Latest in Politics Highlight
Latest in Politics
Press Round-up
CAIRO: Egypt’s press is currently concentrating on the recently announced bird flu outbreak, with national newspapers reporting cases of the bird flu strain H5N1 in several places around Egypt, including Cairo and the national zoo. However, reportedly no human cases have been found yet. “A comprehensive national plan to fight the outbreak is in motion, …
Islamic scholars say its time for dialogue with the West about offensive cartoons
CAIRO: Islamic scholars at a conference on the continuing furor over caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed said it is time to stop protests and boycotts and instead enter a dialogue with the West in order to explain the prophet s importance to Muslims. At a Friday conference, about 40 Muslim scholars from across the Islamic …
Opposition leader appeals forgery conviction
CAIRO: The lawyer for imprisoned opposition leader Ayman Nour submitted his challenge on Saturday to Nour s December conviction on forgery charges, for which the young liberal is serving a five-year prison term. Lawyer Amir Salem, who defended Nour throughout the six-month trial, delivered his detailed response to the verdict to the Cairo court which …
CEBA forms division in Alexandria
ALEXANDRIA: The Confederation of Egyptian European Business Associations (CEBA) formed a division in Alexandria at an inauguration ceremony there on Saturday. CEBA was formed in 2004 by the British, French, German and Italian Egyptian bilateral business associations. The confederation s office in Alexandria will be its first division outside of Cairo. The division will support …
Environmentally friendly power plant on agenda
CAIRO: Minister of Electricity and Energy Hassan Younes announced that seven international companies have just bid to manufacture local components for the solar energy stations of the Kuraymat Integrated Solar Combined Cycle Power Plant Project, a project created by the ministry to develop the new and renewable energy sector and the first of its kind …
The Family Stone
CAIRO: An uptight white-collar city girl, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, visits her boyfriend’s family during Christmas. With that in mind as the opening credits roll, it seems that the ending is predictable: after much conflict, the woman learns to open up her heart and “feel the love, as the tagline suggests, as she marries …
U.S. says time 'not right' for free trade talks with Egypt
WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed new concern Friday over democracy in Egypt and said the timing was not right to pursue free-trade talks with this key Middle East ally. Rice, who was due to fly to Egypt today at the start of a Middle East swing, expressed Washington s dismay that the government …
Egypt's international image takes another hit
CAIRO: With the spirit of Egyptian citizens reeling after bombings, political turbulence, forced refugee removal, cartoon chaos and ferry disasters, the recent 11th hour African Cup win lent a much-needed boost to the tapering spirits of the traditionally patriotic Egyptian. Then this weekend, it rained on Egypt’s parade, both literally and figuratively. News of the …
Three Muslim Brotherhood members ordered to emergency trial on weapons charges
CAIRO: Three members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood were ordered Saturday to stand trial before the Emergency State Security Court on charges of possessing weapons and provoking violence during parliamentary elections late last year, court officials said. The three were arrested during the violent election season during which at least 10 people were killed in …
Rights group asks president to reverse decision to strip four judges of immunity
CAIRO: A local human rights group on Saturday called on President Hosni Mubarak to reverse a decision to strip four judges of their immunity ahead of interrogation by state security prosecutors. The four face questioning after another judge filed a complaint over their allegations that fellow jurists were involved in rigging last year s parliamentary …
Bird flu spreads across Egypt
CAIRO: Poultry tested positive for the deadly H5N1 virus in several governorates across Egypt despite the government s efforts to contain the spread of bird flu, the authorities said Sunday. Since the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza was first detected in three governorates Thursday, it was also reported in at least six others. “In …
Abused women reluctant to come forward
CAIRO: Despite the opening of the first safe-house for women in Cairo, few are choosing to leave their abusive marriages. Oum Mohammed was married when she was 16. From the day I married him, he hit me over matters big and small, she says of her husband. He told me that all women should be …
Sunken ferry's data recorders to be raised
CAIRO: Egyptian and foreign salvage experts are preparing to lift the data recorders of a ferry that sunk in the Red Sea earlier this month after locating the ship s wreck, the press reported Friday. The experts found the Al-Salam Boccaccio 98, which sunk on Feb. 3 with more than 1,400 people on board while …
U.S. faces dilemma in its regional push for democracy
CAIRO: Democracy activists are accusing the United States government of being too yielding in their response to the People’s Assembly vote to delay Egypt’s municipal elections for two years. In a statement this week from the U.S. State Department, spokesman Sean McCormack expressed America’s displeasure with the postponement of any election, adding that Secretary of …
Deadly bird flu strain found in Egypt
CAIRO: Egypt has found its first cases of H5N1 bird flu and is working with the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent the deadly virus spreading, the government said on Friday. The virus was found in seven sick and dead chickens in three areas. Four birds in Cairo, two in Giza next to the capital …
OPIC establishing $225 million regional private equity fund
CAIRO: The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), an agency of the United States government that supports American private sector investment in the developing world, is in the process of establishing a $225 million private equity fund for the Middle East and North Africa region. The head of the agency is also in Cairo to explore …
National organs failed to respond to ship disaster, says rights group
CAIRO: Failures within both the private sector and government agencies were to blame for the deaths of some 1,000 people in the Feb. 3 sinking of a passenger ship in the Red Sea, according to a report by a leading human rights group. “National institutions failed to adequately deal with the sinking of the Al-Salam …
Four liberal judges face interrogation for claims fellow jurists involved in vote rigging
CAIRO: Four prominent liberal judges, who accused fellow jurists of vote rigging in last year s legislative elections, have been stripped of immunity and will be interrogated by a State Security prosecutor, one of judges said. Judge Hesham El-Bastawisy, deputy head of Egypt s Court of Cassation, the country s highest appellate court, was among …
Toshka makes desert bloom … But for whom?
