MP charges colleagues were offered bribes in privatisation case

A Lower House debate of controversial privatisations of state-owned companies turned heated on Wednesday when one deputy raised allegations that some of his colleagues may have been offered bribes.

Syrian troops kill protesters despite Arab observers

Syrian security forces opened fire on thousands of anti-government protesters in the central city of Hama Wednesday and killed at least six people, according to activists, as Arab League monitors on a mission to end the regime's crackdown on dissent visited another flashpoint city nearby.
‘Too much damage done to Islamic charity under gov’t control’

An Islamist leader was downbeat on Wednesday over the prospects of the full return of a major charity to the Muslim Brotherhood, saying that authorities have made changes to the structure and composition of the organisation that have made it almost impossible for the group to have the upper hand again.
Israel plans tourism centre, housing units in East Jerusalem

Israel on Wednesday approved plans for a large tourism complex in the heart of Arab East Jerusalem and another 130 settler housing units for Jews elsewhere in the Holy City's annexed eastern sector, an official said.