Gaza blockade 'counterproductive': Blair
LONDON: Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair described Israel's blockade of Gaza as "counterproductive" in an interview published Friday, in the wake of a flotilla attack which killed nine. Blair…
Iranian crowds heckle Khomeini's pro-opposition grandson
TEHRAN: Crowds of Iranians on Friday cut short a speech by late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's grandson who hardliners consider a supporter of the opposition movement. "Please allow me…
Turkish group behind flotilla is Gaza's new hero
GAZA CITY: The Turkish group that bankrolled the aid flotilla raided by Israel has big plans for Gaza. Its bearded 50-year-old leader has assumed hero status in the impoverished Palestinian…
Turkish Kurdish rebels declare end to unilateral ceasefire
SULAIMANIYAH: Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq announced on Friday they had ended their unilateral ceasefire with Turkey, as Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani paid a landmark visit to Ankara.…
Turkey to reduce economic, military ties with Israel
ANKARA: Turkey will reduce economic and defense ties with Israel, but bilateral cooperation will not be entirely frozen after the Gaza ship raid, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said Friday.…
Israel restricts access to Al-Aqsa mosque
JERUSALEM: Police on Friday restricted access to Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound amid tension over Israel's deadly commando raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld also said…
Afghan delegates support talks with Taliban
KABUL: Delegates to an Afghan peace conference voiced strong support Friday for negotiations between their government and the Taliban to try to end years of war. Speakers at the conference,…
Ahmadinejad warns opposition, blasts Israeli raid
TEHRAN: The Iranian president on Friday warned the country's opposition against straying from the path of the founder of the Islamic Revolution and slammed Israel for a deadly raid this…
NDP wins majority of Shoura Council seats
CAIRO: The ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) candidates won a sweeping majority of seats in the Shoura Council mid-term elections, the Supreme Electoral Commission announced in a press conference Thursday.…
Gaza aid activists accuse Israel of indiscriminate killings
ISTANBUL: Hundreds of Turkish activists from the Gaza aid flotilla attacked by Israeli commandos returned home to a heroes' welcome Thursday and their leaders accused Israel of carrying out indiscriminate…