Grand Mufti says ‘we broke the barriers of the past’ in Eid speech
CAIRO: In his annual speech to mark Eid El-Fitr, Egypt’s Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa said that this year stands out more than any other since “we have broken all the…
Egypt closes Rafah border for Eid break
RAFAH: Egypt decided to close the Rafah border during the Eid El-Fitr holiday starting this Tuesday, a security official said. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the crossing…
UN warns of bird flu resurgence, new Asian strain
ROME: The United Nations warned Monday of a possible resurgence of the deadly bird flu virus, saying wild bird migrations had brought it back to previously virus-free countries and that…
Ether and earth: Susheela Raman
By Chitra Kalyani One evening at Geneina Theater, like a many-headed Indian deity, Susheela Raman showed her many facets. Her songs are borrowed from covers of Western rock to traditions in…
Egypt unemployment rate reaches 11.8 pct
CAIRO: Egypt’s unemployment rate reached 11.8 percent in the second quarter of 2011, down from 11.9 percent in the first quarter, but higher than last year’s 8.96 percent. Despite the…
Big oil companies may have to give up Iraq gas
DUBAI: Many of the world's biggest energy companies may have to surrender most of the gas from Iraq's vast southern oilfields to a processing and export project led by Shell,…
Eni CEO Scaroni meets rebel leaders in Libya
BENGHAZI: The chief executive of Italian oil firm Eni was in eastern Libya on Monday to meet with members of the rebel government, a spokesman for Libya's rebel transitional government…
Egypt to resume gas exports to Jordan in September
CAIRO: Egypt will sign a deal to resume gas exports to Jordan next month despite attacks by armed groups on the gas pipeline in Egypt's Sinai region, Egyptian state news…
Orascom Devt appeals against chairman’s jail term
CAIRO: Egyptian real estate and hotels firm Orascom Development has lodged an appeal after a court made an initial ruling to jail its chairman over accusations of stock price manipulation…
Activists launch e-protest against military trials of civilians
CAIRO: Over 100,000 comments were posted on the Facebook page of the ruling military council last Saturday as part of an online protest on social media websites against military trial…