Middle East
Iraq death rate belies US claims of success
Published: 07 January 2008
The death rate in Iraq in the past 12 months has been the second highest in any year since the invasion, according to figures that appear to contradict American claims that the troop "surge" has dramatically reduced the level of violence across the country.
'Santa empty-handed' for Christmas in Gaza
Published: 07 January 2008
As Gaza's Greek Orthodox community prepares to celebrate its Christmas Day today, it's clear there has rarely been a bleaker festive season for the Strip's little Christian community than this year.
Eleven killed in suicide bombing
Published: 07 January 2008
Three Iraqi soldiers threw themselves on a suicide attacker wearing an explosives vest at an Army Day celebration — an act of heroism the US said likely prevented many more deaths. Iraqi police said at least 11 people were killed in the blast, the deadliest in a series of bombings in Baghdad.
46,000 refugees return to Iraq
Published: 05 January 2008
Some 46,000 refugees returned home to Iraq from Syria between September and December 2007, the Iraqi Red Crescent said in a new report obtained yesterday, a much lower figure than that given by the Iraqi government.
Israel 'deviating from road map'
Published: 05 January 2008
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in an unprecedented public acknowledgement yesterday, called continued Israeli construction in West Bank settlements a breach of Israel's obligations under a recently revived peace plan.
Israeli warplane hits home of dead militant in Gaza
Published: 03 January 2008
Israeli aircraft struck two targets in the Gaza Strip today, including the home of a senior Palestinian militant killed by Israeli troops last month, Palestinian officials said.
Blogger who dared to expose Saudi corruption is arrested
Published: 03 January 2008
Fouad al-Farhan knew they were coming for him. A few days before Saudi security forces swooped on his offices, he sent a letter to friends telling them he was a wanted man. "They will pick me up any time in the next two weeks," he predicted.
Highway 443: Israel's forbidden road
Published: 02 January 2008
Palestine pilgrims forced to travel via Israeli-run crossing
Published: 01 January 2008
Hundreds of Palestinian pilgrims returning to Gaza from Mecca went on the rampage in temporary desert camps yesterday after Egypt insisted that they go home via a border crossing controlled by Israel. They demanded to enter the strip via the same Egyptian terminal through which they left for Saudi Arabia.
Graffiti praises 'hero' Saddam
Published: 31 December 2007
Black graffiti lauding Saddam Hussein appeared overnight in his home town and small groups of mourners turned out at his grave yesterday, the first anniversary of the former Iraqi leader's execution.
Rival priests do battle in Bethlehem church
Published: 28 December 2007
Robed Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests attacked each other with brooms and stones inside the Church of the Nativity yesterday as long-standing rivalries erupted in violence during holiday cleaning.
Suicide bomb targets Sunnis allied to US
Published: 26 December 2007
A suicide car bomb killed at least 25 people and wounded 80 in Baiji, an oil refinery town in northern Iraqi, in an attack which targeted Sunni militias who have joined US forces in the fight against al-Qa'ida.
All beds booked in Bethlehem for first time in seven years
Published: 24 December 2007
After seven lean, intifada years, Joseph Canavati, owner of the modern Alexander Hotel on Manger Street, the snaking main road leading to the Church of the Nativity, is dusting off his "No vacancies" sign. The pilgrims are coming back.
Olmert to continue 'war' on militants
Published: 24 December 2007
Israel's prime minister yesterday pledged war against Gaza militants, rejecting feelers from the Islamic Hamas for a truce, while an Israeli Cabinet minister angered moderate Palestinians with another plan for new Jewish housing in a disputed part of Jerusalem, complicating renewed peace talks.
O little (divided) town of Bethlehem
Published: 22 December 2007
conflict raging in the Holy Land: a separation barrier divides the wise men from the baby Jesus. Donald Macintyre reports
Serbia signs Iraq arms deal
Published: 22 December 2007
Serbia has signed a US$230m (£116m) deal with Iraq to sell weapons and military equipment, the defence ministry said yesterday.
Turkish troops cross Iraqi border after US-approved bombing raids
Published: 19 December 2007
Some 300 Turkish soldiers crossed into northern Iraq in pursuit of Kurdish guerrillas yesterday in the wake of the heaviest air raids for years by the Turkish airforce on the mountain hideouts of the rebels.
Donor nations offer billions to boost Palestinian economy
Published: 18 December 2007
International support for a future Palestinian state received an important financial boost when donor countries came forward to pledge $7.4bn (£3.7bn) to shore up the Palestinian economy, exceeding the announced target of $5.6bn.
Saudi gang-rape victim pardoned after outcry
Published: 18 December 2007
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has pardoned the teenage victim of a gang rape who was sentenced to 200 lashes and jailed for six months in a case that caused an international outcry.
Turkey 'hit all targets in Iraq'
Published: 18 December 2007
Turkey said yesterday its warplanes hit their Kurdish guerrilla targets in weekend raids on northern Iraq that raised fears of destabilisation in one of Iraq's few peaceful regions.
Britain bows out of a war it could never have won
Published: 17 December 2007
Britain handed over security in Basra province yesterday, bringing a formal end to its ill-starred attempt to control southern Iraq.
Politicians held as Israel cracks down on Hamas raids
Published: 17 December 2007
Israeli troops have arrested 24 Hamas activists in Nablus and other West Bank towns, with many of those grabbed from their beds politicians and intellectuals rather than the gunmen usually snared in the nightly raids by Israel since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in June.
'The Shia militias in Basra are better armed than Iraqi forces'
Published: 17 December 2007
What actually happened yesterday?
So, what did we achieve? After four years and 174 dead, Britain's lead role in Basra is over
Published: 16 December 2007
Saudis' $1.4bn support for Palestinians now in doubt
Published: 15 December 2007
Saudi Arabia has so far refused to commit to budget support for the emergency government set up by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in a political move casting a shadow over Monday's international donors' conference in Paris.