Regional News

Iraqi MPs to meet on election wrangle

22 Nov 2009, 5:51AM

Iraqi MPs will meet again to try to break the deadlock on a stalled electoral law which has left the country's planned January general election in doubt. Read more

Swine flu kills four hajj pilgrims

22 Nov 2009, 5:52AM

Swine flu has killed four pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for the annual hajj pilgrimage. Read more

Palestinians to set new date for vote

21 Nov 2009, 7:07AM

Palestinian officials say a new date for parliamentary and presidential elections will be set next month. Read more

Scores injured by Afghan bombs

20 Nov 2009, 6:05PM

A day after Presdient Karzai was re-inaugurated, a suicide bomber riding a motorcycle blew himself up in a town in southwestern Afghanistan on Friday, killing 12 people and wounding dozens more, while another attacked a market place.
Read more

• Afghanistan bombs kill 22
• Abdullah slaps down unity offer
• Karzai promises to deliver as world watches

Iraqi MPs aim to end election deadlock

20 Nov 2009, 6:43AM

Iraqi MPs will vote on how to break a deadlock over a key election law after a vice president vetoed the legislation, threatening the January vote. Read more

Karzai promises to deliver as world watches

19 Nov 2009, 8:15PM

Afghan president Hamid Karzai has been sworn in, pledging to learn from his mistakes, invite rival Abdullah Abdullah into government, and claiming his country will take over security in five years.
Read more

• Embattled Karzai takes oath

Iran rejects nuclear fuel deal

19 Nov 2009, 6:28PM

Iran has rejected plans to send most of its low-enriched uranium abroad, delivering a blow to UN-brokered efforts to allay concerns over its nuclear ambitions. Read more

US 'disappointed' at Iraq election veto

19 Nov 2009, 7:31AM

The US has voiced disappointment with the veto of a law governing Iraq's January election and urged its leaders to clear up concerns in order for polls to go ahead. Read more

• Karzai to take office as US calls for reform
• US 'disappointed' at Iraq election veto
• Iraqi VP threatens to veto election law

Iraq poll in jeopardy as VP vetoes law

18 Nov 2009, 9:09PM

Iraq's general election planned for January, only the second since the fall of Saddam Hussein, has been thrown into jeopardy after Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi vetoed the polling law. Read more

• Iraq threatened with expulsion by FIFA
• Iraqi VP threatens to veto election law
• Blair to face Iraq war inquiry

Iran protesters face death

18 Nov 2009, 2:05PM

Five people arrested after Iran's disputed presidential election have reportedly been condemned to death and another 81 jailed for up to 15 years. Read more

Iran says UN has cleared nuclear program

18 Nov 2009, 7:31AM

Iran's nuclear envoy has denied that a UN inspection tour of its recently revealed uranium enrichment site has turned up evidence it is seeking nuclear weapons. Read more

Schwarzenegger wows US troops in Iraq

17 Nov 2009, 9:25AM

Arnold Schwarzenegger has flown in to Iraq to visit US troops, drawing cheers from servicemen and women, some of whom were lucky enough to be gifted a cigar. Read more

Yemen, rebels clash near Saudi border

17 Nov 2009, 7:21AM

Yemeni armed forces and Zaidi Shi'ite rebels fought a fierce battle on Monday near the border with Saudi Arabia, as the rebels appealed to the Arab League. Read more

Yemen tribesmen kidnap Japanese engineer

17 Nov 2009, 7:13AM

Gunmen have kidnapped a Japanese engineer near the Yemeni capital and want to exchange him for an arrested fellow tribesman, a local official said. Read more