02/09/13

* Iran's Iraq strategy revealed in battle for Shi'ites' spiritual center in Najaf It was hoped the overthrow of Saddam would herald a new age of democracy and growth in Iraq.

* Video: Egyptian Salafi Cleric Calls to Kill Opposition Leaders The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has posted a video to YouTube which shows a radical Egyptian cleric calling to kill the leaders of the country's opposition.

* Tunisia's Islamists hold rally in capital The demonstrators have gathered outside the National Theatre and are chanting: "We are Muslims, we will not be moved."

* Chinese Year of Snake celebrations in Asia Millions of people are celebrating Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, the most important annual holiday in much of Asia.

* Analysis: A Persian in Cairo It has been 14 centuries since Persia last conquered Egypt and, judging by this week's news, one might have thought that history was about to repeat itself.

* Asteroid may have killed dinosaurs quicker than scientists thought Dinosaurs died off about 33,000 years after an asteroid hit the Earth, much sooner than scientists had believed.

* Lebanese army accuses Israel of 17-hour overflights Israeli "spy" drones conducted overflights in southern Lebanon twice and returned to Israel.

* Iraqi PM: Assad could hold on for years in Syria Syrian President Bashar Assad could survive two more years of revolt despite US expectations of a more imminent fall.

* Egyptians clash with police after days of calm Thousands of Egyptians marched and chanted against Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in cities across the country.

* Senate may vote next week on Hagel for defense secretary The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said Friday he will press ahead with a vote on Chuck Hagel's nomination to be defense secretary.