At least 21 killed in protests across Syria
DAMASCUS: Syrian security forces shot dead at least 21 people, including a child, as pro-democracy protests swept the country on Friday after weekly prayers, with demonstrators pressing on with calls…
Indications Syria site was nuclear reactor: IAEA
BRUSSELS: The UN nuclear watchdog has information indicating that Syria was covertly building a nuclear reactor when Israel bombed the site in 2007, but has yet to reach a definite…
EU set sharply to expand Iran sanctions: diplomats
BRUSSELS: The European Union is expected to expand its sanctions against Iran significantly on Monday, reflecting growing frustration among Western powers with a lack of progress in nuclear talks with…
New fleet of Gaza blockade-busters to sail in June: charity
ISTANBUL: A flotilla of 15 ships will sail in the last week of June, seeking to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip, a year after a deadly Israeli raid…
Saleh calls for early election as Yemenis protest
SANAA: Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh called on Friday for early elections in an apparent bid to stave off Gulf and Western pressure to leave office, as thousands rallied for…
NATO hits 8 Qaddafi ships as Obama predicts demise
TRIPOLI: NATO said on Friday its warplanes hit eight vessels of Moammer Qaddafi’s navy, after US President Barack Obama predicted the veteran Libyan strongman would "inevitably" leave or be forced…
Europe, developing world square off over IMF post
WASHINGTON: Battle lines were shaping up over the choice of a new leader for the International Monetary Fund on Friday as the Fund's board searched for a successor to Dominique…
Europe development bank eyes Arab expansion
ASTANA: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which for two decades has financed projects in ex-Soviet states, met Friday to discuss expanding its operations into North Africa. The…
Egypt cement maker sees rapid sector expansion
CAIRO: Egypt's cement sector will shake off a property crisis and expand production capacity by 30 percent by the end of 2012, helped by a growing population, infrastructure demand and…
Egypt seeks capital injection
To help offset a rising budget deficit — amid falling foreign investment resulting from recent political upheaval — Egypt is looking for international funding. The economic effects of events of…