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Palestinian tobacco faces threat from crackdown on black economy

June 19, 2013 12:09
By Noah Browning YA'ABAD, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian farmers sow tobacco sprouts in the rocky earth of the northern West Bank, reaping a harvest that provides a reliable livelihood in the struggling occupied territory. From planting, drying and rolling, the local cottage industry has put dozens of whole families to work and has defied high levels of unemployment and poverty.

Palestinian statehood at 'dead-end': Israel minister

Agence France-PresseJune 17, 2013 23:32
Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett said on Monday that the idea of a Palestinian state was at a "dead end", prompting the Palestinians to accuse him of sounding the death knell of a two-state solution. Bennett's comments are entirely in line with those that he espoused during January's election campaign but his reiteration of them as minister comes as Washington steps up efforts to revive the troubled peace process.

Palestinian statehood at 'dead end': Israeli minister

June 17, 2013 14:31
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A far-right member of the Israeli government said on Monday the idea of establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank had reached a "dead end". Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu distanced himself from the comments, but the Palestinian chief negotiator said they were "part of Israel's plan to destroy any possibility for a Palestinian state."

Kuwait's main liberal group to take part in polls

Agence France-PresseJune 17, 2013 13:30
Kuwait's main liberal opposition group said Monday it will participate in future elections as it accepts a ruling of the top court upholding the controversial amendment to the electoral law and dissolving parliament. The National Democratic Alliance's decision came a day after the Islamist, nationalist and other liberal groups declared they will boycott any future polls based on the amendment confirmed by the constitutional court on Sunday as being in line with the constitution.

Palestinian statehood at 'dead-end': Israel minister

Agence France-PresseJune 17, 2013 13:01
Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett said on Monday that the idea of a Palestinian state is at a "dead end", prompting the Palestinians to accuse him of sounding the death knell of a two-state solution. Bennett's comments are entirely in line with those that he espoused during January's election campaign but his reiteration of them as minister comes as Washington steps up efforts to revive the troubled peace process.

AP Interview: New official in charge of West Bank economy says outlook bleak

The Canadian PressJune 12, 2013 14:32
RAMALLAH, Palestine - The Palestinians this week replaced one internationally respected, U.S.-trained economist with another in hopes of solving long-running problems in the West Bank, including a drop in foreign aid, a crippling budget deficit and Israeli development restrictions. But Mohammad Mustafa, who took over the economics portfolio from outgoing Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, acknowledged in an interview Wednesday that he has no radical new solutions, and at best can push harder to get a slightly better outcome.

CORRECTED: Israel defence minister to visit Pentagon

Agence France-PresseJune 12, 2013 13:44
Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon leaves on Wednesday for talks with US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, his first visit to Washington since taking office in March, the ministry said. "During the visit the two men are expected to discuss current security, diplomatic and regional issues," it said. It added that he would also meet US politicians, Jewish community leaders and members of the influential pro-Israel lobbying group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Hagel visited Israel in April.

Israel defence minister to visit Pentagon

Agence France-PresseJune 12, 2013 13:40
Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon leaves on Wednesday for talks with US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, his first visit to Washington since taking office in March, the ministry said. "During the visit the two men are expected to discuss current security, diplomatic and regional issues," it said. It added that he would also meet US politicians, Jewish community leaders and members of the influential pro-Israel lobbying group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Hagel visited Israel in April.

Economic, social pressures behind Kuwait crackdown on foreign workers

June 12, 2013 11:31
By Sylvia Westall and Ahmed Hagagy KUWAIT (Reuters) - The narrow, cracked streets of the district of Jleeb al-Shuyoukh, down the road from Kuwait's main airport, would normally be bustling with Indian and Bangladeshi workers by late morning, just before the summer sun becomes unbearable. But since Kuwaiti police launched a series of raids about two months ago, saying they were tracking down illegal laborers, the streets are almost empty and many small businesses have closed their doors, residents say.

Waze deal ranks among largest ever Israeli high-tech deals

The Canadian PressJune 12, 2013 08:31
JERUSALEM - Internet giant Google announced Tuesday that it is purchasing Waze, an Israeli company whose navigation software uses social features to improve directions and traffic reports. The average value of private companies acquired in the Israeli high-tech sector has steadily risen since 2008, according to IVC Research Center, reaching $111 million last year. But at $1.03 billion, the sale of Waze is one of the largest high-tech acquisitions in Israeli history. Here's how it ranks among deals since 2005. 1.NDS sold to Cisco for $5 billion (2012)
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