Middle East

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Bush Ending Mideast Tour With Promises, Few Results

Little action follows rhetoric on historic trip

(Newser) - President Bush will wrap up his tour of the Middle East tomorrow with a quick visit to Egypt, then fly home from his eight-day vision having collected plenty of promises but little in the way of actual results, the AP reports. Bush used the visit to woo Arab support for...

Sky-High Oil Will Reshape World Power, Dent US Clout

Power shifts as global economies change

(Newser) - The surging price of oil from $10 a barrel a decade ago to a record $100 today is remaking the global economy and altering the balance of power across the world, according to the Wall Street Journal. If oil prices continue to climb, as many experts predict, US political power...

Hamas-Fatah Clashes Leave 8 Dead in Gaza

Bush plans Middle East trip next week to push for peace

(Newser) - Days before President Bush’s visit to the Middle East, violence between Hamas and Fatah spiked in the Gaza Strip today, the AP reports. Eight people have been killed in the violence over the past 24 hours, the first deaths in Palestinian infighting in 2 months. The renewed clashes prompted...

Syrian Expats Return Home Seeking Fortune

Looser economic regulations are creating lucrative opportunities

(Newser) - Many Syrians who long ago moved to the US are returning to their homeland to pursue business opportunities. New laws are loosening regulations on private investment and foreign exchange, creating lucrative targets for people with available funds and previous experience with Syria's bureaucracy. The Christian Science Monitor looks at an...

New Cisco Unit First Based Abroad
New Cisco Unit First Based Abroad
Dec 26, 2007 10:10 PM CST

New Cisco Unit First Based Abroad

Will aim to wire entire cities in Middle East, China, India from Bangalore HQ

(Newser) - Dozens of new cities are to be built in China, India, and the Middle East in the coming decade and Cisco Systems wants to network them top-to-bottom, the Financial Times reports. The networking equipment giant is setting up a new business center in Bangalore, India, as part of its push...

Suicide Attacks in Iraq Kill 34
Suicide Attacks in Iraq Kill 34
UPDATED
Dec 25, 2007 2:08 PM CST

Suicide Attacks in Iraq Kill 34

Blasts in two cities underscore threat posed by insurgents

(Newser) - Two suicide attacks in big cities north of Baghdad today killed at least 34 and injured up to 100, underscoring the dangers still posed by insurgents, the Washington Post reports. A bomber killed 12 at a funeral in Baqubah, following an earlier car bomb explosion in Baiji that killed at...

Nokia Wins Big on Luxe Phones
Nokia Wins Big on Luxe Phones
Dec 24, 2007 4:25 PM CST

Nokia Wins Big on Luxe Phones

Decked-out cell phones seen as status symbol for mega-rich

(Newser) - Nokia is enjoying increasing success with its Vertu subsidiary, a maker of luxury cellphones, as a super expensive phone becomes a status symbol for the mega-rich. Der Spiegel reports that Vertu phones, which come diamond- or gold-encrusted, make the iPhone look absolutely pedestrian with a price range from $6,500...

US to Privately Grade Mideast Peace Plan

Critics question secret oversight; official says it avoids public blame

(Newser) - Washington will secretly score Israeli and Palestinian adherence to the "road map" peace plan and hash out results with each side, Reuters reports. US diplomats plan to report to the White House on Israeli settlement growth and Palestinian vows to curb militants, two keys to the peace deal—but...

Olmert Nixes Hamas Truce: 'This War Will Continue'

Says Palestinian militants must first cease attacks, recognize Israel

(Newser) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today refused to consider a truce with Hamas until the militant Palestinian group recognizes Israel and halts attacks in Gaza, reports the BBC. Olmert told government officials that Israel is gaining ground in stopping rocket attacks, of which 1,000 have hit Israel since Hamas...

Lebanon Backs General as Prez Candidate

Government moves to break deadlock

(Newser) - The Lebanese government is attempting to clear a deadlock over who will run the nation by approving Lebanon's army chief as a presidential candidate. Gen. Michel Suleiman has provisional support from both the right-wing Christian ruling party and the Hezbollah-led opposition. His selection would require a constitutional amendment endorsed by...

