Egypt Media Roundup (December 12)

[Saint Mark`s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo. Photo by Ashashyou from Wikimedia Commons] [Saint Mark`s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo. Photo by Ashashyou from Wikimedia Commons]

Egypt Media Roundup (December 12)

By : Egypt Page Media Roundup Editors

 [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

From the flood of fury and tears: What happened at St. Peter and St. Paul Church? Mada Masr reports on the explosion near Cairo’s main Coptic cathedral.

Dozens killed, injured in explosion near Cairo’s main Coptic cathedral At least twenty-five people died and dozens of others were injured in an explosion on Sunday morning near Cairo’s main Coptic cathedral in Abbasseya, according to state television.

Egyptian women`s rights defender arrested from her home Egyptian Security forces arrested women`s rights advocate Azza Soliman from her home on Wednesday, the Centre for Egyptian Women Legal Assistance said.

Update - Egyptian NGO calls for release of women’s rights advocate Azza Soliman The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies appealed to the Egyptian authorities to “immediately release” women’s rights defender Azza Soliman, who was arrested from her home earlier today in connection to the foreign funding case.

Update: Judge releases prominent rights lawyer Azza Soliman on bail An investigative judge released human rights lawyer Azza Soliman on 20,000 LE bail Wednesday evening.

Authorities interrogate Alexandrian rights lawyer Mohamed Ramadan Authorities interrogated Alexandrian rights lawyer Mohamed Ramadan on Tuesday, accusing him of belonging to an illegal organization (The Revolutionary Socialists), spreading false news, insulting the President and state institutions, and misusing social media networks.

Egyptian rights groups legally challenge interior ministry decree on travel bans Two Egyptian nongovernmental organizations announced on Tuesday that they filed a lawsuit with the Administrative Court challenging the interior ministry decree and its subsequent amendments regulating travel bans.

Arrest warrant issued against police officers accused of torturing man to death The prosecution issued an arrest warrant against a commissioned police officer and nine other enlisted officers accused of torturing a man in their custody, fifty-year-old cart driver Magdy Makeen, to death on Wednesday.

Detention of 2 bus drivers renewed for inciting strikes State Security Prosecution extended the detention of two bus drivers from the Public Transport Authority on Monday for fifteen days, pending investigations. The drivers have already been jailed for more than two months for planning a labor strike

Workers arrested as police disperse fertilizer company protests, Tanta Flax workers call off sit-in Police arrested a number of workers as they forcefully dispersed two sit-ins at fertilizer companies in Suez governorate on Monday, while in Cairo, a third sit-in by workers at Tanta Flax and Oils Company was called off.

Case to determine sovereignty of Tiran and Sanafir islands adjourned to December 19 Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court adjourned on Monday the case to determine sovereignty of Tiran and Sanafir islands to 19 December, to allow time for all parties to review a report by the State Commissioners Authority on the case.

Court suspends top Mubarak-era official’s 5-year prison sentence The Court of Cassation ordered the suspension of a five-year prison sentence against Safwat al-Sherif and his sons for corruption charges today, ordering a retrial in front of another constituency in the Criminal Court.

Morsi’s son arrested and charged in Rabea dispersal case Osama Morsi, the son of former President Mohamed Morsi, was arrested from his home in Zagazig on Thursday and charged in the ongoing trial surrounding the dispersal of the Rabea al-Adaweya sit-in, according to lawyer Khaled Abdel Hady.

Egypt court dismisses appeal by militant Adel Habara against death sentence Egypt`s Court of Cassation rejected on Saturday appeal submitted by militant Adel Habara against his death sentence over involvement in killing twenty-five soldiers in Rafah in 2013.

Egypt busts organ trading racket, arrests 45 people Egypt has uncovered a network accused of illicit international trafficking in human organs, arresting forty-five people and recovering millions of dollars in a dawn raid on Tuesday, the health ministry said.

Economy

IMF: Egypt’s new import tariffs not a condition for $12 billion loan The International Monetary Fund has said that it did not ask the Egyptian state to impose new import tariffs as a prerequisite for its twelve billion USD loan, after a presidential decree increased import tariffs on a range of consumer goods two weeks ago.

