20 - 26 February 2003 [626]
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Counting the hours
President Mubarak went to Berlin and Paris in an 11th hour bid to avert a disastrous US-led war against Iraq. Nevine Khalil reports from Berlin
Seeking to survive
Yasser Arafat's room for manoeuvre is shrinking by the day, writes Graham Usher from Jerusalem
Thrills at Thebes
A mystery sarcophagus found in the tomb of the overseer of works during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut was opened on the Theban necropolis last week. Nevine El-Aref was thereLuxor's military dimension
The area east of Luxor temple is being released from urban encroachment and, a Roman military encampment is being revealedThe badge of caring
A renowned German university has awarded Mrs Suzanne Mubarak a medal of honour in recognition of her efforts in championing Egypt's social causes. Dahlia Hammouda reportsIraq in parliament
The possibly disastrous effects of an American war against Iraq dominated parliamentary debate this week. Gamal Essam El-Din reportsPornographers anonymous
Editors of a party newspaper are on trial for publishing pornography. Mona El-Nahhas reportsAnother reshuffle at EgyptAir
Barely seven months into the job, the national carrier's new chairman has just stepped down. Amira Ibrahim tries to find out what's going on at EgyptAir
Deadly retribution
Despite renewed contacts between Israel and the PA, there is little to suggest that Sharon is about to halt the carnage in Palestine. Khaled Amayreh reports from JerusalemWalls of indignity
Another Israeli checkpoint means more humiliation for the Palestinians. Annika Hampson visits Al-Izzariyya fenceFunding peace in Sudan
Arab countries and donor institutions have promised to channel much-needed developmental funds into southern Sudan. Dina Ezzat reportsBriefs
The deputy governor of Saudi Arabia's northern Jouf province, Hamad Bin Abdel Rahman Al-Wardi, was shot dead on Monday by an unidentified gunman, a Saudi Interior Ministry official said...'We should not lose focus'
As the US steps up preparations to invade Iraq, Arab countries are squabbling amongst themselves. Dina Ezzat reportsIn solidarity
Though British Prime Minister Tony Blair has come under fiery attack for his singularly avid support of the US administration's determination to attack Iraq, the last week has seen Blair at his weakest point politically...Betting on the willing nations
The United States and Britain are continuing to push for war against Iraq -- in spite of protests around the world and a major setback in the Bush administration's efforts to deploy troops in Turkey. Khaled Dawoud reports from WashingtonBreaking faith
Leading figures of the Iraqi opposition derided US administration plans to appoint a US military governor to rule in post-Saddam Iraq. Omayma Abdel-Latif reportsThe bottom line
US-Turkey relations took a turn for the worse last week as Ankara urged Washington to offer it more money in compensation for economic losses resulting from a war on Iraq. Gareth Jenkins reportsOn 15 February, the world saw mass demonstrations opposing war in Iraq, with people protesting in some 60 countries and 300 cities across the globe. People from all walks of life took to the streets, from Sydney to Berlin, from Rome to New York, to send a message to their leaderships that came through loud and clear: STOP THE WAR!
Where did all the anger go?
In Europe, Asia, the US and Australia, millions marched against war. In Egypt, only a few hundred took to the streets. Amira Howeidy wonders whyStop the war
In London, Nyier Abdou shadowed the organisers of the largest demonstration in British history and joined the crowds coursing through the city's streetsLet Americans listen
Anti war rallies were held in 150 American cities, sending a clear message to US President George Bush: "No blood for oil", Khaled Dawoud was among the huge crowd in New YorkWhen in Rome...
Samia Nkrumah joined three million ItaliansTwo peoples, two crimes
Palestinians and Israelis throughout the country came together in Tel Aviv to add their voices to the worldwide protest. Annika Hampson reports
The joblessness crisis
Unemployment levels are on the rise worldwide and growth rates are not keeping up, a UN report has found. Wael Gamal writesBriefs
TO MEET the requirements of the pending new unified banking bill, Egypt's six public sector banks are currently setting plans to increase their capital by LE4 billion...Yet another index
Why are even the major market players disenchanted with the new stock market index? Shereen Abdel-Razek sounds out reactionsGreenbacks' shadow
As talk of war escalates and the pound continues to depreciate, hits the streets and listens in
Spoiling for a fight
On the eve of the Franco-African summit in Paris, forecast to be dominated by discussions about the civil war in Ivory Coast but boycotted by the country's president, armed Ivorian opposition groups hold back on their war threat, writes Gamal NkrumahBush's blasting budget
United States President Bush's 2004 budget pledges more to the army and less to the environment or health, writes Moheb CostandiCypriot change of guard
By electing Tassos Papadopoulos as president, Greek Cypriots signal radical change in the island-nation's political direction, reports Michael Jansen from Nicosia
Rising to the occasion
The time is ripe for the Arabs to adopt a strong and unified position on the Iraq standoff, Ibrahim Nafie arguesPost-Oslo solidarity
Why have the Palestinians lost so much international support, and what can be done to regain it, asks Joseph MassadSplit in NATO
Mohamed Sid-Ahmed discusses the crisis that threatened to tear NATO apart last weekNo more secrets
Questions such as Iraq and Palestine are as much a part of domestic policy as are issues of democratisation inseparable from foreign policy, argues Mustafa El-FekiAs another world emerges
The first US-led war against Iraq saw the birth of the post-Cold War world. As the US prepares for the sequel, an even "newer" world order is being born, writes Osama El-Ghazali HarbBahgory One-line: TONY BENN
Editorial: Tense stand-off
The world must commit to winning peace...Close up
Passing the buck
The Arab world is passing through a critical time that will test its leaders' ability to reach common ground...
