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The London-based Women Solidarity for Unified and Independent Iraq has appealed to Arab governments to help save the lives of nine women believed to be facing imminent execution in Iraq.
Amnesty International says Iraq's presidential council has ratified the death sentences and… Read more
With the holy month fast approaching, it’s time for a look at this Google graph. It shows internet searches for “sex” in Egypt during the last 12 months (or, if you want to Arabise it, searches for سكس).
Notice the sudden dip at the beginning of September. That was the start of Ramadan… Read more
The authorities in Morocco have seized the latest edition of two of the country's leading independent magazines – TelQuel (circulation 35,000) and Nichane (50,000).
The reason? Both published an opinion poll showing that 91% of Moroccans have a "positive or very positive"… Read more
Several recent reports from Gaza suggest a steady erosion of personal liberties as Palestinian society retreats into supposedly “traditional” values.
Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights says there has been anoticeable increase in “honour” killings – the most recent case being that of a 27-year-… Read more
Not to be sidelined amid Yemen’s growing mayhem (the Houthi rebellion alone has cost 338 civilian lives during the last 12 months according to government figures), al-Qaeda elements attacked a military vehicle in the eastern province of Marib on Thursday.
AFP says three soldiers died… Read more
Shortly before dawn on Friday, Saudi security forces raided a “satanist ceremony” (i.e. a rock concert) at a private residential compound in Riyadh.
A number of Saudis, Syrians and others were arrested (it is not known how many) and all the equipment was seized, including cameras and computer… Read more
Not to be sidelined amid Yemen’s growing mayhem (the Houthi rebellion alone has cost 338 civilian lives during the last 12 months according to government figures), al-Qaeda elements attacked a military vehicle in the eastern province of Marib on Thursday.
AFP says three soldiers died… Read more
Violence seems to be on the increase in Algeria again. Reuters reports that at least 14 soldiers were killed in an ambush on Wednesday. (Other reports give a death toll ranging from 11 to 20).
"The past two months have seen an upsurge in the violence," Reuters says. "Insurgents killed 18… Read more
Following the death threat to the head of al-Jazeera's bureau in Yemen, sahwa.net (the Islah party's website) reports that Naif al-Qanis, the spokesman of the Joint Meeting Parties (the opposition alliance) "was threatened on Thursday with killing by a caller who claimed that he… Read more
It’s almost two weeks since the latest Arab Human Development Report was published and, after the initial burst of news items which basically summarised its content, considered views are beginning to emerge.
The theme of the 2009 report, as I noted last week, is “human security” – a… 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
