Today's Headlines
- Sudan: Obstacles to establishing national consensus
The object of confrontation over the past four decades has remained virtually the same, a struggle between pluralism and freedom, on one hand, and authoritarian military single-party regimes, which suppressed pluralism in order to subjugate the nation through repression and violence, on the other hand. Sudan, Politics, 12/29/1997
- Food shortage in Arab countries is a major economic problem
the Arab countries will have to import more than one third of their food from foreign countries at high cost, increasing Arab debts and affecting other sectors in those countries. Regional, Agriculture, 12/29/1997
- The racist who wanted to throw a pig's head into Al Aqsa mosque
it is no wonder that he ends up planning not only to throw the pig's head into the Mosque but even to stir a religious war against Islam," the Palestinian official said. Al Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. Palestine-Israel, Religion, 12/29/1997
- Relaxation in the Islands crisis between Emirates and Iran
A dispute over three Gulf islands which led to tension between the United Arab Emirates and Iran is seeing relaxation as both countries show desire to resolve this problem peacefully. Egypt-Iran, Politics, 12/29/1997
- Syria: Soon Israeli Arabs will be free to visit our country
Syria will soon allow Israeli Arabs to visit freely, Israeli Knesset member Dr. Azmi Bishara said Sunday. Syria-Israel, Politics, 12/29/1997
- Egyptians united in denouncing Luxor attack
"There is a conspiracy being prepared against Egypt to hit the beating heart of the Arab and Muslim world. The terrorists seek to introduce sectarian conflict and civil war to Egypt," he continued. Egypt, Religion, 12/29/1997
- Iraq offered new reduced oil prices, Jordanian Energy Minister said
Jordanian Minister of Energy Mohammed al-Hourani denied that Jordan was looking for sources of oil other than Iraq. Following his negotiations with Iraqi officials al-Hourani stated that his talks resulted in the renewing of an oil protocol between the two countries. Jordan-Iraq, Economics, 12/29/1997
- $600 million Saudi loan to Lebanon
Lebanon has received a $600 million loan from Saudi Arabia meant to support the national currency and help Lebanon overcome its economic woes. Lebanon, Economics, 12/29/1997
- Israeli warplanes attack guerrillas in south Lebanon
Israeli war planes flew low over the Iqlim al-Tuffah province, where Hizbullah guerrillas maintain bases and often launch their attacks on the Israeli-occupied enclave in south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Military, 12/29/1997
- The chase after a Hamas engineer?
Israel has so far failed to detain a prominent member of Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement, and has recently detained a relative of his to exert pressure on the rest of the family. Ahmad Awadallah is believed by Israel to be building explosive devices. Israel-Palestine, Judicial, 12/29/1997
- Turkey: 37,000 people lost their lives in Kurd conflict
President Suleyman Demirel, announcing this alarming number of deaths, vowed to continue the war. "We are determined to defend our territorial integrity until the end," Demirel told reporters. Turkey, Military, 12/29/1997
- MEA plane faces troubles over Cedars, 21 injured
MEA's acting chairman, Khattar Hadathi, said the pilot ran into what is commonly known as a "mountain wave" which causes the plane to drop sharply from a high altitude at high speed. Lebanon, Local, 12/29/1997
- Golden Tulip invests in Tunisia for hotel management
The vice chairman of the GTIG, Bart Hall, said that the group will manage a tourist complex in Tunisia which will bear the name of the group for nine years. Tunisia, Business, 12/29/1997
- Terrorism and drugs to be discussed by Arab Interior Ministers
The most important issues on the agenda will be terrorism, combating drugs, promoting security coordination and the consequences of new technology on crime. Regional-Tunisia, Politics, 12/29/1997
Short Takes
- Egypt's mufti, Dr. Farid Wasil, announced that the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan will begin Tuesday, December 30, IRNA reported. Go
- No one was injured when a Pakistan International Airlines aircraft skidded off a runway at Dubai International Airport after an aborted takeoff attempt, Khaleej Times reported. Go
- 21 Algerians were reported killed yesterday by armed attackers in the Ouled Moussa area, Bahrain Tribune reported. Go
- Israel rejected Saturday a peace proposal which Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said he would present to US President Bill Clinton at a January meeting, CNN reported. The plan calls for international peacekeeping forces in West Bank areas, the report said. Go
- Leaders from Israel's Druze met with Hamas leaders, including Sheikh Yassin, Haaretz reported. Go
- Algeria has tightened security measures to discourage pre-Ramadan violence, which has been a problem in the past, Miami Herald reported. Go
- Iraq cut rations of essential items for its citizens, blaming the US for allowing insufficient supplies under the oil-for-food deal, Los Angeles Times reported. Go
- Egypt's high court issued a ruling upholding a ban on female circumcision, Miami Herald reported. Go
- Lebanese municipal elections will start on May 24, without effecting arrangements for presidential elections which will start in November. Go
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