Annual inflation reaches highest level since 2008, with London firm projecting further increases Annual inflation has reached its highest point in eight years, increasing to 20.2 percent in comparison to the figures posted in November 2015.

Egypt`s Suez Canal revenue expected to rise after OPEC oil cuts, analysts say Analysts expect OPEC’s recent oil production cuts to revitalize maritime movement through the Suez Canal, leading to an increase in its revenues, which have been negatively affected in the past year.

Foreign Relations

Egypt submits documents on Regeni death to Italian prosecutors A delegation of Egyptian prosecutors, headed by Prosecutor General Nabil Sadek, submitted all the documents required by their Italian counterparts concerning the murder of 28-year-old Italian researcher Giulio Regeni on Wednesday, according to the Italian ANSA news agency.

Russia, China block Egypt-sponsored Security Council resolution on Syria Russia and China vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution drafted by Egypt, Spain and New Zealand on Monday that would have demanded a seven-day ceasefire in Aleppo and humanitarian aid access.

In DC, Egypt’s FM tries to walk back Sisi’s professed support for Assad’s army Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry said in a televised interview with PBS network on Monday that Egypt does not fully support the Syrian army, stressing the need for finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

Egypt denies rift with Saudi, drift toward Iran Egypt`s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Saturday hailed a "special relationship" with Saudi Arabia, denying reports that the two powerful Arab nations had fallen out after Egypt expressed support for the Russian intervention in Syria.

Egyptian foreign minister sees Trump’s divisive policies to ‘evolve’ over time As the world braces for the coming U.S. president, Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry began a visit to Washington earlier this month to discuss bilateral relations and meet with the new Administration’s transitional team.

Foreign ministry working to free 49 Egyptians detained in Yemen Egypt’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday it`s working to free forty-nine Egyptian nationals detained in Al Hudaydah, Yemen.

Domestic Security

Civilian killed, two policemen injured in Kafr al-Sheikh explosion - ministry A civilian was killed and two policemen were injured after a roadside bomb went off in Kafr al-Sheikh in the Nile Delta on Friday, the interior ministry said.

Six security personnel killed, three others injured in Giza explosion - ministry Six security personnel were killed and three others injured in an explosion on Friday morning in Haram district in Giza, the interior ministry said. 

Update: Militant group Hassm claims responsibility for Giza bombing An Islamist militant group known as “Hassm” claimed responsibility for the detonation of an explosive device in the Talbeya neighborhood of Giza on Friday, which killed six members of the police force and injured three others stationed at a checkpoint in the area.

Arabic

«الطب الشرعي» يكشف السبب وراء وفاة مجدي مكين Forensic report reveals Magdy Makin was beaten to death in Amereya custody.

دراسة: النفوذ السياسي يتحكم في توزيع الأجور الحكومية و"الخدمة المدنية" لم يحل المعضلة Government policies are still influencing the distribution of income despite the recent civil service law, according to the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights.

تباطؤ التجارة يهبط بأرباح "قناة السويس لتداول الحاويات" 60% خلال 2016  Suez Canal Company records a decrease in revenues by sixty percent this year.

الحكومة توافق على تعديل قانون «القومي لحقوق الإنسان» The Egyptian government approves amendments to the national council for human rights law, which will allow the council to examine and review the status of human rights in Egypt.

رئيس البرلمان يعد بالتشاور مع «المالية» لإسقاط مديونيات الصحف القومية Egypt’s parliamentary speaker, Ali Abdel Aal, pledges to repeal national press institutes’ debts. 

مصر | زيادة جديدة في أسعار المحروقات تمهيداً لتحريرها The Egyptian government is considering new increases in fuel prices up to a hundred percent of the current prices.

محكمة تلغي حكم سجن صفوت الشريف ونجله في قضية "كسب غير مشروع" Egypt’s court of cassation ordered a retrial of former Mubarak regime figure Safwat al Sherif and his son over charges of illicit gains.

