Egypt News

CAIRO, Egypt : Egyptians largely ignored a call by online activists for a general strike Sunday to protest against the government on President Hosni Mubarak's 80th birthday. via International Herald Tribune

2 comments

“Everyone who uses the telephone must be known”

By Cynthia Johnston

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt has asked mobile phone companies to block service to anonymous subscribers as a public security measure, and at least two firms have begun efforts to comply, Egyptian officials and mobile firms said on Monday.

The move comes as Egypt tries to combat a wave of public discontent over rising prices and low wages that have sparked a series of labor and anti-government strikes, organized largely by mobile phone and over the Internet.

The move is expected to affect several hundred thousand customers who did not register their names and addresses when they acquired phone lines -- still a small portion of overall subscribers in the most populous Arab country. Read more

Comment?

“But we are not sure when they will protest.”

Egyptians awoke Tuesday to steep fuel and cigarette price hikes aimed at funding new raises for government workers, prompting fears that people already weighed down by skyrocketing food prices will be ... via Boston.com

Comment?

PARIS, May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As part of the ongoing implementation of its "asset-right" strategy, Accor announced today that it has sold the Sofitel The Grand hotel in Amsterdam under a sale and ... via Hotels

Comment?

“They are taking in their right hand what they are giving in their left hand”

CAIRO, Egypt - Egypt's parliament endorsed Monday a government bill to raise taxes and fuel prices less than a week after President Hosni Mubarak announced a 30 percent salary increase for all government ... via KAAL

Comment?

“The select material that has been previously released was viewed here by Arabic speakers and reported on accordingly”

CAIRO, Egypt - Saddam Hussein feared catching AIDS or other diseases during his U.S.-supervised captivity, a leading Arab newspaper said Monday in publishing excerpts of his prison writings. via KAAL-TV Austin

Comment?

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, now in his 27th year as leader of the Arab world's most populous nation, turns 80 on Sunday with no clear successor in sight. via The Star Online

Comment?

A majority of Israeli security cabinet ministers on Wednesday voiced their objection to the Egypt-brokered ceasefire deal with Palestinian militant groups, Israeli media reported. via People's Daily

Comment?

“It is all a symptom of the same reality, that this government and others in the region refuse to back away from the big brother mentality when it comes to the media”

Spread across the top of this city's crooked skyline like a field of mushrooms, satellite dishes absorb signals beamed from across the Arab world to send images of pop stars and politicians to the throngs of families living below.

Throughout the Middle East, where governments have long had a powerful grip on the media, satellite broadcasting serves as an important source of information - and entertainment - that has been beyond the traditional reach of the state censors.

But now, according to rights groups and media observers, Arab governments are slowly moving to extend their control of the media to satellite broadcasters, as well. Read more

Comment?

“The U.S. strike can undermine the U.N.-sponsored peace parlay”

A U.S. airstrike that killed the suspected al-Qaida leader in Somalia brought warnings of vengeance from Islamic insurgents Friday and the threat of a boycott that could jeopardize peace talks with the ... via NOLA.com

Comment?