POLITICS-MOROCCO: Royal Birth Raises New Questions

The birth of an heir to the Moroccan throne last week has renewed debate on the reform of the monarchy, which has been ruling this North African country since the mid-17th century.

CHECHNYA: Death toll from bomb blast rises to 52.

The death toll from a truck bomb explosion, which ripped through a government compound in Chechnya's northern village of Znamenskoye on Monday, has reached 52, the press service of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations reported.

IRAQ: UAE relief work continues in many cities

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Red Crescent Society (RCS) has continued its relief work in many Iraqi cities.

UAE-ENVIRONMENT: New book on achievements in the field released

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Federal Environmental Agency (FEA) has released a new book featuring the achievements of the UAE in the field of environmental protection, agriculture and desertification.

SAUDI ARABIA: Some 10 Americans killed in blasts in Riyadh

Ten Americans were killed in three terror attacks at three residential sites in Riyadh last night, US ambassador to the Saudi Arabia Robert Jordan said today.

IRAQ: US appointment of new team reflects accumulation of errors

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) English daily has argued that the accumulation of errors by the coalition forces in Iraq has forced the US to reassign a new team to run the country.

MIDDLE EAST: Nine Israeli soldiers wounded by Palestinian mortar fire in

Nine soldiers were lightly wounded Tuesday morning when Palestinians fired two mortar shells into an army base in the Gaza Strip, the army said.

ISRAEL: Police arrest 13 leaders of Arab Islamic Movement

Police arrested 13 leaders of the Islamic Movement in Israel on Tuesday on charges of suspicion they funneled money to groups considered by Israel as illegal.

PHILIPPINES: MILF rebel group given 60-day ultimatum to cease attacks

Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople on Monday proposed a 60-day ultimatum for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to "cease and desist from any unprovoked attacks and atrocities against civilians in Mindanao" before taking action, which will include tagging them as a terrorist organization.

ARAB NORTH AFRICA: No disagreements between Arab League and Morocco

The Arab League denied there were any direct disagreements between its Secretary General Amr Moussa and Morocco.

PALESTINE: Hamas won’t freeze activities, says movement head

The founder and spiritual leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) assured the public that his movement would not commit the fatal mistake of getting involved in any sort of fighting with other (opposing) Palestinian groups.

MIDEAST: More Politics than Peace in Powell Visit

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell had not quite left Israel Monday before Israel reversed some of the 'goodwill gestures' towards Palestinians that it took up on his arrival over the weekend.

MIDDLE EAST: Only good intent and commitment to roadmap will guarantee peace

Two major United Arab Emirates (UAE) English dailies today commented on the renewed efforts to bring peace to the Middle East through the so-called "roadmap". The papers said that only good intent and commitment to the content of the roadmap by all the stakeholders would make it successful.

IRAQ-UAE: Relief plane leaves for Mosul

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) plane carrying large quantities of medicines and medical supplies left for the Iraqi town of Mosul today.

UAE: No extension of grace period for illegal aliens

Brigadier Hader Khalaf Al Muhairi, Director General of the United Arab Emirates Naturalization and Residency Department, said that the grace period given to residence visa violators will not be extended.

IRAQ: Exiles continue to return home

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) newspaper yesterday said that the return of emigrant and exiled Iraqis to their homes is an indication that the days of servility, subjugation and deprivation, which were practiced by the former Iraqi regime, have ended for ever.

MIDDLE EAST: Israel army blocks foreign scrutiny of its actions

The British Foreign Secretary has joined International peace activists in rejecting Israel's recent tightening of foreigners' movement in the occupied Palestinian territories.

MIDDLE EAST: Israel resumes playing old games, says UAE daily

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) paper today criticized the Israeli obstinacy and adamancy in implementing the new Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, which was drafted by the International Quartet Committee.

IRAQ: Bigger UN role in reconstruction

In a lecture at THE United Arab Emirates (UAE) Zayed Centre for Coordination and Follow-up (ZCCF), Khaleel Matar, media expert, said that the United Nations can play a bigger role in the reconstruction of Iraq, albeit in humanitarian and medical field, stating that this role is of vital significance in renewing hope for the Iraqi people.

PAKISTAN: Explosion rips through bus injuring six passengers

A powerful bomb ripped through a passenger bus in southern Sindh province on Saturday, injuring six people, police said.

IRAQ: Shiite leader Hakim returns from exile in Iran

Iraqi Shiite leader Mohammed Baqir Hakim returned to Iraq today after 23 years of exile in Iran.