Oil pares gains, hovers above $73 ahead of EIA data
LONDON: Oil prices pared early gains of nearly 2 percent on Thursday to pull back to near $73 a barrel, as traders waited to see if US government data would…
Irish premier asks Israel to let ship dock in Gaza
DUBLIN: Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen appealed to Israel to let a private Irish ship deliver its aid cargo to Gaza — but conceded Wednesday that supplies of concrete on…
Iran sanctions should not hurt ordinary citizens, says China
BEIJING: China said Thursday that any sanctions eventually adopted by the UN Security Council against Iran in response to its nuclear program should not adversely affect the lives of ordinary…
Ship's crew seize back control from Somali pirates says EU
BRUSSELS: The crew of a Libyan cargo ship seized back control from Somali pirates on Wednesday after fighting in which some of their captors are believed to have died and…
Eight Iran opposition groups apply to stage protests, says report
TEHRAN: Eight Iranian opposition groups have sought permission to hold rallies on June 12, the anniversary of last year's disputed presidential election, an opposition website reported on Thursday. The eight…
Sudan protesters rage against Israel, sing Turkey's praises
KHARTOUM: Dozens of Sudanese rallied in the capital Khartoum on Thursday against Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid fleet, while praising Turkey for its angry reaction. "Down, down Israel"…
S.Africa recalls envoy from Israel after flotilla killings
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa is recalling its ambassador to Israel in the wake of the deadly raid on an aid convoy bound for the Gaza Strip, the government said on Thursday.…
Turkey's Arab appeal surges after Israel's raid, say analysts
DUBAI: Turkey's tough response to Israel's raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla has cemented its popularity among Arabs, frustrated with their governments' inability to face up to Israel, analysts say.…
Turkey wants Iraqi Kurdish cooperation against PKK
ANKARA, Turkey: Turkey's foreign minister on Thursday called for greater cooperation from Iraqi Kurds in combating rebels who stream across the border. Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey was aiming to achieve…
Space, South Africa's new frontier
JOHANNESBURG: By hosting the World Cup this month, South Africa is set to defy Africa’s image as too poor and trouble-ridden to stage one of the world’s great spectacles. With…