Blog archive all
7th March 2010
A rumour has been going round that the Saudi authorities are about the cut off the BlackBerry Messenger service (BBM) – much to the annoyance of its customers. According to versions the cut-off was due to happen last Saturday, though it hasn't materialised yet.
The story began when al-Watan… Read more
5th March 2010
It now appears that no one saw the murder of Ali Tounsi, Algeria's national security chief, in his office last week. The interior minister has promised "full transparency" in the investigation but says: "The crime was without witnesses."
This is odd but no doubt convenient for the regime. Press… Read more
5th March 2010
A demonstrator was shot dead by security forces in Yemen yesterday as he tried to remove a Yemeni flag from a government building and hoist a southern flag in its place during a separatist protest. The shooting, in Radfan (Lahej province), is reported by Reuters and DPA.
Meanwhile, more details… Read more
3rd March 2010
Last December, the United States provided "firepower and other aid" for air strikes against suspected al-Qaeda militants in Yemen. At the time it was hailed as a great success. President Obama even phoned President Salih and "praised Yemen's efforts in the fight on terrorism, particularly [the]… Read more
3rd March 2010
It's strange how Reuters grandly describes the prominent Yemeni separatist, Ali Salim al-Baidh, as "an exiled former president of South Yemen". At a stretch, it's technically correct but it's also misleading.
Al-Baidh was secretary-general of the Socialist Party during the last few years of its… Read more
3rd March 2010
The winner of this year's International Prize for Arabic Fiction, announced yesterday, is the Saudi writer, Abdo Khal (pictured above).
His book, known in English as "Throwing Sparks as Big as Castles", is the story of a young man who leaves his family in a poor community in Jeddah to work as a… Read more
2nd March 2010
Security forces in southern Yemen raided a house in Zinjibar (Abyan province) early on Monday and a gun battle ensued. Several people were killed, including Ali Saleh al-Yafei, his wife and at least two children, plus two or more soldiers. Reports differ on the number of casualties.
According to… Read more
1st March 2010
Separatist demonstrations continued in Yemen yesterday, the second of “two days of southern anger” called to send a message to the international donors’ conference in Riyadh.
Twenty-one people were reportedly arrested as result of Saturday’s protests. The authorities switched off mobile phone… Read more
1st March 2010
More details have emerged about the case of Ahmed Mustafa, the young Egyptian blogger hauled up before a military court for "tarnishing the image" of the armed forces.
His "offence" occurred more than a year ago when he wrote in his Arabic-language blog about someone being removed from a military… Read more
28th February 2010
Thousands took to the streets of southern Yemen yesterday in protests timed to coincide with a meeting of the country’s international donors.
Demonstrations were reported in the main towns of four provinces – Dhali, Lahij, Abyan and Hadramawt – but there seem to have been only minor outbreaks of… Read more
ARAB ART ONLINE: Susan Hefuna: Al Sabr Gamil (Patience is Beautiful) 2007. Ink stained on wood 140 x 170 cm. More information | Click to enlarge
