FEATURES

• 2009-11-30

  Iran plans enrichment sites in defiance of UN

  

  On Nov. 29, Iran approved plans to build ten industrial-sized uranium enrichment facilities, a dramatic expansion of the programme, in defiance of UN demands that it halt enrichment.

• 2009-11-30

  Jordan pulls off surprise win over Iran in Asian Cup

  

  By defeating Iran 1-0, Jordan advanced in the qualifying round for the 2011 Asian Cup finals.

• 2009-11-30

  Iraqi parliament amends election law

  

  The Iraqi parliament has amended the legislation governing the upcoming national elections, after the Iraqi Vice President vetoed the law passed on Nov. 8.

• 2009-11-30

  Dubai reforms fiscal structure for stronger economic approach

  

  The ruler of Dubai is aiming for tighter management of the economy, in the aftermath of the collapse of the real estate bubble.

• 2009-11-28

  UN renews calls to combat violence against women

  

  On Nov. 26, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon led a chorus of officials in calling on the international community to make greater efforts to combat the global pandemic of violence against women and girls.

• 2009-11-28

  Union of Arab Banks’ assets top $2.2 trillion

  

  At the conclusion of its conference in Beirut, the Union of Arab Banks recommended developing a climate for joint Arab investment and taking advantage of the potential offered by the Arab stock exchange.

• 2009-11-28

  Saudis welcome Italian prime minister for two-day visit

  

  Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi recently spent two days in Saudi Arabia where he discussed fluctuating oil prices and regional politics with his hosts.

• 2009-11-28

  King of Jordan dissolves parliament

  

  For the second time since taking the throne, the Jordanian King has dissolved parliament and called for elections.

• 2009-11-27

  Saudis bomb Houthi-infiltrated zones

  

  Saudi forces continue to confront Houthi rebels in Jebel al-Rumaih, Wadi al-Mouked, Jabal Dukhan and elsewhere.

• 2009-11-27

  Mubarak decries Algerian soccer aggression against Egyptians

  

  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his two sons condemned anti-Egyptian aggression by Algerian fans during the World Cup qualifiers.

• 2009-11-26

  Four Hajj pilgrims die from swine flu in Saudi Arabia

  

  Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health recently announced that four foreign Hajj pilgrims died from the H1N1 virus while in the kingdom.

• 2009-11-26

  Kuwaiti MPs want to question leaders

  

  Days after a Kuwaiti MP demanded that the prime minister face questions in parliament, two new opposition voices have joined the clamour for ministerial accountability.

• 2009-11-26

  Election veto could delay Iraqi elections

  

  Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has described Vice President Tareq al-Hashimi’s veto of a clause in the country’s new election law as “a threat to democracy.”

• 2009-11-26

  Lebanon celebrates 66th independence anniversary

  

  A military parade by Lebanese army units in downtown Beirut celebrated the 66th anniversary of Lebanon's independence on Nov. 22.

• 2009-11-25

  Kurdish leaders threaten to boycott Iraqi national elections

  

  Kurdish leaders have threatened to boycott Iraq's national elections scheduled for next January, following a threat by Sunni leaders to veto the election law.

• 2009-11-25

  Iran engages in war games to protect nuclear sites

  

  On Nov. 22, Iran began large-scale air defence war games aimed at protecting its nuclear facilities from attack, Iranian state television reported. An air force commander boasted that the country could deter any military strike by Israel.

• 2009-11-25

  Number of Hajj pilgrims declines significantly this year

  

  The Hajj and Umrah Commission at the Mecca Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced that the Hajj season this year will see significantly fewer Saudi pilgrims, due to fears about the H1N1 virus.

• 2009-11-25

  Dubai Air Show deals exceed $14 billion

  

  The five-day event witnessed multiple deals struck between companies and government clients.

• 2009-11-25

  Arab teams well matched for African Nations Cup

  

  The line-up for the 2010 African Nations Cup, due to kick off in Angola early next year, has been announced, with Arab teams evenly distributed over the four groups. Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia are in separate groups, thus preventing clashes between Arab teams in the early stages of the championship.

• 2009-11-24

  Saudis discuss regional politics with visiting French president

  

  The Saudi monarch and French president recently exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional issues.

• 2009-11-24

  Egypt will not compete in 2010 World Cup finals

  

  Algeria’s Desert Warriors beat Egypt’s Pharaohs 1-0 to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in the final African qualifier match on Nov. 18.

