US prepares arms package for Saudi Arabia and increase for Israel
CAIRO: The United States is preparing a 10-year arms package for Saudi Arabia as well as increasing military aid to Israel, all as part of a process to counter the…
One year after Qana massacre, Lebanese children still on cluster bomb alert
QANA, Lebanon: When Alia, 10, from the South Lebanese town of Qana, insisted I take a look at her coloring book, I never expected what I would see. The story…
Former Banque Du Caire chief stirs controversy over sale deal
CAIRO: Ahmed El-Baradei, former head of Banque Du Caire's, recent statements to the press have stirred controversy over the true reasons behind the government's decision to privatize the 55-year-old state-owned…
Egypt is biggest borrower in MENA report
CAIRO: A recent report by the Bank Information Center (BIC) listed Egypt as the biggest recipient of loans in the Middle East and Northern Africa region (MENA), borrowing heavily from…
KHAWAGA'S TALE: French summers and Le Tour de France
There is an eighth Century image of a Caravan going to Mecca from a book of Arab literature called "The Maqamat, with pilgrims blowing trumpets, banners waving and happy glowing…
Yale Whiffenpoofs Don't Whiff
Last Saturday, the a cappella group the Yale Whiffenpoofs performed at the open air stage at El Sawi Cultural Center. With whirring fans doing their best to combat the blazing…
Fear of Finance
Fear of finance is on the march. Distrust of highly paid people who work behind computer screens doing something that doesn't look like productive work is everywhere. Paper shufflers are…
Kosovo's turnaround – still a work in progress
By the numbers, it is on par with some of Africa's poorest countries - an extremely high infant mortality rate of 35 per 1000 live births, plus a rising unemployment…
The Borders of Liberalism
When it comes to whether and how to regulate the economy, Western societies have a history of liberal theory upon which to rely. But when it comes to immigration, there…
Street smart: Egypt's gifted street footballers are a joy to watch
CAIRO: It's almost midnight on a warm Wednesday evening, and Dokki is thick with traffic. The only green spaces here - the public park opposite Cairo University, and Giza Zoo…