[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Egypt and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Egypt Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to egypt@jadaliyya.com by Sunday night of every week.]
Political Rights
Al-Sisi ratifies cybercrime law regulating web content, ISP surveillance
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ratified on Saturday the cybercrime law that was recently approved by the parliament in June, according to the official gazette.
How you will be affected by the new cybercrime law: A guide
Mada Masr explains how the new cybercrime law will affect the citizens' daily activities.
Update: State Security Prosecution orders detention of former ambassador, 6 others for 15 days
Following their arrests on Thursday, State Security Prosecution ordered on Friday the detention of former ambassador Masoum Marzouk and six others for fifteen days, pending further investigations, on charges pertaining to terrorism.
State Security Prosecution adds blogger Islam al-Refai, photojournalist Zeinab Abu Ouna to Case 441/2018
As he was preparing to be set free after nine months in prison following a release order issued last week, State Security Prosecution added blogger Islam al-Refai’s name to a separate case on Sunday and ordered his detention for fifteen days, along with photojournalist Zeinab Abu Ouna.
Family of imprisoned activist Ahmed Douma reveals details of assault
On Thursday, imprisoned activist Ahmed Douma’s family learned of the details of his assault, which took place in a court holding area on 13 August during a retrial hearing for the defendant.
2,376 prisoners released in celebration of Eid Al-Adaha
The Ministry of the Interior announced 2,376 prisoners, including 627 debt defaulters were released through Tahia Misr Fund and some civil society organizations.
Egypt puts two monks on trial for murder of bishop
Two monks have been referred to trial in Alexandria for the murder of the abbot of their former monastery, according to a statement from the prosecutor-general’s office on Sunday.
Egypt prosecutors refer six policemen to trial for torture of citizen in Cairo police station
Cairo prosecutors said on Sunday evening it will refer six policemen to criminal court over charges related to killing a citizen in custody this June.
Egypt parliament rights committee working to abolish prison terms for debt defaulters
Head of the Egyptian parliament's human rights committee Alaa Abed told reporters on Saturday that the committee is in the process of amending two laws with the aim of eliminating prison sentences for individuals who default on loan payments.
Economy
Privatisation always been on state’s agenda, good step, with maintaining free-market balance: Al-Sisi
The state has long thought of the privatization of public sector companies at some point in time, and there was an idea that there would be a form of balance between the public and private sector in the Egyptian market, and maintenance of some control on the free market, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Wednesday.
Economic committee of ministers approves ACWA Power to establish wind farms
The economic committee of ministers approved the offer by the Saudi company ACWA Power to establish wind farms with capacity of five hundred megawatts in the Gulf of Suez and investments up to six hundred million dollars.
CBE keeps overnight deposit, overnight lending rates unchanged
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to keep the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE)’s overnight deposit rate, overnight lending rate, and the rate of the main operation unchanged at 16.75 percent, 17.75 percent, and 17.25 percent, respectively. The discount rate was also kept unchanged at 17.25 percent.
Egypt extends fish exports tariff for one year
Minister of Trade and Industry Amr Nassar extended on Tuesday a tariff previously imposed on the exports of fresh and frozen fish, according to a press statement.
Establishing first museum of commemorative coins, historical publications at Egyptian Mint
Minister of Finance Mohamed Moeit, inspected the equipment for the establishment of the first museum of commemorative coins in Egypt, which contains a collection of historical publications that have been in circulation since the establishment of the Egyptian Mint in 1950.
Upgrades, maintenance work underway at 156 train stations: Egypt transport ministry
Egypt is currently upgrading and carrying out maintenance work on 156 train stations throughout the country at a total cost of around one billion Egyptian pounds, the transportation ministry said in a statement on Friday. The work is part of a greater plan to revamp the national railway network at a cost of fifty-five billion Egyptian pounds by 2022.
