Latest in Politics Highlight
Latest in Politics
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Diplomatic efforts are failing to bring about a cease-fire
The whole Arab world is of course very sad for what s happening now. It really hurts every Arab living in this region to see the sordid condition of Lebanon. In my point of view, the declarations, statements and speeches made by the Arab leaders in this region are really pathetic. It s not enough …
Italian delights
Villa D’Este at the Conrad serves up classy and tasty Italian food CAIRO: Everybody loves Italian food and when you’ve got a craving for a real taste of Italy, keep the pleasant Villa D Este at the Cairo Conrad in mind. Although it is situated on the crowded Corniche, parking is easy. Just turn into …
A global trend companies can't ignore
CAIRO: When the United Nations Global Compact in Egypt launched in 2003, its coordinator Mohamed El-Kalla had only a handful of Egyptian companies, and represented the only Middle Eastern country participating in the project. Since last summer, he now works with 69 local companies, and happily announces he will witness the launch of programs in …
Present and Tense: Bomb me!
CAIRO: The Americans are trying to bomb me. Out of courtesy, they warned me first. “Look, we’ve known each other for years, and I really feel bad about it, but the decision comes from higher up. You know too much, you sell weapons to the wrong people, and with your constant peace plans, you’ve become …
Egypt through the eyes of an artist
Anna s Egypt: An Artist s JourneyBy Anna BoghiguianThe American University in Cairo Press, 2003Paperback Edition CAIRO: One of the things that draw us to artists is their extraordinary interpretation of our seemingly ordinary environment. Scenes that we encounter in our everyday lives take on an enigmatic beauty when a talented artist transfers it into …
Federation of Egyptian Industries rejects calls to boycott Israel
Opinions split on cutting trade relations, QIZ in the balance CAIRO: The Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) board has rejected calls to join a boycott on trade with Israel because of the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. Instead, the board has established an aid committee along with a bank account to receive donations to help affected …
Egypt, Saudi Arabia to combine electricity systems
CAIRO: According to Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat, a source close to the Saudi Ministry of Water and Electricity has revealed to the regional paper that the Saudi and Egyptian governments will sign an agreement on Aug. 23 to combine both counties electricity systems. This agreement is one of a series between Arab countries, stretching from Morocco in …
Barclays renovates "Kafret Nassar" health unit
CAIRO: Just four month following the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Barclays Bank Egypt has inaugurated the primary health unit in Kafret Nassar , Aug. 8, after having been fully renovated and equipped. The MoU was signed in April between Barclays, the Egyptian Finance Executive Foundation (EFEF) and TAKAMOL which a USAID-funded technical …
Celebrity wedding
ŠΘ # # # Many famous actors attended the fun wedding party, here, Merna El Mohendis and the bride # # Phototography by Hasan IbrahimThe newlyweds
Iran, Italy FMs due in Egypt for Lebanon talks
CAIRO: The foreign ministers of Iran and Italy are due in Cairo within the next few days for talks with Egyptian officials on the conflict in Lebanon, a diplomatic source said Friday. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki is expected Saturday for a two-day visit to meet Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abul Gheit, while Italy s Massimo …
Families of missing Egyptian students suspect they abandoned education to live and work in the U.S.
Associated Press CAIRO: Anxious families of some of 11 Egyptians who failed to show up for studies at an American university said Thursday that the students may have decided to try to look for work and live in the United States. The students failure to show up for their month-long study program at Montana State …
Gaza border re-opens for humanitarian cases
GAZA CITY: The border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt opened Friday for a second straight day for humanitarian cases, after weeks of closure, but was shut early again, officials said. The Rafah crossing is Gaza s only gateway to the world that circumvents Israel and was open for less than three hours and …
Egypt police clash with pro-Hezbollah demonstrators
CAIRO: Clashes erupted outside Cairo s most renowned mosque Friday as police tried to prevent worshippers from marching in support of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah after the main weekly Muslim prayers. Dozens of would-be demonstrators lobbed shoes at some 100 police officers who beat the crowd back into the courtyard of the Al-Azhar mosque, …
With Lebanon in spotlight, rights issues in Egypt are being overshadowed
DUBAI: While Israel’s punishing assaults on Lebanon continue to dominate regional news, human rights abuses continue to be reported elsewhere in the region. Egypt, for example, saw the beginnings of a new era of tighter internet regulation this week. With Lebanon facing constant Israeli air strikes, a group of United Nations human rights experts on …
Three of 11 missing Egyptian students in U.S. officials' custody
Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS, U.S.: Three Egyptian students, sought along with eight others who failed to show up for an exchange program in Montana, were taken into custody on Wednesday, authorities said. Eslam Ibrahim Mohamed El-Dessouki, 21, was taken into custody in Minnesota on what was termed an administrative immigration violation as an out-of-status student, according …
Digitizing our cultural and natural heritage
Cultnat has taken on the task of archiving the country s rich past CAIRO: The center for documentation of cultural and natural heritage, Cultnat (combining the two words culture and nature ) is dedicated to preserving what is essentially Egypt’s claim to fame: its incredible heritage. The center is located in the Smart Village on …
No more market fraud
Finally a law that will protect consumer rights CAIRO: In Egypt, many people find themselves buying a product at a shop then going home only to find that it doesn’t work, or reserving a stay at a hotel based on its brochure, only to get there and realize it has none of the amenities it …
Hollywood's memorial to Ancient Egypt
The Hollywood Walk of Fame also leads to Grauman s Egyptian Theater LOS ANGELES: Whether you are gambling in downtown Las Vegas at the Luxor Casino and Hotel or shopping on the other side of the world in Dubai at Wafi Mall, you are bound to be amazed by the buildings, restaurants, and shopping centers …
Writers congregate on the air and online
Site offers an open forum for creative writing and criticism Many people dabble in creative writing, but few in the region have the chance to be criticized in a professional manner or take part in a writing workshop. However, thanks to the Internet, a solution is now available. The Cultural Workshop is a radio show …
Delta Sugar expansion announced
Company to increase in net income and plans for new factory in Sharkeyya CAIRO: Delta for Sugar (DS) has announced plans to build a new 125,000-ton capacity sugar factory in Sharkeyya at a price tag of LE 750 million. The company now produces 260,000 tons per year, second to The Company for Sugar and Integrated …
Swiftly shifting sands of the Mideast
The following question was posed by The Washington Post a few days ago. It was answered, for The Daily Star Egypt by M.J. Akbar: Question: If Lebanon survives as a state, many analysts predict it will be dominated by Hezbollah. How will post-war Lebanon change the political dynamics in the Middle East? Sand doesn t …
Egypt bourse dips, real estate hogs trade
CAIRO, Aug 10 (Reuters) – Egyptian shares dipped slightly in rangebound trading on Thursday as investors pounced on small price fluctuations to make modest profits, with the housing and construction sectors grabbing much of the trade, dealers said. Orascom Construction Industries (OCI), Ezz Steel Rebars (ESR), Medinet Nasr Housing (MNH), Egyptian Resorts (ER) and Orascom …
HC cuts Egypt mobile target prices
CAIRO: Egyptian brokerage HC Securities cut its target prices for Egypt s mobile phone operators, predicting they will have to buy 3G licenses. HC cut its target for Mobinil to 192 Egyptian pounds ($33.45) from 232.5 pounds, and for Vodafone Egypt to 99 pounds from 120 pounds. Mobinil shares closed on Thursday at 138.05 pounds …
Summer loving
ŠΘ # # # All the girls were dressed in colorful gowns, adding to the fresh feel of the event, here, Amira El Mealim and Mrs. Khaled El Darandaly # # Samia El Shiekh, Mena Ragab and Samia Taher
Group accuses Israel of war crimes
Jurists organizing ‘popular’ court to publicize accusations A group of attorneys and jurists have decided to form a joint committee to publicize a list of accusations against what they have described as the Israeli war crimes of committing massacres against the peoples of Lebanon and Palestine. The discussion group was organized by the Egyptian Organization …
Israelis seize Christian towns in south Lebanon
Reuters MARJAYOUN, Lebanon: Israeli troops seized the Christian towns of Marjayoun and Qlaiah in south Lebanon on Thursday, witnesses said, even though Israel says it has put off plans for a broader offensive against Hezbollah guerrillas. A Reuters journalist said Israeli troops had moved on foot through Marjayoun, about 8 km inside Lebanon, as well …
Israel announces war will continue
Press coverage concentrates on Israeli proclamation CAIRO: In a blood-red headline, Al-Masry Al-Youm features the news of the Israeli decision to continue its offensive on Lebanon for another month, “Tel Aviv: The war will continue for 30 more days. “Israel decides to expand its ground operations . the Security Council will not reach a decision …
The Arab League has failed to "fulfill the hopes and expectations" of Somalia
A perpetual landmine for interventionists, Somalia has witnessed its share of inept approaches. Early in the conflict, the United States precluded any possible mediator role by denigrating the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) with Al-Qaeda and Taliban rhetoric-a U.S. response familiar to Islamic regimes. The United Nations foiled attempts at negotiating the peace process by …
UN rights body to meet on Lebanon Today
GENEVA: The UN s Human Rights Council will meet in Geneva on Friday at the request of Muslim states to discuss the war in Lebanon and Israel s role there, the world body said on Wednesday. A letter calling for the session presented by Tunisia on behalf of 16 nations said the 47-member body should …
Sketches of nature
Cultnat has issued a series of postcards that commemorate Egypt s natural heritage that feature the sketches of the country s animals, flora and fauna. The drawings are compelling in their dedication to detail. Nature does not pose motionless for any artist. It s apparent that the artists spent hours observing the animals in their …