تأجيل محاكمة بديع و738 آخرين في "فض اعتصام رابعة" لجلسة 27 ديسمبر Cairo’s criminal court adjourns the trial of Brotherhood leader Badie and other defendants to 27 December over “Rabaa sit-in dispersal” case.

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Arabian Peninsula Media Roundup (April 26)

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the Arabian Peninsula and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Arabian Peninsula Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to ap@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every week.]
 

Regional and International Relations

Less than 5 percent of Saudi Aramco to be sold The Saudi company currently produces upward of ten million barrels a day and will now be available for trade in the Saudi stock market.

Oman sets out new 20-year tourism plan As oil revenues drop, Oman places renewed interest in tourism efforts.

Emirati ballerina Alia Al Neyadi has big plans for the UAE’s cultural scene A mother-daughter ballet team takes the stage by storm in an upcoming ballet production.

UAE pledges $4B to boost Egypt’s economy The newest investments signal the United Arab Emirates’ continued support for Egypt’s current regime.

GCC reiterates commitment to narcotic control policy The countries also reiterated their need for a death penalty for drug smuggling, which, if revoked, may encourage operations.

A 30-year-old prince`s bold vision for Saudi Arabia Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s agenda may be seen as overly ambitious, but Saudi Arabia may need drastic new policies to overcome debt.

FIFA Panel to Monitor Labor Conditions at Qatar Stadiums The new decision would give FIFA a stake in the health and safety of World Cup construction workers in Qatar.

A Respite of Soccer for Qatar’s Laborers Day laborers and construction workers get their own piece of the football dream in their Workers Cup tournament.

Consultants flock to Saudi Arabia for ‘mother of all transformation projects’ Economic consultant companies rack up huge profits as Saudi Arabia announces its reform plan, one report reveals.

The Short Century at Sharjah Art Museum highlights events that shaped the Arab world in the 20th century An upcoming art exhibit looks at the historical context of Arab art after World War I and just before the first Gulf War.

2016 World Press Freedom Index Reporters without Borders released their yearly ranking of press freedoms around the world, with poor ratings across the GCC. 

KUWAIT BECOMES FIRST COUNTRY TO COLLECT DNA SAMPLES FROM ALL CITIZENS AND VISITORS: REPORT Kuwait will begin the process of DNA testing at airports possibly later this year, and will include residents already within the country.

Kuwait lost up to $200m during oil strike The three-day strike forced the country to operate at much lower levels of oil production, and has since returned to pre-strike levels.

US State Department approves $260 million missile sale to Qatar Qatar’s latest arms acquisition includes 254 new missiles, though another deal for aircraft still awaits approval.

No jail time for Villaggio fire defendants, Qatar judge rules The defendants will only have to pay blood money to the relatives of the nineteen who passed away in the fire. 

Facebook most popular stock among investors in UAE, rest of GCC Stock investors recently released results for the GCC’s popular stocks, which also included Apple and Halliburton.

The war of words over who does Saudi Arabia`s housework Debates over housework in Saudi Arabia drag on, revived by arguments against impoverished Saudi women doing the work.

Saudi Arabia, 9/11, and what we know about the secret papers that could ignite a diplomatic war An argument wages in Washington over the possible declassification of documents that could establish direct ties between Saudi Arabia and 9/11 events.

Saudi Arabia agrees plans to move away from oil profits An overview of key points from Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision plan.
 

Reports and Opinions

Moving away from oil Months of low oil prices offer a perfect opportunity for GCC countries to undertake massive reforms in everything from economics to migration.

Sponsorship system One Kuwaiti columnist examines the benefits and disadvantages of the sponsorship system on foreign employment.

Saudi Arabia: The devil we know Fareed Zakaria’s editorial for a continued US alliance with Saudi Arabia.

WATCH: Fareed Zakaria And Reza Aslan Discuss Saudi Arabia’s Influence On Terrorism A new talk show explores the lives of the 9/11 hijackers and their ties to Saudi Arabia. 

