Today's Headlines
- Top Hamas leader arrested by Palestinian government
Rantisi's arrest is expected to stir more tension in relations between the Palestinian government and Hamas. The two sides have exchanged accusations of responsibility and involvement in the Sharif killing. Palestine, Local, 4/9/1998
- Syria vs. Israel on Lebanon
Senior military intelligence officers told the Knesset defense and foreign affairs committee on Tuesday that Syria is interested in receiving proper compensation from Israel and that nothing is more proper for Syria than an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights Regional, Analysis, 4/9/1998
- Kufr Qassem 41 years later: survivors recall the cold-blooded massacre
A soldier approached and fired four bullets at me, hitting both my right leg and arm. The soldier then pointed his gun to my brother’s head and fired several rounds of bullets. The head exploded in pieces while I was watching but did not dare say a single word. I cannot forget that moment at all. Palestine-Israel, History, 4/9/1998
- Hamas's spokesmen rejects Palestinian findings
The spokesman of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement Hamas, called for forming a neutral committee to investigate the death of Hamas leader Mohyiddin Sharif's death separate from the investigations made by the Palestinian government. Palestine, Politics, 4/9/1998
- Europe' Moratinos: Withdrawal to be from Syria and Lebanon
Moratinos urged sides concerned "to commit themselves to security issues, to definite and comprehensive peace negotiations between Lebanon and Israel and Syria and Israel simultaneously." Lebanon-Israel-European Union, Politics, 4/9/1998
- Algeria reduces its debts, oil price effects measured
The operation of rescheduling the debts is related to economic reforms supported by a loan of $1.04 billion from the International Monetary Fund. The reform program has spanned three years and will end next month. Algeria, Economics, 4/9/1998
- Prisoners rebel at Roumieh Central Prison in Lebanon
The prisoners began their rebellion on Tuesday after a clash occurred between a soldier and one of the prisoners, who was accused of raping a girl to one of the prisoners' soldiers Lebanon, Judicial, 4/9/1998
- Egypt's Assembly head warns against double standards
In his address at the International Parliamentary Union's conference in Namibia, Serour called on international bodies to abandon a policy of dualism, applying separate standards for Arab states and for Israel, pointing out that this matter is very serious and dangerous. Regional-Egypt, Politics, 4/9/1998
- Indian musical program in Muscat
MG Sreekumar, a versatile singer who has won the national award for best singer, will sing classical as well as popular songs in Malyalam, Hindi and Tamil. Oman, Entertainment, 4/9/1998
- Algerian Islamic revival party calls for applying Arabization law on time
Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed O'yeihia told the Nation's Council last week that the setting for applying the law of generalizing the using of the Arabic language has reached an advanced stage. Algeria, Politics, 4/9/1998
- Morroco: discussing identity specifications in Sahara
Moroccan Minister of Interior Idris El-Basri discussed during his meeting with Charles Dunbar, the special representative of the UN's security-general the issue of the upcoming Saharan self-rule referendum. Morocco, Politics, 4/9/1998
Short Takes
- At least 150 pilgrims performing the Haj were killed in a stampede at a Mina bridge, Fox News reported. Go
- Negotiations between the Egyptian Ministry of Justice and the countries South Africa, Italy and India will begin in Cairo next month, to discuss agreements for judicial cooperation between them and Egypt. Go
- The Egyptian minister of trade and supply, Ahmed Goweili, said Egypt can achieve a great competitive advantage in textiles markets in the European Union, US and commonwealth countries. Goweili added that large developments have occurred in the textiles industry, which have allowed the total value of its exports to reach $500 million. Go
- US State Department Spokesman James Rubin said, "To the extent that Iraq is now getting into the business of prisoner release, which is, generally speaking, a good thing, it's high time they got into the business of accounting for the 600 Kuwaiti prisoners that are still unaccounted for." He said, "The Kuwaitis should be released." Go
- Chinese President Jiang Zemin stated that his country intends to use its influence to help giving the ME peace process a push forward. ITAR-TASS quoted Jiang as saying upon meeting with former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres on Tuesday that China maintains friendly relations with all countries in the Middle East and will spare no efforts in order to revive the peace process in this region. Go
- Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid arrives in Beirut today to hold talks with senior Lebanese officials. Abdul Meguid's talks will center on Israeli proposals concerning UN resolution 425. Go
- Lebanese security sources said Israeli heavy artillery positioned in Muheibib bombarded the villages of Majdal Sulum, Qabreiha, Shakra and al-Salawqi valley. The Israeli attacks coincided with machine-gun fire against the targeted area. Go
- A UAE boat carrying passengers from Saadiyat Island to Abu Dhabi's Tourist Club arrived safely after becoming grounded in shallow waters. Around 30 passengers were transferred from the overloaded vessel to another boat to help free it, Khaleej Times reported. Go
- A report scheduled for Friday from UNSCOM chairman Richard Butler to the UN Security Council dealing with weapons inspections in Iraq will likely be delayed until the middle of next week, Juan-Carlos Brandt, Senior Associate Spokesman for the secretary-general told reporters. A report from the International Atomic Energy Agency is on schedule, and a separate report on the inspections is being prepared by Jayantha Dhanapala, Brandt said. Go
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