The UN nuclear watchdog chief warned in comments aired today that any military strike on Iran could turn the Mideast to a “ball of fire” and lead Iran to a more-aggressive stance on its controversial nuclear programme.

More than two dozen gay Arab men – arrested at what police called a mass homosexual wedding – could face government-ordered hormone treatments, five years in jail and a lashing, authorities in the United Arab Emirates said today.

A DUBAI-BASED newspaper yesterday said it stands by a story in which it quoted Iran’s president as saying he might curtail oil sales if his nation is referred to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions over its nuclear programme.

John Tynan

LIVERPOOL have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Leeds United’s Australian striker Harry Kewell.