they had killed two members of al-Qaeda.
Serious Fraud Office draws fire over BAE
The planned prosecution of the arms maker for alleged bribery is being delayed by further Serious Fraud Office investigations, amid growing questions over the agency’s handling of the affair
Saddam was well regarded by British
One of the most reviled leaders of recent history achieved new heights of power in 1979 but British documents from the time reveal their regard for the Iraqi dictator
World’s tallest tower opens in debt-hit Dubai
After navigating the worst crisis in his four years as ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum will lead a day of celebrations to unveil the residential, hotel and office building, which offers views across the Gulf to Iran
CIA bomber said to be al-Qaeda double agent
The suicide bomber who killed seven CIA officers in Afghanistan last week was an al-Qaeda agent who offered to help infiltrate the group, US media report
Total’s Mr Middle East turns to the US
The oil giant’s chief executive is not afraid to look away his favoured Middle East region in search of suitable venture partners
Al-Qaeda targets Yemen as haven
Saudi extremists, under pressure from more aggressive pursuit by intelligence services in their country, have strengthened al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula’s ranks in the past year
Israeli veterans cancel UK trip on arrest fear
A group of senior Israeli soldiers have cancelled a trip to the UK over fears they may be arrested for alleged war crimes. Britain has already promised to review the current provisions
