Sudan media slam the return of censorship
KHARTOUM: Media censorship and repression have made a comeback in Sudan since the re-election in April of President Omar Al-Beshir, opposition and independent papers say. "During the electoral period there…
ILO denies blacklisting Egypt, but points to legislative violations
CAIRO: The International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Egypt office denied media reports claiming Egypt has been blacklisted among the worst 25 nations in labor legislation. “The list was placed in alphabetical…
Four million living under Taliban rule in Pakistan, says Amnesty
ISLAMABAD: Human rights group Amnesty International said Thursday that nearly four million people are effectively living under Taliban rule in northwest Pakistan and have been abandoned by the government. The…
The tournament that could've been: Was Egypt prepared to host the 2010 World Cup?
CAIRO: While all eyes are on South Africa as it prepares to host the World Cup, some are left wondering whether Egypt was ready to successfully organize the world’s most…
Arab world pessimistic about US commitment to improving economic conditions, says poll
CAIRO: Only 26 percent of the 937 respondents to a recent poll conducted in Middle Eastern countries believe that the United States is either very or somewhat committed to improving…
Rights group says ministry gave court false info about drug pricing
CAIRO: The Supreme Administrative Court has adjourned hearing the challenge brought by the government against an April 2010 ruling that froze application of a Ministry of Health decree that radically…
Orascom Tel weighs on index after MTN talks fail
CAIRO: Index heavyweight Orascom Telecom, dragging Egypt's index down, lost 6 percent after talks on the sale of its assets to South Africa's MTN Group ended without a deal. It…
Suez Canal revenues rise in May to $395 mln
CAIRO: Egypt posted a rise in Suez Canal revenues for May, reaching $395 million compared to $342.4 million a year earlier, according to figures from the canal authority. May’s revenues…
Egypt inflation falls to 10.5 pct in May, nine-mth low
CAIRO: Egypt's annual urban inflation rate, the most closely watched price indicator, fell to 10.5 percent in May, its lowest level since August and giving the central bank more latitude…
MTN says Orascom tie-up talks collapse
JOHANNESBURG/CAIRO: South Africa's MTN Group said it ended talks with Egypt's Orascom Telecom about a potential acquisition, sinking a deal that could have created the world's third-largest mobile operator. Africa's…