28 August - 3 September 2003 [653]
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No road and no map
With the ceasefire in ruins the Palestinian Authority finds itself isolated, divided and increasingly irrelevant, writes Graham Usher from JerusalemThe global conundrum
Is Sahar Al-Layaly Oscar bound? Tarek Atia reads the fine print
Changing the gavel
Mamdouh Mohieddin Mar'ie was sworn in by President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday as the new head of the Supreme Constitutional Court...Uncertain roads ahead
The region remains in flux as its hotbeds of political turmoil continue to simmer, writes Nevine KhalilNDP doing damage control
With its first annual conference less than a month away, the ruling NDP is facing an unprecedented attack on both political and economic grounds. Gamal Essam El-Din reportsJust business?
Political blowback from a recruitment campaign for security personnel in Iraq has caused the government to suspend it indefinitely. Omayma Abdel-Latif reportsMystery in our midst
Jailan Halawi explores the mysterious disappearance of prominent journalist Reda HilalRethinking militancy
Why has the change of heart on the part of Al-Gama'a Al-Islamiya's jailed leaders been given such extensive press coverage? Jailan Halawi investigatesRenewed brawling at the Bar
A dispute over a newly formed Bar Association committee has further highlighted the serious rift between Nasserists and Islamists in the association's council. Mona El-Nahhas reportsSpinning Nefertiti
A British Egyptologist who claims to have identified the mummy of the legendary Queen Nefertiti is accused of breaking the Supreme Council of Antiquities' protocol. Nevine El-Aref reportsBack to Cairo?
The Egyptian Writers' Union is torn between members who want the regional union to return to Egypt from Syria, and those who say it should remain in its current home. Rania Khallaf investigates
Marked for liquidation
This week's bloody events announced the death of the unilateral Palestinian ceasefire, reports Khaled Amayreh, in Hebron, and below, traces the life and politial career of Ismael Abu Shanab, a moderate Hamas leader assassinated by IsraelUnleashing the bulldozers
As Israel pursues its quiet policy of ethnic cleansing, the PA fails to help Palestinians remain on the land, writes Muna HamzehNowhere to turn
US officials say there is no option but to try to revive the roadmap while insisting on dismantling Palestinian armed resistance groups, Khaled Dawoud reports from WashingtonPrisoner swap on the horizon
Israel's handover of the bodies of two Hizbullah fighters is seen as a precursor to an imminent prisoner exchange. Mohalhel Fakih writesSudan looks for compromises
What kind of peace deal is emerging, or not emerging, in Sudan? Dina Ezzat takes a lookIran in the crosshairs
British-Iranian tensions have climbed yet another notch following the arrest by British police of the former Iranian Ambassador to Argentina, writes Mustafa El-LabbadLockerbie vote adjourned
French authorities on Monday were still threatening to veto a UN lifting of sanctions on Libya after talks in Tripoli failed to reach an agreement on a final settlement for the families of the 1989 bombing of a French airliner...Wanted: dead or alive
The arrest of two of Saddam Hussein's closest and most ruthless aides closes a chapter in the book of repression for Iraq's Kurdish population, writes Nyier AbdouWhat Iraqis want
Arabs need to do more to help Iraq in its reconstruction process, writes Salah HemeidShort of recognition
The GCC support for the new Iraqi Governing Council is believed to be a compromise to appease all parties. Ahmed Mustafa reportsAgainst the occupation
Although a previously unheard of group claimed responsibility for the bombing of UN headquarters in Iraq, the US believes it is an "inside job". Michael Jansen reports from BaghdadMourning a peacemaker
UN special envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello was laid to rest on Monday in the small French town of Thonon-les-Bains on the Swiss border. He was the highest-ranking UN official to be killed in the bomb blast that shook the organisation's headquarters in Baghdad on 19 August...Vivacious and outspoken
