Latest in Politics Highlight
Latest in Politics
Poverty pushes poor Egyptians to sell their organs
CAIRO: In today’s Egypt, a human kidney can be bought illegally for less than $5,000. A desperate donor sold his to Fawziya (not her real name) for as much. But even paying that sum of money did not cure the patient. In Egypt, prior to any transplant, the Doctors’ Syndicate must conduct an investigation and …
A different Toon
http://www.jibjab.com/ Brothers Gregg and Evan Spiridellis founded Jibjab in 1998 and since then have been among the foremost purveyors of web-based satirical animation. They reached the height of their fame in 2004 with an inspired 2-minute spoof of the U.S. presidential campaign titled “This Land. Set to the tune of the celebrated Woody Guthrie song, …
African nations agree on joint measures to fight piracy and trafficking
Next international conference on maritime security in Africa to take place in Egypt Agence France-Presse ABUJA: African nations have agreed on joint measures, in which they will get U.S. assistance, to confront threats to their maritime, fisheries and oil export activities ranging from piracy to smuggling people and drugs. Faced with many maritime problems, they …
Mortgages on the increase
Reforms to improve mortgage process designed to boost investments CAIRO: By March 2006, 490 mortgage loans worth a total of LE 178 million had been granted by the two sole mortgage finance companies in Egypt, Al-Taamir and Al-Masria, according to the Ministry of Investment. Mortgage loans granted by banks also increased, amounting to LE 125 …
Like it or not
When San Francisco s Barry Bonds hit his 715th career home run last week to move past the legendary Babe Ruth into second place on the all-time list, more than a few people must have been wondering how many of those out of the park monster blasts were helped along by drugs. Bonds is now …
WHO on a mission to prevent female genital mutilation
Nearly half of the girls affected annually are in Egypt and Ethiopia GENEVA: The WHO (World Health Organization) said Friday that female genital mutilation is a form of torture that must be stamped out, even if it is performed by trained medical personnel. The medicalization of female genital mutilation, often called female circumcision and also …
Letter to the Editor
In response to the story entitled “Filming gone too far? in the February 27, 2006 issue of The Daily Star Egypt: In February 2006, during the African Cup of Nations, I created a video called Girls At The Cairo National Stadium, as an artist. The video was shown in several exhibitions and in Google Video …
Two Egyptian policemen shot dead by Israeli army
CAIRO: Israeli soldiers shot and killed two Egyptian policemen who strayed over their common border Friday, days before a key meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Hosni Mubarak. This morning, June 2, the bodies of two policemen with the force assigned to guard the international border in Sinai were found 200 meters across …
Washington denounces arrests of activists in Egypt
WASHINGTON: The U.S. State Department on Thursday said it was deeply concerned about the arrest and alleged torture of two civil society activists in Egypt and urged authorities there to investigate the matter. We are troubled by the recent reports that Mohammed Al-Sharqawy as well as Karim Al-Shaer were arrested and, during their arrest and …
Glam careers
The exciting, innovative jobs common in the local market CAIRO: Let’s face it; all jobs are not created equal. While every job comes with its perks and drawbacks, some are just more glamorous than others. A look at the local scene highlights a number of the most exciting, creative and, yes, the sexiest careers out …
Present and Tense: Pink warriors
My loyalties have been put to the test once again. Amnesty International has called me to corroborate the recent arrests of bloggers and the alleged sexual abuse of at least one activist. A half hour later, Ahmad from the interior ministry was on the phone asking me to refute what he called “gross misrepresentation of …
More Sinai bombings suspects detained
CAIRO: Egyptian security forces have arrested two men wanted in connection with a spate of deadly attacks in the Sinai region over the past two years, the official MENA news agency reported Friday. A third man gave himself up voluntarily, as the search for suspects in the peninsula continued. Security forces arrested Mohammed Hadi Salim …
Analysis: A dysfunctional opposition
CAIRO: Thursday’s protest was, by all accounts, a protest about a protest about a protest. The demonstration raised a lot of questions that must be answered in order for the opposition to maintain a viable dissent movement. Thursday saw about 50 demonstrators move from the corniche in Garden City, next to the Four Seasons hotel, …
Gym mythology
It’s time to separate fact from fiction and understand the truth about gym myths CAIRO: Myths come from various “trustworthy sources. Fitness magazines, gym rats and supplement and equipment companies are all a part of putting personal opinion, and not scientific back up. Discard the common myths to understand what has become gym tradition and …
Fashion and celebrities intertwined
CAIRO: For many years the fashion industry has worked closely with celebrities in the entertainment field and other glamorous professions. At some points, it is not clear whether celebrities set the trends or if they are simply display tools used by major fashion designers to promote their own styles. Often enough, stars are asked about …
Kia targets 12 percent of Egyptian car market
CAIRO: Having officially announced its new agent in Egypt at the Automech Akhbar El Yom car exhibition on Thursday, Kia Motors says that it seeks a share of 12 percent of the Egyptian car market. Kevin Chung, president of Kia s regional headquarters for Middle East and Africa operations in Dubai, explains that his company …
Uno dos tres!