Navigation movement at Suez Canal hits record high on Saturday: Head of SCA Mamish
Navigation movement at the Suez Canal hit a record high on Saturday, with forty-nine ships transiting the international waterway carrying 4.2 million tonnes, Head of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Mohab Mamish said in a statement on Saturday.
'When the wind is blowing': Egyptian renewable energy attracts investment
Investors are looking forward to the announcement of the winning company for the tender to construct a 250 megawatt wind-power plant in the Gulf of Suez. The government is targeting the development of renewable energy projects in Egypt so that renewable energy will constitute twenty percent of the country’s energy mix by 2020, according to the energy strategy approved by the cabinet and the Supreme Energy Council in October 2016.
Egypt to see more job opportunities, increase in foreign reserves by 2022: Minister
Egypt's Minister of Planning Hala el-Saeed said on Wednesday that the end of the 2018/19 fiscal year is expected to witness an increase in job opportunities and foreign reserves as part of the 2018-2022 medium-term sustainable development plan, a statement by the ministry read.
Foreign Relations
Cyprus hands Egyptian plane hijacker over to homeland: Prosecution
The Egyptian man who hijacked a domestic flight flying between Alexandria and Cairo two years ago, has been extradited to his homeland authorities, Egypt’s Prosecution stated late on Saturday.
Egypt, Italy, Greece, South Korea carry out drills in Red Sea, Mediterranean
Egypt’s army has carried out joint military drills with its Italian, South Korean, and Greek counterparts in both the Red Sea and the Mediterranean seas.
Egypt's defence minister concludes two-day visit to Russia: Army statement
Egypt's Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki has concluded a two-day visit to Russia following high-level military meetings, according to a statement by Armed Forces spokesperson Tamer el-Refai.
Vietnamese president arrives in Luxor for tour; to meet with Sisi in Cairo on Monday
Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang arrived at Luxor International Airport on Saturday for a one-day tour of the historic city before meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo on Monday.
Domestic Security
Sinai Tribes Union posts video online of 'repentant' former terrorist leader confessing
The Facebook page of the Sinai Tribes Union has released a video containing the detailed confessions of what it described as a prominent "repentant" takfiri leader, who is shown discussing terrorist plans aiming to disrupt the Egyptian economy by assaulting factories, workers, and other vital state institutions.
Egypt police foil attack on North Sinai checkpoint; kill four terrorists
Egyptian police have killed four terrorists who attempted to carry out an attack on a security checkpoint on the coastal highway of North Sinai's al-Arish, MENA state news agency reported on Saturday, citing an informed source.
Air Pollution Shortens the Life of Egyptians by Almost Two Years
According to a study, air pollution is responsible for shortening the lives of Egyptians by 1.85 years.
Two British Tourists Die, Thomas Cook Evacuates 301 Hurghada Holiday Makers from Hotel
According to various reports, 301 tourists have been evacuated from the Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel in Hurghada following the death of two tourists. The evacuation was made by famed travel agency Thomas Cook as a “precautionary measure” although it is unclear to what.
Arabic
سيرة الرهبنة المصرية.. من القديس أنطونيوس للبابا تواضروس
.The article discusses the development of monastic order and the current challenges facing the Coptic community in Egypt
.The article examines the roots of the conflict within the Coptic Church
«ولاية الرئيس وميزانية الصحة والتعليم».. ثلاثية الجدل بالدستور
.The article examines the controversy over the MPs' calls to amend the 2014 constitution so as to extend the duration of the presidential term
مناشدات يائسة.. أكوام القمامة في شوارع المحروسة
.The article sheds light on Egypt's garbage problem
بعد التضامن مع طفل المترو.. الداخلية تحقق مع الشرطي
.The Minister of Interior suspended a non-commissioned police officer over beating a child street vendor at the metro
تختفي فجأة من السوق.. ما أسباب مشكلة نقص الدواء في مصر؟
.The article examines the recurrence of drug shortages in Egypt
The article examines how the act of sexual harassment is perceived by the Egyptian society, after a controversial video went viral on social media turning a harasser into a star.