ANALYSIS Diplomatic woes pile up for isolated Israel
JERUSALEM: Israel was expecting a diplomatic tsunami to strike in September, but the problems have come sooner than expected, leaving it ever more isolated in the Middle East. Egypt's supposed…
Forced evictions reflect disregard for human rights, says Amnesty report
CAIRO: The forced eviction of informal settlement dwellers reflects Egyptian authorities’ disregard for human rights, a report by Amnesty International released Tuesday said. The report, titled “We are…
From hiding, Qaddafi tells Libyans to free Tripoli
TRIPOLI, Libya: A defiant Moammar Qaddafi vowed Wednesday to fight on "until victory or martyrdom," as rebel fighters tried to end scattered attacks by regime loyalists in the nervous capital.…
Syria opposition tries to unite, divisions remain
BEIRUT:Syria's fragmented opposition took steps toward forming a national council Tuesday, but serious divisions and mistrust among the members prevented them from presenting a unified front against President Bashar Assad's…
EU, US ready to help Libya by unfreezing assets
FRANKFURT: Europe and the United States are preparing to unfreeze billions in frozen Libyan assets that will be crucial to supporting the country once Moammar Qaddafi's regime collapses, but the…
Chronicles of a bourgeoisie foodie: Sometimes, it’s not about the food
Sometimes, it’s not about the food. Yes, I really do mean it. Sometimes it’s worth schlepping all the way to Alexandria on the train for the day to eat ice…
Egypt mobile use to exceed full capacity by 2012
CAIRO: As the race for subscribers between Egypt’s mobile service providers intensifies, the country’s mobile phone usage is expected to reach 100 percent penetration by the first half of 2012,…
Arab League to hold urgent meeting on Syria
CAIRO: Arab ministers will hold an urgent meeting on Saturday to discuss the bloodshed in Syria, an Arab League official said, but a delegate to the regional body played down…
Gaza truce under fire after Israeli strike kills militant
GAZA CITY: Israeli air strikes on Wednesday killed a Palestinian militant, prompting a flurry of mortar fire into southern Israel just days after armed groups agreed to a temporary truce.…
Oil stalls at $109 as eyes turn to Fed
LONDON: Oil prices hovered near $109 a barrel on Wednesday as supply disruptions balanced against demand worries, and caution stalled investors ahead of US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke's speech…