ŠΘ # # # It was a huge success as the audience danced and sang throughout the night, here, Lucy Artein and Libliba # # The VIP section was packed with Egypt’s socialites, here, Noha Khalil, Noha Halaby and Mona El Kafrawy
Jewelry for all
CAIRO: The global phenomenon of semi-precious stone costume jewelry has made women happy by making them feel exclusive and men happy by lifting the burden of precious stone jewelry off of their wallets. In Egypt the market is huge, with such high demand that both established and new designers are coming up with fabulous, innovative …
Winner in paternity case sees precedent
Reuters CAIRO: A woman who rocked Egyptian society by taking a famous actor to court to prove he was the father of her child is urging thousands of other women in a similar position to speak out and get help. Hind El-Hinnawy, 28, told Reuters on Wednesday that the relative speed with which she won …
Film on sunken ferry angers owner
CAIRO: Plans for a movie about the Egyptian ferry which sank in the Red Sea killing about 1,000 people have infuriated the owner of the ship, a newspaper reported Thursday. According to Al-Masry Al-Youm, the ship owner and MP Mamdouh Ismail has urged Wahid Hamed, one of Egypt s top screenwriters, to abandon the script, …
Al-Wafd conflict back in the news
CAIRO: Al-Wafd party conflicts are back in the news with the general assembly meeting due today. The official newspaper of the party announced that Al-Wafd has entered “a new historical phase. Al-Wafd editor Abbas El Tarabeily said that Friday will be the “Wafdists’ date with history. El Tarabeily wrote that this is the first elected …
Egypt denies activists tortured
CAIRO: Egypt on Wednesday denied claims that pro-reform activists detained after a peaceful demonstration in Cairo last week were tortured. The procedures carried out [on the activists] were within the limits of the law, a Ministry of Interior said. Efforts to tarnish the role of the security forces by saying that they violated the law …
Olmert faces hard task to sell borders plan to Mubarak
Agence France-Presse JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will hold his first summit with an Arab head of state Sunday in talks with President Hosni Mubarak that will be a likely precursor to a meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. The summit in Sharm El-Sheikh will be Olmert s first opportunity to explain to the …
Word on the Street
Respecting all faiths CAIRO: Egypt s Supreme Administrative Court decided on May 15 to suspend the implementation of an earlier ruling that allowed Bahais to have their religion recognized on official documents. The earlier ruling, made on April 4, was passed after a case was filed by a Bahai couple whose official documentation had been …
Milan prosecutor pushes ahead with probe into alleged CIA kidnapping of Egyptian cleric
ROME: An Italian prosecutor said Wednesday he is pushing ahead with an investigation into the alleged CIA kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric in Milan in 2003, saying he might seek indictments as early as July. Milan prosecutor Armando Spataro said the investigation might be wrapped up by mid-July and then he would seek indictments against …
U.S. Ambassador says government should explain its reaction to protests
CAIRO: United States Ambassador to Egypt Francis Ricciardone said on Wednesday that the Egyptian government should explain the actions taken by its security forces in response to recent protests. We are at the very least disappointed, says Ricciardone when asked for his reaction to the detainment of activists during a meeting of the American Chamber …
Egypt, Saudi urge Hamas to recognize Arab peace plan
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt: President Hosni Mubarak and Saudi King Abdullah Wednesday called on Hamas to recognize an Arab initiative for peace in the Middle East that envisages normalizing ties with Israel. Egypt and Saudi Arabia call on Hamas to recognize the Beirut-Arab initiative, presidential spokesman Suleiman Awwad told reporters after the meeting between the two …
Fire breaks out at center founded by Ayman Nour
CAIRO: A fire broke out on Thursday at a community center in Cairo founded by opposition leader Ayman Nour, who had held political meetings in the building before he was imprisoned by authorities. Nour s wife and spokeswoman, Gameela Ismail, said there were signs that an arson attack had occurred at the site, located in …
At least three arrested as activists protest against alleged torture
CAIRO: As the press rushed to encircle the newest big name to grace what had been an uneventful demonstration, the plainclothes policeman close by asked a reporter who the man was. “Saad Eddin Ibrahim, the reporter answered the boy. The plainclothes policeman went back to the line that had been drawn up in order to …
The bell tolls
ŠΘ # # # Amr Diab with the guests at the wedding # # The lively celebration went on until the morning, with top celebrities Amr Diab and Dina, the famous belly dancer, performing, here, Christina and Ramy with Dina