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13th October 2009
Writing in today’s issue of Arab News, Walaa Hawari tells the shocking story of a mentally and physically disabled Saudi woman who was married off by her father for money – without her consent and to a man she had never met.
The woman, identified by the name Fatima, suffered brain injuries in a car… Read more
13th October 2009
A Jordanian man has been sentenced to 15 years in jail with hard labour for killing his sister “to cleanse his family's honour”. By Jordanian standards, the sentence is unusually tough – sentences in some previous cases have been as little as a few months.
According to a court official quoted in… Read more
12th October 2009
A three-day workshop organised by the Saudi ministry of municipal and rural affairs is due to start in Jeddah today. Arab News reports: "The workshop aims at familiarising people on using healthy shaving tools, especially razor blades. And also the tools used in barbershops and ways to use them."… Read more
12th October 2009
After years of delay, the text of the EU’s association agreementwith Syria has been finalised and will be signed on October 26. The move is seen partly as a reward to the Damascus regime for progress so far and also as a way of encouraging further changes in its behaviour.
The last few months have… Read more
12th October 2009
Just when the fuss over Unesco’s rejection of Egypt’s culture minister seemed to be dying down, Libya has entered the fray. It is threatening to boycott the organisation if Bulgarian diplomat Irina Bokova is formally installed as its head on October 15.
"Libya does not agree with the election of a… Read more
11th October 2009
The leader of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Abd al-Malik al-Houthi,said yesterday he is “ready for dialogue” to “save the country from corruption and injustice”.
His statement seemed to suggest he is seeking to engage with the opposition Joint Meeting Parties, which has called for a ceasefire, rather than… Read more
10th October 2009
The first UN aid convoy from Saudi Arabia to northern Yemen –delayed for several weeks – is expected to set off today carrying tents, mattresses, blankets and other items for about 2,000 people stranded in the border area as a result of the Houthi conflict.
It had been due to leave on Friday but… Read more
9th October 2009
Algerian journalist and rights activist Hafnaoui Ghoul is due in court on Tuesday, accused of criminal defamation over an article that talked about corruption and maladministration in Djelfa province.
This is just one of 16 lawsuits against Ghoul – all of them brought by local officials and all "… Read more
9th October 2009
The Houthi rebels in northern Yemen claim to have captured Munabbih (Munabah), a district bordering Saudi Arabia.
Reuters quotes a rebel statement saying local residents had turned against the authorities because of rights abuses and "citizens took full control of government buildings".
AFP adds … Read more
9th October 2009
The Saudi king's two-day "reconciliation" visit to Syria has prompted speculation about what it will mean for Lebanon, where wrangling over the formation of a new government continues, four months after the parliamentary election.
Saudi Arabia backs Saad Hariri's March 14 alliance while Syria backs… 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
