Middle Orient

TEHRAN (Reuters) — Iran announced on Tuesday it would resume atomic fuel research and development next week, raising the spectre of a fresh showdown with the West which suspects Tehran wants nuclear technology to build bombs. The news coincided with strong hints from Iran’s foreign ministry that Tehran would reject …

TEL AVIV (AP) — The Israeli Shin Bet security agency has recommended building a wall through an Arab community located along the Lebanese border to prevent attacks by Lebanese fighters, officials said Tuesday. The construction of the barrier along the UN-recognised border would divide the Israeli-controlled town of Ghajar in …

SANAA (AFP) — Italy’s ambassador to Yemen on Tuesday blocked an assault by security forces to release five Italians amid fears for the hostages lives, a top local official told AFP. “After a number of tribal leaders failed (in the mediation efforts), the Yemeni authorities seriously considered to launch a …

RIYADH (AP) — Egyptian and Saudi Arabia leaders discussed on Tuesday the standoff between Syria and the United Nations over the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah did not speak to reporters after their talks in the port city of Jeddah, …

In 1996, Palestinians rioted after Israel opened an archaeological tunnel by the compound OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — The top Muslim cleric in the holy land on Tuesday called on Israel to halt work on an archaeological project near a disputed holy site, saying continuing the dig would inflame tensions in …

BAIJI, Iraq (Reuters) — A US air strike on a house in northern Iraq killed six members of an Iraqi family, prompting anger on Tuesday among minority Sunni Arab political leaders and the local police chief. The US military said aircraft bombed the building in the northern oil refining town …

The German family are being held as bargaining chips for the release of five brothers imprisoned by Yemeni authorities SANAA (AFP) — Yemeni tribesmen holding hostage a German family of five, including a retired senior diplomat, will not release them until their demand for the release of jailed fellow tribesmen …

BANI MAZAR (AFP) — Ten mutilated bodies were found early on Thursday in a southern Egyptian village, some of them missing their vital organs and laying in pools of blood, police sources said. The bodies of 10 Egyptians — four men, two women and four children — were found in …

BEIRUT — When psychics and astrologers jostle for air time on Dec. 31 to tell TV viewers what to expect in 2006, sceptics may be tempted to switch channels. But, after last year’s predictions, many will think twice.

PARIS — He has not issued any public statement all year. Speculation has grown over his influence, health and even possible death. Where is the Western world’s most wanted man, Osama Ben Laden?