Exiting the Middle East labyrinth
By Joschka Fischer BERLIN: Two years have passed since Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. Much to his credit — and in contrast to his immediate predecessor —…
What we’ll learn from the next round of Wikileaks
By Yossi Alpher Wikileaks leak of December 2011: Secret cable from DCM, US Embassy Tel Aviv, to deputy under secretary of state for Middle East affairs, State Department, Washington. Dec.…
Baritone from Harold Melvin & Blue Notes dies
Bernie Wilson, a baritone member of the rhythm and blues group that produced the 1972 hit "If You Don't Know Me by Now," has died. Wilson, 64, died early Sunday…
‘Empire Strikes Back’ among 25 film registry picks
Darth Vader proclaiming he's Luke Skywalker's father, Tony Manero preening in his underwear and an early 20th-century deaf activist speaking in sign language are among the images that will be…
Web helps revival of old Arabic poetry in Lebanon
Zajal, an old form of improvised Arabic poetry that enjoyed its heyday in Lebanon before the 1975-1990 civil war, is making a tentative comeback with thousands of fans on Facebook…
Fuel consumption falls in Iran after subsidy cut
TEHRAN: Fuel consumption has fallen by a fifth since the government began slashing energy and food subsidies earlier this month, a top government official said Wednesday, claiming an early sign…
Mideast banks, funds seek to tap women’s wealth
DUBAI: Emirati housewife Sarah Alzarouni brushed past a group of women clad in floor-length black robes, some with only their eyes showing, to enter through the frosted doors of one…
UAE passes law paving way for sovereign bond issue
ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirate's top advisory council passed a new public debt law on Tuesday, marking a key step toward the issuance of the Gulf Arab state's first…
Delegation leaves Ivory Coast without Gbagbo
ABIDJAN: West African leaders who delivered an ultimatum to Laurent Gbagbo to step down or face a military ouster left Ivory Coast late Tuesday without taking him into exile a…
South Sudan recording stars sing ‘independence’
JUBA: "Let us go, we can make it," Mary Boyoi sings softly in a flute-like voice as she sways to the rhythm, sharing a dream that south Sudan will choose…