• 2009-11-24

  Lebanon launches anti-smoking campaign

  

  Lebanon launched a two-week campaign on Nov. 22 to reduce smoking in public places.

• 2009-11-24

  World powers press Iran on nuclear issue

  

  On Nov. 20, the representatives of six world powers urged Iran to accept a UN plan aimed at delaying its enrichment of uranium.

• 2009-11-24

  Abu Dhabi’s Aabar buys Formula 1 winner Brawn GP

  

  The joint purchase of Brawn GP and Daimler will give Aabar a 30 percent stake and Daimler a 45.1 percent stake in the team. The championship’s name will also be changed to the Mercedes Grand Prix.

• 2009-11-23

  Crown prince of Abu Dhabi funds church restoration

  

  Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al Nahyan is contributing to restoration of the St. Andrew Church complex that includes Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant buildings.

• 2009-11-23

  Saudi Arabia builds new schools

  

  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has started building 3,200 new schools for 1.7 million students, both male and female, as part of the King Abdullah Project for the Development of Public Education.

• 2009-11-23

  Osama Bin Laden's son 'wants to work for peace'

  

  Omar bin Laden, son of the world's most wanted man, has said he would like to ''promote peace'' and work for the United Nations.

• 2009-11-23

  Japanese engineer kidnapped in Yemen

  

  An armed Yemeni gang kidnapped a Japanese engineer, in an attempt to force the release of a political detainee.

• 2009-11-23

  UN committee slams Iran for post-election crackdown

  

  The UN General Assembly's human rights committee condemned Iran on Nov. 20 for a violent crackdown on protesters after presidential elections this year that the Iranian opposition says were rigged.

• 2009-11-23

  Egypt’s president urges change to reduce global food shortage

  

  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak recently delivered a speech to the World Summit on Food Security in Rome, urging wealthy countries to increase their efforts to eradicate hunger in poor and developing countries.

• 2009-11-21

  Yemen in war of words with Iran

  

  Yemen has once again accused Iran of funding Houthi insurgents, asserting that it is impossible that the rebels could have continued their fight against government forces without external support.

• 2009-11-21

  Kuwaiti football in crisis

  

  Kuwaiti football is in a major state of crisis after the highest sports governing body in the country dissolved the governing boards of 10 clubs.

• 2009-11-21

  Jordan holds police accountable

  

  The Jordanian Ministry of the Interior said police officers should not use excessive violence against citizens. Six police officers are currently on trial for their treatment of a man who was killed during an interrogation, causing considerable unrest in the kingdom.

• 2009-11-21

  Dubai Air Show generates large defence industry orders

  

  The defence industry is preparing to receive a number of orders this year at the 11th annual Dubai Air Show.

• 2009-11-21

  Bin Laden’s spiritual mentor condemns Fort Hood attacks

  

  Osama Bin Laden’s former spiritual mentor has condemned the Fort Hood shootings as gruesome and inhumane and called the massacre, which left 13 dead, “irrational” and “empty of thought.”

• 2009-11-21

  Lebanese Prime Minister to visit Damascus

  

  In an unprecedented step, Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri is preparing to visit the Syrian capital.

• 2009-11-20

  Syria hosts conference to combat money laundering

  

  Banks are an important link in laundering illegally-generated money, as they provide channels where it can be merged with legitimate funds or transferred to conceal its origins. The Syrian Central Bank is leading efforts to combat money laundering and the funding of terrorism.

• 2009-11-20

  Iraq arrests former Baath Party official linked to Al-Qaeda

  

  Iraqi security forces arrested a suspect in connection with a series of bombings that took place in northern Iraq. The suspect appears to be a central figure in the Al-Qaeda organisation and a former official in the now banned Baath Party.

• 2009-11-20

  Taliban under fire from Pakistan’s faithful

  

  The Tablighi Ijtema is an annual event, founded by religious scholars more than five decades ago and focused exclusively on preaching Islam. The Nov. 18-21 gathering is being held under tight security.

• 2009-11-20

  Thousands displaced by Saudi-Yemeni border clashes

  

  As numbers fleeing the conflict in north Yemen stream into temporary camps, fears are growing that supplies may be inadequate to meet their needs.

