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"The fate of the Arab world’s two most important states lies in the hands of ageing autocrats," The Economist says, referring to Egypt (where there is renewed speculation about the health of 82-year-old President Mubarak) and Saudi Arabia (whose ruler, King Abdullah, is in his mid-eighties). "The… Read more
Houthi rebels in northern Yemen ambushed a convoy of police and pro-government tribesmen on Wednesday, killing three officers and eight tribesmen. The convoy was reportedly carrying food supplies in the Majaz district of Saada province.
The attack came came amid growing tensions between… Read more
The French parliament's vote to ban the niqab has aroused international controversy. Meanwhile, Syria's attempt to ban the niqab in schools has attracted less attention. The Economist saysabout 1,200 teachers are affected and some of them have been transferred to other jobs… Read more
More than 20 armed men attacked two adjacent security/intelligence buildings in southern Yemen yesterday. As many as five people may have been killed.
The attack occurred in Zinjibar (Abyan province). The Yemen Observer says:
The attackers who were masked and riding motorcycles… Read more
Following last month's police raid on a "safe house" in Karbala used used as a refuge for gay, lesbian and transgender Iraqis, there's news of another raid – this time at a male beauty parlour in Baghdad. Interior Ministry forces took away the manager and four workers.
The London-based… Read more
More opposition in Egypt to the proposed new personal status lawfor non-Muslims – this time from the country's small Baha'i community.
Raouf Hendi, the community's spokesman, described the draft law as "racist and discriminatory", saying it will promote sectarianism.Bikya Masr reports:
Hendi… Read more
The National newspaper has a report on the struggles of independent film-makers in Saudi Arabia – a land without cinemas:
Outdoor shoots are huge hassles with actors of both genders. Invariably, the religious police arrive and shut down filming, sometimes arresting everyone, despite a… Read more
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has protested at the suspension of of the Sudanese daily newspaper, al-Intibaha. Last week the paper received a phone call from the Security and National Intelligence Service saying it had been suspended indefinitely and its latest edition would… Read more
The ceasefire agreement that halted the all-out conflict between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels last February seems to be gradually breaking down. A headline in the Yemen Observer predicts that a seventh round in the war is "imminent".
The paper quotes Houthi… Read more
Five Yemeni oil workers were kidnapped in the sparsely-populated northern province of al-Jawf late on Thursday, and the interior ministry is blaming the Houthi rebels.
"The Houthis captured five staff from an oil company in Marib along with their car when they were inspecting fuel… 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
