Middle Orient News

Egypt downplays Hamas win, urges EU not to cut aid

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s foreign minister on Sunday urged the European Union to continue aid to the Palestinians, saying the situation was not as “dim” as some fear after the landslide election victory of Islamic group Hamas. In Damascus, Syrian President Bashar Assad met with Hamas’ political leader Khaled Mishaal …

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After years of fear, Algeria’s skiers return

TIKJDA, Algeria — Gazing at the cedar trees and snow-capped crags of this mountain ski resort, Abdenour Ouahi savours the delights of his sport. “When I’m here, I feel at peace. I have no problems,” said the 28-year old, breathless after making his favourite descent at the 1,478 metres (4,850 …

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Auditors say US-led occupation officials squandered millions meant for Iraq rebuilding

DUBAI (AP) — Iraqi money gambled away in the Philippines. Thousands spent on a swimming pool that was never used. An elevator repaired so poorly that it crashed, killing people. A US government audit found American-led occupation authorities squandered tens of millions of dollars that were supposed to be used …

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Israel braces for Hamas dominating Palestinian elections

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s acting prime minister, Ehud Olmert, huddled with top military and political officials Sunday to discuss the growing likelihood that Hamas could dominate this week’s Palestinian elections. The ascendance of Hamas has alarmed Israel, which appears to have been caught off guard by the group’s surging …

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Hunt for reporter highlights US troops’ Iraq dilemma

BAGHDAD (Reuters) — US forces hunting kidnapped American journalist Jill Carroll are raiding Iraqi homes in a race against time but, as with much of their counter-insurgency war, face the dilemma that their tactics can foster resentment. Operations designed to take her captors by surprise have angered those Iraqis who …

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Darfur rebel merger could shorten conflict

KHARTOUM (AFP) — The merger of the two main rebel groups in war-torn Darfur could simplify peace talks and help shorten the bloody nearly three-year-old conflict in Sudan’s western region, the government and analysts said. The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) announced on Friday …

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Settlers begin new fight with Israeli forces

HEBRON — Clutching her child with one hand, and a mobile phone with the other, Jewish settler Miriam Grabovsky vows to block Israeli troops in the West Bank city of Hebron. “The Israeli government works for the enemy. We are loyal to the land of Israel and our Torah, and …

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UN nuclear agency still divided over Iran

VIENNA (AFP) — Europe and the United States are struggling to get Russia and China onboard to crack down on Iran at a UN meeting next month over a nuclear programme the West fears hides secret atomic weapons work, diplomats told AFP Sunday. While some move by the International Atomic …

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Kuwait emir to take oath as government prepares action

KUWAIT CITY (AFP) — Kuwait’s ailing emir decided Sunday to take oath in parliament this week despite the government’s determination to remove him on health grounds, plunging the oil-rich Gulf state deeper into crisis. “A special session of parliament will be convened on Tuesday to enable the emir [Sheikh Saad …

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