With a Grain of Salt: Islam and Democracy
Hiroaki Kanazawa, Middle East Affairs correspondent for Nikkei - Japan's second largest newspaper and East Asia's foremost economics paper - asked me the other day: "Can the Arab world achieve…
Trends and trendiness at Davos
The annual World Economic Forum is rightly perceived as a global "barometer. But the superb sunshine in Davos these days cannot avoid the shadows of the financial crisis that have…
Beyond literacy in the Arab world
Education in the Arab world is a mixture of good and bad news. On one hand, literacy continues to improve across the region, with some countries progressing more than others.…
Gaza then and now
When the Gaza Strip was plunged into darkness last week as a result of the Israeli fuel blockade, many people around the world were surprised. But the optimism produced by…
In Cairo the noise pollution can be a killer
CAIRO: From blaring car horns to wedding parties, rising noise pollution in the 24-hour metropolis of Cairo has reached alarming levels, leading to hearing problems, irritability and even death. Living…
Movies critical of police and government are hits in Egypt
CAIRO: The latest hit movie in Egypt opens with footage of Egyptian police brutally beating democracy protesters and ends with angry masses storming a police station where demonstrators are being…
Tidying up the maid's mess
CAIRO: Salma is a recent university graduate who, like many in her position, had been looking for a suitable job since her graduation two years ago from the Faculty of…
Egyptian Journalists' Syndicate debates protest chants
CAIRO: A row has erupted between members of the Journalists Syndicate following the cheers against President Mubarak during last week s anti-Bush protests, reported the press.During a recent four-hour session,…
Agogo lifts Ghana past gritty Namibia
ACCRA: Ghana need only a draw against Morocco on Monday to guarantee their quarter-final berth at the African Nations Cup after Nottingham Forest striker Junior Agogo earned the hosts a…