Hail to the technocrats
By Fabrizio Tassinari COPENHAGEN: Is the European Union’s supposed “democratic deficit” now spreading to individual European countries in the wake of the sovereign-debt crisis? The rise of unelected technocrats to political…
Parties mum on changes to controversial constitutional principles charter
CAIRO: Following a meeting with Cabinet members, representatives of political parties said they’ll withhold their opinion on the amendments made to a controversial constitutional principles charter until they discuss them…
Arab League meets Assad foes after 69 die in Syria
CAIRO: The Arab League, stung into action by months of bloodshed in Syria, met opponents of President Bashar Al-Assad on Tuesday, a day after violence in his country claimed 69…
Families of revolution martyrs, injured begin Tahrir sit-in
CAIRO: More than 50 family members of those martyred or injured during the revolution began Tuesday a sit-in, setting up two tents in Tahrir Square, and announced their boycott of…
Gulf states oppose Arab summit on Syria
RIYADH: The six Gulf Cooperation Council states said on Tuesday that they oppose a Syrian request for an emergency Arab summit on the bloody crisis in the country. The GCC…
Military prosecution summons more activists in Maspero case
CAIRO: The military prosecution summoned Tuesday for the second time activist Bahaa Saber for his alleged involvement in the Maspero violence last month. Saber had refused to be interrogated by…
Reality TV show lifts veil on Muslim Americans
WASHINGTON: It's been a decade since the September 11 attacks and many Americans still don't know quite what to make of their 2.75 million Muslim compatriots. Could a reality TV…
Pressure mounts on Syrian leader amid crackdown
BEIRUT: Jordan's king has said that Syrian President Bashar Assad should step down for the good of his country, the first Arab leader to publicly make such a call as…
Iran nuclear report creates IAEA tensions
VIENNA: UN atomic watchdog's damning new report on Iran's nuclear programme has set the stage for a diplomatic showdown at IAEA headquarters this week, pitting Russia and China against Western…
UN envoy: Yemen president should transfer power
SANAA: Yemen's embattled president must speed up reforms and begin a transfer of power according to a plan backed by the international community, a UN envoy says. Jamal Benomar visited…