A new book on Mahatma Gandhi has delved into the intimate life of the Indian icon whose famous vow of chastity did not prevent him sleeping with naked women and conducting bizarre sex "experiments".

Will the recent rapprochement between the United States and Syria mark a new era in Syria's international standing? Syria can hope for two major changes following the restoration of full diplomatic relations with the US. First, it will be removed from America's informal blacklist of "Axis of Evil" countries, which will substantially improve its chances to enter the World Trade Organization.