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US says Iran violated UN arms embargo by sending weapons to Syria in ship seized by Israel

US accuses Iran of violating UN arms embargo

Israel says seized weapons would have given Hezbollah a month’s firepower, urges focus on Iran

Israel: Weapons would let Hezbollah fight a month

Lebanese guerrillas deny link to arms ship seized by Israel

Hezbollah denies link to arms ship

JERUSALEM — Israeli defense officials said hundreds of tons of weapons seized from a commandeered ship could have given Lebanese guerrillas an extra month of firepower in a war with Israel, but the militants denied Thursday that the arms were bound for them.

Israel: Navy seizes ship with hundreds of tons of weapons from Iran headed for Lebanon

Israel: Commandos seize huge Iranian arms shipment

Israel says its naval commandos seized ship with hundreds of tons of Hezbollah-bound weapons

Israel: commandos seize Hezbollah-bound arms ship

Appeals court: Canadian man mistaken for terrorist, detained after 9/11 attacks cannot sue US

Appeals court: Detained Canadian cannot sue the US

Iraq’s government makes progress on election law after blasts kill 155, including 24 children

Iraq steps up security after blasts kill 155

White House calls on Syria to release 78-year-old human rights lawyer, end ‘arbitrary arrests’

WASHINGTON — The White House says it’s deeply concerned about the arrest of a 78-year-old human rights lawyer in Syria and wants an end to what it calls the Syrian government’s “practice of arbitrary arrests.”

Reviving after 2006 destruction, Hezbollah’s Beirut stronghold a symbol of Shiite strength

BEIRUT — The sprawling Shiite suburb of south Beirut has made a comeback after the destruction wreaked by Israel during 2006 fighting, a symbol of the community’s resilience at a time when its political patron, Hezbollah, is seeking a greater voice in Lebanon’s government.

In exile, Iraqis step out for a life impossible amid the uncertainty back home

DAMASCUS, Syria — After fleeing their bloodied homeland, where violence and increasing conservatism confine their compatriots’ lives, some Iraqis in exile are taking the opportunity to enjoy living outside the box.

Kerry plays key roles for Obama on Afghanistan, Syria, invokes Kennedy’s advice, ‘Do the work’

WASHINGTON — He’s not president, a Cabinet member or ambassador, but Sen. John Kerry has ascended to the unofficial role of President Barack Obama’s global adviser on key issues that could reshape the nation’s image around the world.

Mass. man tried to get into terror camps, plotted attack on US malls, authorities say

BOSTON — A Massachusetts man and two friends tried and failed to get into terrorist training camps and then plotted to kill two prominent U.S. politicians and randomly shoot people at American shopping malls, authorities said Wednesday.

Clinton cites need to stop nuclear arms race while panel says bioweapons threat is more urgent

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday warned of dire consequences from the spread of nuclear weapons, while a special U.S. panel asserted that the more worrisome and urgent threat is terrorists attacking the United States or its allies with biological weapons.

Kerry plays key roles for Obama on Afghanistan, Syria, climate change

WASHINGTON — He’s not president, a Cabinet member or ambassador, but Sen. John Kerry has ascended to the unofficial role of President Barack Obama’s global adviser on key issues that could reshape the nation’s image around the world.

Turkey and Israel spar over Turkish television drama about Mideast conflict

ISTANBUL — Turkey on Friday shrugged off angry protests from Israel about a Turkish television drama that portrays Israeli soldiers as cruel and repressive and has deepened tension between the Jewish state and its key Muslim ally.

Archeologists find rare Crusader-era murals depicting heaven and hell in Syrian church

DAMASCUS, Syria — Archaeologists have discovered two Crusader-era murals depicting heaven and hell in a medieval church near Syria’s coast — a rare find that could reveal new information about the Christian knights who battled Muslims for control of the Holy Land hundreds of years ago.

Hamas demands changes to reconciliation plan to say Palestinians can keep fighting Israel

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syrian-based leaders of the Islamic militant Hamas said Thursday the group will not sign an Egyptian-mediated proposal to reconcile with rival Fatah unless it is amended to say Palestinians have the right to keep fighting Israel.

Palestinian Hamas faction in Syria rejects Egyptian plan to reconcile with rival Fatah

DAMASCUS, Syria — The Syrian-based leadership of the militant Palestinian Hamas said Thursday it has rejected an Egyptian-mediated proposal to reconcile with the rival Fatah group.

No ifs, ands or buts: Syria becomes latest in tobacco-loving Mideast to ban smoking in public

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria’s president on Monday issued a decree banning smoking in public places, joining an anti-smoking trend already under way in other Arab countries.

Syrian president bans smoking in public places, first such sweeping decree in Syria

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria’s president on Monday issued a decree banning smoking in public places, joining an anti-smoking trend already under way in other Arab countries.

Turkey cancels air force drill with Israel, marking new low in strategic relationship

JERUSALEM — Turkey has called off an international military drill because it opposed Israel’s participation, Israeli defense officials said Sunday, a move that sent strained relations between the two nations to a new low.

Israel says Turkey has canceled air force drill because it opposed Israeli participation

JERUSALEM — Turkey has canceled an annual multinational air force drill including the U.S. and NATO because it opposed Israeli participation, the Israeli military said Sunday, in a sign of further deterioration in relations between the two countries.