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Gaza militants agree to halt rocket fire
Hamas announced Saturday evening that it has reached an agreement with other militant groups in Gaza to stop firing rockets at southern Israeli towns to prevent retaliatory attacks. (AP, 1:21 p.m.)
Saudi: 4 pilgrims die of swine flu before hajj
Saudi health officials announced the first deaths from swine flu of this year's annual pilgrimage to Mecca, as four pilgrims succumbed to the disease soon after arriving in Saudi Arabia. (AP, 12:01 p.m.)
Mubarak vows not to tolerate attacks on Egyptians
President Hosni Mubarak entered Egypt's bitter soccer row with Algeria on Saturday, vowing in a televised speech that attacks on Egyptians abroad will not be tolerated. (Associated Press Writer, 11:01 a.m.)
Iraq working for release of Americans held in Iran
An Iraqi official says Baghdad has contacted Tehran in a bid to secure the release of three Americans detained in Iran, but has received no reply. (AP, 9:11 a.m.)
Iran to hold war games to protect nuclear sites
Iran will begin large-scale air defense war games Sunday aimed at protecting its nuclear facilities from possible attack, a senior military commander said Saturday, reflecting the country's concern that Israel could make good on threats to strike militarily. (Associated Press Writer, 3:01 p.m.)
Iraqi parliament seeks to end election crisis
Iraqi lawmakers on Saturday sought a compromise in a dispute over an election law that was vetoed by a vice president, throwing national polls slated for January into question. (Associated Press Writer, 10:11 a.m.)
Palestinians to set new elections date
Palestinian officials yesterday announced that a new date for parliamentary and presidential elections will be set next month now that President Mahmoud Abbas has agreed to postpone the January vote, though the Gaza Strip’s Hamas rulers maintain they will boycott the voting. (Associated Press, 12:59 a.m.)
New sanctions weighed against Iran
Senior officials from Western powers discussed the possibility of new sanctions on Iran yesterday for flouting the UN Security Council’s demands and expressed disappointment that Iran had not accepted a draft agreement to export most of its enriched uranium for nuclear fuel. (New York Times, 1:02 a.m.)