Western powers appear to have beaten off a bid by developing nations to assert a much greater role for the UN General Assembly - in which they hold a majority - in tackling the global financial crisis. A contentious "financial

German sports car maker Porsche rejected Saturday an "ultimatum" issued by rival Volkswagen to accept by Monday a proposal for cross-ownership leading eventually to a merger. But Wolfgang Porsche, head of the company's supervisory board, said he was willing to

Saudi Arabia is unlikely to cut its benchmark lending rate in the third quarter, a Reuters poll showed after the kingdom's central bank sought to boost lending by halving the rate it pays to commercial banks for deposits. The world's

Tata Motors Ltd., India's largest vehicles maker, announced Sunday the launch in India of Jaguar and Land Rover, the marquee brands it bought from Ford Motors last year. Chairman Ratan Tata said it was a momentous occasion for the company,

French stand-up comedian Gad Elmaleh announced Saturday that he had cancelled his Beiteddine Festival performances scheduled for July 13, 14 and 15. Elmaleh said his decision was due to "aggressive stances," which opposed his participation, and "out of concern for

A large fire broke out in the woods near the northern city of Batroun and came close to spreading into the city's residential area, according to a report on the National News Agency (NNA). Civil defense teams rushed to put

The American University of Beirut awarded on Saturday five honorary degrees to accomplished figures from across the Arab world on Saturday during a ceremony on the university's campus. Recipients of the degree were Kuwaiti Abdel-Latif Yousef al-Hamad, Egyptian Farouk al-Baz,

Scores of Michael Jackson fans descended on Beirut's Gemmayzeh street Friday for a flashmob "moonwalk" in tribute of the late king of pop, who died Friday morning of a suspected cardiac arrest. The gathering, which had been organized that afternoon

As the heads of one of Lebanon's most prestigious universities reminded graduating students of how privileged they were, many of these students didn't feel so lucky. They were about to enter the job market in the midst of a global

Now that Saad Hariri has officially been appointed to become Lebanon's next prime minister, his first responsibility will be to form the country's next government. The challenge will not be as vexing as it seems if Hariri keeps two things

Throughout June, a group of European classical musicians, accompanied by Palestinians and Israelis, has roused and challenged audiences across Occupied Jerusalem in an eclectic festival aimed at bridging the city's divides. Audiences at the fourth annual Sounding Jerusalem Festival have

American and Iraqi officials began the renovation of a popular amusement park Monday on an island north of Baghdad that was looted after the 2003 US-led invasion. The 60-hectare Tigris River complex, which was based on a design by Frank

Nouri al-Maliki says political reconciliation between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslim groups is necessary to ensure stability in country

Admiral Mullen still has some concerns, but Iraqis prepared to handle own security

Argentines are voting for mid-term parliamentary elections that are seen as a referendum on the presidential couple.

Presidential polls are taking place in Guinea-Bissau, four months after soldiers killed leader Joao Bernardo Vieira.

Security is tightened in Iraq as the authorities prepare for next Tuesday's deadline for US troop withdrawal from the cities.

Russia and Nato agree to resume co-operation on security issues, despite differences over the issue of Georgia.

Japan and South Korea call for strict implementation of new UN sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear moves.

A 200-year-old aqueduct near Wrexham is added to a prestigious list of United Nations' World Heritage Sites.