NEWS.com.au | Middle East

Raising a flag in Jerusalem is not a good idea

Mon, 28 May 2012 19:31:00 GMT

ISRAELI soldiers raise a flag opposite the mosque of the Rock. Islamic leaders say it's a "grave provocation".

Helicopter crash kills two NATO troops

Mon, 28 May 2012 13:17:15 GMT

A HELICOPTER crash has killed two NATO service members in eastern Afghanistan, while a third died in an insurgent attack.

NATO plane crashes in Afghanistan

Mon, 28 May 2012 10:00:16 GMT

THE US-led NATO coalition in Afghanistan says one of its aircraft has crashed in the country's east but no fatalities were reported.

More children killed in Syria

Mon, 28 May 2012 03:33:16 GMT

REPORTS of more children being killed in the Syrian conflict, this time in Hama, have emerged.

More children slain as UN condemns Syria

Mon, 28 May 2012 01:51:14 GMT

EVEN as the UN ondemned Syria's "outrageous use of force" after 108 people were massacred in Houla, the killing continued.

108 dead in Syria's Houla massacre

Sun, 27 May 2012 19:37:15 GMT

THOSE who died were slashed, cut by knives or executed a point blank distance, 32 of them were children.

Iran to build new nuclear plant by 2014

Sun, 27 May 2012 10:00:13 GMT

IRAN is to build a new nuclear power plant, alongside its sole existing one in the southern city of Bushehr, by early 2014.

More than 70 killed in Syria

Fri, 25 May 2012 22:59:25 GMT

MORE than 70 people were killed across Syria yesterday, monitors said, as tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets and tanks were deployed in the country's second largest city.

Madonna in holy land to kick off world tour

Fri, 25 May 2012 21:54:47 GMT

ISRAELIS are gearing up to get down at Madonna's show as the pop diva landed in the holy land ahead of her world tour which kicks off here next week.

Junior air force officer flying high

Fri, 25 May 2012 21:15:52 GMT

AS Prime Minister Julia Gillard hobnobbed with US President Barack Obama and other world leaders at the Chicago Summit, a junior air force officer represented Australia at a nearby gathering of up and coming young global leaders.

Tight race in Egypt elections

Fri, 25 May 2012 20:49:12 GMT

PRELIMINARY results from Egypt's presidential election show Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi and former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq have won the top two spots and advanced to next month's runoff.

Iran navy saves US freighter from pirates

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:23:00 GMT

IRAN'S navy says it has saved an American-flagged cargo ship that was being attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Oman.

Attacks kill five in Iraq

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:31:43 GMT

FIVE people in Iraq, including three Lebanese Shiite pilgrims, have been killed in two attacks, officials say.

Syrians fire on protest, spark clashes

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:08:12 GMT

TROOPS open fire on protesters after about 1500 people took to the streets of Syria's second city of Aleppo for an anti-regime rally.

Saudis to give $3bn aid to Yemen

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:03:44 GMT

SAUDI Arabia will give its impoverished neighbour Yemen aid worth $3.33 billion, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal says.

Ancient Bethlehem seal unearthed in Israel

Wed, 23 May 2012 09:12:55 GMT

ARCHAEOLOGISTS find the oldest artifact that bears the inscription of Bethlehem - a 2700-year-old seal.

Syrian rebels kidnap 12 Lebanese Shiites

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:21:56 GMT

SYRIAN rebels have kidnapped 12 Lebanese Shiites in northern Syria, adding to fears that Lebanon is getting drawn into the chaos next door, security officials said.

Iran inserts nuclear fuel rod in reactor

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:19:27 GMT

IRANIAN scientists have inserted a domestically made fuel rod into the core of a research nuclear reactor in Tehran, Iran's official news agency said

UAE gives 10 pirates life sentences

Tue, 22 May 2012 12:18:23 GMT

A FEDERAL court in the United Arab Emirates has convicted 10 Somali pirates and sentenced them to life in jail.

Yemen's suicide bombing toll rises to 96

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:01:45 GMT

YEMEN says the casualty toll in a suicide bombing at a military parade rehearsal has risen to 96 deaths and at least 200 wounded.

Iran hangs 14 for drug trafficking

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:41:12 GMT

IRAN has hanged 14 people in Tehran after they were convicted of drug trafficking.

Suicide bomber kills 20 Yemeni soldiers

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:06:52 GMT

YEMENI officials say 20 soldiers have been killed by a suicide bomber at a military parade drill in the capital, Sanaa.

Israel human rights group questions troops

Mon, 21 May 2012 06:42:08 GMT

HUMAN rights group releases video suggesting Israeli soldiers stood by while settlers opened fire on Palestinians.

Flash flood kills 19 in Afghanistan

Sun, 20 May 2012 10:27:00 GMT

FLOOD waters have ravaged a provincial capital in Afghanistan, killing at least 19 people and destroying hundreds of homes.

Insurgents kill two ISAF service members

Sun, 20 May 2012 10:09:03 GMT

TWO members from NATO's International Security Assistance Force died today following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.