• 2009-11-20

  Egypt prepares for the trial of railway workers charged with negligence and manslaughter

  

  Egypt is preparing for the trial of eight railway workers charged with negligence and involuntary manslaughter for their involvement in the Al-Ayyat train collision that killed 18 people last month.

• 2009-11-20

  Iran rejects sending uranium abroad

  

  Iran ruled out sending its enriched uranium abroad for further processing, but said it would consider exchanging it for nuclear fuel, provided the fuel remained under supervision inside the country, the ISNA news agency said on Nov. 18.

• 2009-11-19

  Cairo International Film Festival gets mixed reviews

  

  The 33rd Cairo International Film Festival began with the usual last-minute screening changes and poor organisation. However, this year’s event included several noteworthy films.

• 2009-11-19

  CNN airs Jihadi Code on LIFG repudiation of Al-Qaeda

  

  In what may prove one of the biggest breakthroughs against violent extremism since 9/11, the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), a militant Libyan Jihadist group once allied with Osama bin Laden, is publicly repudiating Al-Qaeda's ideology.

• 2009-11-19

  Iraq warns of pre-election violence

  

  Baghdad’s government has announced that armed groups are escalating their attacks in the run-up to next January’s parliamentary elections.

• 2009-11-19

  Iran sentences two more opposition members to death

  

  Iran has sentenced five defendants to death in a mass trial of opposition figures accused of fomenting the unrest that followed the disputed June 12 presidential election, state television reported Nov. 17.

• 2009-11-19

  UAE, Syria hold economic talks in Abu Dhabi

  

  The UAE-Syrian Joint Economic Committee meeting resulted in a broad set of agreements.

• 2009-11-19

  Bahrain will not play in 2010 World Cup finals

  

  Bahrain's national team lost the chance to advance to the 2010 World Cup finals after losing to New Zealand by a single goal.

• 2009-11-18

  Two Saudi soldiers killed on border with Yemen

  

  Two Saudi soldiers were killed and five wounded in fighting with Yemeni rebel "infiltrators" on the Saudi-Yemen border on Nov. 14.

• 2009-11-18

  Saudis evacuate villages as rebel violence spills over Yemeni border

  

  On Nov. 13, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that 240 villages in Saudi Arabia were evacuated and scores of schools closed in areas near the border due to rebel fighting which has now spilled over from Yemen.

• 2009-11-18

  Iran alters position on Yemen

  

  Yemen has refused Iran’s offer to help end the country’s internal struggles after Tehran altered its ‘no-interference’ policy.

• 2009-11-18

  German gets life for racist killing of Egyptian woman

  

  A German court has sentenced a German national of Russian origin to life for stabbing a pregnant young Egyptian woman to death.

• 2009-11-17

  Saudi military enforcing restricted zone inside Yemen

  

  Saudi Arabia is using air power and artillery to enforce a 10km-deep buffer zone inside Yemen, to keep Yemeni rebels away from its southwestern border, a Saudi government adviser said on Nov. 12.

• 2009-11-17

  Al-Assad, Suleiman meeting reviews bilateral relations

  

  A Syrian-Lebanese meeting between Presidents Bashar al-Assad and Michel Suleiman was held in Damascus to review bilateral relations and discuss regional challenges and issues, in an effort to enhance coordination and cooperation between the two countries.

• 2009-11-17

  Egyptian journalist wins top UNICEF award

  

  UNICEF has recognised Abeer Salaheddin for her coverage of children’s issues, including the contentious issue of female circumcision.

• 2009-11-17

  Yemen denounces Iran's 'interference'

  

  The Yemeni government has reiterated its accusations against Iran, saying that the Shiite state is interfering in its domestic affairs by escalating tensions in a civil conflict between Yemen's army and Houthi Shiite rebels.

• 2009-11-17

  UAE to create Federal Demographics Council

  

  The UAE plans to create a Federal Demographics Council to serve its national development objectives and achieve demographic balance within the country. The Emiratisation Council will merge with the new body.

• 2009-11-17

  Saudi forces comb Yemeni border

  

  Saudi army forces are combing the border with Yemen in search of Houthi infiltrators, following overnight air raids launched by warplanes on rebel positions in the border region of Jabal al-Dukhan.

• 2009-11-16

  Egyptian Amr Shabana wins fourth World Squash Open title

  

  Egyptian squash star Amr Shabana has won his fourth World Squash Open championship, a major achievement that ties him with Australian legend Geoff Hunt.

