BAGHDAD (AFP) — A suicide bomber blew himself up in the middle of an Iraqi funeral procession on Wednesday, the bloodiest in a string of attacks across the country that left more than 50 people dead and scores wounded. The bomber, wired with explosives, walked up to a group of …

GAZA — Another day of disorder ravaged the Gaza Strip Wednesday, as gunmen linked to Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades went on the rampage in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, bulldozing a barricade on the Gaza side of the Egypt border and killing two Egyptian soldiers.

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon last night suffered what doctors told Israeli TV was a “significant stroke.” The 78-year-old Sharon, who was treated for a minor stroke last month was rushed into hospital yesterday

‘Damascus receives UN request to interview Assad’

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 …