Afghan mayor turns Taliban leader

Afghanistan has seen a sharp increase in violence, particularly in the south and east - and Taliban militants are regrouping and  have vowed to step up their attacks in the capital. There has been a sharp increase in the number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan this...

Morroco: Al Jazeera journalist on "a political" trial (updated)

"UPDATES: Al Jazeera lawyers quit Rabat trial By Ahmed El Amraoui in Rabat Rachidi is facing prosecution under Article 42 of the country's press code [AFP] The trial of Hassan Rachidi, Al Jazeera's bureau chief in Morocco, has been adjourned, after the defence team walked...

Palestinians storm Rafah crossing

Hundreds of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip have stormed the gate at the Rafah crossing and have clashed heavily with security forces."Palestinian youth on Wednesday threw rocks at Egyptian soldiers, who responded in kind, keeping the crowd at bay with water cannons. ...

That Burj Dubai TV commercial « Peter J. Cooper’s Weblog

"If you listen to CNN, BBC World or even Al Jazeera International you could be forgiven for thinking the Middle East is a war zone with no hope of economic progress. But look at Dubai with the world’s tallest building under construction - indeed UAE infrastructure...

Egyptian troops move to close Gaza border

"Small scale violence has erupted between Egyptian riot police and Palestinians at the border town as some Palestinians hurled stones at the Egyptian troops. The Egyptian forces with riot shields have formed a human wall in preparation for blocking more Palestinians from...