Lawyer says, Jailed Sri Lankan author is no Islamist
COLOMBO: The lawyer for a Sri Lankan author arrested after writing two books explaining why she converted to Islam from Buddhism denied she had links to Muslim extremists and said…
Imam says, Nigeria's ill, absent president meets guests
LAGOS, Nigeria: Nigeria's long ill and unseen president met briefly with Muslim religious leaders, raising his hands in prayer though never standing during the first visit since November by anyone…
ElBaradei blasts 'failure' of Western Mideast policy in Guardian interview
LONDON: Former UN nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei has warned the West's support of authoritarian regimes in the Middle East risks encouraging Islamic extremism, in an interview Thursday with a British…
Belgium first to ban burqa and niqab in public spaces
CAIRO: In a rare show of unity on Wednesday, the Belgian home affairs committee of the federal parliament spoke in a single voice and issued a decision to ban the…
Rights group demands justice for Bahai victims
CAIRO: One year after the violent attacks on Bahais in Shuraniya, a village in Upper Egypt, the assailants have yet to face a court of law. “We refuse to let…
Health Minister to allocate LE 200 mln to improving doctors' pay
CAIRO: Health Minister Hatem El-Gabaly announced Wednesday that LE 200 million will be apportioned to improving doctors’ pay. The announcement, made during a “surprise visit” to the Faqous general hospital…
Egypt seizes 41 cars headed via smuggling tunnels to Gaza
ISMAILIYA: Egyptian police have seized 41 brand-new cars near its border with Gaza that were to be smuggled into the Palestinian territory through tunnels, a security official said on Wednesday.…
Key challenger to Sudan's Al-Al-Beshir quits presidential race
KHARTOUM: Sudanese presidential hopeful Yassir Arman has pulled out of April’s vote, casting further doubt on the electoral process and clearing the way for a likely first-round win by President…
Egypt sex selection clinics engender controversy
CAIRO: Some consider it medical progress, but baby gender selection in conservative Egypt has caused a stir among traditionalists who see it as an affront to ethics and have lashed…
Youth discuss taboo topics at EU simulation
CAIRO: It was the first time Marwa talked about sex in public, she said, “especially with boys in the room.” Almost all the students attending the European Union simulation organized…