• 2009-11-16

  Surrendering Houthi offered pardons; rebel atrocities surface

  

  Sa’adah province authorities and security forces will grant asylum to any surrendering rebel forces, said Yemeni government spokesman Hassan al-Lawzi on Nov. 10.

• 2009-11-16

  Yemen’s first liquefied natural gas delivery to South Korea

  

  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh inaugurated the export of the first shipment of the country's liquefied natural gas to South Korea.

• 2009-11-16

  Lebanese government warns pesticides cause cancer

  

  The Lebanese Ministry of the Environment has cautioned against using pesticides heedlessly, warning of long-term health risks.

• 2009-11-16

  Suicide bomber strikes Peshawar regional intelligence HQ

  

  A suicide bomber attacked the northwestern regional headquarters of Pakistan’s intelligence agency in Peshawar, followed by a later suicide assault in the area. Twenty people were killed in the two bombings on Nov. 13.

• 2009-11-16

  Oman to face Bahrain after AFC Beach Football Qualifiers

  

  The Sultanate of Oman advanced to the semi-final round of the AFC Beach Football Qualifiers after defeating Australia, 4-2. Oman will now face Bahrain, which won its match against Japan in a penalty shootout.

• 2009-11-16

  Kuwaiti Minister of Defence first Arab to receive Japanese Emperor’s medal

  

  First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah has become the first Arab to receive the High Medal of the Sun from the Emperor of Japan. He was granted the award at the Emperor’s palace in Tokyo.

• 2009-11-14

  Al-Qaeda militant incites Sunnis, fellow Houthis

  

  A commander of an Al-Qaeda-linked group warned that Shiites and Iran pose a greater "danger" to Islam’s majority Sunnis than Jews or Christians, a terrorism-intelligence analysis group said on Nov. 10.

• 2009-11-14

  Dozens of Houthi rebels killed; many more injured, arrested

  

  At least 14 Houthi rebels were killed and dozens injured in different places in Sa'adah, said the Yemeni Ministry of Defence on Nov. 11.

• 2009-11-14

  Thousands of Taliban flee South Waziristan

  

  Following in the footsteps of their leaders, thousands of hardcore fighters of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan have fled South Waziristan to save their lives and take refuge elsewhere, experts said on Nov. 11.

• 2009-11-14

  Lebanon’s government formed after five month delay

  

  After nearly five months of delays, the new Lebanese government led by Saad Al-Hariri was finally announced. The cabinet includes 30 ministers, 11 of whom are carryovers from the previous government.

• 2009-11-14

  CNN documentary shows that new jihad code threatens Al-Qaeda

  

  A CNN investigative report reveals that a militant jihadist group which was once close to Osama bin Laden, the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), now repudiates Al-Qaeda.

• 2009-11-14

  Diplomats claim Iran’s nuclear plant is seven years old

  

  Diplomats informed the Associated Press (AP) on Nov. 12 that Iran's recently revealed uranium enrichment hall is a highly fortified underground space that appears too small to house a civilian nuclear programme, but is large enough to serve military purposes.

• 2009-11-14

  Chinese-African Cooperation Forum concludes in Sharm El-Sheikh

  

  Egyptian officials recently met with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and other African officials in the third Chinese-African Cooperation Forum. China promised to continue its aid to Africa with US$10 billion in easy loans, debt cancellation and environmental projects.

• 2009-11-13

  Saudi Arabia's Ittihad Jeddah loses League title

  

  Saudi Arabia's Ittihad Jeddah recently lost to South Korea's Pohang Steelers, giving up the Asian Professional League title.

• 2009-11-13

  Saudis continue attacks on Yemeni rebels

  

  Saudi Arabia said on Nov. 10 it will continue to conduct air strikes against Yemeni rebels until they pull back from its borders. Iran, in the meantime, warned against regional intervention in the conflict, without naming Saudi Arabia.

• 2009-11-13

  CNN opens new branch in Abu Dhabi

  

  CNN recently inaugurated its new branch in Abu Dhabi with the premiere of "Prism," a programme through which the network will provide broader discussion and coverage of the Middle East region.

• 2009-11-13

  Iraq passes election law

  

  The Iraqi parliament has approved a long-awaited election law that will pave the way for elections next January and facilitate the further withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.

