L.A. Times - Middle East

Israel, Hamas said to be near deal on prisoner swap

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Israeli officials are tight-lipped as negotiators hammer out details in Cairo to free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, being held by Hamas, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Expectations of a swap of hundreds of jailed Palestinian militants for an Israeli soldier held by Hamas soared Monday after some of the most promising signs of progress in years of negotiations.

Egypt's Nile Delta: Fertile land, but not for jobs

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Young men scatter from the area like seeds on the wind, taking what work they can get in neighboring countries, hoping to save enough, perhaps, for that apartment that would allow them to marry.

The rice has been harvested, the chaff burned. It's time for planting winter wheat, seed sunk deep into new furrow, as white birds with razor beaks land on fields to feast.

Iran begins air-defense drills to protect nuclear sites

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Iran says Israel would pay a heavy price if the West launched airstrikes. Meanwhile, opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi praises anti-government protesters.

Iran on Sunday launched what it described as its biggest air-defense drill ever with the aim of preparing to protect its nuclear sites from possible airstrikes as international talks to resolve the long stalemate over the nation's atomic research program falter.

Lula takes risk in welcoming Ahmadinejad to Brazil

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva may lose global influence by playing host to the Iranian leader, who is searching for new economic opportunities ahead of stiff sanctions the West has threatened.

Reporting from Bogota, Colombia Borzou Daragahi, and Beirut -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives today in Brazil on a Latin American and African tour amid U.S. and domestic criticism that, by playing host, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is squandering his newfound global influence.

Sabbath protest in Jerusalem

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Thousands of the city's ultra-Orthodox Jews demonstrate at a new Intel chip factory that operates on Saturdays.

About 3,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews demonstrated Saturday outside an Intel plant in Jerusalem to protest its operating on the Jewish Sabbath, an action they view as a desecration of the sanctity of the holy city.

Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza Strip

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The strikes targeted two weapons factories in central and northern Gaza and a smuggling tunnel under the border with Egypt, an Israeli army spokesman said.

Israeli planes carried out airstrikes against targets in the Gaza Strip today, injuring seven people, Palestinian medical workers said.

Egypt recalls envoy from Algeria over soccer violence

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The move follows attacks on Egyptian fans after Algeria's victory in a World Cup qualifying match in Sudan.

Egypt has recalled its ambassador to Algeria after Egyptian soccer fans were attacked by their Algerian counterparts following the two countries' playoff match in Sudan in the 2010 World Cup qualifications, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced Thursday.

Iraq vice president vetoes new election law

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Move could disrupt plans for a January vote and for troop withdrawals. The Sunni official says the law didn't provide enough seats for refugees.

One of Iraq's vice presidents vetoed the country's new election law Wednesday, throwing into fresh doubt the feasibility of holding crucial national balloting in January and possibly disrupting the withdrawal next year of U.S. troops.

Nuclear fuel won't go abroad, Iranian says

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Comments by Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki may be a dismissal of a U.S.-backed plan, or an attempt to haggle.

Iran's foreign minister vowed Wednesday that his nation wouldn't allow any of its enriched uranium supply out of the country, the most definitive statement so far on an international proposal to exchange the bulk of Iran's nuclear material for fuel rods fitted for a Tehran medical reactor.

Jerusalem housing plan draws U.S. fire

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The White House, which is trying to foster peace talks, says it is 'dismayed' by an Israeli housing panel's approval of a plan to build 844 new homes in a part of Jerusalem claimed by Palestinians.

Israel's plan to add 844 homes to a part of Jerusalem claimed by Palestinians drew sharp international protest Tuesday as U.S. officials denounced it as a blow to their already troubled effort to restart peace talks.