Thailand bans film about transgender father
Thailand's film board has banned a movie about a transgender father struggling to raise two children, a move the director says highlights the conservative side of Thai society despite its…
Bhutto niece tells all in ‘Songs of Blood and Sword’
By Caroline Curran Fatima Bhutto is the self-proclaimed black sheep of Pakistan’s foremost political family. Although little known compared to some of her more famous relatives, Bhutto is making a splash…
Iraq twin bombings kill 7 in first test for Maliki
RAMADI: A car bomb followed by a suicide bombing on Monday targeted government offices in the Iraqi city of Ramadi, killing seven people, four of them police, and wounding 51,…
Two years after war, Gaza border tensions flare
GAZA CITY: Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Monday marked two years since Israel's devastating invasion of the coastal enclave at a time of renewed high tensions with the Jewish…
At Christmas, Pope urges end to Mideast Christians’ pain
VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI urged an end Saturday to conflict in the Middle East and support for the region's Christians, saying those living in Iraq needed comfort from their…
Obama hails Saudi king’s ‘progress’ after surgery
HONOLULU: President Barack Obama called King Abdullah on Sunday to hail his recovery "progress," the White House said, in the strongest indication of the Saudi monarch's improving condition since he…
Islamic Finance in Gulf Needs Regulation Boost
DUBAI: From Australia to South Africa, governments are scrambling to change the law to accommodate the $1 trillion Islamic finance industry, whose avoidance of toxic debt has looked increasingly attractive…
Abu Dhabi: Green ambitions
By Oxford Business Group While Abu Dhabi is introducing a series of green initiatives, like other rapidly developing cities it faces challenges in reducing its carbon footprint over the short term.…
World economy can withstand $100 oil price, says Kuwait
CAIRO: The global economy can withstand an oil price of $100 a barrel, Kuwait's oil minister said on Saturday, as other exporters indicated OPEC may decide against increasing output through…
Israel to close door on African influx
EILAT: Vika Duvinsky and her family are among the last Israelis living in a grim slum that locals call 'Sing Sing' after the notorious American prison. The rest are African…