Mohamed ElBaradei leads Egypt ‘police death’ protest
June 27, 2010
Several thousand demonstrators have taken to the streets of the Egyptian city of Alexandria to protest against alleged police brutality.
They were led by the former UN nuclear chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, now a campaigner for reform in his homeland.
Mohamed ElBaradei leads Egypt ‘police death’ protest
June 26, 2010
Several thousand demonstrators have taken to the streets of the Egyptian city of Alexandria to protest against alleged police brutality.
They were led by the former UN nuclear chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, now a campaigner for reform in his homeland.
Iran bars two UN nuclear inspectors over report
June 21, 2010
Iran has told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) it will not allow two of its inspectors to enter the country, state media report.
The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, said they had prematurely published a report he described as “untruthful”.
Egypt introduces Alexandria smoking ban
June 13, 2010
Egypt, the biggest Arab consumer of cigarettes, is beginning an attempt to ban smoking in public places.
Alexandria is to be Egypt’s first no smoking city, beginning with a ban on lighting up in government buildings.
David Cameron pledges more funds for Afghan IED threat
June 10, 2010
David Cameron has announced more money for tackling the threat of roadside bombs in Afganistan, during his first visit to the country as prime minister.
In a press conference in Kabul, Mr Cameron said the issue of Afghanistan was his “number one priority”.
Ahmadinejad defiant ahead of UN nuclear sanctions vote
June 8, 2010
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned Iran will not agree to talks on its nuclear programme if a fourth round of UN sanctions are imposed this week.
He also said a nuclear fuel-swap deal brokered by Turkey and Brazil was an offer that would not be repeated.
New Saudi marriage contracts to ask the bride’s age
June 3, 2010
Saudi Arabia has started issuing new marriage contracts that require the age of the bride to be given, in an attempt to stop underage girls from marrying.
The kingdom had promised new measures after a series of high-profile cases involving young brides.
Gaza activists receive enthusiastic welcome in Turkey
June 3, 2010
Turkish planes carrying hundreds of activists from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces have arrived in Istanbul from Israel.
The activists returned to an enthusiastic welcome led by Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc.
The bodies of nine people killed when Israeli commandos took control of the six aid vessels were also flown in.
West Bank road partially opened to Palestinian traffic
May 29, 2010
The Israeli military has partially opened a motorway that runs through the occupied West Bank to Palestinian drivers, to comply with a ruling by Israel’s Supreme Court.
For Israelis, Highway 443 is a major link between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Baghdad thieves kill 14 in jewellery shop raids
May 25, 2010
At least 14 people have been killed in a mass raid by gunmen on jewellers’ shops in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
About 10 gunmen rampaged through a busy street lined with gold shops in the Bayaa district in the south-west of the city, interior ministry officials said.