Down with UNAIDS, up with health
As the biennial international AIDS industry conference (Aug. 3-8) gathers 25,000 delegates in Mexico, a wind of change is blowing. UNAIDS, the UN's AIDS advocacy body, stands accused of exaggerating…
Can Syria be taken seriously?
Syrian President Bashar Assad appears to be serious about pursuing peace.But just how serious is he? Assad seems to be taking his desire to talk peace with Israel to heart,…
China's triumph of the will
When the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games begins in a few days, viewers will be presented with a minutely choreographed spectacle swathed in nationalist kitsch. Of course, images…
Hard Talk: A corruption case, first and foremost
The judge who acquitted the defendants in the case of Al-Salam 98 ferry is as innocent as the victims of the sinking ship, their families and all those who were…
Grass-roots effort fights 'cutting' girls
SULTAN ZAWYIT: In this small Nile River farming village, Maha Mohamed has started to doubt whether she should circumcise her two daughters.A year ago, she had few qualms about female…
Are non-stop Quran recitations an expression of religiosity?
ALEXANDRIA/CAIRO: Essam, an Alexandria-based mechanic, runs a workshop that's always abuzz with clients' boisterous questions, the hammering and thrashing of tools and the noise of cars moving in and out.But…
Judge presses defamation charges against human rights advocates
CAIRO: Two bloggers and the director of a human rights organization who were defendants in a case seeking to close down 51 human rights websites, are again facing charges.Alexandria Judge…
Rights activist denies publication of "Contempt for Religion"
CAIRO: Naguib Gabriel, head of the Egyptian Human Rights Union, denied reports in Al-Gomhuria state-owned newspaper Sunday claiming that he has published his book "Contempt for Religions despite an Al-Azhar…
Bruce awaits more from Zaki
CAIRO: Wigan manager Steve Bruce said he still waits more from Amr Zaki after the Egyptian striker scored on his debut.Zaki netted a last-gasp goal to give Wigan a 3-2…