Middle Orient

BAGHDAD (Reuters) — Three car bombs killed at least 43 people in a coordinated attack on a Baghdad bus station in the morning rush hour on Wednesday, ending a lull in insurgent attacks as Iraqi leaders resumed talks on a new constitution. At least 43 people were killed and 88 …

GENEVA (AFP) — UN targets to improve children’s health in poor countries within 10 years will take at least 150 years to achieve despite a concerted international effort to tackle mortality and malnutrition, the UN health agency said Monday. The World Health Organisation reiterated that the health-related targets set under …

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Iraq’s first post-Saddam Hussein draft constitution was presented to parliament Monday under intense US pressure, just minutes before a new deadline ran out, but with a number of issues still unresolved. Parliament Speaker Hajim Hasani said MPs received the draft constitution on time Monday, after tortuous negotiations, …

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — As Israeli soldiers dragged Jewish settlers from their homes, one settler walked in front of about a dozen television cameras and wailed: “How could they do this? This the land of Israel.” When the cameras were turned off, he stopped crying and walked away. Another family invited …

NOUAKCHOTT — After 20 years of oppression under the previous regime, the people of Mauritania have welcomed the arrival of their new leader after a bloodless coup in the country. Nouakchott is bleached by the Saharan sun and smothered in the desert sands on a daily basis. It is a …

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — The Greek Orthodox Church in the Holy Land elected a new patriarch on Monday to succeed their ousted leader, who fell from grace over a controversial East Jerusalem land deal. The church’s Holy Synod elected Metropolitan Theofilos in a 14-0 vote. Church rebels had dismissed Patriarch …

CAIRO — Nearly 10 years ago, Abul-Ela Madi was jailed when he first proposed creating an Islamist party in Egypt. Now, he seems closer than ever to achieving his dream — and if he does, it will further alter his country’s already changing political landscape. If Madi’s Al Wasat Party …

BEIRUT (AP) — A powerful explosion late Monday rocked a shopping centre and hotel in the Zalka neighbourhood in north Beirut, injuring at least three people and causing extensive damage, security officials said. Heavily armed Lebanese soldiers cordoned off the area, punching and hitting journalists to keep them back. Two …

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — The last Jewish settlers were evacuated yesterday from the Gaza Strip as attention shifted to four small settlements in the northern West Bank. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, meanwhile, talked of creating a “culture of peace,” while Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vowed to continue building in the …

BAGHDAD (AP) — A day before the deadline for the new constitution, Sunni Arabs appealed Sunday to the United States to prevent Shiites and Kurds from pushing a draft through parliament with their consent, warning it would only worsen the crisis in Iraq. Leaders of the Sunni Arabs, Shiite and …