CAIRO — Egypt’s rulers are ignoring US criticism of their crackdown on political opposition because they calculate that the Bush administration desperately needs friends in the Middle East, critics and observers say. The US State Department has publicly criticised Egypt three times this month over its human rights record, its …

MOGADISHU (AP) — At least 39 people were killed Thursday in renewed fighting in the Somali capital that sent thousands of frightened civilians running from their homes, medical officials and a militia commander said. According to reports collected from the Somali capital’s main hospitals, at least 30 people were killed …

RAMALLAH (Agencies) — In a bold ultimatum, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday gave Hamas 10 days to accept the idea of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, and said he’ll submit the plan to a referendum by mid-July if Hamas refuses.