Oil rises to $62 per barrel, near 2015 high as Mideast risks support

Last Updated: Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 16:55

Oil rose to USD 62 a barrel on Tuesday, close to its 2015 high, supported by threats to Middle East supplies and expectations lower prices may prompt a slowdown in U.S. output.

Japan PM to visit Africa, Mideast with cash pledge: Reports

Last Updated: Monday, January 6, 2014, 13:04

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Africa and the Middle East this week, reports said today, bearing development cash pledges as Tokyo pushes back against growing Chinese influence in the resource-rich region.

Kerry seeks to allay fears on Mideast deal

Last Updated: Friday, January 3, 2014, 21:52

US Secretary of State John Kerry held a second day of talks with Israelis and Palestinians on Friday, seeking to overcome deep reservations about a framework to guide negotiations towards a peace deal.

EU warns Israel over settlement construction

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 04:55

The European Union said it has asked Israel not to announce any new West Bank settlement construction following an expected Palestinian prisoner release, warning that it would be held responsible for any resulting failure in Mideast peace talks.

Mideast turmoil, union proposal top Gulf summit agenda

Last Updated: Sunday, December 8, 2013, 11:14

Gulf Arab states will hold a summit this week to discuss a controversial proposal to form an EU-like union at a time of regional turmoil and fresh Iranian overtures.

Hope for Mideast talks `diminishing`: Palestinians

Last Updated: Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 10:28

Israel and the Palestinians struck a grim tone over their renewed peace talks at a Security Council debate, with both sides lashing out at each other over recent violence and the Palestinian envoy saying "tangible progress remains elusive."

US Navy redeploys ships in Mideast

Last Updated: Wednesday, September 4, 2013, 00:06

The US Navy has redeployed warships in the Middle East for any potential strikes against Syria, defence officials said on Tuesday.

John Kerry still hopeful on Mideast peace talks

Last Updated: Tuesday, August 13, 2013, 08:51

US Secretary of State John Kerry said the recent flap over Israeli settlement announcements likely won`t derail Mideast peace talks, which are scheduled to resume this week.

Next round of Mideast talks in Israel in mid-August

Last Updated: Sunday, August 4, 2013, 12:09

The next round of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians will be held in Israel in the second week of August, Israel`s chief negotiator Tzipi Livni said.

Diplomatic push to resolve Egypt crisis

Last Updated: Sunday, August 4, 2013, 09:41

A senior US envoy held talks in Egypt on Sunday amid efforts to resolve the stand-off between supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and the army-installed interim government.

Don’t want `a single Israeli` in future Palestinian state: Mahmoud Abbas

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 30, 2013, 08:54

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas laid out his vision on Monday for the final status of Israeli-Palestinian relations ahead of peace talks due to resume in Washington for the first time in nearly three years.

Israel, Palestinians agree to nine months of talks: US

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 30, 2013, 08:48

The Israeli and Palestinian delegations to renewed peace talks have agreed in principle to continue negotiations for at least nine months, the US State Department said on Tuesday.