TOSHKA, Egypt: The organic tomatoes are red and juicy, the potatoes massive and flawless. But they are sitting by the roadside in the Western Desert, 250 km (150 miles) from the nearest large town and thousands of kilometers from the European supermarkets where in mid-winter they could fetch premium prices. They are some of the …
Deterioration of archeological sites deplored
CAIRO: Archeologists and officials meeting in Cairo Wednesday deployed the deterioration of the country s ancient sites, which they attributed both to government agencies and to private individuals. The assault, they said, runs from illegal construction activities to farming. Zahi Hawass, director general of the Supreme Council for Antiquities, said there were 6,000 such cases …
AMOC says 6-month net profit up 68 pct
CAIRO: Egypt s Alexandria Mineral Oils Co (AMOC) reported net profit of LE 331.8 million ($57.9 million) for the six months to Dec. 31, 2005, a rise of 68 percent on the same period a year earlier. The oil products company, in which the government sold a 20 percent stake in September, reported its results …
NSGB says 2005 net profit doubles
CAIRO: Egypt s National Societe Generale Bank (NSGB) said on Thursday its net profit for 2005 doubled to LE 493.4 million ($86.1 million) as net interest income climbed and provisions for bad loans fell. NSGB, which is 78 percent owned by France s Societe Generale, reported net profit of LE 247.3 million in 2004. Much …
Hamas should not rush to recognize Israel as a way out of impasse, says Palestinian official
CAIRO: A senior Fatah official said Wednesday that the Palestinian militant movement Hamas does not need to recognize Israel immediately as a condition for forming a government, hinting it could use recognition as a bargaining chip in the future. But Jibril Rajoub, a top security aide to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, underlined that Fatah would …
The PR prerogative
CAIRO: In the aftermath of a progressive government and a growing economy, Egypt is witnessing the entrance of a slew of multinationals and local businesses with a modern outlook, to the delight of the public relations industry (PR). The Daily Star Egypt sat down with Loula Zaklama, the founder of PR in Egypt, to talk …
Controversial poll delay approved by parliament
CAIRO: The Egyptian parliament has approved a two-year postponement of municipal polls despite fierce objections from opposition Islamists and the United States, lawmakers said Wednesday. The postponement of the municipal polls, in which the local councils exercise supervisory powers over provincial governors and officials working in local council units, are already having repercussions. President Hosni …
Salve for Muslim wounds
CAIRO: European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana said in his last press conference in while in Egypt late Tuesday that his visit to Cairo had cleared up many misunderstandings, and his talks with Al-Azhar High Council and the Arab League secretary general were “very good, and productive. During his visit, Solana met with Al-Azhar …
OCI details rights issue
CAIRO: Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) said on Wednesday it was offering existing shareholders 11.5 million new shares at a price of LE 201 ($35.08) per share. The offer works out at about one share for every 16.57 existing shares and will bring the total number of OCI shares issued to 202.075 million. The company will …
Newly observed patriotism
CAIRO: Everyone is talking about the thousands at Cairo International Stadium that cheered on the national team during the African Cup of Nations: they were organized and enthusiastic even though many had no idea what off-side actually means. Analysts and government officials have translated the phenomenon as a new wave of patriotism. Those audiences, analysts …
Egypt and Nigeria big movers after African Cup of Nations
ZURICH, Switzerland: Egypt has reached its highest position in world football in eight years on the back of its fifth African Cup of Nations title in FIFA s monthly world rankings released Wednesday. Egypt rose 15 places to 17th in February s rankings, with Nigeria up 12 positions to 12th. African Cup semi-finalist Cameroon is …
More than war; traffic-related deaths exceed armed conflict
CAIRO: Do you leave Heliopolis at 2:30 p.m. to make a 3 p.m. appointment downtown, only to arrive 15 minutes late cursing the slow drivers and dilapidated cars that caused your delay? If this sounds familiar, then you are a typical traffic offender. Most individuals who speed and violate traffic laws have poor time management …