Mr Mahfouz knew his subject like a true ibn balad, a son of the Cairo soil.

ECONOMIST: Naguib Mahfouz | The

On 30 July 1966, Moore's dreams came true as England won the World Cup on home soil, defeating great rivals Germany in the final at Wembley -- outside of which a statue of their former captain proudly stands today.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

It is true, they say, that tree roots can trap sliding soil but only for shallow landslides of up to a metre in depth.

ECONOMIST: Deforestation and floods