Middle East News

Confidence and optimism return to Baghdad and Basra

Six months ago, anyone driving a truck at night on the highway linking Baghdad and Iraq's most southerly city of Basra would have needed nerves of steel or had to be suicidal. Now, since the offensive that got going last March against Shia militias and criminal gangs in Basra, the night highway is relatively safe.

ICC cannot afford to mix politics and sport: Haroon

Haroon Lorgat, the new chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), unambiguously stated Friday that as sport's governing body, the ICC cannot afford to mix politics and sport.10:00 PM on July 04

Iraq's Shias want referendum on US troop presence

Iraq's Shia leadership indicated Friday that it would press the Baghdad government for a national referendum on the issue of a further stationing of US forces in the country.7:31 PM on July 04

Iran to respond to incentive package Friday

Iran said it would respond Friday to the package of incentives offered by five Security Council members and Germany (P5+1), official IRNA news agency reported.6:01 PM on July 04

Two Indians die in Bahrain

An Indian worker died of a heart attack as he prepared to visit India on his first holiday in two years while another committed suicide in Bahrain.5:53 PM on July 04

'Iran to respond agressively if attacked'

An Iranian military commander has warned that the army would respond very aggressively to any attack on the country or its nuclear facilities, official IRNA news agency reported Friday.5:00 PM on July 04

No need for ICC to create window for IPL: Lalit Modi

There is no need to create a window in the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Future Tours Programme (FTP) to accommodate the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), said IPL chairman Lalit Modi here Friday.4:33 PM on July 04

BoB to offer wealth management services in Gulf

Indian public sector Bank of Baroda (BoB) has announced that it would be offering wealth management services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and its joining hands with Reliance Mutual Fund (RMF) marked the beginning of this process.4:31 PM on July 04

Zimbabwe withdraws from 2009 Twenty20 World Cup

Zimbabwe has voluntarily offered to withdraw from the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup in England, it was announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) here Friday.2:00 PM on July 04

Ten killed in gunfight in Egypt

Ten people were killed and 17 wounded Thursday in a gunfight in Benha, 48 km north of the Egyptian capital, a security source said.7:30 AM on July 04

Llyod named ICC Cricket Committee chairman

International Cricket Council (ICC) Thursday named former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd as the new chairman of the high-profile ICC Cricket Committee.3:58 AM on July 04

ICC awaits security report to decide on Champions Trophy venue

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is awaiting a security report of the ongoing Asia Cup in Pakistan before it can take any decision on holding the Champions Trophy there in September.10:33 PM on July 03

ICC alters 2006 Oval Test result

In a major victory for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the International Cricket Council (ICC) Thursday changed the result of the controversial Oval Test in 2006 from an England win to a draw.10:32 PM on July 03

No decision yet on creating window for IPL: ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not formed a window to accommodate the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) in its current Future Tours Programme (FTP).10:30 PM on July 03

ICC members in deadlock over Zimbabwe issue

The International Cricket Council (ICC) failed to reach consensus Thursday on the fate of Zimbabwe's membership and decided to take a last call Friday.10:30 PM on July 03