An advert spectacle of a collapsing culture
They must think we're morons; that's one explanation. Or perhaps we actually are morons. Or worse, accomplices to a crime. What other reason is there to explain why last week,…
Egyptian films suffer during short summer season
The story of the Egyptian summer film season began in 1997 with the success of "Ismalia Rayeh Gai (Ismalia Back and Forth). For more than a decade, summer has remained…
The many faces of Khaled El-Sawy
Jack of all trades is not always a master of none, as actor, director and writer Khaled El-Sawy has proven time and again.From his brilliant cinema debut as the late…
Dubai: a true home to many
I was recently on holiday away from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. As customary, I was bombarded with questions by both friends and acquaintances gathered around the dinner table…
My body, my capital?
In the 1960's, feminists coined the slogan "Our bodies, our selves. But that liberating sentiment has recently undergone an ironic twist. As an anonymous American woman, justifying her decision to…
Saudi attempts to diversify their dependency
Up until 1979 America employed what is often referred to as a twin pillar strategy in the Middle East. That is to say that it used Saudi Arabia and Iran…
Is it a bob cut or a Pharaonic hairdo?
CAIRO: When Sahar Abdel Rahman decided to write her thesis about ancient Egyptian hairstyles, she was faced with a wave of sarcasm and objection from colleagues and professors. But the…
Blogging on the rise in Egypt despite security risks, threats, says report
CAIRO: A few years ago, the word blog would have mostly likely been met with blank stares or looks of confusion. In 2004, Egypt had only 40 registered blogs, and…
FAO workshop highlights importance of biosecurity in fighting avian flu
CAIRO: Biosecurity is vital in combating avian flu, said officials from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). Professor Nick Taylor from the University of Reading said that biosecurity is about…
National Council for Women proposes new punishments for sexual harassment
CAIRO: A draft amendment to the Egyptian penal code proposed by the National Council for Women (NCW) introduces a fine for sexual harassment and a minimum of a five-year prison…