Mubarak angry about rumors about his health, says Israeli minister
JERUSALEM: Israeli Trade Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer said on Sunday that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was in excellent health and would remain in politics for a long time. "I noted…
Lierse’s negotiations for Shawky reach dead end
CAIRO: Mohamed Shawky's move to Belgian side Lierse suddenly fell though after both parties failed to reach an agreement over the transfer fee, agent Nader Shawki said on Saturday. A…
Stieg Larsson’s 4th manuscript clouded in mystery
It is September in Sachs Harbour, northern Canada. In the cold and desolate landscape, Mikael Blomqvist and Lisbeth Salander are about to begin a new adventure. But their journey in…
EU envoy calls for open borders on Gaza visit
GAZA CITY: The European Union's top diplomat Catherine Ashton called for the further easing of Israel's four-year blockade of the Gaza Strip during a visit to the impoverished Hamas-run enclave…
Freed Polanski makes first public outing in Switzerland
Director Roman Polanski, freed this week after Switzerland refused a US extradition request, made his first public outing Saturday to see his wife perform at the Montreaux Jazz Festival. High…
Great atmospherics
The Obama-Netanyahu meeting in Washington last week was an elegant exercise in short-term realpolitik. Very short-term. US President Barack Obama needs urgently to project an image of tranquility, friendship and…
The French way of crisis
PARIS: France is in disarray. According to opinion polls, Nicolas Sarkozy’s popularity is at the lowest point seen in decades for a French president. Last week, two ministers resigned, but…
Only the Palestinians have been serious
Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has just finished another trip to the US, this time including an important meeting with US President Barack Obama. The meeting has since been…
Pakistan delays decision on Bollywood ‘bin Laden’ film
Pakistan on Friday delayed the review of a ban on an Indian Bollywood comedy poking fun at Osama bin Laden, which censors said was a threat to security and offensive…
Upshots of the World Cup
There is an aftermath after every World Cup. Sometimes the after effects come soon, sometimes later. Sometimes they are expected and sometimes they come from the blue. Sometimes the repercussions…