• 2009-11-13

  Egyptian ambassador arrives in Iraq

  

  Egypt sent a new ambassador to Iraq to renew Egypt's diplomatic ties with the country, which were severed in 2005.

• 2009-11-12

  Italian president supports peacekeeping forces in Lebanon

  

  Italian President Giorgio Napolitano expressed his country's pride in contributing to UNIFIL peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, and the hope that the region is blessed with peace.

• 2009-11-12

  Pirates and refugees assail Yemeni coastline

  

  Yemen is contending with an influx of African refugees arriving via its pirate-infested coastal waters.

• 2009-11-12

  Saudi Arabia prioritises Hajj pilgrim safety

  

  Amidst concerns about the H1N1 virus and tensions in surrounding Arab countries, authorities in Saudi Arabia have taken measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims coming to the kingdom to perform the obligatory Hajj rituals this year.

• 2009-11-12

  Pakistani army attacks militant hideouts in Parachinar

  

  Helicopter gunships shelled militant hideouts in northwestern Pakistan on Nov. 11 killing 10 suspected insurgents, following a Taliban attack that left two paramilitary soldiers dead at an outpost in the area.

• 2009-11-12

  Bomb kills 24, wounds more than 100 in Pakistan

  

  A car bomb exploded outside a crowded market in northwestern Pakistan on Nov. 10 killing at least 24 people, in the latest attack by suspected militants apparently aimed at avenging an army offensive along the Afghan border.

• 2009-11-11

  UAE to train women to issue legal fatwas

  

  Mufti of Dubai Ahmed al-Haddad recently announced that women would have the right to issue legal fatwas, on completing a training programme of several months on provisions of Shariah law and legal thought.

• 2009-11-11

  Israel intercepts Iranian arms shipment to Hezbollah

  

  Israel stopped a cargo ship carrying arms and ammunition from Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

• 2009-11-11

  Jordan and Yemen first to qualify for 2010 AFC U-19

  

  The Jordanian and Yemeni U-19 youth soccer teams were the first to qualify for the Asian Football Confederation tournament.

• 2009-11-11

  Kuwaiti divers win top global achievement award

  

  The National Association of Underwater Instructors Achievement Award was recently bestowed upon a team of divers from the Kuwaiti Environmental Protection Society.

• 2009-11-11

  Saudis raid Houthis in retaliation for attack

  

  Saudi Arabia has entered the conflict between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels, responding harshly to an attack carried out by Houthi elements on a Saudi border guard centre.

• 2009-11-10

  Indo-Saudi Joint Commission holds eighth session

  

  Saudi Arabian officials recently met with the Indian Minister of Finance and a delegation of 50 Indian businessmen at the eighth session of the Indo-Saudi Joint Commission, to discuss the adoption of multiple entry visas for both countries and other bilateral economic issues.

• 2009-11-10

  Saudi Arabia and Syria end tariff war

  

  Syria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have ended a tariff war that started last year, another sign of easing the political tensions that began in 2005.

• 2009-11-10

  Sultanate of Oman to increase oil production

  

  Oman’s Minister of Oil has announced plans to increase next year’s oil production in the Sultanate to 900,000 barrels per day.

• 2009-11-10

  Kuwait rolls out world’s largest carpet

  

  Its owners hope their 32.2 by 29.68m carpet qualifies for entry into the Guinness Book of World Records.

• 2009-11-10

  Saudi Arabia campaigns for smoke-free Hajj

  

  The kingdom is encouraging pilgrims to refrain from smoking in Mecca and Medina during this year’s Hajj.

• 2009-11-10

  Saudis bomb rebels in Yemen, remain wary of entanglement

  

  Saudi Arabia, deeply worried by the instability in Yemen, has hit back hard at Yemeni insurgents who breached the kingdom's border, but wants to avoid further involvement in conflicts there.

• 2009-11-10

  Sararogha loss a significant blow to Taliban

  

  The significance of the army breakthrough into Sararogha, a known Taliban stronghold in South Waziristan, cannot be underestimated, said the director-general of Inter-Services Public Relations, Ather Abbas.

• 2009-11-09

  UAE loses to the U.S. in U-17 World Cup

  

  The UAE's national U-17 team lost its last chance to qualify directly for the second round of the U-17 World Cup finals hosted by Nigeria, after losing to the U.S. 1-0.

