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Yemen says it launched an airstrike against al-Qaeda in the Moudia district of Abyan province yesterday.
"Our air force carried out a raid on terrorist elements who were planning attacks on vital installations (and) two al-Qaeda leaders were killed," a defence ministry statement said. There… Read more
Four high-ranking Jordanians are imprisoned and awaiting trail in what looks like becoming the kingdom’s biggest-ever corruption case. Bribes of JD12 million ($17 million) are alleged to be involved, in connection with expansion plans for Jordan's only oil refinery.
Those arrested are:… Read more
An Ethiopian migrant was shot and seriously wounded by Egyptian border guards yesterday while trying to cross illegally into Israel. Seven others – three Eritreans and four Ethiopians – were also arrested.
The latest incident came litte more than a week after Navi Pillay, the UN… Read more
One of the more significant changes since the Obama administration came it power is that the US is beginning to recognise the importance of the internet in struggles for freedom in many parts of the world.
This is highlighted in the State Department's latest annual reporton human rights which… Read more
The Yemeni authorities have confiscated two "unauthorised" transmitters belonging to local offices of al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya TV channels.
This seems to be part of a wider pattern of harassment, particularly of al-Jazeera, over its coverage of separatist protests in the south. In… Read more
Use of the death penalty tends to be taken for granted in Arab countries. Saudi Arabia, of course, is one of the world's leading executioners, chopping off heads for all sorts of reasons other than murder. Just this week, a court in Madina upheld the death sentence against Ali Hussein… Read more
An Egyptian physiotherapist, Taha Mohamed Abdel el-Tawwab, is in hospital after being summoned for questioning at the State Security headquarters in Fayoum on Monday. He had come under suspicion after voicing support for Mohamed ElBaradei in next year's presidential election.
According… Read more
A 27-year-old Saudi man from Jeddah has been sentenced to 1,000 lashes, a year in jail and a fine of 5,000 riyals ($1,330) after appearing in an amateur gay video (above).
The film, which lasts 2 minutes and 46 seconds, shows him dressed in a police uniform asking to inspect… Read more
President Salih of Yemen held out an olive branch to the southern separatists yesterday, offering to discuss their grievances.
"Come talk with your brothers in the authority, and we will talk with you," he said. "We extend the hand of dialogue without (you) having to resort to violence or… Read more
Like him or loathe him, when Rupert Murdoch has something to say it's always worth listening. Giving the opening speech (full text here) to the Abu Dhabi Media Summit yesterday, he made an economic case for freedom of expression in the Middle East. And it was presented in a way… Read more
ARAB ART ONLINE: Susan Hefuna: Al Sabr Gamil (Patience is Beautiful) 2007. Ink stained on wood 140 x 170 cm. More information | Click to enlarge
