"Bling Bling is not my thing"
Quincy Jones is the epitome of cool. Jazz legend, film composer, producer and humanitarian, his life and works span generations. When Jones was playing jazz with the likes of Dizzy…
The pen is more cowardly than the sword
It is 17th century Turkey, and Eflatun's son has just died. A miniature artist, he finds solace in painting the face of his dead son, not in the customary Ottoman…
Nadine Labaki discusses the magic behind 'Caramel' success
Nadine Labaki is famous for her direction of Nancy Agram's video clips. But now, after the showing of directorial debut Caramel at the Cairo International Film Festival and with its…
Shaking the extended hand of friendship
Peaceful relations between Muslims and Christians stand as one of the central challenges of this century, according to leading Christian leaders. Responding to an open letter in October signed by…
Women take lead toward Mideast peace
While it s encouraging that two women-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni-were key players in the Annapolis conference last week, the fact that women are…
Iran's less-is-more nuclear policy
The recent United States National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), which reports that Iran once had a "nuclear weapons program but suspended it in 2003, means that there will probably be no…
With a Grain of Salt: All Days are feasts!
I honestly don't know why the government bothers to announce its intention to raise the price of any commodity or that it will reconsider the issue of subsidies, if it…
Destroying Egypt's soul
In Egypt, you check your dignity at the doorstep. You can be subject to a morass of indignity at any time, and maybe worse, if it isn't your lucky day.In…
Donors commit $400 million to fight bird flu
NEW DELHI: International donors have committed more than $400 million to fight bird flu in an encouraging step but more funds are still needed, a top World Bank official said…