US Pulls UN Resolution on Mideast Peace

Israeli uneasiness prompts withdrawal of draft document

(Newser) - Reacting to Israeli objections, the US State Department has withdrawn a draft of a UN resolution based on agreements reached at this week's Annapolis conference, Reuters reports. Israeli diplomats apparently were dismayed that the US did not consult them before putting the resolution to the Security Council yesterday, and involving...

Fear of Iran Driving Push for Peace
Fear of Iran Driving Push for Peace
Nov 28, 2007 3:19 AM CST

Fear of Iran Driving Push for Peace

Arab leaders at conference unified by mounting extremist threats in Mideast

(Newser) - Fear of Iran and Islamic extremism is the catalyst that's bringing together delegates at the Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, the New York Times reports. Sunni Arab leaders see their young people becoming radicalized and Iran's influence expanding, and fear the region could be transformed in new and dangerous ways....

Saudis Will Attend Mideast Summit
Saudis Will Attend Mideast Summit
Nov 23, 2007 11:23 AM CST

Saudis Will Attend Mideast Summit

But there won't be any 'theatrical shows' of affection for Israel

(Newser) - Saudi Arabia will attend next Tuesday’s Arab-Israeli summit in Maryland, Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said today, but he won't be shaking hands with any Israelis, the BBC reports. Prince Saud said at a meeting of the Arab League that the Saudis were reluctant to go, but since the...

Taliban Reclaiming Afghanistan
Taliban Reclaiming Afghanistan
Nov 22, 2007 4:49 AM CST

Taliban Reclaiming Afghanistan

Now established in 54% of country and headed for Kabul

(Newser) - The Taliban is rapidly regaining control of Afghanistan, according to a report released by the Senlis Council, an independent think tank. The insurgency has established a permanent presence in 54% of the country, including "important road arteries," and the Taliban's goal of reaching Kabul in 2008 seems "...

Mubarak Gives Peace Talks Thumbs-Up
Mubarak Gives Peace Talks Thumbs-Up
Nov 20, 2007 6:33 PM CST

Mubarak Gives Peace Talks Thumbs-Up

Egyptian prez on board for next week's Annapolis summit

(Newser) - Saying "Now is the right time for a comprehensive peace," Hosni Mubarak today endorsed next week's Middle East summit in Annapolis, the Times reports. The Egyptian president's backing boosted hopes that more Arab states will take part. “Obviously we would hope that Egypt’s position will be...

Blair Floats Palestinian Jobs Plan
Blair Floats
Palestinian Jobs Plan
Nov 19, 2007 11:00 AM CST

Blair Floats Palestinian Jobs Plan

Mideast envoy offers 'quick impact project' ahead of Annapolis summit

(Newser) - In his first major undertaking as the international community's Mideast envoy, Tony Blair will disclose plans today to provide tens of thousands of jobs for Palestinians, the Guardian reports. The multimillion-dollar projects come in the lead-up to the peace talks in Annapolis next week. "This is part of the...

'Bring Down' Hamas in Gaza: Palestinian Prez

Hamas is 'abusing our people,' says Abbas

(Newser) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday called for the overthrow of the Hamas government in Gaza for "abusing" people. "We have to bring down this bunch, which took over Gaza with armed force," he said in his most inflammatory remarks since Hamas took over in June. Abbas' angry...

50 More Years in Mideast for US, Ex-General Says

Abizaid: Strategic situation won't allow withdrawal for decades

(Newser) - It could be 50 years before US troops leave the Middle East, the former commander of US forces in the region said yesterday. The Associated Press reports that while John Abizaid acknowledges that US forces will eventually play an "indirect role" in conflicts such as Iraq, the military won't...

First Lady Pushes Saudis on Breast Cancer Awareness

Stigma prevents many women from seeking treatment for the disease

(Newser) - Laura Bush today swept into a country where breast cancer is such a taboo that it is often not prevented, treated, or publicly admitted—a high-profile woman trumpeting a pink-ribbon message where 70% of cases aren't reported until late stages. Though excellent care exists, many ignore "that disease" for...

US Surf Champ Scuffles With Israeli Paparazzi

Dude detained in row as photogs snap super model gal pal

(Newser) - A camera-shy Florida surfing champ with super model in tow was detained and released following a row with photographers in Israel, reports AP. Eight-time world champion Kelly Slater was spotted outside a hotel near Tel Aviv with model Bar Refaeli; when photogs started snapping, Slater pushed them, police said. A...

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