News

Sleiman insists on dialogue, disregards boycott

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman speaks during a ceremony in Beirut, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. (The Daily Star/Dalati Nohra, HO)

BEIRUT: Lebanonโ€™s dialogue session scheduled for Nov. 29 is ongoing despite the March 14-led oppositionโ€™s decision to abstain from the all-party-talks until the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Mikatiโ€™s government, sources close to Baabda told The Daily Star Tuesday. According to Baabda sources, President Michel Sleiman still insists on holding the scheduled session on Thursday, hoping his more than month-long efforts will succeed in bringing back …

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Morsi, judges to hold Egypt crisis talks

Egyptian protesters clash with security forces, not pictured, near Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012. President Mohammed Morsi edicts, which were announced on Thursday, place him above oversight of any kind, including that of the courts. AP

CAIRO: Egypt’s Islamist President Mohamed Morsi was to meet with senior judges on Monday in a bid to defuse a crisis that erupted after he assumed sweeping new powers, sparking strikes and deadly protests. The crisis talks, on the eve of rival rallies which threaten to deepen the country’s divisions, come a day after a member of his party was killed in …

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Israel Defense Minister Barak quits politics

Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak speaks during a news conference in Tel Aviv November 26, 2012. Barak, a main architect of israel's policy towards Iran's nuclear programme, said in a surprise announcement on Monday that he was quitting politics and would not run in the January 22 national election. REUTERS/Nir Elias

JERUSALEM: Israel’s Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on Monday he was quitting politics, a surprise decision that deepens uncertainty over how Israel will confront Iran’s nuclear programme. Barak’s political fortunes appeared to be on the rise after Israel’s eight-day offensive in the Gaza Strip ended in a truce, but polls predicted his centrist party, a junior partner in right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, would win …

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Beirut Marathon runners set off despite downpour

The 2011 marathon, in warmer conditions.

BEIRUT: Rain fell in waves and thunder cracked as the annual Beirut Marathon got under way early Sunday, with a slightly depressed turnout thanks to the weather. Those who did show up for the marathon or other races were undeterred, however. Over 33,000 people registered for the race, but the rain and rivers of water they caused in the streets clearly kept …

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Pedrosa wins pole at Valencia GP in record time

MotoGP Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedrosa from Spain rides his motorbike during the qualifying practice session for Sunday's Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Cheste near Valencia, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (AP Photo/ Fernando Hernandez)

VALENCIA, Spain:ย Dani Pedrosaย ofย Spainย won pole position at theย Valenciaย Grand Prix on Saturday, setting a track record for qualifying with a fastest lap of 1 minute, 30.844 seconds. Pedrosa steered hisย Hondaย around the 4-kilometer (2.48-mile)ย Comunitat Valenciana circuitย with a last flying lap to claim his 24th career pole in MotoGP. Recently crowned world MotoGP championย Jorge Lorenzoย will start Sunday’s race from second place, with retiring two-time …

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No blasphemy clause in new Tunisia constitution: speaker

No blasphemy clause in new Tunisia constitution: speaker

TUNIS: A key proposal by Tunisia’s ruling Islamist party to outlaw blasphemy in the new constitution, which stoked fears of creeping Islamisation, is to be dropped from the final text, Assembly speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar told AFP. The agreement to drop the clause follows negotiations between the three parties in the ruling coalition and must still be approved by the …

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Jordan’s King Abdullah sets up constitutional court

Jordan's King Abdullah sets up constitutional court

AMMAN: King Abdullah II of Jordan has as part of his reform initiatives set up a constitutional court comprising nine members, according to a royal decree published on Sunday. The court, the first of its kind in the kingdom, will be the only one authorised to verify that laws comply with the constitution, the decree states. It is chaired by …

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Israeli, Palestinian leaders to make rival U.N. pitches

Palestine's President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 66th United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York, September 23, 2011. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)

UNITED NATIONS: Israeli and Palestinian leaders will address the United Nations on Thursday, one warning of a dire threat from Iran and the other seeking limited recognition in the absence of a peace process. On a more optimistic note, the U.N. General Assembly will also hear from Myanmar leader Thein Sein, who has presided over historic reforms after decades of …

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