Born in Cairo on 13 June 1946, Nadia Younes grew up in the Egyptian capital where she earned a bachelor's degree in English literature at Cairo University in 1966...S&P downgrades Egypt's credit rating
The credit rating of Egypt's local currency debt was downgraded, the outlook for the foreign currency is appraised as negative. Sherine Abdel-Razek reports on the reasons and repercussions of those movesHard choices
Some pharmaceutical companies are at odds with the government over its drug pricing policy. Wael Gamal reportsA better half
The economy was stagnant during the first-half of 2003, but the second half of the year promises improved performance, according to a recent barometer of corporate activity. Mona El-Fiqi reviews the reportModest modernisation
The current government plans for Egyptian industry are much more about renovation than modernisation, writes Salah El-AmrousiIFIs in the region
The United Arab Emirates is hosting the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meetings next month. Mohamed Darwish reports on the preparations from DubaiBacking civil society
Last week, Fayza Abul-Naga, minister of state for foreign affairs and international cooperation and Michel De Salaberry, the Canadian ambassador to Cairo, signed an agreement that provides Egypt with $10.5 million as a grant to support civil society participation in economic and social development...Survival in America
African Americans and other oppressed minorities still face an uphill struggle. Matt Bowles and Matt Horton write from WashingtonBigot through the backdoor
Arab and Muslim Americans are dismayed by President George W Bush's nomination of a man they accuse of being anti-Muslim to the US Institute of Peace. Anayat Durrani reports from WashingtonIf you can't lick them, join them
It may prove impossible for Democrats to beat Republicans at their own game, writes Amelia Hoover from PhiladelphiaGoing after the big fish
Tony Blair's government looks increasingly vulnerable in the harsh glare of daylight, reports Alistair Alexander from LondonLula's woes
Squeezed between the World Bank and his populist constituency, Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva is walking a tightrope, writes Faiza RadyDeath of a killer
The former leader of one of Sierra Leone's most feared militias died in custody, Tamam Ahmed Jama reportsAnti-capitalist globalisation rally
José Bové leader of the French Peasants' Confederation addresses activists and supporters at the end of an anti-capitalist globalisation rally in l'Hospitalet-du-Larzac...Sign of the times
The appointment of Daniel Pipes to a Washington-based think tank begs a great many questions, writes Mohamed HakkiKnights and dragons
The US and Israel are dangling the Palestinian state like a carrot. But, warns Hassan Nafaa , it may just be part of a charadeDegenerating into chaos
The attack on the UN compound in Iraq signals that global terrorism now considers the United Nations and not just the United States to be a legitimate target, writes Mohamed Sid-AhmedIsrael's new eugenics
Israel's new marriage law amounts to a genetic purification ritual, argues Todd MayVoices of dissent
Robert Jensen addresses the challenges facing the anti-war movement in the USThe right to choose
The right of return of diaspora Palestinians implies their right to choose to return. Khalil Shikaki replies to Salman Abu SittaPolitics not culture
The US administration still seems puzzled by Arab and Muslim repugnance. The matter is really not so difficult, though, says Gamil MattarDo you call this capitalism?
Capitalism is advancing as it sheds its classical skin. Marxist predictions have been fulfilled -- at least in part, says Galal AminTributes
TributesEditorial:
Last ditch support
Now is the time for the US administration to stand up for Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas...Close up
Abandoning the roadmap
US President George W Bush may be about to back track on promises to implement the roadmap and create a Palestinian state by 2005...
By Salama A SalamaSoapbox
The will to understand
The death of the former weapons inspector Dr Kelly was tragic in more than one sense...
By Shawqi AqlWorld cup bid
I was pleased to find out that Egypt has offered to host the 2010 World Cup...
