By Issandr El Amrani Today the New York Times pointed out that Hosni Mubarak turned 82 yesterday, and is still bunkered in Sharm al-Sheikh where he is recovering from his operation and receiving foreign dignitaries. The president’s continued convalescence far from the capital underscored the frailty not just of the man but of a nation with no clear political plan for who will govern should he die or step down, political scientists here said. The president has been back to work, meeting with foreign leaders and even giving a national address on Sinai Liberation Day. But he did not give … Continue reading Mubarak’s health

british arabs and the 6 may general and local elections Arab engagement in the British general and local elections by Susannah Tarbush [Arabic version published in Al-Hayat on 26 April 2010] Despite the growing presence of Arabs in Britain, their participation within the mainstream political system, whether as activists or candidates, has not been very apparent. Now, in the general election to be held on 6 May, there is the very real prospect that for the first time ever a candidate of Arab origin will be elected as an MP in the British Parliament. He is 30-year-old Bassam Mahfouz [pictured … Continue reading Some British Arab candidates for May 6th Elections

140 Freaking-Awesome Prom Fail Photos According to the movies, prom is supposed to be the most magical, wonderful night of every student’s young life. From the anticipation over who will be crowned prom queen to the stress of pinning on a corsage without stabbing your date, everyone eagerly awaits this night. But for some people this night of dreams turns into a Facebook album of horrors. Here are 140 people who should have skipped the excitement and stayed home. http://coedmagazine.com/2010/05/03/140-freaking-awesome-prom-fail-photos/ Continue reading Awesome Prom Fail Photos

The reasons and causes—territory, ideology, WMDs—may change with the times, but our lust for it is eternal. Theodore Roosevelt wanted a war, and almost any war would do. In 1886, when he was a 27-year-old gentleman rancher in the Dakota Territory, he proposed raising “some companies of horse riflemen out here in the event of trouble with Mexico.” He wrote his friend Congressman Henry Cabot Lodge: “Will you telegraph me at once if war becomes inevitable?” In 1889, while agitating for military “preparedness,” he wrote British diplomat Cecil Spring-Rice: “Frankly, I don’t know if I should be sorry to see … Continue reading Why Men Love War

What a chore: 12 councillors decide to go on ‘fact-finding mission’ to LAPDANCE club By Luke Salkeld Mission: Coun. Jim Flashman is leading his fellow committee members on a ‘fact-finding’ trip to lap-dancing clubs As meetings go, it is certain to be more interesting than a discussion about pot-holes or bus shelters. But a council’s decision to fund a ‘fact-finding’ mission to lap-dancing clubs has been slammed as ‘appalling’. The conscientious group, from Cornwall Council’s licensing committee, will visit strip clubs to see, up close and personal, what occurs inside the venues. Although the precise number of poles to be … Continue reading 12 councillors decide to go on ‘fact-finding mission’ to LAPDANCE club

Residents remove spoof ‘dogging’ sign at Cotswolds beauty spot Residents living near a Cotswolds beauty spot have torn down a spoof road sign advertising a notorious ‘dogging’ site. telegraph.co.uk The sign on the Cirencester bypass at Birdlip, near Gloucester Pranksters put up the official looking notice on the Cirencester bypass at Birdlip, near Gloucester, pointing towards the Barrow Wake viewpoint – which has gained a reputation for public sexual activity. David Parkinson, a resident who ripped the sign down, said thath the site’s repuation had made it a “no-go zone” for local people. “The reputation of this area does tend … Continue reading British Public flocking to Cirencester bypass at Birdlip, near Gloucester for sex outdoors?

General Election 2010: Spoof image shows Gordon Brown apologising to ‘bigot’ Gordon Brown apologises to ‘bigoted woman’ Gillian Duffy with chocolates and supermarket flowers in an image by celebrity spoof photographer Alison Jackson. By Alastair Jamieson telegraph Alison Jackson spoof photo of Gordon Brown Photo: ANDREW FARRAR Photo: Alison Jackson Photo: Alison Jackson Photo: Alison Jackson The picture is one of a series themed on the general election to be created by the artist, famed for lampooning celebrities using lookalikes. It shows the Prime Minister in Mrs Duffy’s kitchen, recreating the scene that took place behind closed doors last week … Continue reading Gordon Brown apologises to ‘bigoted woman’ with chocolates and flowers

This woodland construction is the world’s biggest beaver dam, which at 2,790ft is more than twice the length of the Hoover dam and can be seen from space. telegraph.co.uk The dam is located on the southern edge of Wood Buffalo National Park in Northern Alberta, Canada Photo: BNPS While beaver dams are often found to be around 1,500ft in length, this one has surprised biologists because of its length Photo: PA The mammals use trees, mud and stone to make a type of moat where they can use their swimming skills to evade any predators. The families live in lodges … Continue reading World’s biggest beaver dam can be seen from space

China leery of Sarkozy’s outstretched hand By Jian Junbo SHANGHAI – French President Nicolas Sarkozy struck a note at once conciliatory and pragmatic, extending a hand for China’s cooperation on the big issues of the 21st century on his first visit to China since the ice melted on relations frozen by his support for the Free Tibet movement. Serious challenges, such as climate change, economic crisis and reform of global institutions, cannot be solved without China’s input, Sarkozy said in a state visit on the way to attending the opening ceremony of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo. The three-day visit, … Continue reading Sarkozy’s outstretched hand hides insecurity!

Pyongyang sees US role in Cheonan sinking By Kim Myong Chol Despite its strong denial of any involvement and expressions of sympathy for lost fellow Koreans, fingers are being pointed at North Korea over the tragic sinking of the 1,200-ton South Korean corvette Cheonan in the West Sea or Yellow Sea on the night of March 26. “A North Korean torpedo attack was the most likely cause for the sinking of a South Korean warship last month,” an unnamed US military official told CNN on April 26. Up to 46 of the ship’s 104 sailors were killed in the sinking. … Continue reading US role in Cheonan sinking