World News Australia - Middle East

World looks for ways to stop Syria's Assad

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:14:44 +1100

The West and the Arab League are exploring news ways to stop the brutal crackdown by Syria's Bashar al-Assad on dissidents.

Delivering aid in Syria 'unlikely'

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:19:18 +1100

Despite outcry from world leaders about the violence in Syria, the likelihood of aid reaching victims remains low.

Israel rejects new Palestinian government: minister

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:28:13 +1100

Israel's foreign minister told the UN Security Council that a new Palestinian unity government including Hamas was a setback to peace attempts, diplomats said.

Anonymous hack 'reveals' Syria media strategy

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:21:48 +1100

CNN's Brian Todd reports on internal e-mails between Bashar al Assad's aides, revealing a window into spinning the crackdown.

Deadly shelling hits Homs

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:51:16 +1100

The Syrian army has resumed its bombardment of the restive city of Homs, killing at least 13 people, activists say.

Arab League mission 'to return to Syria'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:07:07 +1100

The Arab League intends to restart its observer mission in Syria where government forces have killed thousands of civilians, UN leader Ban Ki-moon said as the Syrian regime's relentless assault on the protest city of Homs continued.

'Dozens killed' in Homs

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:10:59 +1100

Syrian forces have pressed a relentless assault on the protest city of Homs, with dozens of civilians reported killed, hours after President Bashar al-Assad told Russia he was committed to ending the bloodshed.

Russia pushes reforms as Syria is isolated

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:22:02 +1100

Russia is proposing reforms in Syria even as the Assad regime continues to pound cities and Arab and Western nations close their embassies.

How the US withdrawal may impact Afghans

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:04:23 +1100

Channel 4' Alex Thomson looks at the challenges the Afghan people are facing after the withdrawal of US troops in mid 2013.

Egypt risks rupture in ties with US

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:06:24 +1100

Three leading US senators have warned Egypt it risks a "disastrous" rupture in ties amid a row over the planned trial of US pro-democracy activists.

Asma Assad: Syria's first lady

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:53:24 +1100

British born and educated, Asma Assad speaks out about why she thinks her husband is still the right person to lead Syria.

Cavendish sprints to Qatar stage win

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:57:29 +1100

British rider Mark Cavendish has won a sprint finish for the third stage of the Tour of Qatar ahead of Belgian Tom Boonen.

Heavy shelling rocks Homs again

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:15:15 +1100

Heavy shelling of the central Syrian city of Homs has resumed a day after nearly 100 civilians were killed across the country in one of the bloodiest days since the outbreak of a popular revolt.

Timeline: Syria's relations with Russia

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:15:38 +1100

Russia has blocked all draft UN Security Council resolutions condemning Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's crackdown on opposition protesters. Here is a history of the two countries' relations.

Desperate Afghan women set themselves on fire

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:37:58 +1100

Worn down by endless oppression and abuse, some Afghan women are resorting to the most desperate means of escape: burning themselves with fire.

Syrian opposition warns of 'genocide' in Homs

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:19:33 +1100

Syrian forces rained rockets and shells on protest hubs and killed at least 66 civilians, activists said, as Washington closed its Damascus embassy and Britain recalled its ambassador.

US levies new sanctions on Iran

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:34:06 +1100

US President Barack Obama has ordered new sanctions on Iran, as the White House tries to ratchet up pressure on Tehran to abandon its nuclear program.

Palestinians move to end political rift

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:53:01 +1100

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has reached a deal with Hamas to head an interim unity government before elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Egypt speeds up election process

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:26:37 +1100

As clashes continued between security forces and protesters in Egypt, officials moved to speed up the presidential elections.

BBC freelance reporters arrested in Iran

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:57:51 +1100

Freelance reporters working for the Persian service of the BBC in Iran have been arrested and will be put on trial, according to local reports.