6 - 12 November 2003 [663]
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Shelters from the storm
Israel and the Palestinian factions are awaiting the formation of the next Palestinian government -- each for their own reasons. Graham Usher reports from JerusalemAgainst the common enemy
As resistance to the American occupation of Iraq escalates, Karim El-Gawhary , in Baghdad, discovers that the boundaries between political factions are blurring
Speaking in tongues
Amr El-Choubaki reviews the Muslim Brotherhood's 75 years of semi-political, semi- official history, and tries to answer the oft-whispered question: Can we trust them?More than just neighbours
In an attempt to formulate a common Arab vision on how best to deal with the two most volatile situations in the region, Cairo continued diplomatic contacts with Arab leaders, reports Nevine KhalilObituary: Planting the seeds -- Adel Abu Zahra (1948-2003)
When Adel Abu Zahra died on 31 October, a great void was created in the local movements concerned with conservation, environmental protection and freedom of expression...Mother Egypt
Nearly 700 people with Egyptian mothers and foreign fathers have recently become Egyptian citizens. Reem Leila tries to find out how many more will benefit from a long-awaited amendment to the Egyptian Nationality LawDoomsday for draft-dodgers
The Supreme Administrative Court has rejected a draft dodging MP's last-ditch appeal, setting the stage for 15 MPs to be formally stripped of their seats. Gamal Essam El-Din reportsA circle of negligence
Two members of the Egyptian squad participating in the recent All Africa Games in Nigeria have died of cerebral malaria, while 24 others have been hospitalised. Inas Mazhar searches for answersNewsreel
The State Department said on Monday that the United States stands behind its ambassador in Cairo David Welch after he came under fire for his "bold interference in the affairs of the Egyptian press"...PR and nothing else
The toning-down of Israeli rhetoric against Arafat is nothing but a smokescreen as the brutality of the occupation continues unabated, Khaled Amayreh reportsHudna, resistance and war on Islam
Graham Usher met Ahmed Yassin, the Hamas founder and spiritual leader, in his house in Gaza's impoverished Sabra districtPrisoners deal going nowhere
A delay in the prisoners exchange deal might trigger "other options" that abolish the prospects for agreement. Mohalhel Fakih reportsAmerican elections shadow Sudanese peace
A final Sudanese peace deal has been stalled once again. But the protagonists, with US prodding, are still inching closer to a resolution of Africa's longest-running conflict, writes Gamal NkrumahOut in the cold
A bungled last-minute invitation for a regional meeting caused the first diplomatic hiccup between Iraq and its neighbours, writes Salah HemeidTyrants and Trees
By Sinan AntoonThanks for nothing
Countries at the Madrid Donors' Conference recently pledged $33 billion for the reconstruction of Iraq. Kamil Mahdi questions the motives and substance behind the donors' promises
Forex in free fall
Economic policy-makers are desperately fighting the black market and inflation, but perhaps the foreign exchange regime itself needs to be reconsidered. Salah El-Amrousi reportsTextiles test case: 2005
Pascal Lamy charts an optimistic course around the pitfalls of quota eliminationDollar-denominated depression
The latest foreign exchange rate regime, while hailed by the World Bank and the IMF, is less than popular with most Egyptians. Yasmine El-Rashidi follows the downward trajectory of the pound and the victims left in its wake
Crucifying secularism
A court ruling ordering the removal of the crucifix from a classroom has triggered an uproar in Italy, writes Samia Nkrumah from RomeUnder whose wing?
The pre-trial investigation into the death of Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi raises important questions about dual citizenship and a country's ability to protect its citizens abroad, writes Jaideep MukerjiTories in turmoil
After unceremoniously dumping their leader, Britain's Tories look to a party stalwart to reverse their sagging fortunes. Alistair Alexander reports from LondonUS marks its turf
Senior US officials said the Syria Accountability Act was a way of telling Damascus that they mean business. Khaled Dawoud reports from WashingtonSanctions as weapons of mass destruction
The US embargo against Cuba was once again universally condemned at the UN General Assembly, writes Faiza RadyHard act to follow
Widely regarded as a champion of the developing world, Mahathir Mohamed's remarks often fuelled widespread consternation in the West. Gamal Nkrumah reviews the legacy of Malaysia's outgoing prime minister
The heart of the matter
The Geneva Agreement could revive Rabin's legacy, showing Israeli society a way out from between a teetering right and docile left, writes Ibrahim NafieWagnerian tactics
The smell of burning cities is Sharon's favourite aroma, but the Palestinian response worries Azmi BisharaEgypt, Iraq and Israel in NATO!
