I think for anyone who’s been following the news lately - heck, anyone who has been remotely alive in some way, has probably already concluded that August has been a tough month when it comes to crime. Especially violent crimes. It seems everyday there is one report after another about the latest murder or tribal […]

Trans-la-la-tion
Title reads: The global Yahoo company acquires the Arabian Maktoob
Logo reads: “And at last the world acknowledges that Arabs are good at talking!!”

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AP Photo - Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal (C) walks past members of the media as he attends his father’s funeral in Amman. Meshaal was allowed back into Jordan for first time since 1999 for the funeral.
On two related notes: Meshaal also renewed his Jordanian passport a few years ago. And I’m dying to read “Kill […]

As I was driving along airport road yesterday, I noticed a swarm of birds, possibly the largest I’ve ever seen in Jordan, swooping by. They seemed to be moving as quickly as I was. I don’t know what specific birds they were, but I simply refer to them as “soaring birds”, because that’s essentially what […]

Undeniably, the biggest news in Jordan this past week was the Yahoo! and Maktoob deal. Scanning the local papers or media for that matter might not be the best barometer for the importance of this business deal, but then again, local media has never been the best barometer for most things. Have no fear though, […]

AP PHOTO - A vendor sells tomatoes, at a market in central Amman. Local media and consumer activists are waging a war against “greedy” dealers blamed for taking advantage of the rising demand on food items ahead of Ramadan to raise their prices.
If basic economics suggest that price is determined by supply equaling demand, then […]

Here’s the thing about Ramadan: it is a month of ominous perspectives and social commentaries. Observations that would otherwise pass as conventional cynical reminders of the day-to-day experiences in a Muslim nation, are reduced to cliches. Let me simplify.
One. Ramadan is a time when coffee-starved, nicotine-detoxing employees render services delivered unbearable and the workplace unlivable. […]

AP PHOTO - A man works in a bakery in Amman. The bakery is one of few that make sesame bread used for cheese and grilled eggs sandwiches, a popular and cheap meal served around the clock.
Note: Just to add to the caption, for those interested, I believe the bakery is the Salah il-Deen Bakery […]