Boycott call
JEDDAH: Hamas call on Arab countries to boycott next month s Middle East summit imprints more question marks over the conference s success, for if the Palestinians, as divided as…
America's houses of cards
There are times when being proven right brings no pleasure. For several years, I argued that America's economy was being supported by a housing bubble that had replaced the stock…
Iraqi refugees on the road to Damascus
For the most part of nearly three decades, interaction between Syrians and Iraqis was minimal, to say the least-restricted to political fugitives from each country residing in Baghdad and Damascus.…
Changing course with Syria
The notion that the focus of the Middle-East conference is to reach an agreement in principle between Israel and the Palestinians, and so other conflicting parties, such as Syria, are…
A fresh start for Europe
As Europe's leaders gather in Portugal to put the finishing touches on the new, slimmed down, Reform Treaty, it might be helpful if they all pretended that the last 50…
MPs, analyst criticize Tantawy's call for harsh punishment for spreading rumors
CAIRO: While civil society organizations are planning to launch a campaign against the press law which allows journalists to be sentenced to prison, Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Mohamed Sayed Tantawy…
Death toll in Egypt ferry accident rises to at least 7, 7 others missing, police say
BANI HASSAN: Authorities have recovered seven bodies from the Nile River after a deadly accident on a small overcrowded ferry in southern Egypt, police said Monday.At least seven other people…
The magic behind belly dance costumes
CAIRO: When meeting a belly dance costume maker, it's only natural that the conversation turns into one about heritage and art. Such was the case when I met Ahmed Diaa,…
Worldwide protests to mark anniversary of imprisoned student blogger
CAIRO: As the one year anniversary of the detainment of student blogger Kareem Amer approaches, activists of the online campaign Free Kareem Coalition are preparing for a day of worldwide…
National Council for Human Rights drafts law on places of worship
CAIRO: The civil rights and legislative committees of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) have finalized the draft law regulating the building of churches and mosques, according to Hafez…