• 2009-11-09

  Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan leaders flee South Waziristan

  

  Most of the leaders of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have fled South Waziristan to escape the army’s operation against them.

• 2009-11-09

  UAE Supreme Council re-elects Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed al Nahyan

  

  The UAE’s Supreme Council has re-elected Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed al Nahyan for another five-year term as president.

• 2009-11-09

  Saudi Arabia finds Al-Qaeda weapons

  

  Saudi security forces have found a cache of weapons under a concrete slab in an abandoned house belonging to a cell discovered last August that is linked to the Al-Qaeda organisation.

• 2009-11-09

  Qatar seeks to attract more foreign investment

  

  Qatar amended its investment law to allow 100 percent foreign ownership in three sectors of the economy, in an effort to limit the effects of the global economic crisis.

• 2009-11-09

  Maronite Patriarch claims Hezbollah more loyal to Iran than Lebanon

  

  Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir criticised Hezbollah’s arms policy, saying weapons should be solely in the hands of the Lebanese army.

• 2009-11-07

  Venezuela denies Israeli charges it is Iran’s 'base'

  

  Venezuela on Nov. 3 rejected an Israeli allegation that it has become Iran's "forward base" in Latin America.

• 2009-11-07

  South Punjab nurtures militancy

  

  South Punjab is one of the major ideological sanctuaries and recruitment bases of Taliban and Muslim extremists according to Muhammad Amir Rana, head of the Pakistan Institute of Policy Studies in Islamabad.

• 2009-11-07

  President Mubarak addresses National Democratic Party

  

  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak addressed the sixth annual conference of the National Democratic Party on Oct. 31, speaking on the global financial crisis, the importance of youth involvement in politics and the need to increase the number of women in the People’s Assembly.

• 2009-11-07

  Kuwait Club crowned AFC Champions

  

  Kuwait Club defeated Syria’s Al-Karama Club by a single goal in the final match of the Asian Football Confederation Cup tournament.

• 2009-11-07

  Kuwait successfully hosts first financial forum

  

  On Nov. 1-2, Kuwait hosted a large economic event for the first time that drew more than 500 decision-makers, members of the business community and economic experts.

• 2009-11-07

  Egypt announces sixth H1N1 death

  

  Egypt announced the country’s sixth death from the H1N1 virus the day it received its second shipment of the vaccine against the disease. The victim was a 23-year-old woman from the province of Giza.

• 2009-11-07

  British-Chinese coalition to develop Iraq’s Rumaila oilfield

  

  On Nov. 3, the Iraqi Ministry of Oil signed a contract with British Petroleum (BP) and the Chinese CNPC company to develop the Rumaila oilfield.

• 2009-11-06

  Syria defers EU partnership accord

  

  Syria is seeking additional time to study the economic implications of a partnership deal with Europe.

• 2009-11-06

  Abu Dhabi's Formula One racing season closes with concert

  

  The first Formula One race in Abu Dhabi ended with a victory for Red Bull racers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, who took first and second place in the first Grand Prix race to be held at twilight.

• 2009-11-06

  Iraqi death toll rises in October

  

  The death toll from violence in Iraq increased in October, compared to September’s relatively low death rate, the lowest since May.

• 2009-11-06

  Cairo mosque restored to 14th century glory

  

  A restored 14th Century mosque in Old Cairo provides glimpses of a splendid Islamic past.

• 2009-11-06

  Doha Tribeca Film Festival comes to a close

  

  The first Doha Tribeca Film Festival concluded with an awards ceremony for the festival's best participating films, based on audience choices.

• 2009-11-05

  Saudis aim for triple in Pro-League victory against South Korea

  

  Ittihad Jeddah is hoping to beat the Pohang Steelers to a third Asian Club Championship title.

• 2009-11-05

  Pakistan’s army claims Taliban stronghold

  

  Pakistan said troops stormed another important Taliban stronghold, killing 16 militants, and were seeking to expand their control in an intense air and ground offensive on Nov. 3.

• 2009-11-05

  Egypt praises American museum’s restoration efforts

  

  Egypt recently praised the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art for buying a fragment of a red granite sarcophagus from an art dealer to return it to Egypt. The artefact is a missing fragment from a sarcophagus located at the temple of the god Ptah in the...

