Abbas opening to Hamas draws angry Israel response
JERUSALEM: Moves by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to seal reconciliation with Hamas drew an angry response in Israel on Friday, with one government minister even calling for the annexation of…
ANALYSIS: Violent protests may extend Egypt army’s predominance
CAIRO: Violent unrest by young Egyptians seeking a quick end to army rule could lead to a presidential election being held before mid-2012, as now planned, but even then the…
Military violence against women aims to send warning message, says expert
CAIRO: The increased level of violence against female protesters aims to send a message to women to avoid protests lest they face the same brutality, a women’s rights expert said.…
ANALYSIS: Egypt may need up to $15 bln from IMF to avoid crunch
CAIRO: Egypt has little choice but to return to the IMF to help it find up to $15 billion to stave off a full-blown financial crisis, but the ruling army…
Copper up in thin trade on growth hopes, data eyed
LONDON: Copper rose in thin trade on Friday as an optimistic outlook for growth in the United States and demand for metals gathered pace following encouraging data from the world's…
2011 in review: Four hard truths
By Olivier Blanchard What a difference a year makes … We started 2011 in recovery mode, admittedly weak and unbalanced, but nevertheless there was hope. The issues appeared more tractable: how…
China replaces Iran oil with Mideast, Africa, Russia
BEIJING/SINGAPORE: China has bought enough spot crude from the Middle East, Africa and Russia in January to replace lost Iranian oil supply, trade sources said on Friday, putting it in…
Buttered Up: Sugar Cookies for cookie-cutter Women
On the 10th day of the 10th month of 2010, I broke my finger and made an unexpected friend. Irrespective of the pressing need to operate, it was not until…
Vatican fits sensors to preserve priceless Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel has been fitted with detectors to check for pollution from its millions of visitors every year that could harm priceless frescoes by Michelangelo and Botticelli. Vatican Museums…
Hollywood still struggling to focus 3D technology
Two years after breakthrough 3D megahit "Avatar," Hollywood is still struggling to decide how best to use the new technology, as filmgoers tire of the novelty and say no to…