Latest in Politics Highlight
Latest in Politics
Abdel Moneim Madbouly, renowned Egyptian comedian, dies at 85
CAIRO: Abdel Moneim Madbouly, a comedian and playwright who entertained millions of Arabs for more than 60 years, died Sunday in Cairo. He was 85. Madbouly died of heart failure at the Arab Contractors Hospital in Cairo, where he had been treated for heart problems, Egypt s official news agency reported. He wrote, directed and …
Egypt's role in the UN propelled by aid initiatives
CAIRO: Egypt has stepped up its aid initiatives with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), assisting Niger, Sudan and other African countries, providing aid relief. The Egyptian government has been a regular donor to WFP activities for many years, contributing $1.69 million since 2001 and assisting recently in Sudan. Allan Jury, head of WFP …
Cairo copes with exploding population
CAIRO: On the occasion of the internationally recognized World Population Day, commemorated Monday, several countries in the region, particularly Egypt and Yemen, are taking a closer look at the impediments to development caused by exploding populations. In Egypt, the issues involved are conveyed by the example of Mahrous Amin, 33, and his wife Awali, who …
Press round-up: Parliamentarians maneuver to pass press law
Students protest against Israeli offensive in Gaza CAIRO: Opposition and independent newspapers’ struggle against the controversial press bill continues. Front-page headlines feature slogans such as “The free press will never surrender and “The July 9 Revolution, referring to this Sunday when scores of reporters and pro-reform activists erupted in protest against the law. “The new …
El Sawy promotes kids' talents
Introducing new meaning to summer vacation CAIRO: If you think local children don’t have great artistic potential, think again. Al Sawy’s first concert of the “My Vacations Program captivated the audience with the talent of these young performers. For the fourth year in a row, the summer program has proved to be successful, with over …
Coptic pope plays down challenge by dissident bishop
CAIRO: Egypt s Coptic pope sought Monday to reassure his followers Monday upon returning from a trip abroad that raised concerns over his health and saw a dissident bishop trying to set up a rival church. The church has 20 centuries of history behind it. It has remained solid and was never harmed by the …
Mortgage refinance company established with LE 200 million capital
Additional funding of $37.1 million to be provided by World Bank CAIRO: In an attempt to address the shortage of long-term funds in the housing market, the central bank and 24 private and public financial institutions jointly established a new mortgage refinance company. The Egyptian Company for Mortgage Refinancing (ECMR) has been created with an …
Passing on the torch
ŠΘ # # # Rotary members, charity volunteers, businesswomen and socialites attended the event, here, Esmat and Effat Zedan, Nadia Ezz El Deen, Manal Sorour # # Mar Brat, Shafik Nakhla, Fatma Barada
Powerful images reflect plight of women
Red Lilies by Eman Osman contemplates shades of red CAIRO: Hidden on the crowded street of Talaat Harb in downtown Cairo is a showcase of masterpieces by Eman Osman that reflect political and social life in aesthetically pleasant paintings. Although the show, entitled “Red Lilies, is showing at the premises of the Manulana Azad Center …
Israel launches strikes after rebuffing ceasefire
GAZA: Israel launched air strikes against Palestinian targets across the Gaza Strip on Sunday and said it would continue an open-ended offensive after rebuffing a ceasefire proposed by Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas. Israeli leaders said the military would press on with air and ground assaults until Palestinian militants released Corporal Gilad Shalit, a …
A towering achievement
CAIRO: A marketer by profession, Randa Haggag dared to do what most executives caught up in the rat race only dream about. Through her passion for photography, which started off as a hobby, she was able to take a step back from the daily grind and really take notice of the beauty in her surroundings. …
Police arrest 30 Brotherhood leaders
CAIRO: Egyptian security forces have detained 30 leading members of the Muslim Brotherhood, the latest arrests in a crackdown on the country s strongest opposition movement, the group s deputy leader said on Sunday. Mohammed Habib told Reuters 27 Brotherhood members were arrested in the town of Ras Al-Bir on Egypt s north coast during …
Omar Effendi sale finalized
CAIRO: After years of unsuccessful attempts to privatize the retail giant, the board of directors of the Holding Company for Trade finally approved the sale of Omar Effendi to Anwal United Trading Co., a Saudi clothing and apparel retailer. The final approval by the holding company that owns Omar Effendi follows the endorsement of the …
Shares dip as mobile telecom mania fades
CAIRO: Shares slipped on Sunday as mania triggered by last week s auction of Egypt s third mobile license faded and the market turned sluggish, with telecoms stocks generally lower, traders said. Existing mobile operator Vodafone Egypt dropped 4.7 percent to close at LE 88.66 ($15.37), while rival MobiNil fell 0.4 percent to LE 157.97. …
Dying Egyptian artform revived in Cairo
Agence France-Presse CAIRO: When Omm Sameh sings, trendy students, young intellectuals and tourists looking for a taste of the exotic sway to her captivating sounds. The voluptuous, dark-eyed singer sings to the Prophet Mohammed and his descendants, to Jesus and to unseen spirits to the pulsating rhythms of drums and strings. She is one of …