How Obama is Benefiting Iran by the US-GCC Summit? One analyst looks at why Obama needs to balance the diplomatic and economic power of Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Saudi Arabia’s Changing International Role Foreign policy experts discuss the nature of Saudi Arabia’s latest diplomatic endeavors.

Don’t Let Americans Sue Saudi Arabia A new congressional bill could threaten US relations with Saudi Arabia over 9/11 responsibilities.

Why Dubai Is a Perfect Setting for Grand Theft Auto A plea for Dubai to become the next location for a popular car-racing video game.
 

Crisis in Yemen 

As Saudis Continue Deadly Bombing of Yemen, Is Obama Trading Cluster Munitions for Riyadh`s Loyalty? One analyst questions American arms sales to Saudi Arabia and their deadly role in the war in Yemen.

AQAP Forced Out of Major Port City in Yemen A coalition of Saudi forces and Yemeni groups fought to push out AQAP from Mukalla.

Yemen Peace Effort Falters as Houthis Refuse to Attend Talks Initial days of Kuwait-held peace talks got off to a shaky start.

AL-QAEDA MILITANTS KILLED IN PUSH TO FREE YEMEN CITY 30 AQAP militants were killed in the latest attacks on Mukalla.

Canada should act quickly to provide aid for Yemen One researcher’s plea to provide humanitarian aid to Yemenis in their post-war recovery.

GCC, U.S. agree joint patrols to block Iran arms to Yemen: Zayani Iran denies sending weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Lawmakers launch bipartisan effort to restrict U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, citing war crimes in Yemen US congressmen speak out against US involvement in Saudi’s war in Yemen, and hope to pass legislation to prevent future arms sales.
 

Human Rights 

KSA calls on UN to stop politicizing human rights Saudi Arabia affirms the fact that the country already has measures to protect human rights violations, including mechanisms to prevent unlawful torture.

Saudi Arabia: Counter-terror court sentences human rights activist in relentless onslaught against civil society Amnesty International calls upon Saudi Arabia to release members of a human rights organization that fought for peaceful reform.

International Actors Still Do Not Hold Bahraini Government Accountable for Its Violations on Human Rights A factsheet on arrests and prison sentences of Bahraini citizens in 2015. 

U.S. prisoner in Bahrain says he has been freed via royal pardon The royal pardon also included the payment of a fee, in order for the dual citizen to be released from Bahraini police custody.

The Guggenheim Doesn’t Want Labor Activists Interfering With Its Luxurious Abu Dhabi Outpost Activists known as the Gulf Labor Coalition face routine suppression in the UAE, and calls for better labor policies at the Guggenheim’s new museum are largely ignored.

Arabic

انطلاق مفاوضات الكويت اليمنية: الفشل ليس خياراً!
تقرير عن بدء المفاوضات في الكويت بعد تأخير دام ثلاثة أيام.

اليمن: الحوثيون يشاركون في مباحثات السلام
وافق الحوثيون على الانضمام الى مباحثات السلام التي ترعاها الامم المتحدة في الكويت بعد تلقيهم ضمانات دولية بشأن وقف اطلاق النار. 

جولة واحدة في الكويت لا تكفي: درب المفاوضات طويل
لقمان عبدالله يؤكد ان مفاوضات الكويت ستكرس الهدنة بين الأطراف اليمنية وتعمل على مأسستها من خلال لجان اشراف دولي بينما سترحل القضايا الأساسية إلى جولات أخرى. 

المحادثات تسير ببطء: خلافٌ على الأولويات
الجلسة الثانية في مفاوضات الكويت تثبت وقف إطلاق النار الساري بينما لا تنبئ بتقريب يذكر في مواقف طرفي الصراع.

تركيا تجمّد أصول علي عبد الله صالح
أوردت الجريدة الرسمية التركية تجميد الاصول التي يملكها الرئيس اليمني السابق علي عبدالله صالح في تركيا، بموجب قرارات مجلس الامن الدولي. 

