May, 2005

• 26 May

  Amnesty accuses Israel, Palestinian groups of committing crimes against humanity

  OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — Amnesty International on Wednesday accused Israeli soldiers operating in the West Bank and Gaza of committing war crimes, including unlawful killings, torture, destruction of property, obstruction of medical assistance and targeting of medical personnel. The London-based human rights group’s report for 2004 also condemned the deliberate …

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• 26 May

  A look at the key players in politics

  CAIRO (AP) — A look at the key players in Egypt’s politics trying to influence Wednesday’s referendum on the constitutional amendment that sets broad rules for Egypt’s first presidential election. The ruling National Democratic Party and eleven minor parties also have announced participation in Wednesday’s election. . Hosni Mubarak: President …

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• 26 May

  1st free polls in 3 decades to be held Sunday

  BEIRUT (AFP) — Free of the shackles of its powerful neighbour Syria, Lebanon votes on Sunday in what is being hailed as the first truly free elections in three decades — with the anti-Damascus opposition set to win. Many of Syria’s once-powerful allies have already thrown in the towel and …

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• 26 May

  Campaigning kicks off for presidential election

  TEHRAN (AFP) — Campaigning for next month’s presidential election officially got under way in Iran on Wednesday after hardliners agreed to let two reformists into a race dominated by hardliners and conservatives. The field of eight men will be battling to succeed reformist President Mohammad Khatami, near the end of …

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• 26 May

  Iran, EU avert deadlock in nuke standoff

  GENEVA (AFP) — Major European powers and Iran have agreed to continue talks over Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme amid signs they could strike a deal soon, foreign ministers and negotiators said after a last-ditch meeting here Wednesday to avert an escalation in the dispute. Iran pledged to maintain a suspension …

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• 26 May

  US committed to ‘contiguous’ Palestinian state — Rice

  WASHINGTON (AFP) — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday praised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ performance in office so far and reaffirmed the US commitment to creating a “contiguous” Palestinian state. In an interview with AFP as Abbas started a round of talks in Washington, Rice played down reported Israeli …

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• 26 May

  Abbas wants election delay

  RAMALLAH (AP) — Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas wants to postpone parliamentary elections until November, hoping to recapture some of the popular support his ruling Fateh movement has lost, a spokesman for the Hamas group said Wednesday. Two Palestinian officials close to Abbas, who is in the US for talks with …

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• 26 May

  Troops sweep western Iraqi town

  BAGHDAD (Reuters) — Around 1,000 US and Iraqi troops swept through the western town of Haditha on Wednesday, searching homes and seizing suspects in an anti-insurgent raid that follows a surge in militant attacks. The US military said Marines, sailors and Iraqi soldiers were all involved in the operation, dubbed …

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• 26 May

  Egypt votes on poll reform as boycott urged

  CAIRO (AP) — Plainclothes government agents beat protesters Wednesday, then watched as supporters of President Hosni Mubarak punched other demonstrators, in scattered violence that cast a pall over a referendum the 24-year ruler has called a crucial step towards democracy. Women protesters in particular seemed to be targeted for beatings …

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• 24 May

  Ostaticii se intorc astazi din iad

  Ieri la ora 13,44, cei trei ziaristi romani rapiti in Irak, Marie Jeanne Ion, Ovidiu Ohanesian si Sorin Miscoci, precum si cetateanul american de origine irakiana, Mohammad Munaf au fost eliberati si sunt teferi si nevatamati, a informat Presedintia Romaniei. Potrivit acestui comunicat, cei patru au ajuns sub controlul autoritatilor …

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