World
Syrian opposition's Arab League seat 'illegal': Russia - (56 days ago)
"In terms of international law, the League's decision on Syria is illegal and indefensible because the government of the Syrian Arab Republic was and is the legitimate representative member-state at the United Nations," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. Syrian opposition chief Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib took Syria's seat at the League on Tuesday as Arab leaders gathered in Doha
Freedom of expression in Turkey 'under attack': Amnesty - (56 days ago)
"Freedom of expression is under attack in Turkey," the London-based group said. "Hundreds of abusive criminal prosecutions are brought every year against political activists, human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and others," it added. "These prosecutions represent one of the most deeply entrenched human rights problems in Turkey today." Turkey is under fire from rights groups
F-35 fighter transforming defense industry says retiring chief - (56 days ago)
Tom Burbage, a former Navy test pilot and general manager of the F-35 program since its inception 12 years ago, said the $396 billion weapons program, which will create a supersonic, single-engine fighter jet for use by the United States and its allies, still made strategic sense. Mounting budget pressures and escalating threats made the coalition and joint-service warfare of the F-35
China jails 20 on jihad, separatism charges in restive Xinjiang - (56 days ago)
The courts in Kashgar and Bayingol said the 20 - all ethnic Uighurs judging by their names - had had their "thoughts poisoned by religious extremism", and used cell phones and DVDs "to spread Muslim religious propaganda", the Xinjiang government said on its official news website (www.ts.cn). Some of them bought weapons to kill policemen as part of their jihad and
Jordan should charge or free 'devil worshippers': HRW - (56 days ago)
The students, from Al al-Bayt University in northeastern Jordan, deny the accusations and have neither been charged nor taken before a judge. They were assaulted by a crowd of other students before their arrest on March 12, the rights watchdog said on its website. "Jordanian authorities should release the five students and take steps to protect them from further attack," said Eric
Saudi Arabia beheads, crucifies Yemeni convict - (56 days ago)
"The Yemeni citizen Mohammed Rashad Khairi Hussein killed a Pakistani, Pashteh Sayed Khan, after he committed sodomy with him," said a statement carried by state news agency SPA The Yemeni was also convicted of carrying out a series of attacks and robberies. The execution in the southern city of Jizan was followed by crucifixion, implemented by the ultra-conservative country for serious
Petraeus apologises for affair, moves to mend image - (56 days ago)
His appearance at an event honoring University of Southern California veterans and Reserve Officers' Training Corps students was his first public speech since the storied Army general's career was cut short by the scandal. Petraeus noted that "life doesn't stop with such a mistake. It can and must go on." "I know that I can never fully assuage the pain that
N. Korea sets top leadership meet as border nerves fray - (56 days ago)
State media said the politburo of the ruling Workers' Party would meet sometime in the next few days to discuss an unspecified "important issue" and make a "drastic turn". The military remains the ultimate powerbroker in North Korea, although analysts say leadership changes undertaken by the country's new young leader Kim Jong-Un have given the party added
Facebook chief Zuckerberg tackling politics: Report - (56 days ago)
The San Francisco Chronicle, Politico, and the Wall Street Journal were among outlets reporting that the 28-year-old co-founder of the world's leading social network was helping unite technology industry in a political action group. News reports cited unnamed sources and Facebook would not comment. The group, which had yet to be named, reportedly set a goal of raising about $50
Saudis say have evidence of spy suspects' links to Iran - (56 days ago)
"Preliminary investigations, physical evidence which has been collected and statements from the accused in this case have shown a direct link between members of this cell and Iran's intelligence apparatus," said a security spokesman for the Interior Ministry quoted by the official news agency. He said Iranian intelligence had paid the suspects "in exchange for information and documents
Iran condemns Arab League for handing seat to opposition - (56 days ago)
With Syrian membership to the Arab League suspended in November 2011, the seat at Tuesday's summit was filled by Moaz Alkhatib, the leading figure among Syria's opposition coalition that is battling to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. Shiite Iran has given crucial backing to Assad since the protests erupted in Syria in 2011. Tehran regards him as key in the axis of resistance against
White House says no Patriot missiles in Syria - (57 days ago)
The White House said Tuesday that NATO would not provide Patriot missile batteries to protect rebel strongholds in Syria, following a request from opposition chief Moaz al-Khatib. Khatib asked for an extension of the umbrella provided by Patriot positions on the Turkish border designed to intercept missiles fired from the Syrian side as he took his seat at the Arab League of
Arab League: Members have right to arm Syria rebels - (57 days ago)
The Arab League of Nations agreed Tuesday that member nations have the right to provide military support to Syrians fighting President Bashar al-Assad, according to a draft declaration obtained by Reuters. The summit in Doha, Qatar, urged regional and international organizations to recognize the opposition National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces as the
Doha summit gives Arab states 'right' to arm Syria rebels - (57 days ago)
-The Arab summit in Doha on Tuesday gave member states the "right" to offer Syrians all means of self-defence including arms, in a resolution on Syria. The Arab Summit affirms the "right of every state to offer all forms of self-defence, including military, to support the resistance of the Syrian people and the Free Syrian Army," said the
White House: no Patriot missiles in Syria - (57 days ago)
Khatib asked for an extension of the umbrella provided by Patriot positions on the Turkish border designed to intercept any missiles fired from the Syrian side, as he took his seat at the Arab League summit in Doha. "We are aware of the request," White House spoksman Jay Carney said. "At this time, NATO does not intend to intervene militarily in Syria," Carney
Syrian state paper vents anger over Arab summit - (57 days ago)