Less than half proposed sites pass first hurdle for UNESCO list
VILNIUS: Less than half the 37 sites nominated for a place on UNESCO s prestigious World Heritage list have been provisionally approved for inclusion on the list, an official of the UN cultural body said in Lithuania Friday. Our experts have recommended 14 sites to be included on the World Heritage list, but this does …
Little to glow about at World Cup for Africa
Agence France-Presse BERLIN: Africa is ready, Africa s time has come, Africa is calling. Those emotive words from South African president Thabo Mbeki about South Africa s hosting of the 2010 World Cup could just as well sum up Africa s hopes of actually winning the trophy. They may be ready but their time has …
Anger over press law continues unabated
Independent and opposition newspapers strike against new law CAIRO: Journalists continue to protest a government-proposed press law after Egypt’s People’s Assembly announced that it was prepared to pass it. More than 20 independent and opposition newspapers and magazines launched a strike on Sunday; only national newspapers were to be seen on newsstands. Many pro-democracy and …
An elegant dinner
ŠΘ # # # Asma Dabous, Nelly Shatila and Rola Raed # # Negel Mobarak, Ali El Halaby, Ahmed Bedewy and Walid Alaily
Italian official questioned in alleged case of kidnapped Egyptian cleric
ROME: A top Italian intelligence official arrested on charges of participating in the alleged CIA kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric was questioned for a second day Saturday, amid growing evidence that the Americans did not act alone. Marco Mancini, head of counterespionage at Italy s SISMI agency, was detained Wednesday on an arrest warrant issued …
The elusive myth of press freedom
We re Egyptians, we like fairy tales. Aly Baba and the 40 Thieves, Joha, One ?Thousand and One Nights. Oh, and the most modern of our fairy tales; the one about social and political reform. Most Egyptians know that one; it s ongoing. If only Scheherazade d had access to that ?one, she d have …
Hunch time
It’s come down to Europe vs. Europe, former vs. former champion, blue vs. blue. France s Les Bleus vs. the Italian Azzurri. The stage is set for a classic. Tomorrow witnesses the biggest football match in four years. Any questions? History says Italy will win. The French will be making just their second ever appearance …
Present and Tense: The Circassian quatrain
Many of you don’t know that this country is on the verge of a legal reform unmatched since Hammurabi went up the mountain and brought back the Magna Carta. The judges and journalists would have you think otherwise. How many times have I told them to stop the melodrama? How many times have I said …
Muslim Brotherhood to run in Shura Council elections
Group accuses government of obeying U.S. commands CAIRO: One of Egypt’s principal opposition groups, the Muslim Brotherhood, announced Thursday their intention to run in the coming elections for the Shura Council (lower house of parliament) in April. “We have a principal. It is that we would run for all elections, on every level, including the …
Italy's government supports probe on alleged CIA kidnapping
Egyptian cleric to sue Berlusconi ROME: Italy s government on Thursday backed a probe into the possible role of its intelligence services in the alleged abduction of an Egyptian by U.S. agents, a day after senior intelligence figures were arrested in connection with the case. Italian Defense Minister Arturo Parisi said Prime Minister Romano Prodi …
Emotional intelligence
The art of regulating feelings to be in control of your emotional responses CAIRO: Do you often lose your temper with your irresponsible colleague? Can t you fight the urge to help other people although you always feel frustrated when they don t return the favor? Are your spouse s irritating habits threatening your future …
Defense-minded teams advance to the finals
CAIRO: For any teams looking to advance in the next World Cup, thinking that an assortment of talented strikers and attack-minded midfielders are enough, this World Cup may cause them to think again. As goalkeepers turned out to be the hero’s in the quarter-finals, the defenders prevailed during the semi-finals. In the first semi-final between …
Get your children out of the house
Summer activities are pivotal to children s development, not mere time fillers CAIRO: Whether it is a low-key teenager or a hyperactive seven-year-old, summer time is always a problem. More than three months of children lying around the house, either wrecking havoc in all its rooms or glued to the TV screen and playing video …
Anything your heart desires
Enjoy the service of Sharm El-Sheikh s Four Seasons Resort SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt: If you are in need of a relaxing, high quality vacation, look no further than the Four Seasons Resort in Sharm El-Sheikh, offering you pretty much anything you desire and more. The Moroccan architectural design of the clustered 200 rooms is …
Future of the El-Ghad party in question
CAIRO: Despite its young age in comparison to other, more established parties, the liberal El-Ghad (Tomorrow) party, founded by the 42-year-old Ayman Nour in October 2004, was one of the key players in the political movement that Egypt witnessed in the last couple of years. The party had its ups and downs and now faces …