The Obama administration has joined European nations in trying to pressure Israel to reverse plans to build thousands of homes in the occupied areas of East Jerusalem and the West Bank, claimed by the Palestinians as part of an independent state. White House spokesman Jay Carney Monday said Israeli leaders should “exercise restraint” and “reconsider” […]
US Joins EU Nations in Pressuring Israel to Reverse Settlement Plans
Posted December 3rd, 2012 at 7:25 pm (UTC-5)
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Senior Egyptian Judges to Supervise Morsi’s Constitutional Referendum
Posted December 3rd, 2012 at 4:45 pm (UTC-5)
Egypt’s most senior judges have agreed to supervise a December 15 referendum on a new constitution drafted primarily by Islamists, giving a boost to President Mohammed Morsi, who called the vote. The Supreme Judicial Council Monday said it will delegate officials to oversee the referendum, rejecting a call by lower-ranked judges with the influential Judges […]
Israel Says No Retreat on Settlement Plans
Posted December 3rd, 2012 at 12:30 pm (UTC-5)
Israel says it will not backtrack on a settlement expansion plan that has drawn strong international condemnation. An official in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Monday “Israel will continue to stand by its vital interests, even in the face of international pressure.” He said “there will be no change in the decision that […]
Syria Denies It Would Use Chemical Weapons
Posted December 3rd, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
Syria says it will not use chemical weapons against its own people after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned the issue remains a “red line” that would prompt direct American intervention. The diplomatic sparing comes as Syrian government forces bombed rebel positions in the border town of Ras al-Ain Monday, killing at least 12 […]
Britain, France Summon Israeli Envoys Over Settlement Plan
Posted December 3rd, 2012 at 7:30 am (UTC-5)
Britain and France have summoned the Israeli ambassadors in their countries to express disapproval for Israel’s decision to develop a disputed area near East Jerusalem. Israel has authorized planning for the potential construction of 3,000 Jewish homes in a barren area that would involve linking East Jerusalem with Israel’s main West Bank settlement. The moves […]
Clinton Warns ‘Reprehensible’ Syria on Chemical Weapons
Posted December 3rd, 2012 at 6:55 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the Syrian government’s behavior is “reprehensible” and that its actions against the Syrian people are “tragic.” Speaking to reporters Monday in Prague, Clinton also repeated U.S. warnings against Syria using chemical weapons. She says the issue remains a “red line” that would prompt U.S. action. Western powers have […]
Syrian Forces Pound Damascus Suburbs
Posted December 3rd, 2012 at 5:15 am (UTC-5)
Syrian forces have continued attacks on areas around Damascus, as they try to push back against rebel attempts to close in on the capital. Opposition activists say government forces shelled Damascus suburbs Monday, a day after carrying out deadly airstrikes and rocket attacks against rebel-held areas. Fighters opposed to President Bashar al-Assad have been trying […]
Egyptian Judges to Boycott Referendum on Islamist-Backed Constitution
Posted December 2nd, 2012 at 10:10 pm (UTC-5)
An influential group of Egyptian judges says it will not oversee a December 15 referendum on a new constitution, a move that could undermine the legitimacy of the charter supported by the nation’s Islamist president. In a statement published Sunday by state news agency MENA, the Judges Club said its members unanimously agreed to boycott […]
Egyptian Judges to Boycott Referendum on Islamist-Backed Constitution
Posted December 2nd, 2012 at 5:45 pm (UTC-5)
An influential group of Egyptian judges says it will not oversee a December 15 referendum on a new constitution, a move that could undermine the legitimacy of the charter supported by the nation’s Islamist president. In a statement published Sunday by state news agency MENA, the Judges Club said its members unanimously agreed to boycott […]
Syrian Forces Pound Damascus Suburbs
Posted December 2nd, 2012 at 12:40 pm (UTC-5)
Syrian security forces attacked rebel-held suburbs of Damascus with fighter jets and rockets Sunday, killing at least ten people and wounding dozens in an offensive to stop rebels closing in on the capital. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said fighter jets carried out two airstrikes on the Damascus suburb of Daraya, while heavy […]
