Lebanon seems to have defied all the negative market sentiments around the world as the country experiences a huge capital inflow, an incredible rise in the number of tourists and a surge in bank deposits just one month after the

The Iraqi government is hoping that a second major auction of oil and gas fields later this year will help revive a struggling oil industry where a first auction this week fell short, a government spokesman said. "We think that

Eight of the world's most powerful leaders gather in an Italian earthquake zone this week to thrash out a common strategy on how to absorb the tremors of global recession, climate change and Iran. Italy's scandal-mired Premier Silvio Berlusconi will

International agencies are set to urge an increase in assistance for trade by developing countries at a conference beginning on Monday, amid fears that aid will be eroded by the economic crisis. "Aid for trade is needed now more than

There's a new building in town, and it isn't a military barracks or a hospital. It's a Tourist Information Center. Even as troops fight militants in the south, government officials and donors in Afghanistan's central Bamiyan Valley are training tour

Strong winds are blowing from the east as the battle between Iran's ruling conservative establishment and a formerly disparate collection of reformists and moderates has become increasingly intractable. In consecutive editorials over the weekend, Iran's conservative Kayhan newspaper denounced Mir

Red Cross official says every year close to 14 million people die of infectious diseases that many of them easily preventable

In other violence, police say a car bomb in the northern city of Mosul has wounded at least eight people

Many shops close their doors, making parts of the city look deserted

Vice president attends ceremony at one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces for more than 200 soldiers from 59 countries who were becoming US citizens

Beirut- Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri ended the prospects of any future speculation over a visit to Damascus before the government is formed . After meeting with president Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace Hariri told reporters the government will be

Beirut - Prime Minister-designate MP Saad Hariri was upbeat yesterday following the consultations with the parliamentary blocs over the formation of a new cabinet : "No formula for the cabinet has been crystallized yet but all the blocs have shown

Beirut - As expected president Michel Suleiman issued a decree designating MP Saad Hariri as the next prime minister . Hariri accepted the nomination and vowed to form a homogeneous and consensus government that is able to function away from

Beirut - Despite the fact that PM designate Saad Hariri tried last Saturday to end all speculation about any visit to Damascus before the government is formed, the talk about such a visit continues. Yesterday Maronite Patriarch Sfeir said he