A state-owned Syrian newspaper on Tuesday criticized Arab countries and an upcoming summit in Doha, saying they dol not reflect true Arabism since Syria's government is not particpating. In its editorial published on Tuesday, Al-Thawra newspaper said “Syrians know it is not a summit for Arabs." The 24th Arab League of Nations Summit began in Qatar Tuesday. The
Saudis say have evidence of spy suspects' links to Iran - (57 days ago)
"Preliminary investigations, physical evidence which has been collected and statements from the accused in this case have shown a direct link between members of this cell and Iran's intelligence apparatus," said a security spokesman for the Interior Ministry quoted by the official news agency. He said Iranian intelligence had paid the suspects "in exchange for information and documents
BREAKING: Doha summit gives Arab states 'right' to arm Syria rebels - (57 days ago)
-The Arab summit in Doha on Tuesday gave member states the "right" to offer Syrians all means of self-defence including arms, in a resolution on Syria. The Arab Summit affirms the "right of every state to offer all forms of self-defence, including military, to support the resistance of the Syrian people and the Free Syrian Army," said the
A new appeal to BRICS on Syria - (57 days ago)
On Tuesday, Arab leaders in Doha opened the annual Arab League summit amid differences on how to proceed on the Syrian crisis. Almost all participating member states took part in welcoming the presence of Moaz Al-Khatib, a key Syrian opposition figure, who took the seat of Syria in a symbolic move and an announcement of sorts that the Arab organisation is no longer willing to extend the
Sudan vice president reaches out to rebels - (57 days ago)
The invitation by the country's most powerful vice president, Ali Osman Taha, comes as tensions ease with neighbouring South Sudan. Khartoum's accusation that the South's government in Juba backed rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) was the major impediment to improved bilateral relations. But at his first news conference in more than two
Palestinians hail UN call for end to Israeli settlements - (57 days ago)
"On behalf of the Palestinian people and leadership, I would like to express great appreciation and gratitude" to the UN's Human Rights Council, PLO Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement. "We appreciate your support and value your courage to stand behind your convictions." The UNHRC presented a report to diplomats this month that said Israel must immediately begin
Qatar proposes $1 billion Arab fund for Jerusalem - (57 days ago)
Arabs fear that Israeli settlement building on land captured in the 1967 Middle East war, including East Jerusalem, has made a two-state solution backed by the United States unfeasible. Qatar's emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, offered to contribute $250 million to the fund, which he suggested at an Arab summit in Doha that focused on the crisis in Syria and stalled Israeli-Palestinian
South Sudan signing Entebbe agreement - (57 days ago)
In a sudden move, reports came out the two-year old South Sudan government will join the Cooperative Framework Agreement of the Nile Basin Countries, known as the Entebbe agreement. “We joined the Nile Basin Initiative. We are on the way to join the framework agreement, through which Nile Basin countries could discuss the best ways for using water sources,” Paul Mayom,
Car bomb explodes in Syrian capital - (57 days ago)
A car bomb exploded in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Tuesday, killing and wounding several people, state television said. Syria TV said the blast was set off by a suicide car bomber in the northeastern district of Rukn al-Din, but opposition activists in the area said it was not yet clear if the attack was a bomb or mortar shell. Neither side offered a death toll from the
Pakistan girls' school teacher shot dead: officials - (57 days ago)
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but Islamist militants are particularly opposed to girls' education in the northwest, where they have bombed hundreds of schools in recent years. Shahnaz Nazli, 41, was shot dead in Shahkas, near the town of Jamrud in Khyber tribal district, between the northwestern city of Peshawar and the Afghan border. She was on
Cyprus students hold protest rally as banks stay shut - (57 days ago)
The banks were ordered to remain closed until Thursday, and even then will impose capital controls to prevent depositors from stripping out all their funds. A Reuters eye witness estimated up to 3,000 high school students protested outside parliament, the first real expression of popular anger after Cyprus agreed the 10 billion euro ($13 billion) bailout with the European Union. Though
Gunman wounds Russian Red Cross worker in Yemen - (57 days ago)
A Russian aid worker working for the International Committee of the Red Cross was shot and wounded by unidentified gunmen in the Yemeni capital on Tuesday, a security official said. "The foreign worker was in the car of an international organisation when she was shot in one of Sanaa's streets," the official said, adding that the woman was in critical condition. However, an ICRC
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BBC SportWhen it's put to him that he might be the most talented athlete in the world to hold a racquet, a bashful Ramy Ashour admits "that's pretty great".The 25-year-old Egyptian is more than just the current squash world number one - his elastic, unorthodox brilliance and charisma could be the key to squash breaking out beyond its four walls and regaining a place on the wider sporting
Ministers in Prime Minister Hisham Qandil's cabinet following the recent reshuffle (new appointees are in italics): 1. Minister of Agriculture Ahmed Mahmoud Ali El-Gizawi2. Minister of Antiquities Ahmed Eissa3. Minister of Aviation Wael Maadawi4. Minister of Communication Atef Helmy5. Minister of Culture
AP— April 15, 2013: Two bombs explode in the packed streets near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring more than 140.— January 17, 2011: A backpack bomb is placed along a Martin Luther King Day parade route in Spokane, Washington, meant to kill and injure participants in a civil rights march, but is found and disabled before it can explode. White
The convenient marriage between Iran and the Arab left would have been unthinkable only a few years ago, given the traditional ideological paradoxes between patriarchal Persian Shiism, on the one hand, and leftist orthodoxy on the other.Indeed, a casual viewer of Hizbullah's Al-Manar television, or the Iranian-funded Al-Mayadin TV, these days would probably think that the two Shia propaganda