By Naguib MahfouzBahgory One-line: AMINA RIZQ
The bigger problem
The Egyptian press this week focussed on the further deterioration in the Palestinian occupied territories and Iraq, and reactions to the Constitutional Court's ruling on MPs dodging the draft, writes Aziza SamiMurders, they wrote
The bombing that killed 23 people at the UN headquarters in Baghdad and the other that killed Hamas leader Abu Shanab, definitively ending the cease-fire, made for a particularly bloody week that the Arab press struggled to take in stride, writes Amina ElbendaryBottom Lines
Quotes from the Arab press
Obituary: Age could never wither her
Amina Rizq (1910-2003)
By Nehad SelaihaThe other side of the river
Iraqi singer and composer Ilham Al-Madfa'i, in Cairo for a series of concerts, takes time out to speak to Amina ElbendaryPlain Talk
No one thought that an 11.4 by 9 inch painting would produce such a controversy. It all started when the Duke of Northhumberland sold "The Madonna of the Pinks", a painting by Raphael, to the Getty Museum for $35 million...
By Mursi Saad EL-DinIt ends with a tango
Amal Choucri Catta skips around the new season's musical programmeCairo vs New York
Anyone who has been to New York will tell you that the "Big Apple" is like no other American city. And it isn't...
La Bohème
Nyier Abdou conjures a dash of gay ParisMushroom and green bean salad with sour cream
Weekly recipe
By Moushira Abdel-MalekAngels of the Shooting Club
Youssef Rakha broaches social transformation
Gold rush
With golden beaches and crystal blue waters, Dahab is an idyllic spot. Dena Rashed , however, finds a snake in this little Garden of Eden
A fruitful season
Archaeological expeditions unearthed treasure-troves in Alexandria, Siwa and Minya during the spring-summer season. Nevine El-Aref has a peek at the discoveriesDig Days: A curse of monumental proportions
As per the Al-Ahram Weekly article on the 250th anniversary of the British Museum, I travelled to London to give lecture in honour of that esteemed institution.
By Zahi HawassLate is great
Don't worry if you've missed out on your summer vacation: now's the time to book a fall break, writes Rehab SaadSinai: off the beaten track
land that encompasses mountain and valley, burning rock and cool oasis, the most luxurious five star hotels and the most arid expanses of desert. Bonnie M Sampsell describes her week-long adventure in the Sinai desertTraveller's notes
In spite of an abundance of good travel guidebooks and the distributed omniscience of the Internet, I would advise having an Egyptian travel agency make all arrangements for you...Weekend retreats: More than just a beach
From swimming and windsurfing to desert safari and biblical tours, Rasha Sadek guides you through the best places in Ras SudrGuidelines
Travel guidelinesHoliday FAQs
Frequently asked questions about travel to EgyptEgypt's football D-day
Thursday 28 August 2003 is another D-day set to enter Egyptian soccer history, as arch rivals Zamalek and Ahli clash for the Egypt Super Cup. Eric Asomugha reportsEgypt squashes world
Egypt's Omneya Abdel-Qawi proved she is in a class of her own when she crushed teammate Amnah El-Tarabolssi in the first-ever all-Egyptian final of the Women's World Junior Squash Championships. Inas Mazhar reportsA total knockout
The CAF Champions League witnessed impressive shows in the group stage last weekend. Nashwa Abdel-Tawab reportsUniting for Africa
The NBA and FIBA will bring together Africa's top-100 basketball players for a historic joint-venture basketball camp, community outreach programme, and new reading and learning centre in South Africa. Inas Mazhar writesWorld Athletics Championships
Bernane Adere unleashed a devastating sprint finish to claim the first track gold at the World Athletics Championships in the women's 10,000m in Paris...Football friendly fiesta
Spain's Valencia beat fellow countrymen Barcelona 1-0 to win the first International Vodafone under-20 Football "friendly" tournament that ended in Alexandria on Saturday. Inas Mazhar reports.
Commemorating Ibn Khaldun
Ahmed Zaki Pasha's drive to commission a statue for Ibn Khaldun led to a month-long celebration of the mediaeval scholar on the pages of Al-Ahram in May 1932. Professor Yunan Labib Rizk reviews the debates
Shirley Johnston: Breathing life into spaces
From Mississippi to Sohag in search of villas
Profile by Yasmine El-RashidiPack of Cards
By Madame Sosostris
Limelight
By Lubna Abdel-Aziz