Mothers ask Iran to free US hikers
TEHRAN: The mothers of three US hikers held in Iran for 10 months amid spy accusations called for their release as a "humanitarian gesture" after an emotional reunion with their…
Pirate on US wanted list arrested in Somalia
NAIROBI, Kenya: Security forces in a semiautonomous region in northern Somalia have arrested 12 pirates, including a prominent gang member whose assets were frozen by the US Treasury Department last…
Bahrain suspends Al Jazeera, says flouted press laws
MANAMA: Bahrain has suspended local operations of Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera and barred a crew from traveling to the Gulf Arab state, accusing the channel of flouting press rules. Al…
The National 'go for it' on fifth album
Matt Berninger, the baritone-voiced lead singer of the National, is sitting at a Brooklyn restaurant explaining the excitement the band felt as their fifth album, "High Violet," was coming together.…
Iraqi PM says rivals can't form government
BAGHDAD: Iraq's prime minister said Thursday his Sunni-backed rivals, who narrowly won the March election, were wasting their time trying to form a new government, in a remark sure to…
Teaching religion in schools: A curriculum of controversy
CAIRO: The press conference held by the newly appointed minister of education, Ahmed Zaki Badr, and the Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa last month to announce changes to the religious curricula…
Rights activists say judge's case against them 'fabricated'
CAIRO: Human rights activists who are facing criminal charges brought by a judge have condemned the “fabricated” case against them. Ahmed Seif El-Islam Hamad and Gamal Eid, directors of the…
Ship industry, unions urge end to Somali piracy
LONDON: Shipping associations, marine insurers and unions joined forces on Wednesday to demand "concrete action" from governments to end Somali piracy. Somali pirates have stepped up their attacks in recent…
Foreign aid should be conditional, says NGO
CAIRO: Foreign donors must make aid to Egypt conditional on the government making human rights and democratic change concessions, an Egyptian NGO said Wednesday. “Financial assistance will be meaningless if…
Libya to float shares in chemical plant
TRIPOLI: Libya will list the state-owned Abu-Kammash petrochemical complex on the stock market, an official said, the latest step to open up an economy that is attracting growing interest from…