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100 articles

In second attack, gun battle at Karachi airport academy

Karachi, Reuters—Pakistan’s Taliban insurgents claimed responsibility for an attack on a security academy at Karachi’s airport on Tuesday, less than 48 hours after an all-night siege by Taliban gunmen at Pakistan’s busiest airport that killed more than 30 people. “We accept r

World needs Saudi Arabia to supply record oil as OPEC meets

London, Bloomberg—OPEC ministers say they will almost certainly leave their oil-production ceiling unchanged when the group meets this week. What really matters for markets is whether Saudi Arabia will respond to global supply shortfalls by pumping a record amount of crude. Just six months ago, ener

Iraqi television set for “quantum leap” this Ramadan

Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—Television soap operas and variety programs have become a staple of the post-sunset diet during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Arab countries in recent years. Traditionally, the main exporters of TV shows during the month have been Egypt, Syria and, more recently, Turke

São Paulo metro strike stirs chaos as World Cup looms

São Paulo, Reuters—Brazilian police used tear gas on Monday to disperse metro workers on strike in São Paulo in defiance of a court order to return to work, causing major traffic congestion just three days before the city hosts the opening match of the World Cup soccer tournament. The partial subway

Libya’s top court rejects appointment of new PM

Tripoli, Libya, AP—Libya’s top court on Monday rejected the Islamist-led parliament’s appointment of a new prime minister in a contested vote, ending one power struggle as a renegade general’s offensive against Islamist militias in the east continues to rage. The Supreme Constituti

Opinion: Political Gestures

Over the past few days, Thai protesters have added a symbolic contribution to the world of protests and collective opposition. A stream of pictures and reports show men and women from various backgrounds demonstrating, and raising their three middle fingers of one hand up in the air. Thai protesters

Pakistani Taliban attack airport in Karachi, 27 dead

Islamabad, Reuters—Taliban militants disguised as security forces stormed Pakistan’s busiest airport on Sunday and at least 27 people were killed in a night-long battle at one of the country’s most high-profile targets. The assault on Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan&#82

Arab world

Beiji Caid El-Sebsi: I am a student of Bourguiba

Tunis, Asharq Al-Awsat—Beginning his political career as a lawyer and pro-independence activist, Beiji Caid El-Sebsi became an advisor to Tunisia’s first president, Habib Bourguiba, after the country won its independence from France in 1956. He would go on to hold a number of senior government jobs,

Beirut Design Week expo to showcase local talent

Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—For the third consecutive year, Beirut Design Week will bring a host of talks, exhibitions, films and workshops to the Lebanese capital this week, showcasing the work of both local and international designers, and encompassing various fields such as interior design, architect

Culture

Senior US, Iran, EU officials to meet Monday in Geneva

Ankara and Dubai, Reuters—Iranian, US and European Union officials will start two days of talks about Tehran’s nuclear program on Monday, Iran said, giving its first word about what appears to be a bid to rescue faltering wider negotiations on ending a decade-old dispute. Iranian Deputy Foreig

Saudi Arabia ponders creation of new sovereign wealth fund

London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council is to discuss proposals for the Kingdom to form a new sovereign wealth fund to invest its budget surplus, Asharq Al-Awsat has learned. The proposals will be discussed in two sessions on Monday and Tuesday, after the council’s Finance Committee put

Thai junta security forces stay in barracks as protests dwindle

Bangkok, Reuters—Thailand’s junta kept many of the thousands of troops and police it readied to deal with protests in Bangkok on Sunday off the streets as the number of people making a public show of dissent to the May 22 coup dwindled. The military has cracked down hard on pro-democracy dissi

Arab world

Iraqi university students freed following ISIS attack

Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—Iraqi security forces have freed thousands of students and staff from Anbar University, following an attack on its campus in Ramadi by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters on Saturday. Reports said armed men blew up the university security center and the bridge wh