Ivory Coast leader orders seizure of regional bank
ABIDJAN: Incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo's government has ordered the seizure of the regional central bank's offices in Ivory Coast in an attempt to retain control of state finances after being…
US sees Egypt’s gov’t as stable despite protests
WASHINGTON: The United States expressed confidence in Egypt's government on Tuesday and urged calm amid the largest public protests in years. It was an awkward endorsement of an authoritarian regime…
Rights group says Gulf States harassing activists
DUBAI: Authorities in Gulf countries have stepped harassment of political activists in the past year even as the oil-rich states showcase themselves as expanding economic and cultural powerhouses, an international…
World economic rules have changed, Obama warns US
WASHINGTON: A revitalized President Barack Obama bluntly told America to reinvent itself and unite to survive in a fast-changing global economy powered by rising giants like India and China. Obama's…
Current oil price would eliminate Iraq deficit
BAGHDAD: Iraq's budget deficit for 2011, now expected to reach $13.6 billion, would be eliminated if oil prices stay at their current levels, a finance ministry official said on Tuesday.…
Opposition calls for second day of protests
By Jailan Zayan /AFP CAIRO: Activists called for a second day of street action on Wednesday as authorities vowed to prevent further protests following huge anti-government rallies in which four…
Saudi Arabia boosts term crude sales to China as oil use surges
BEIJING/SINGAPORE: Saudi Arabia will boost contract crude sales by 10 percent to Asia's biggest refiner Sinopec this year as the world's top oil exporter cements its share of the world's…
Palestinian says Al Jazeera puts his life in danger
JERICHO: Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat accused Al Jazeera television on Tuesday of putting his life in danger with "a vicious smear campaign" alleging major concessions in peace talks with…
Iran, Lebanon show reach and limits of Turkey’s clout
ANKARA: In plunging headlong into trying to help resolve some of the toughest political conundrums in the Middle East, Turkey may be wondering whether it has taken on more than…
Hezbollah power swings Lebanon away from West
BEIRUT: The balance of power in Lebanon shifted toward Syria and Iran on Tuesday when a Hezbollah-backed politician was named prime minister, ousting a Western-allied bloc that has headed governments…