Cannes Film Festival bans Lars Von Trier over Hitler remark

Danish director Lars Von Trier has accepted his ban from the Cannes Film Festival, following his claims that he sympathised with Adolf Hitler.

His remarks, purportedly made in jest, prompted a swift rebuke from organizers and Von Trier apologized the same day. (more…)

Netanyahu meets Obama, rejects 1967 border proposal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday he was prepared to make compromises to peace but he rejected President Barack Obama’s proposal that Israel return to its 1967 borders. (more…)

Feltman: Government formation is strictly a Lebanese issue

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman who arrived in Beirut yesterday held meetings with key Lebanese officials, including President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati, former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt. (more…)

It’s not the end of the world when prophets get it wrong

On Saturday at 6pm, something cataclysmic is set to happen – the world is going to experience “Rapture”. That at least is what Harold Camping, an evangelical broadcaster based in California, has been telling everyone. (more…)

MP Araji urges Mikati to form a technocrat cabinet or quit

MP Assem Araji , a member of the Future parliamentary bloc called on Prime Minister-designate Najib to either form a cabinet of technocrats or quit .

“He should either form a cabinet of technocrats or give up and excuse himself,” Dr. Araji told MTV. (more…)

1400 Syrians fled to Lebanon during last week, UNHCR

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR issued the following press release in which it summarized the actions it has taken in cooperation with the Lebanese government with regards to the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Over 1400 Syrians have crossed into Lebanon during the past week (more…)

SSNP chief slams US over Syria sanctions

Syrian Social Nationalist Party leader MP Assaad Hardane a close ally of Syria condemned on Friday “the American arrogance of threats and intimidation, and US President Barack Obama’s administration calls for sanctions against Syria. ” (more…)

Syrian troops kill 9 protesters during rallies for regime change

Syrian security forces opened fire on protests around the country Friday in the latest sign the conflict could be moving toward a long and bloody stalemate as President Bashar Assad shrugs off tighter sanctions and U.S. calls to step aside. Activists said at least nine people were killed. (more…)

Obama and Netanyahu face tense meeting on Mideast

U.S. President Barack Obama’s endorsement of a longstanding Palestinian demand on the borders of their future state sets the stage for what could be a tense meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday. (more…)

Text of Obama’s speech on US policy in Mideast, Africa

US President Barack Obama’s speech Thursday outlined the US policy on the Middle East and North Africa . Here is the full text as provided by the White House