January, 2006

• 30 January

  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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• 23 January

  Lebanese leaders fail again to agree on Lahoud’s fate

  BEIRUT (Reuters) — Rival Lebanese leaders failed to agree on the fate of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud on Wednesday, highlighting the wide gaps among Syria’s allies and foes trying to end Lebanon’s worst political crisis in 16 years.

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• 23 January

  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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• 23 January

  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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• 23 January

  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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• 23 January

  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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• 23 January

  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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• 23 January

  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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• 23 January

  Jordanian hostage appeals for his life

  DUBAI (AFP) — A Jordanian held hostage in Iraq said in a videotape aired on Al Arabiya television on Sunday that his captors had wrapped him in an explosive belt and set a four-day deadline to execute him unless their demands are met. “I appeal to the Jordanian government not …

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• 23 January

  Iraqi biggest Sunni bloc commits to coalition talks

  BAGHDAD (Reuters) — Iraq’s biggest Sunni political bloc committed itself on Sunday to talks with Shiites and Kurds to form a government of national unity, but said its key demands, including changes to the constitution, must be met. The United States, keen to drive the political process towards a stable …

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