Thousands of flag-waving supporters and opponents of Egypt’s new constitution have turned out for rival rallies, on Friday, a day before voting begins inside the country. The measure has the support of President Mohamed Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood and ultra-orthodox Salafist groups. However, members of liberal, secular and Christian opposition fear it will erode civil liberties […]
Rivals Rally in Egypt Ahead of Constitution Vote
Posted December 14th, 2012 at 7:10 am (UTC-5)
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Progress Reported in Iran Nuclear Talks
Posted December 14th, 2012 at 5:00 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations’ chief nuclear inspector says talks between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency are expected to lead to an agreement, next month, on how to conduct an investigation into Iran’s controversial nuclear program. Herman Nackaerts says the IAEA made progress during talks in Tehran and more meetings had been set for January […]
U.S. to Send Patriot Missile Batteries to Turkey
Posted December 14th, 2012 at 3:30 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. is sending two Patriot missile batteries to Turkey as part of a broader effort to help the country defend itself against possible rocket strikes from Syria. News organizations, on Friday, said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta had signed orders to send the missiles and 400 military personnel to Turkey for an operation that is […]
New US Sanctions on Iran
Posted December 13th, 2012 at 7:20 pm (UTC-5)
The United States has imposed sanctions on five Iranian nuclear experts and seven companies for helping Iran move closer towards enriching uranium — essential for building a nuclear bomb. The new sanctions freeze the U.S. assets of those named and forbids any U.S. citizen or body from doing business with the 12. Iran has refused […]
UN Nuclear Inspectors Visit Iran
Posted December 13th, 2012 at 4:15 am (UTC-5)
A team of United Nations nuclear inspectors is in Tehran seeking to renew efforts to engage Iran over its controversial nuclear program. The seven-member delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived Thursday for the first talks with Iran since August. Chief inspector Herman Nackaerts said the focus of the visit is to resolve outstanding […]
Gunmen Wound 9 in Egyptian Capital Ahead of Rallies
Posted December 11th, 2012 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
Masked gunmen have fired at protesters camping in the Egyptian capital, wounding nine people as supporters and opponents of President Mohamed Morsi prepare for rival mass rallies. Officials and witnesses say the unknown gunmen shot the protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square early Tuesday. By midday the square was calm, with tents remaining in the center […]
Egyptian Opposition to Continue Protests Against Referendum
Posted December 10th, 2012 at 9:25 pm (UTC-5)
Despite concrete barricades and a heavy military presence in the Egyptian capital Cairo, opposition leaders say they will keep up the pressure on the president to cancel Saturday’s constitutional referendum. The opposition National Salvation Front, led by liberals including Mohamed ElBaradei and Amr Moussa, have called on their supporters to march on the presidential palace […]
Netanyahu: The World Has Double Standards
Posted December 10th, 2012 at 8:15 pm (UTC-5)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has challenged international opposition to his plans to build settlements on occupied land east of Jerusalem. Speaking to foreign reporters Monday, Mr. Netanyahu accused the international community of having double standards for condemning not-yet-built settlements in the West Bank while remaining silent during a historic visit to the Gaza Strip […]
Egypt Gives Military Arrest Powers to Protect Referendum
Posted December 10th, 2012 at 7:15 am (UTC-5)
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has given the military authority to arrest civilians as part of a decree to help maintain security for a Saturday constitutional referendum. The order tasks the military with supporting police to protect “vital institutions.” Egypt’s liberal opposition coalition has formally rejected the president’s plan to hold the referendum on a new […]
Clinton Trip Delayed by Stomach Virus
Posted December 9th, 2012 at 9:15 pm (UTC-5)
A stomach virus is forcing U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to delay by one day a Middle East trip that has implications for the Syrian opposition. Clinton was scheduled to fly to Morocco on Monday for a meeting of the Friends of Syria group. A State Department spokesman announced late Sunday that Clinton will […]
