Jordanian court announces engagement of King Abdullah's brother to CNN

[alcuno]

reporter Rym Brahimi. ( No, he's not marrying CNN. You're thinking of the * family.)

"AP-AMMAN, Jordan — Jordan's royal family on Friday announced the engagement of King Abdullah II's half brother, Prince Ali, to CNN reporter Rym Brahimi.

The wedding will take place Sept. 7, the official Petra news agency reported.

Ali, 29, heads a special force that protects the monarch. He is the son of the late King Hussein from his marriage to Queen Alia, who died in a helicopter crash in 1977.

Brahimi is the daughter of the U.N. envoy to Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi.

The engagement ceremony took place in Paris in the presence of Abdullah, Petra said."

http://ap.onlineathens.com/pstories/state/ga/20040423/2094494.shtml

>>>>>Isn't it a small world after all? CNN's anchor is the daughter of Lakdar Brahimi, the guy now deciding the government for Iraq, and she's marrying the brother of the King of the country next to Iraq.

[goclark]

1. And the beat goes on

Nothing surprises me any more.

[Mikimouse]

2. This could be very interesting...

especially considering the statements made by Mr. Brahimi regarding the 'poisonous' influence of the Israelis in the political reconstruction of Iraq. Methinks that something interesting could come of this. After all, if one attacks the messenger, which is quite likely to happen, then one is tarnishing the honor of the messenger, who will be related to the Jordanian throne. Bwhahahahahaha! Hey George, take notes, there'll be a quiz later!

[Tellurian]

10. Yes, I was thinking the same thing -

King Abdullah has about as much in common with Bush as Oil and Water. It wouldn't hurt at all having a blood related ear in the UN..and maybe a teensy, weensy bit of input/control over the foreseeable government in Iraq..

Bush/Quiz? you're joking, right?

[Mikimouse]

16. The quiz thingy was a wishful thought, but...

I said it many times before on this board that Abdullah, above all else, was his father's choice to succeed him. Since I always had the highest respect for King Hussein, I am sure that he would not have turned over his beloved land to a fool. I admire Abdullah for a number of reasons, and he not at all like *. He is very well educated and articulate. His degrees are real, unlike *'s gentleman's degrees (you really have to piss off people at the IV league institutions to get a C, by the way, contrary to what the idiots on RW hate radio keep spewing. I know, I went to one for two years but ran out of money.
Watch Abdullah and watch Putin very closely in the next few months. One also does not rise to the level of command in the KGB with out having two functioning brain cells to work with, unlike *.

[leesa]

3. Well, isn't that cozy! Is Bush the best man? Or maybe Chalabi?

[stellanoir]

4. not Chalabi. . .

if he places one of his cloven hoofs into Jordon, he'll be indicted on embezzlement charges 'cause he bankrupted the Bank of Jordan by stealing millions. There's a warrant out for him. We certainly know how to pick 'em (distinguished leaders) don't we?

[alcuno]

5. I thought he was convicted in absentia.

Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't he an outlaw?

[stellanoir]

13. you may be right

I just know that the charges are still standing and he cannot enter Jordon.

[Judi Lynn]

6. She must be on CNN International

I don't remember seeing her face in this country:

http://www.home.zonnet.nl/kraan90/image/brahimi,%20rym40.jpg

Darned right it seems to be a small world, and apparently, they're keeping it all to themselves!

[rooboy]

7. Yeah, she's with CNNI... regular reports from Baghdad & region. n/t

[alcuno]

9. She's been on state-run CNN tons of times.

Although I haven't seen her lately.

[Tellurian]

12. Intelligent looking woman...kudos to her and her new life...n/t

[TahitiNut]

8. In the array of CNN presstitutes ...

... she has always seemed more balanced to me. Like father like daughter?

[IndianaGreen]

11. The late King Hussein married an American, Queen Noor

The former Lisa Halabi was the daughter of Pan American Airlines chairman.

BTW, Rym Brahimi reports on CNN International.

Another notable CNN marriage is the one between Christiane Armanpour and James Rubin, Wes Clark's former campaign spokesman.

From Publishers Weekly

Anyone who loved The King and I will readily warm to the love story of Queen Noor and the late King Hussein of Jordan. Born in America in 1951 as Lisa Halaby, Noor came from a wealthy, well-connected family and was part of Princeton's first co-ed class. Her father's aviation business produced a chance meeting with King Hussein in 1976, and a year or two later Noor realized the king was courting her. He was 41, she was 26. The rumor mills buzzed: was she the next Grace Kelly? Before long, the king renamed her Noor (light in Arabic), and she converted to Islam. They were married in the summer of 1978. From this point on, her story is mostly his, mainly covering his attempts to broker peace in the Middle East. There are meetings with Arafat, Saddam Hussein, American presidents and other leaders. Noor details Hussein's struggles to create Arab unity and his vision of peaceful coexistence with Israel. Her own activities developing village-based economic self-sufficiency projects and improving Jordan's medical, educational and cultural facilities take second place to her husband's struggles on the world stage. And while she occasionally acknowledges her domestic difficulties, Noor is careful not to allow personal problems to become any more than asides. Her pleasing memoir ends with the king's death after his struggle with cancer, although readers may suspect that this smart, courageous woman will remain a world presence for years to come.

Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0786867175/002-9925641-8057624?v=glance

[alcuno]

14. Now we understand why Brahimi got the interview w/ the Hussein daughters.

The ones who went into exile in Jordan.

[phoebe]

15. some fresh new faces/ideas on CNN would be a good thing

hope she isn't going to be the lone representative!