'Sad birthday' for comatose Ariel Sharon

Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, in a coma since suffering a massive stroke last month, was 78 yesterday.

Sharon remained in a critical, but stable, condition at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital, where he has been treated since the January 4 stroke. His two sons and senior aides visited his hospital room in Hadassah’s intensive care unit, praying for a recovery.