Middle East News

Syrian official denies plans to host Russian missiles

A Syrian official Friday denied media reports that the country has agreed to host Russian missiles in an effort to counter the planned deployment of a US missile shield in Eastern Europe.6:30 PM on August 22

Bahrain labour camps unsafe: India, Pakistan diplomats

A major tragedy is in the offing in Bahrain if current conditions in several labour accommodation camps there are anything to go by, Indian and Pakistani diplomats have warned.6:02 PM on August 22

Jet to start flying to Saudi Arabia from October

Leading Indian private carrier Jet Airways will include Saudi Arabia on its list of destinations in the Gulf with effect from October, according to its chairman Naresh Goyal.6:01 PM on August 22

Ramadan to start Sep 1: Qatari astrologer

The holy Islamic month of Ramadan this year will begin Sep 1, according to a leading Qatari astrologer.6:00 PM on August 22

Israel premier questioned for sixth time in corruption probe

Israeli police were questioning Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for a sixth time Friday on his alleged involvement in corruption affairs currently under investigation.4:00 PM on August 22

Al Qaeda claims responsibility for Algeria bombings

The North African wing of the Al Qaeda terrorist network claimed responsibility for two car bombings in Algeria this week that killed 12 people, the al-Jazeera television network reported.1:30 PM on August 22

Three Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Three Canadian soldiers were killed and another was wounded in a roadside bombing in south Afghanistan, officials said Friday.1:01 PM on August 22

Abu Dhabi energy firm starts work on German plant

The United Arab Emirates-based renewable energy company Masdar has broken ground for its $230-million photovoltaic (PV) production plant in Germany.5:32 PM on August 21

Saudi Arabia executes two Pakistanis for drug smuggling

Saudi Arabia Thursday executed two Pakistani nationals for smuggling drugs, a statement by the interior ministry said.5:30 PM on August 21

Kuwait plans to develop media city

Kuwait is planning to develop a media city as part of its five-year 50-billion Kuwaiti dinars ($186.6 billion) overall development plan.5:30 PM on August 21

Rice meets al-Maliki during unscheduled Iraq visit

Visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Iraqi premier Nuri al-Maliki Thursday began talks that centred around the presence of US troops in the country and the security situation in Iraq's restive Diyala province.4:32 PM on August 21

UAE launches social welfare fund campaign

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a novel campaign encouraging contributions of as little as one dirham ($0.27) to raise funds for social care and development projects.4:32 PM on August 21

Mortgage market growth boosts life cover sales in UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has witnessed a growing demand for life insurance policies even as the mortgage market is increasingly adopting global insurance practices to back mortgage applications.4:31 PM on August 21

Gulf oil earnings to touch record $562 bn in 2008

Oil producing nations in the Gulf will earn a record $562 billion by the end of this year, as oil prices are expected to remain above $100 a barrel, according to a new report.4:31 PM on August 21

Kuwait too orders 'God Tussi Great Ho' off screens

The Gulf nation of Kuwait has followed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in banning the new Salman Khan-starrer 'God Tussi Great Ho' for violating Islamic teachings.4:30 PM on August 21