Mohamed Sid-Ahmed discusses a controversial proposal put forward by the well-known American columnist Thomas FriedmanChasing illusions?
Until Arab governments wake up and act, only the Israeli right is gaining ground, writes Hassan NafaaBahgory One-line: MAHATHIR MOHAMED
Editorial: 'Tough week, tragic day'
This week, the United States military occupation force in Iraq suffered its worst attack when a Chinook helicopter was gunned down by Iraqi resistance fighters on the outskirts of Fallujah...Close up
Confronting the ambassador
There is an ongoing public crisis between the US Embassy and the Egyptian press which rises and abates, comes and goes...
By Salama A SalamaSoapbox
Basic principles
The National Democratic Party (NDP) adopted new basic principles in its general convention in 2002...
By Mohamed KamalReconstructing Iraq
I was pleased to see Egypt and some other countries taking the initiative to contribute to the reconstruction of Iraq following the destruction to which this valuable part of the Arab world was subject...
By Naguib Mahfouz
Deadly African bugs
The tragic death of two sportsmen and a national dialogue found their way to this week's Egyptian press, writes Fatemah FaragRamadan times
Just like Egypt's Ramadan TV programmes, the Arab press this week was predictable but worth looking at all the same. Dina Ezzat sampled bothBottom Lines
Quotes from the Arab press
Glorious gala
Amal Choucri Catta goes RussianIn progress: Theatre in use
Dahlia Sabbour is a 29-year-old school teacher working at the Learning Resource Centre...
By Sherif NakhlaPlain Talk
One of my favourite actions during Ramadan is to stand in my balcony just before the iftar canon is fired and enjoy the deep silence that envelopes the world -- a cut with a knife.
By Mursi Saad El-DinEco and the book
Nazek Fahmy , attending a lecture by Umberto Eco, finds out about vegetal and mineral memoryOpen ended
Filmmaker Raafat El-Mihi tells Mohamed El-Assyouti about his latest brainchild, the Academy for Cinema Arts and SciencesMoney madness
There have been telling moments already on this year's Ramadan TV...
By Tarek AtiaRamadan nights
At two am, Yasmine El-Rashidi mingles with goats as she savours traditional delightsChicken Cream Soup
Weekly recipe
By Moushira Abdel-MalekGlued to the screen
With a month of much-hyped soap operas, Ramadan highlights the growing tendency for young Egyptians to spend long hours watching television. Dena Rashed flops down on the couch and lethargically reportsConsumer beware !
Consumers have rights in Egypt, but in practice does it matter? Amira El-Noshokaty investigatesFast food, fast poisoning
Lina Mahmoud takes the lid off fast foodHealthy dose of capitalism?
Do injury, disease and even death have to be acceptable risks of many jobs? Fatemah Farag travels to Dusseldorf in search of an answer
Free fall, fall-free
The resumption of the football league saw Ahli crash once more and Zamalek maintain a clean sheet. Eric Asomugha reportsWinning some more
Zamalek extended their winning ways to the Arab Champions League, writes Mohamed El-SayedLeaving it for late
Egypt's Ismaili kept their hope alive of reaching the Champions League finals after Saturday's late home win over Tunisia's Esperance 3-1, writes Abeer AnwarTiger Tim
Britain's Tim Henman grasped his first ever Masters Series title in Paris after beating Romania's Andrei Pavel in a solid straight set match on Sunday, capping the finest week of his tennis career...
On tour
Whether to relax or to better understand societies and their peoples, by the 1930s tourism had become what was then termed a necessity. The tourist industry had expanded enormously, a phenomenon also ascribed to the growing diversity of modes of transportation. Since Egypt was a top tourist attraction, Professor Yunan Labib Rizk explored the country's travel business
Mohamed Balaga: Fanous dreams
Tales of Elephant Pond and Light of Darkness Street
Profile by Youssef Rakha
Pack of Cards
By Madame SosostrisLimelight
By Lubna Abdel-Aziz