Kuwait Gets $650 Mln in Iraqi Reparation: UN
GENEVA (AFP) – The United Nations released 650 million dollars in Iraqi compensation to Kuwait on Thursday, the latest payment of a war reparation scheme that began in 1994.
The payment brings the total sum of compensation paid to Kuwait to 30.15 ... more |
Iran Orders its Iraqi Allies to Accept Al-Maliki as PM or Else
London, Asharq al-Awsat - An informed source has revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Iran has sent a strongly-worded message to its allies in the Islamic Supreme Council which is led by Ammar al-Hakim and Al-Sadr Trend which is led by Muqtada al-Sadr ... more |
Arabs Meet on Palestinian Peace Talks with Israel
CAIRO (AFP) – Arab foreign ministers will hold crucial talks with Palestinian Mahmud Abbas on Thursday to decide whether he will begin direct negotiations with Israel amid pressure from the United States.
Abbas has accepted holding only indirect talks ... more |
Al Qaeda in Iraq Claims TV Office Bombing
DUBAI (Reuters) – The Iraqi arm of al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for a suicide attack this week on the Baghdad office of satellite television channel Al Arabiya, and warned of further strikes on media targets.
"We assume responsibility for the ... more |
Japan's Mitsui Maintains Oil Tanker was Likely Attacked
TOKYO (AFP) – A Japanese shipping company maintained Thursday that its oil tanker was likely attacked in the Strait of Hormuz a day earlier, dismissing reports it may have been hit by a freak wave.
Mitsui OSK Lines officials reiterated at a Tokyo ... more |
Iran and U.S. Send Positive Signals on Nuclear Talks
ISTANBUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Iran and the United States sent positive signals on Wednesday about the possibility of fresh talks on the Iranian nuclear program, which Washington suspects aims to develop atomic weapons.
Iran has given an assurance ... more |
Hamas Targets Women's Underwear in Modesty Drive
GAZA (Reuters) - The Islamist rulers of the Gaza Strip have ordered lingerie shops to display more modesty.
A week after banning women from smoking water pipes in public places, the Hamas-run police force has told stores selling women's underwear ... more |
We Cannot Grant Allawi the Post of Prime Minster- Iraq's State of Law Coalition
London, Asharq Al-Awsat – Senior member of Nuri al-Maliki's State of Law coalition, Izzat al-Shabandar informed Asharq Al-Awsat that the State of Law coalition "is not in a position to direct the post of prime minister to the Iraqiya bloc, ... more |
Palestinian Stand on Direct Negotiations Remains Unchanged - President Abbas
London, Asharq Al-Awsat- On the eve of his trip to Cairo to attend the meeting of the Arab Follow-up Committee tomorrow, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas told Asharq Al-Awsat: "There is no change in the Palestinian stand on moving to direct negotiations, ... more |
Iran's Ahmadinejad Denies Helping Taliban in US Interview
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has denied in an interview with US television charges that his government is providing support to Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.
"We do not support any group," Ahmadinejad said when asked ... more |
Plane Carrying 152 Crashes in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, (AP) – A passenger jet carrying 152 people crashed into the hills surrounding Pakistan's capital amid rain and caught fire Wednesday, officials said. At least 25 people were killed and five survived with injuries, but many more were feared ... more |
We Can Build United States of Africa, Gaddafi says
KAMPALA (Reuters) – Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said on Tuesday his dream of a United States of Africa was still alive and this week's African Union summit was another step toward that objective.
Gaddafi has been pushing for an African unity government ... more |
Twelve Killed in Iraq as Shiite Pilgrimage Ends
KARBALA, Iraq (AFP) – A series of attacks in Baghdad and a holy Iraqi city killed 12 people, while five others died in a helicopter crash, as major religious ceremonies came to a close, officials said on Wednesday.
In the deadliest attack, mortars ... more |
Ex-Pakistan Spy Chief Blasts WikiLeaks Report
Islamabad, Asharq Al-Awsat- The former head of Pakistan's intelligence service, Gen. Hamid Gul has stated that leaked U.S. intelligence reports about his contacts with the Taliban leadership were nothing but pure lies, fabricated to justify the ... more |
Natural Gas Could Lead to New Lebanon-Israel War
BEIRUT, (AP) – The discovery of large natural gas reserves under the waters of the eastern Mediterranean could potentially mean a huge economic windfall for Israel and Lebanon, both resource-poor nations — if it doesn't spark new war between them.
The ... more |
Saudi King to Visit Lebanon Amid Tensions: Govt Official
BEIRUT (AFP) – Saudi King Abdullah will visit Lebanon on Friday and will urge rival parties to exercise restraint amid tensions over the possible implication of Hezbollah in the murder of ex-premier Rafik Hariri, a government official said on Monday.
"The ... more |
Sectarianism Root Cause of Iraq's Political Impasse- Al-Iraqiya Spokeswoman
London, Asharq Al-Awsat- The spokeswoman for the Al-Iraqiya coalition has stated that" current talks between the political blocs have not resulted in a resolution to the main problem of forming the next government, the problem of naming a prime minister." ... more |
US Braces for Blowback over Afghan War Disclosures
WASHINGTON, (AP) – Intelligence officials, past and present, are raising concerns that the WikiLeaks.org revelations could endanger U.S. counterterror networks in the Afghan region, and damage information sharing with U.S. allies.
People in Afghanistan ... more |
EU Toughens Sanctions on Iran as Tehran Offers Talks
BRUSSELS/TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran said on Monday it was ready to return to talks on a nuclear fuel swap, a surprise that came shortly after the European Union agreed tougher sanctions, including a block on oil and gas investment.
EU foreign ministers ... more |
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