Israel asks negotiators to be tough on Tehran; U.S. collects intelligence on Iran
Al Arabiya with Agencies
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday warned the six-power group negotiating with Iran to set stringent
Prominent Iranian lawmaker claims country can produce nuclear weapons, but won’t
Al Arabiya with agencies
Iran has the knowledge and scientific capability to produce nuclear weapons but will never do so, a prominent 
Iran promotes ally to replace aging spiritual leader of Iraq’s Shiites
The Associated Press, BAGHDAD
Iran is promoting a conservative cleric close to its supreme leader as a possible successor for the aging spiritual 
Tuareg rebels declare the independence of Azawad, north of Mali
Al Arabiya With Agencies
Tuareg rebels of Mali’s National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) on Friday declared “the
Syria steps up assault as U.N. moves to send peace monitors to Damascus
with Agencies
Fierce clashes erupted after Syria’s regime sent reinforcements into rebel areas despite a truce pledge, as the U.N. 
Iraq calls on Qatar to hand over fugitive VP Hashemi
AFP, BAGHDAD
Iraq’s fugitive Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi on Monday rejected Baghdad’s demand for Qatar to hand him over, 
Iran, benefactors boost Hamas’ 2012 budget
AL ARABIYA WITH AGENCIES
The Hamas government in Gaza has approved a budget for 2012 which is up 25 percent year-on-year, indicating that
Friends of Syria’ recognize SNC as ‘a legitimate representative’ of Syrians
with Agencies
The “Friends of Syria” on Sunday recognized the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) as a legitimate
Top Sudan officials head for crisis talks with South in Addis Ababa
AFP, KHARTOUM
Top Sudanese security officials headed to crisis talks in the Ethiopian capital on Saturday after a delay threw
Obama signs off new Iran oil sanctions
US president imposes measures to further isolate Iranian central bank, judging move will not hit US consumers or
