Inside The Middle East

SHOW #55

QATAR

Hosted by Michael Holmes from Qatar

QATAR/NOLA GIFT

JIM CLANCY

The Emir of Qatar has given 100 million dollars to help Katrina victims in NOLA and the Gulf region. Jim Clancy tagged along with the Emir as he traveled through the region to see the impact of his donation. Many Americans are unfamiliar with the country of Qatar, but we talked to a scholarship student, a new homeowner and a hospital patient who are quickly learning about the generosity of a "king" and country so many miles away. Jim Clancy reports.

IRAQI OLYMPIC ATHLETES

JILL DOUGHERTY

Iraq's olympic athletes are preparing for the summer's Beijing games. Their target: bring home some medals, and unite their fellow Iraqis. For these athletes - an archer, a Judo black belt, a sprinter and others, just getting to Beijing alive is a victory. Five or six Iraqi athletes will qualify to represent their country at the games; in spite of the danger each face, none have dropped out. Jill Dougherty takes a peak at their training, in Baghdad.

INVENTIVENESS BORNE OF HARDSHIP

Limited fuel and energy supplies are affecting all aspects of life for Gaza's 1.5 million residents. There's no petrol for cars, no power for homes and businesses. Gazans have employed various methods to get around the Israeli-imposed restrictions since they began last year. With necessity being the mother of invention, Gaza residents are using all sorts of various home-grown technologies to get by, including cooking oil to power their cars, electric vehicles, and solar power. Ben Wedeman takes a closer look.