By Salama A SalamaSoapbox
Saying nothing at length
The statement issued by Arab foreign ministers disappointed those who had entertained the illusion that the upcoming Arab summit will adopt a clear position on the Iraq war...
By Salah EissaAnti-war, anti-Saddam
I had lost touch with the developments of the Iraqi crisis during my illness. Now that I am following things again, they worry and upset me tremendously...
By Naguib Mahfouz
Little man, big man
Nehad Selaiha finds watching Max Frisch's Count Oderland immediately after Georg Buchner's Woyzeck positively catharticIn progress: Busy idlers
Khaled Hafez, born in Cairo in 1963, followed evening classes at the Fine Arts College for six years while studying medicine, graduating in 1990...Plain Talk
In an earlier column I pondered the future of South African literature following the end of apartheid...Czech mate
Amal Choucri Catta finds herself among the fewA briefer magic
The Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival is widely regarded as the Cannes of short film. Saad Hendawy attended this year's roundBriefs
The Supreme Council for Culture held a seminar on Tuesday on actress Sanaa Gamil, who died last year...
Cairo fieldwork: magical dualisms
Entre scribes et écrivains : Le Champ littéraire dans l'Egypte contemporaine (Between Scribes and Writers: The Literary Field in Contemporary Egypt), Richard Jacquemond, Paris: Actes sud, 2003 pp345Empire against Iraq
L'Empire contra l'Irak (The Empire against Iraq), Paris: Le Monde diplomatique Manière de voir 67, January -- February 2003Retrospect and prospects
Conclusion to Richard Jacquemond, Entre scribes et écrivains: Le Champ littéraire dans l'Egypte contemporaine, translated by David TresilianThe past, and future, of Iraq
A History of Iraq, Charles Tripp, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000. pp311Close encounters
Egyptian Encounters, Cairo Papers in Social Science, Cairo: AUC Press, Volume 23, Number 3, 2003. pp171A life in writing
Walking through Fire: A Life of Nawal El-Saadawi, Nawal El-Saadawi, Trans. Sherif Hetata, Cape Town: David Philip & London and New York: Zed Books, 2002. pp251At a glance
A shorthand guide to recent publications compiled by Mahmoud El-Wardani
Where is the music?
Rania Khallaf strains to hear music for childrenExplaining the stork
As a parent you know it's coming -- that dreaded moment when your adorable, innocent little boy or girl asks an embarrassing question. Reem Leila considers some of your optionsFear and loathing on the Nile
A person is a complex mechanism. There is such potential for compassion but ludicrousness always wins, somehow...
By Youssef RakhaDenizens of the deep
Gamal Nkrumah avoids mutton in MaadiPenne with Fresh Tomatoes and Mozarella
Weekly recipe
By Moushira Abdel-MalekA world that's losing sleep
As the prospect of war becomes a striking reality, and political and economic turmoil escalates around the Middle East, tension increases and anticipation takes on a new form. Yasmine El-Rashidi looks into the one loss that is shared by people around the worldThrills at Thebes
A mystery sarcophagus found in the tomb of the overseer of works during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut was opened on the Theban necropolis last week. Nevine El-Aref was thereLuxor's military dimension
The area east of Luxor temple is being released from urban encroachment and, a Roman military encampment is being revealedThe other Citadel
The Mohamed Ali Mosque is not the only mosque within the wallsGetting about
This is a good time of year to visit Upper Egypt and the Western Desert oases. Here is the lowdown on getting from A to B.Twist with a twist
The Whirling Dervishes of Konya have wandered far afield from the Turkish birthplace of their sect to perform in those parts of the world where Sufism has had the most impact -- including Iran and parts of the Middle East.
Separate ways
Egypt's national and Olympic football teams continue to move in opposite directions. Inas Mazhar reports on where each side is headingAway they go
Is this the year of super star retirement? Nashwa Abdel-Tawab takes a close, and perhaps final look, at four sports icons on the way outHalf-time: Let coaches coach
After being away for almost two months because of suspension, the football twins, Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan, are back in training. And they return without Zamalek club officials ever once complaining about their punishment.Briefs
Tiger Woods completed a triumphant return to the PGA Tour on Sunday, firing a four-under par 68 to take a four-stroke victory at the Buick Invitational in San Diego...The longest marathon
From October 1931 to January the following year, the Al-Ahram column "Fifty Years Ago" ran a record 50-part series dealing mainly with the Orabi Revolution. Professor Yunan Labib Rizk examines the long-running work
By Yunan Labib RizkDr Halim Grace: Challenge of the cure
A hospital, a history, a life
By Yasmine El-RashidiPack of Cards
By Madame Sosostris
Limelight
By Lubna Abdel-Aziz