Iran may reciprocate over Canada visa section closure

Iran said on Tuesday it may take “reciprocal action” over a decision by Canada to shut the visa section in its Tehran embassy used by thousands of Iranians.

“They have said that the decision was based on cost-cutting (more…)

Lebanon releases Canadian prisoner detained for rotten potatoes

A Canadian farmer returned home Saturday after being released from a Lebanese jail where he had been held for a year on allegations that he exported rotten potatoes to Algeria. (more…)

Canada freezes Syrian regime’s assets

The Canadian federal government has ordered Canadian banks to freeze any assets they hold for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime even as it anticipates the tyrant’s downfall. (more…)

Egyptian election running smoothly, says Canadian observer

A Canadian monitoring Egypt’s election says people there are embracing this historic event as a “turning point” in the country’s history, noting he has not come across any indications that intimidation or vote tampering are taking place. (more…)

Israel blocks protest boats with medical supplies from reaching Gaza

The Israeli navy has intercepted and boarded two boats which were trying to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The Canadian and Irish boats with 27 activists from the US and eight other countries on board had set sail from Turkey on Wednesday.

They were carrying medical supplies for the coastal enclave. (more…)

Israel to ‘prevent’ Canadian, Irish aid ships reaching Gaza

Israel has announced that its navy will attempt to stop two boats carrying pro-Palestinian activists bound for the Gaza Strip, in the latest attempt by activists to break the four-year Israeli blockade against the territory.

The Israeli military spokesman’s office said the country’s navy was “prepared to contact” the vessels and had “completed the necessary preparations in order to prevent them from reaching the Gaza Strip”. (more…)

Former prisoner says Canada aiding Syria crackdown

A Canadian who was jailed and tortured in his native Syria for nearly two years has accused Canada of “indirectly financing” the regime in Damascus through its oil and gas industry. (more…)

Extradition to France of accused Lebanese-Canadian bomber approved

An Ontario judge has approved an extradition order for a former Ottawa university lecturer accused of being behind a deadly bombing outside a Paris synagogue in 1980, paving the way for him to face murder charges in France.

Hassan Diab, a Lebanese-born Canadian who taught sociology at both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, was arrested in Gatineau, Que., in November 2008 at the request of French authorities. (more…)

Canadians advised to leave Syria as death toll climbs

The federal government is advising Canadians to leave Syria after security forces there killed at least 11 mourners taking part in funeral processions Saturday for protesters slain during anti-government demonstrations. (more…)

Canada declared 42 organizations as ‘terrorists’ including Hezbollah

Canada has declared 42 organizations to be “terrorist entities”, including al Qaeda, Hezbollah and Hamas. (more…)