Fatwa undercuts extremist rhetoric regarding terrorism
ISLAMABAD: In recent years, the words and actions of extremists claiming to commit violence in the name of Islam, time and again through the media, has arguably caused great harm…
The decline and fall of political Europe
PARIS: A series of decisions taken over the last few years in Europe have alarmed me. The first imposed the rule of unanimity within the European Union for any decision…
The powerlessness of the powerful
NEW YORK: Elites are under siege in every corner of the world. “Tea Party” activists in exurban America rant and rage against the so-called liberal elites of New York, Washington,…
Burying our heads in the sand
CAIRO: What do Elton John, “Arabian Nights” and Youssef Ziedan have in common? Until earlier this week, nothing, really. But today in Egypt, the British pop singer, the…
No security risk in grooving to Gaga, US Army says
American soldiers gyrating to Lady Gaga in a video spoof will not face any reprimand for their massive YouTube hit, the US Army said Thursday. The video by paratroopers in…
The city at the far end of the world (Part 1)
A couple of weeks ago, I received an invitation from a South-African NGO called the Arterial Network for a “sponsored cultural tour to the Harare International Festival of the Arts…
Qatar economy rises 8.7 pct in 2009, below forecasts
DOHA: Qatar's real gross domestic product rose 8.7 percent last year, lower than expected, after 25.4 percent growth in 2008, revised data from the Gulf country's statistics office showed on…
Iraq says no need to talk OPEC quota until 4 mln bpd
BAGHDAD: Iraq sees no need to even discuss an OPEC quota until its output reaches 4 million barrels per day (bpd), the country's oil minister said on Thursday. Output could…
Arab oil ministers meet after price fall
DUBAI: Arab oil ministers gathering in Qatar have crude prices where they want them even after a more than 10 percent fall driven by concern other European nations could suffer…
EXCLUSIVE: Philippe Starck Speaks to DNE
In person, Philippe Starck is an absolute reflection of the furniture he designs: simple in appearance, well intentioned and with a touch of cheerful flamboyance. His name carries a thousand…