US stocks hit by emerging-market fears
The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 180.26 points (1.14%) to 15,698.85 over the five days of trade.
Latest in Tag: AFP Highlight
Latest in Tag: AFP
Chemists unveil âwater-jetâ printer
A team of chemists claims their âwater-jetâ technology allows each page to be reprinted dozens of times — a money- and tree-saving option in a digital world that still relies heavily on hard copy.
Tunisia’s new government of independents sworn in
The formation of a new government comes after weeks of horse-trading and is the cornerstone of a roadmap to end a political crisis that has plagued Tunisia since the assassination of two opposition MPs in 2013.
Egypt army meets on Sisi presidential bid: state media
AFP – Egypt’s top army command discussed a possible presidential bid by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at a meeting on Monday, state media reported. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces “is meeting to discuss developments on the security front, especially in northern Sinai, in addition to looking into other matters including the peoples’ …
Foreign ministry denies âprisoner swapâ with Libya
Egyptian diplomats set to return to Cairo and former Libyan rebel leader announces his release on television
Iraq executes 26 men on terrorism charges: ministry
AFP – Iraq has executed 26 men convicted of “terrorism”, the justice ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, despite widespread international condemnation of Iraq’s extensive use of the death penalty. “The justice ministry carried out the executions of 26 (men) convicted of crimes related to terrorism on Sunday,” the statement said, adding that all …
Syria photos prove mass torture by Assad regime: report
Syria denies torturing detainees.
US expects UN to withdraw Iran invite to Syria talks
AFP– Washington is in talks with the UN over the surprise invitation of Iran to Syria peace talks and expects the invite to be withdrawn, a US official said Sunday. Iran has “never endorsed the Geneva I communique” which calls for a transitional government in Syria and “we expect the invitation will be rescinded,” a …
Withdraw Iran invite or we snub talks: Syria opposition
AFP – Syria’s opposition National Coalition will not attend peace talks in Switzerland beginning Wednesday if an invitiation to Iran is not withdrawn by Monday night, a Coalition member told AFP. “By 1900 GMT, they have to confirm that Iran is not invited to the conference or we will not attend,” said Hadi AlBahra, insisting …
16 killed in Baghdad car bombs: officials
AFP – Five car bombs struck across several neighbourhoods in Baghdad on Monday killing at least 16 people and wounding more than 40 others, security and medical officials said. Two explosions went off in the predominantly Sunni south Baghdad neighbourhood of Dura, while at least three vehicles rigged with explosives were detonated in the mostly-Shiite …
Tunisia marks uprising anniversary without new constitution
The main groups demonstrating were supporters and critics of Ennahda, the moderate Islamist party that was voted to power after Ben Ali’s downfall, but which finally resigned last week under an agreement to end months of political turmoil.
Ex-Israel PM Sharon dead: Netanyahu’s office
Sharon has been in a coma since January 4, 2006 after suffering a massive stroke.
Tunisia police, protesters clash in deprived region
The region is one of the poorest in Tunisia and was a hotbed of unrest during the January 2011 revolt that toppled veteran strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
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In Pictures: Morsi trial adjourned, clashes erupt
 AFP- An Egyptian court on Wednesday adjourned the murder trial of deposed president Mohamed Morsi to February 1, citing “weather conditions” that prevented the Islamist’s transport to court from prison. It had been scheduled as the second hearing in Morsi’s trial, after an initial court appearance in November in which he denounced the tribunal and insisted …
Oil prices rise as US cold snap boosts demand
Brent North crude gained also 37 cents to stand at $107.10 in London deals.
Kuwait PM reshuffles cabinet
The new cabinet line-up includes a new oil minister, Ali al-Omair, a lawmaker who is a senior member of the Islamist Salaf Alliance. He replaced Mustafa al-Shamali, who served in the post for just five months after serving several years as finance minister.
Tunisia charter to uphold equality, freedom of opinion
The Islamists also agreed in recent months to drop their insistence on Islam being the main source of legislation, or criminalising âattacks on the sacredâ.
Rouhani defends Iran nuclear deal against hardliners
Government officials say the nuclear dossier will remain under direct control of the Supreme National Security Council and that final decisions still rest with Iranâs ultimate authority, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Egypt’s Christians pray for peace after months of unrest
Coptic Christians, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s 86 million people and constitute the largest Christian community in the Middle East, have long complained of official discrimination and feared attacks by radical Islamists.
Blast kills Libya courthouse guard: officials
A security official speaking on condition of anonymity said Monday’s bomb was placed in a guard post outside a courthouse in central Benghazi by unknown assailants.
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Syria Today
Syrians walk along a severely damaged road in the northeastern city of Deir Ezzor on January 4, 2014. Syrian rebels have united to kill and capture dozens of jihadists in a new “revolution” against an Al-Qaeda affiliate they accuse of worse abuses than the hated President Bashar al-Assad, activists said. AFP PHOTO / AHMAD ABOUD
African asylum seekers protest Israel detention laws
Demonstrators sharply criticised the authorities’ refusal to give them refugee status and their detention of several hundred asylum seekers.
ISIL claims bombing in Hezbollah’s Beirut stronghold
The army said Saturday that a young man from northern Lebanon was the bomber who blew himself up.
Blast from the past: 1970s games revived on Internet
The effort will enable a new generation to discover games that used to be on a cartridge inserted into a console, with titles including “Ninja Golf,” and “Ms. Pac-Man.”
Israel hits back after rockets fired from Lebanon
The Israeli government accused the powerful Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah of being behind the rocket fire and threatened an even tougher response to any further attacks.
BlackBerry shares surge despite record losses
BlackBerry shares surged 15.52 percent to end the day at $7.22.
Oil prices rise amid South Sudan violence
Brent North Sea crude for February gained 26 cents to $111.82 a barrel in London deals.
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In Pictures: Aftermath of Al-Mansoura blast
At least 14 people died and 102 were injured early Tuesday morning following a blast that targeted Al-Daqhleya Security Directorate, reported state media. The bomb caused the building to cave in and injuries included both civilians and police personnel. The incident garnered much condemnation from local and international institutions. The attack came two weeks …
Palestinian prisoner freed after hunger strike
Thousands of Palestinians came out to celebrate his return to Issawiya, honking car horns and waving flags of different Palestinian groups, witnesses said.
Saudi unveils record $228 bn budget for 2014
The kingdom had budgeted for revenues of $221 billion in 2013, and an expenditure of $218.7 billion.