IRAQ: No matter what, the road leads to war, says UAE paper

Whatever road Iraq will opt to take it will lead to war, a leading United Arab Emirates (UAE) daily concluded.

GULF-UAE: Italian cooperation in police training

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Italian Ministries of Interior have chalked out a plan to cooperate in police training and other security and intelligence services, an Italian official said yesterday.

MIDDLE EAST: Palestinian preventive security man falls martyr

A Palestinian preventive security member was killed last night during an exchange of fire with an Israeli military unit which attacked the preventive security headquarters in Qalqiliya last night, Palestinian sources said.

INDONESIA: Floods kill three, four missing in Sumatra

Floodwaters have claimed three victims in Indonesia's southern Sumatra province of Bengkulu, with four others listed as missing and feared drowned, officials said Wednesday.

MIDDLE EAST: Israeli tanks sweep into Al Maghazi refugee camp

Israeli troops in full battle gear with tanks and military bulldozers swept into Al Maghazi refugee camp in the center of Gaza and demolished the house of Baha'uldean Seed who two years ago died in an attack on Israeli army post killing two Israeli soldiers.

SUDAN: Government and rebels sign agreement to promote ceasefire

The government of Sudan and the Rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) signed Tuesday in the Kenyan capital Nairobi an agreement to promote the cessation of hostilities, Sudanese Foreign Minister Dr. Mustafa Ismael said.

IRAQ: Ready to cooperate on two sticking points

In a bid to clear away obstacles to a clean UN report on inspections, Iraq said it may consider enlisting foreigners as witnesses for Iraqi weapons scientists, who refuse to submit to secret UN interviews, Iraqi presidential adviser Lt.Gen. Amir al-Saadi said.

PAKISTAN: Fire engulfs dry port after explosion, many feared dead

A huge fire engulfed the dry port of Sialkot city in northeastern Pakistan on Tuesday after an explosion, state-run Pakistan television (PTV) reported.

PAKISTAN: Fire engulfs dry port after explosion, many feared dead

A huge fire engulfed the dry port of Sialkot city in northeastern Pakistan on Tuesday after an explosion, state-run Pakistan television (PTV) reported.

MIDDLE EAST: US goal in Iraq is to strengthen Israel’s position, says French

A French journalist and writer today said that a US attack on Iraq without Security Council approval would be the end of the United Nations.

MIDDLE EAST-WOMEN: Forum calls for honoring distinguished Arab women

The Women and Education Forum, which concluded its activities in the Syrian capital last night, underlined the necessity for enabling Arab women to carry out their role in society and the need for removing all hindrances that bar them from doing so.

ENVIRONMENT-UAE: Journey of male leopard to be telecast

The incredible journey of the male leopard - Wadei" , which was recently brought in by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Breeding Center for Endangered Arabian Wildlife in Sharjah on a breeding loan from Sanaa, Yemen, will be telecast on BBC World this week, and in the forthcoming educational program ôCycle of Life", produced by Ocean World Productions, a press release from the Center announced yesterday. ôWadei" was found in a cage at a souq in the Yemeni capital by Shahnaz Pakravan and her BBC crew during a film shoot on Yemen's singular architecture in October last year.

AFRICA: Daunting task ahead

The special summit of African Union is taking place at a time of intense political ferment both within and outside the continent, a United Arab Emirates (UAE) newspaper reported today.

INDIA: Air Force directs wayward US aircraft into Bombay

Indian Air Force fighter jets forced a United States airplane to land in the western city of Bombay after it strayed from its flight path, a report said Tuesday.

ECONOMY-EGYPT: Pound Floating Well, For Now

The newly floated Egyptian pound has lifted the money markets, but raised fears also of inflation and heavier import bills.

TURKEY: At least five drowned after Russian ship sinks in Black Sea

At least five people drowned on Monday in heavy seas off the Turkish Black Sea coast after their Russian-flagged cargo ship sank.

PAKISTAN: Protests over treatment of nationals arrested in Italy

Pakistan reacted strongly on Monday to the circumstances surrounding the arrest of 28 of its nationals in Rome, calling allegations of an Al-Qaeda connection "premature."

IRAQ: Anti-war Japanese head to Baghdad as "human shields"

A handful of peace activists would risk their lives and serve as "human shields" in Iraq if all peaceful efforts failed and a military attack was launched.

ENVIRONMENT-UAE: Slowdown in oil demand and weaker prices till 2010

Future demand for oil will grow at a slower rate of 1.2 percent per annum over the next 17 years, with weaker oil prices predicted up till 2010, rising thereafter as non-OPEC supplies begin to turn down, according to projections made by the Center for Global Energy Studies (CGES).

ENVIRONMENT-UAE: Arabs urged to pursue conservation efforts

The Abu Dhabi Declaration on Environment and Energy, which was issued today by Arab ministers responsible for environment and energy, is a great step towards enhancing Arab cooperation in the two critical domains, a senior environmentalist said today.

IRAQ: War of words, at least for now

Major United Arab Emirates (UAE) English dailies today commented on the ongoing standoff and war of words between Iraq on the one hand and the United States and its major ally Britain on the other.