Officials in Iraq say gunmen have stormed a government compound in Diyala province after two bombs exploded outside. Reports say shooting could be heard after the gunmen entered the compound Tuesday in the provincial capital, Baquba. Officials say at least 10 people were wounded.
Gaza Has Ultra-High Unemployment
Posted June 14th, 2011 at 2:05 am (UTC-5)
A new study from the U.N. agency on Palestinian territories says unemployment in Gaza is 45.2 percent, one of the highest rates in the world. The U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees released the study Tuesday. Agency spokesman Chris Gunness said the study revealed “disturbing trends” and said the high unemployment rate was […]
Hezbollah-Led Government Formed in Lebanon
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 11:25 pm (UTC-5)
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati Monday announced a long-delayed coalition government – dominated by the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies. Formed after five months of political stalemate, the move caps Hezbollah’s steady rise from resistance group against Israel to Lebanon’s most powerful military and political force. The Hezbollah-led bloc holds the majority of […]
Bahrain Doctors Plead Not Guilty to Protest-Related Charges
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 10:05 pm (UTC-5)
A group of mostly Shi’ite medical professionals in Bahrain accused of attempting to overthrow the kingdom’s Sunni rulers have declared their innocence before a special military tribunal. Several doctors pleaded not guilty Monday to a range of charges including seizing control of a hospital during recent anti-government demonstrations, storing weapons and keeping people prisoner. Many […]
Libyan Rebels Push West from Misrata
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 8:50 pm (UTC-5)
(WRITETHRU; NEW INFO IN GRAFS 1-8; NEW HEAD)) Libyan rebels have advanced from the western port of Misrata towards the capital, Tripoli, breaking a government siege as fighters across the country renew their revolt against leader Moammar Gadhafi. Several rebel units Monday pushed the front lines west from Misrata to the outskirts of Zlitan, a […]
Trial of Former Tunisian President to Begin June 20
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 6:46 pm (UTC-5)
Tunisia’s interim prime minister says the trial in absentia of former president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia in January, will begin on June 20. Beji Caid Essebsi told al-Jazeera television Monday that Mr. Ben Ali will be tried in a military and in a civilian court. Tunisian authorities have been preparing […]
Syrian Forces Detain Hundreds Near Northern Town
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 5:40 pm (UTC-5)
Syrian refugees say Syrian troops have rounded up hundreds of people in sweeps through villages near the rebellious northern city of Jisr al-Shughour while burning crops and slaughtering cattle in the area. Refugees from among the nearly 7,000 people who have fled into neighboring Turkey said Monday that Syrian forces were combing settlements east of […]
Lebanon Forms New Government, One Member Abruptly Resigns
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 3:45 pm (UTC-5)
Lebanon has formed a new Cabinet five months after the militant group Hezbollah and its allies forced the country’s coalition government to collapse. A government official announced the new Cabinet led by Hezbollah-backed Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday. The Hezbollah-led bloc holds the majority of seats in the 30-member Cabinet. But within hours, the […]
Yemen Opposition in Talks About Power Transition
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 2:50 pm (UTC-5)
Yemen’s political opposition has held talks with the country’s acting leader, seeking to oust President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who is in Saudi Arabia recovering from wounds suffered in an attack more than a week ago. The Associated Press says Vice President Abd al-Rab Mansur Hadi and opposition leaders met Monday and worked out a framework […]
Alleged Israeli Spy is US Citizen
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 2:20 pm (UTC-5)
Friends and family of the alleged Israeli spy detained in Egypt Sunday say he is a 27-year-old American-Israeli who was interning for a non-profit organization in Egypt. Egyptian authorities detained Ilan Grapel for 15 days on Sunday. They say the man entered Cairo around January 25 and had posed as a foreign correspondent. They allege […]
