Softwood lumber

Canadian International Trade Minister David Emerson and U.S. trade rep Susan Schwab signed the deal which could end the softwood lumber dispute, provided that Parliament consents. The minority Tory government is hopeful that the bill will pass, since the Bloc Quebecois has decided to support it. The terms of the agreement are as follows: Canada will retrieve four of the five billion collected in duties; the U.S. cannot launch new trade action; restrictions on Canadian exports to the States will resume if prices fall too low; and ‘Neutral’ trade arbitrators will settle future disputes.

Hamas politicians ordered released

Of the more than two dozen Hamas politicians abducted after a June raid on an Israeli military post, 18 have been ordered released while their trials proceed. The order came from an Israeli military court and will be effective pending an appeal. Three of the 18 politicians are cabinet ministers. The attack in June, which involved the abduction of an Israeli soldier, was committed by militants associated with the politicians and sparked a wave of violence against Palestine.

Women pray at Mecca

Saudi Arabian officials are considering banning women from performing the five Muslim prayers at Islam’s most sacred shrine in Mecca. The officials claim that the move is in response to overcrowding at the Shrine, which regularly sees deaths during pilgrimages to Mecca. Many Saudis have argued that there is nothing in Muslim or Saudi law that could prevent women from going to the shrine, and any attempt to stop them will therefore further Saudi Arabia’s image as an extremist nation.