Democracy at the local level in Pakistan
By Geoffrey Weichselbaum and Katherine Vittum ISLAMABAD: While Pakistan has made significant gains in deepening the democracy that its people worked hard to achieve during the 2008 general elections, democratic institutions…
Libyan rebels, Gaddafi forces fight on coast road
AJDABIYAH: Libyan rebels reported heavy fighting with the forces of Muammar Gaddafi on the Mediterranean coast road on Wednesday as both sides tried to break a stalemate in the seven-week…
Oman protesters seek prosecution of those behind killings
MUSCAT: Omani protesters asked the public prosecutor on Wednesday to charge members of the security forces responsible for killing two demonstrators in separate clashes in the northeast industrial city of…
Gulf Arabs to try to draw Yemen opposition to talks
SANAA: Gulf Arab ambassadors were to meet Yemen opposition figures on Wednesday to urge them to join mediation talks as protesters around the country again demanded an end to President…
Syria reverses ban on Islamic face veil in schools
BEIRUT: Syria's Education Ministry has reversed a decision that banned teachers from wearing the niqab — the full Islamic veil that reveals only a woman's eyes — and authorities closed…
Egypt’s revolt; lessons of Iran
When the Egyptian army announced its ‘neutrality’ at the very early stages of the recent mass uprisings, it was clear that a different policy was in effect as compared to…
Slain Assiut priest killed by maid and three associates
CAIRO: A priest who was found dead in his apartment in Assiut in February was killed during an armed robbery facilitated by his maid, the Ministry of Interior confirmed on…
Air strike on car in Sudan kills two: officials
KHARTOUM: An air strike on a car on Sudan's Red Sea coast killed its two passengers and destroyed the vehicle on Tuesday evening, the head of the state assembly told…
UNICEF contributes to humanitarian assistance at the Egyptian Libyan borders
UNICEF: UNICEF is working in close cooperation with national authorities and other partners in responding to the needs of tens of thousands of families escaping the crisis in Libya. “UNICEF…
Crime wave grips Egypt, absence of police blamed
CAIRO: Gunmen kidnapped a grandniece of Anwar Sadat and demanded a ransom. In one southern city, robbers didn't bother to wait until dark to target pedestrians. In another, a brawl…