Steel tycoon responds to accusations of monopoly
CAIRO: Steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz has been in the media spotlight - or more accurately, under the microscope - this past week as he confronted rumors surrounding his wealth, accusations…
Majorities in four countries say torturing terrorists is okay
UNITED NATIONS: A majority of people in 14 countries favor a total ban on torture, but in four others they find the practice acceptable when dealing with terrorists, according to…
Mubarak says 'unrealistic' to link Shalit with Gaza truce
CAIRO: President Hosni Mubarak said on Tuesday that linking the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit to Israel s current fragile truce with Gaza militants is unrealistic.To link the…
Banque du Caire auction postponed
CAIRO: Egypt unexpectedly cancelled Wednesday the auction of state-owned Banque du Caire, saying the bids submitted by foreign banks did not meet the reserve price."The auction did not reach the…
Hotel apartments provide a luxury home away from home
CAIRO: Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) launched the first of its "home away from home hotel facilities in the Middle East and Africa this week, with the opening of its StayBridge…
African reggae, Nubian folk rock Music Festival
African music formed the theme of the French Center for Cultural Cooperation's annual Music Festival on Monday night.Jazz, Nubian singers, Upper Egyptian stick dancing and reggae from Cote d'Ivoire performed…
Peace does not trickle down from the top
Common wisdom says that getting a settlement among high-level negotiators at a bargaining table is the major difficulty in achieving peace. In reality, the biggest problem is often not across…
McCain, Obama, and hot air
Whatever the outcome of the United States' presidential election, climate change policy will be transformed. Both candidates have placed great importance on global warming. Republican John McCain believes that it…
Egypt's (hidden) economic mindset
A while ago I was watching "Rome , a TV series about ancient Rome at the time of Julius Caesar, and was struck by this scene: At a dinner, the…