Politics/headline news Linking Africa to Asia
Egypt opened up the Ferdan Peace Bridge this week, taking its railways into Sinai. The 640-meter bridge crosses the Suez Canal and is part of a railway line that President Hosni Mubarak -- while inaugurating the bridge -- said could reach all the way to Istanbul, once the political situation in Israel and Palestine calmed down. Mubarak said there is no better evidence of Egypt's dedication to peace and development in the region than a bridge such as this.
(November 16, 2001)
Economy Organizational readjustment
President Mubarak's recent comments about
reshaping the administration of the nation's economy
are attracting much attention. Most recently, Mubarak
said he was still thinking about the changes to come,
but they looked to include a re-positioning of the Ministry of
Economy to become the Ministry of Foreign Trade, with
greater attention in its mandate to increasing Egypt's
exports. The shift would mean the Central Bank would also be given more
independence from ministerial directives.
(November 16, 2001)
Commentary Taking cues
Akhbar Al-Youm took a cue from Al-Wafd recently. The
opposition daily has long ago made a front page staple
out of showing parliamentarians deeply engrossed in
mobile phone conversations while parliament is in
session, despite a parliamentary ban on their use.
This week's issue of Akhbar Al-Youm features a photo
caption a la Wafd of three members on the phone while in
session with the headline, "... And they announce that
mobiles are not permitted in the People's Assembly". (November 16, 2001)
Music Diva on the way?
Is Fayrouz coming to town? The eternal question pops up
again, this time on the arts page of Al-Wafd. The item says
negotiations are still taking place in a long-winded
attempt to bring the Lebanese diva to Egypt, for a
concert at the stage built for Opera Aida at the foot
of the Pyramids of Giza. An Opera House representative
is in Beirut, the paper says, trying to work the
deal. (November 16, 2001)
