Egyptian women are trapped between who they are and who they are expected to be; they are required to live up to the expectations of their parents, families, colleagues, and later on, their husbands and children. In their attempt to meet those expectations, some of them feel that they lose touch wit...

According to an article in tomorrow’s New York Times, documents that the United States and British governments under the Bush, Blair, Obama and Brown administrations have gone to court to prevent from being released support the allegations of Binyam Mohamed, who has been held for seven years i...

"When it comes to a monarchy, all reason goes away," according to a Thai reporter quoted in a Reporters Without Borders report on free expression in Thailand published this week. He was commenting on the multiple charges of lese majeste -- injury or insult to the king -- brought against journalists ...

Tanast. Eli. Telel. Shaden. Dahia. Aelli. Just a sampling of names rejected by Moroccan authorities over the past few years for being "contrary to Moroccan identity." Moroccan law forbids the naming of one's children with anything from Amazigh or foreign traditions; over the past few years, this law...

Family Holidays 1 Swap Corfu for ... Korcula A long-time family favourite, Corfu offers an ideal mix of bustling resorts, long sandy beaches and stunning Venetian architecture in Corfu town. The Croatian island of Korcula, however, can match it on almost every front - wooded hills, unspoilt beaches ...

King Mohammed VI of Morocco announced today that he would not be attending any Arab summits on Israel's offensive in Gaza because "they will not do much to help the Palestinian people." A number of Arab states have been waffling over holding a summit in Qatar, demonstrating the deep rift amongst Ara...

Despite Morocco's close ties with Israel, King Mohammed VI has authorized two specialized hospitals in Rabat to accept injured Palestinians for treatment. 200 Palestinians have been received at Mohammed V Military hospital and the Avicennes University Hospital Center (CHU) and are currently receivin...

Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip is failing, but there may be a silver lining. The war against Hamas is proving -- once again -- that the Middle East's extremist movements cannot be eliminated by military means. If the incoming Obama administration absorbs that lesson, it will have a bet...

Beach Beach-hop by kayak, Brazil The stunning old colonial town of Paraty may be a classic Brazil pitstop but • you can get a completely new perspective on it with Original Travel's kayaking trips around the surrounding coastline. Part of a wider itinerary that also takes in Rio, the two-night kay...

Slovenia Snow shoe Don your thickest old Christmas socks, strap on a pair of snowshoes and get ready to explore the landscape around iconic Lake Bled, a section of the Julian Alps with some of Europe's loveliest terrain. From the highest point at Mount Triglav, limestone peaks zigzag outwards. Exodu...