Japan toughens sanctions against Iran
Tokyo has tightened its sanctions against Iran, banning new investment in energy development, restricting financial dealings and freezing the assets of people and institutions linked to Tehran’s ‘nuclear activities’
Egypt fights Islamists with TV drama
Television drama has become the latest weapon used by Egypt’s authorities in their confrontation with the Muslim Brotherhood, the banned group that represents the largest opposition force in the country
EGYPT: Opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei calls for election boycott
Possible Egyptians presidential contender Mohamed ElBaradei has called on politicians and regular citizens to boycott parliamentary elections in November. Speaking to a crowd of nearly 200 people at a Ramadan iftar meal held by some members of the National Front…
Egypt Cracks Down on Arts Officials After Van Gogh Theft
Egyptian authorities have been unable to recover the $50 million van Gogh that was stolen in broad daylight from Cairo’s Mahmoud Khalil Museum last month, but they have certainly wasted no time in finding scapegoats for the embarrassing theft. Eleven people in the country’s arts establishment, including a senior culture minister and the head of the museum, are now set to be tried in court on …
Bahrain faces unrest ahead of elections
The holy month of Ramadan has erupted into a nightly routine of violence in Bahrain, where the Sunni monarchy of King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa rules a Shia majority
Syria droughts devastate crops, livestock: UN
Four consecutive droughts since 2006 have triggered “significant losses” of crops and livestock in Syria, mostly in the northeast of the country, a UN official said on Tuesday.
Joblessness spurs Saudi hostility to expatriates
When a survey by HSBC bank revealed that expatriates working in Saudi Arabia were among the world’s wealthiest, with disposable incomes allowing them to buy luxuries such as yachts, many citizens of the kingdom were furious
Middle East talks: Where they stand
Paul Reynolds outlines the positions of the three parties – Israel, the Palestinians and the US – on the core issues of the Middle East conflict.
Leaders agree to meet again on Mideast
The Israeli and Palestinian leaders agreed to negotiate a ‘framework’ for peace talks and to hold a second direct meeting in two weeks’ time
Middle Eastern saga opens new chapter
The Americans got the Mid-East leaders in a room together and, in the words of one official, no chairs were thrown. Now the hard work begins, writes Jeremy Bowen.
Inflation in the Gulf begins to bite again
Rising international food prices are taking a toll, with economists most concerned about Saudi Arabia where rents are expected to keep increasing despite a house-building programme
Egyptian officials to face trial over Van Gogh theft
A senior culture ministry official and the head of a Cairo museum from which a Van Gogh painting was stolen will stand trial on charges of negligence, a judicial source said on Monday.
Hizbollah leader denies rift with Syria
Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the radical Lebanese Shia group Hizbollah, denied that a rift was opening up between the Iranian-backed organisation and its Syrian allies during a speech marking a day of international solidarity with Palestinians
Iran increases nuclear stockpile
Experts say country has produced 2,803kg of uranium enriched to the purity needed to run a nuclear power station and with further enrichment could be used to build three bombs
