Despite urgings by all not to be a party-pooper at Oslo, Mr Arafat could not entirely suppress his frustration.

ECONOMIST: Israel and the Palestinians

Sorry to be a party-pooper, but this relationship, while by no means improper, may be no deeper than others recently formed at the White House.

ECONOMIST: Mr Blair goes to Washington

Nonetheless, the Fed continued to play the party-pooper this week, raising rates by another quarter of a percentage point, to 3.75%, at its meeting on Tuesday September 20th.

ECONOMIST: Reluctant party-poopers | The