TEHRAN (AFP) — Cyclone Gonu, the worst tropical storm to hit the Gulf in decades, made landfall in Iran on Wednesday afternoon, packing winds of 200 kilometres an hour and   forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, officials said.

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States and Israel said after high-level talks here Wednesday that the time might not be ripe for the Jewish state to resume peace talks with arch-rival Syria.

AMMAN — The government on Wednesday said it has asked the Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem to clarify his position on “documented evidence” that the patriarchate was involved in at least 12 transactions to sell or lease church property.