World Bank says more private sector reform needed in MENA
CAIRO: Members of the region's private sector are not all competing on a level playing field, according to a World Bank report released Monday.Success depends too often on "privilege and…
THE REEL ESTATE: Not so great expectations: Cairo film fest kicks off
Halfway through last year's installment of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), I had a conversation with a German reporter about the disastrous organization and the elitism that came to…
King Tut's tomb set for 5-year renovation project
CAIRO: Egypt and the California-based Getty Conservation Institute announced Tuesday a five-year project to restore the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the boy king whose golden mask and artifacts have long awed…
Aerosmith turmoil amid Tyler 'quit' reports
The future of US supergroup Aerosmith was shrouded in uncertainty after unconfirmed reports that flamboyant front-man Steven Tyler had quit the band.Tyler, 61, indicated he was parting company with the…
Grumpy old men
LONDON: Having reached pensionable age, I qualify to be a grumpy old man. I should be boring my children, and the students at Oxford University where I am Chancellor, with…
Answering the food security colonial conundrum?
In international relations the security discourse is often monopolised by those with a myopic view of security as focusing disproportionately on military matters. Other factors, be they economic, social or…
The Oslo legacy
TEL AVIV: At precisely 11 am the ceremony began on the White House lawn. The announcer proclaimed the entrance of US President Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Rabin and Palestinian Chairman…
Student who accused ad mogul of plagiarism apologizes
CAIRO: Advertising mogul Tarek Nour agreed to drop a lawsuit against Tamer Azab, after the latter issued a formal apology to him and his company."I have issued an apology to…
IEA warns of huge cost for energy 'revolution'
PARIS: The economic crisis gives the world a chance for a low-carbon revolution to ensure energy supplies and fight global warming, but it will cost a huge chunk of worldwide…