WikiLeaks founder fears Jack Ruby-style death in US

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, said he fears he will die in a US jail if PM David Cameron allows him to be extradited.

He claimed there was a “high chance” of him being killed inside prison in America.

Mr Assange is currently on bail facing extradition proceedings to Sweden on charges of sexual assault. (more…)

Egypt not seeking nuclear arms, says FM

Egypt is not seeking to acquire nuclear arms and wants to rid the region of such weapons, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Saturday.

A May 2008 U.S. cable released by WikiLeaks quoted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as warning U.S. officials Egypt might develop nuclear arms if Iran obtained them. (more…)

Mubarak vows more reform, fast growth

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak pledged on Saturday to continue to push forward the country’s democratic system and set the goal of realizing an economic growth rate of eight percent in the next five years. The party had strived to bring in equality and fair competition to Egypt’s political system for the best interests of Egyptian people, said Mubarak while addressing the opening of the seventh annual conference of the ruling National Democratic Party. (more…)

Body of Jund al-Sham Official found in camp- Update

The body of Jund al-Sham Official Ghandy Said al-Sahmarani ( also known as Abu Ramiz) was found in a car parking in the Ein el-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in south Lebanon on Saturday

His hands were reportedly tied with wires and and it appeared he had been killed with a single shot to the head. (more…)

Turkey wants apology and compensation from Israel before making peace

Turkey’s foreign minister on Saturday said the country wants improved ties with Israel, but it must apologize and offer compensation for its deadly raid on a Gaza Strip-bound aid flotilla.

The U.S. and the European Union have called on Turkey and Israel to overcome tensions and renew close links to help with peace efforts in the Middle East. (more…)

Bus disaster kills 41 Ecuadorians

The death toll of 41 was expected to rise as another 30 people were injured, some of the seriously. Seven children and 13 women were among the dead.

The bus had been heading from the capital Quito to the eastern towns of Chone and San Isidro, a trip of about 180 miles (250 kilometres), when the horrific accident happened. (more…)

Hamas official: Israel is ‘playing with fire’

Hamas has warned that it would escalate hostilities against Israel unless tensions along the Gaza-Israel border were defused.

Abu Obeida, the group’s spokesman said on Saturday that they would respond aggressively to Israeli attacks, adding that Israel was “playing with fire”. (more…)

Assad awarded Order of Merit to Lebanese Poet Joseph Harb

President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday awarded the Syrian Order of Merit of Excellent Degree to the great Lebanese Poet Joseph Harb for his national stances and creative writings.

President al-Assad stressed that man’s work serving the interests of his nation is the real award, (more…)

Norwegian paper says it has all WikiLeaks cables

A Norwegian newspaper says it has obtained the entire trove of 250,000 uncensored U.S. diplomatic documents that WikiLeaks has been distributing. The announcement Thursday appears to make Aftenposten the first media organization outside WikiLeaks’ five partners to obtain the material — a development sure to heighten U.S. government fears that the public release of some uncensored diplomatic cables could endanger informants’ lives. (more…)

Gaza bound Asia convoy awaits Egypt visa

The Asia 1 Gaza bound convoy is waiting for Egyptian officials to permit their entry into the country.

Activists who joined the convoy said today on their online twitter account that Egypt is so far refusing to collaborate with the group. (more…)