• 2009-11-05

  Court rules hijab not required for Kuwaiti female MPs

  

  Kuwait's Constitutional Court rejected a lawsuit against two female parliamentarians in the National Assembly, which petitioned their membership be revoked for violations of the Islamic dress code.

• 2009-11-05

  Beirut-Baghdad air route reopens after 25 years

  

  Middle East Airlines’ first flight from the Iraqi capital since 1984 touched down last week in Beirut.

• 2009-11-04

  Pakistani army vows to eliminate Taliban leadership in Swat

  

  Public confidence cannot be restored in the Swat valley until the top leadership of the Taliban is eliminated, said analysts, army officials and residents of Swat on Oct. 26.

• 2009-11-04

  Al-Qaeda suspect arrested in Yemen

  

  Officials in Yemen arrested six Somalis on Oct. 29, including one accused of being a member of the Al-Qaeda organisation.

• 2009-11-04

  Iranian police clash with opposition protesters

  

  Iranian security forces beat anti-government protesters with batons and fired tear gas on Nov. 4, during rallies to mark the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover, witnesses and state media reported.

• 2009-11-04

  Four more Hawthi rebels sentenced to death in Yemen

  

  A Yemeni court recently sentenced four Hawthi rebels to death and 11 others to 15-year prison terms.

• 2009-11-04

  Karzai vows to eradicate corruption in Afghanistan

  

  President Hamid Karzai vowed on Nov. 3 that during his second five-year term as President, the government of Afghanistan will be committed to the eradication of corruption.

• 2009-11-04

  UAE among largest UNHCR donors

  

  The United Arab Emirates has become the first Arab and Muslim country to become one of the largest donors to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), having donated more than US$20 million to its refugee operations around the world.

• 2009-11-04

  Delays in Lebanese government formation raise security concerns

  

  The sluggish pace of Lebanon’s endeavours to form a government has created mounting challenges for the country.

• 2009-11-03

  Suicide bomber strikes bank in Rawalpindi

  

  A suicide bomber killed 35 people outside a bank near Pakistan's capital on Nov. 2, as the UN said spreading violence has forced it to start pulling out some expatriate staff and suspend long-term development work in areas along the Afghan border.

• 2009-11-03

  Russia urges Iran to accept IAEA deal

  

  On Nov. 1, Russia's envoy to Tehran urged Iran to sign a nuclear fuel deal drafted by the UN, in a bid to resolve the controversy over its atomic drive, which he said lacks "complete transparency."

• 2009-11-03

  Lebanon trumps Israel at the dining table

  

  Lebanon moved to reclaim its national dishes from Israel by creating the world’s largest plates of hummus and tabbouleh, securing a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

• 2009-11-03

  UAE's Al-Shabab to face Kuwait's Al-Arabi

  

  Kuwait's Al-Arabi and the UAE's Al-Shabab Club will meet in a much-anticipated match in the third round of the 25th Gulf Club Championship on Nov. 3.

• 2009-11-03

  International aviation summit in Doha draws industry leaders

  

  An aviation summit in Doha brought together international aviation industry leaders to discuss fluctuating oil prices, security and "green aviation.”

• 2009-11-03

  Afghanistan presidential run-off cancelled; Abdullah withdraws candidacy

  

  Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission cancelled Saturday's presidential run-off and proclaimed President Hamid Karzai re-elected to the office.

• 2009-11-02

  UAE announces winners of first Creative Sports Awards

  

  The UAE recently announced the winners of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, which recognises contributions to the promotion of sports in the region.

• 2009-11-02

  Yemeni trial of MP Yahya al-Hawthi begins in absentia

  

  On Monday, Oct. 26, the Yemeni government began a trial in absentia of Yemeni parliamentarian Yahya al-Hawthi on a series of charges, including organising an armed gang and inciting rebellion.

• 2009-11-02

  Katyusha rocket fired from southern Lebanon raises tension with Israel

  

  On Oct. 27, a Katyusha rocket was fired at Israel from the township of Hawla. The Israeli army responded by lobbing ten 155mm shells at the rocket’s point of origin.

• 2009-11-02

  Charges and resignations follow Egyptian train crash

  

  Three men have been charged with manslaughter in the Al-Ayyat train crash that killed 18 people, and Egyptian Minister of Transport Mansur was forced to resign.