Syria army storms new towns after ‘chilling’ UN briefing
DAMASCUS: Syrian forces killed five people Thursday as they stormed another two towns in pursuit of anti-regime protesters, defying Western calls for action after a "chilling" UN Security Council briefing.…
Yemen general wants talks but ready to “break necks”
SANAA: A nephew of President Ali Abdullah Saleh who commands a key paramilitary unit has called for talks to end Yemen's political stand-off but threatened to "break the necks" of…
Israel okays 1,600 E. Jerusalem settler homes
JERUSALEM: Israel's interior minister has given final approval for the construction of 1,600 new settler homes in east Jerusalem, his spokesman said Thursday, prompting a furious reaction from Palestinian officials.…
The human element in a champion team
By Ricardo Guerra One of the biggest challenges confronting head coaches in professional football today is managing different players’ personalities. In a society that worships individuals and deifies celebrities, there is…
Egyptian rights activist honored by HRW
CAIRO: Egyptian human rights activist Hossam Bahgat will be one of seven advocates honored in November 2011 by Human Rights Watch (HRW), with the Alison Des Forges Award for…
Alternative media grows, restructures industry
CAIRO: A common feeling of resentment towards the coverage of the revolution in both state-owned and private media has led young activists to launch their alternative media outlets using social…
Ex-agriculture minister charged with misappropriation
CAIRO: Egyptian state investigators accused a former agriculture minister and a businessman with illegally confiscating land, state media reported on Thursday. "Former Agriculture Minister Amin Abaza and businessman Amr Mansi…
British PM unveils anti-riot measures
LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron unveiled Thursday new measures to end the worst riots in decades, and admitted he had considered ordering the army to quell the violence. As…
Gold prices surge in Egypt as investors seek safe haven
CAIRO: In a period of uncertainty in the global economy, the price of gold, traditionally seen as a safe haven for investors, has surged in Egypt, jumping LE 30 per…
BofA talks to Gulf funds to cut $17 bln CCB stake: sources
HONG KONG/DUBAI: Bank of America Corp has held exploratory talks with the principal investment funds of Kuwait and Qatar about selling part of its $17 billion stake in China Construction…