«البذخ» العسكري لم ينقذ السعودية في اليمن
تقرير عن تحقيق لوكالة “رويترز” عن الواقع السعودي الصعب في اليمن على الرغم من “البذخ” السعودي عبر صفقات التسلح. 

سيناريوهات للتراجع عن اتفاقية تيران وصنافير؟
مصادر مصرية تؤكد ل”الاخبار” ان الرئاسة تدرس سيناريوهات للتراجع عن اتفاقية ترسيم الحدود البحرية مع السعودية اذا تحرك الشارع المصري بصورة كبيرة.

مصر والسعودية: اتفاق مُجحٍف وشرعية تهتزّ
مصطفى اللباد يبحث تداعيات تنازل مصر عن جزيرتي تيران وصنافير للسعودية. 

بيان القمة الخليجية ـ الأميركية
لم يختلف بيان القمة الخليجية-الأميركية في الرياض عن مفردات القمة الإسلامية واحتلت إيران حيزاً كبيراً منه. 

أوباما يودِّع الخليجيين: عليكم بالإصلاح وكفى صراعاً مع إيران
الرئيس الأميركي سعى الى طمأنة دول الخليج وحثهم ضمنياً على المزيد من المشتريات للسلاح الأميركي.

هكذا تشتري «أرامكو» النفوذ لآل سعود
علي مراد يؤكد ان المال النفطي أنقذ الرياض كثيراً وخصوصاً العدوان الطويل على اليمن، إسقاط المحاكم الأميركية لدعاوى دفع الرياض تعويضات لعلائات صحايا هجمات ١١ ايلول، حماية أميركية مباشرة للنظام السعودي، وتصدير اسلحة أميركية متطورة إلى المملكة. 

السعودية وأوباما ولعنة «11 أيلول»
منير الخطيب يبحث زيارة أوباما للسعودية والصفحات السرية في تقرير اللجنة الخاصة بهجمات ١١ أيلول.

أوباما في الرياض: لا مصلحة لأحد في خوض نزاعٍ مع إيران
الرئيس الأميركي يتطرق الى العلاقة مع ايران خلال زيارته الى السعودية، موضحاً ان لا مصلحة لاي دولة في خوض صراع مع طهران. 

تركي الفيصل: لإعادة تقييم العلاقة مع واشنطن
آعتبر رئيس الاستخبارات السعودية السابق ان “الايام الخوالى” بين المملكة والولايات المتحدة انتهت إلى غير رجعة وانه يجب أن “يعاد تقييم” العلاقة بين البلدين. 

كارتر: واشنطن سرّعت وتيرة تعاونها العسكري مع الخليج
أعلن وزير الدفاع الأميركي ان بلاده سرعت منذ عام وتيرة تعاونها العسكري مع دول الخليج القلقة من التهديد الإيراني. 

مشروع قانون في الكونغرس يفرض قيوداً على تسليح السعودية
تقدم السيناتور الديموقراطي كريس مورفي والسيناتور الجمهوري راند بول بمشروع قانون يضع قيوداً على بيع صواريخ جو-أرض للسعودية.

زوجة رائف بدوي «تأمل» بعفو ملكي
أعلنت إنصاف حيدر، زوجة المدون السعودي رائف بدوي المسجون في السعودية منذ العام ٢٠١٢، انها ما زالت “تأمل” ان يعفو الملك سلمان عن زوجها.

أول قرض اجنبي للسعودية منذ 15 سنة
تعتزم السعودية اقتراض عشرة مليارات دولار من مصارف أجنبية لتغطية جانب من العجز في ماليتها العامة، جراء انخفاض اسعار النفط، في خطوة هي الاولى من نوعها منذ ١٥ سنة. 

الكويت: ضغوط تدفع عمال النفط إلى إنهاء إضرابهم
أنهى عمال النفط في الكويت إضرابهم، بعد ثلاثة أيام، بعد ان سارعت الحكومة إلى تحذيرهم من أنها لن تستجيب لأي مطالب تحت الضغظ.

الشيخ النمر في مرافعة الكرامة: حياتي ليست أهم من كرامتي
صحيفة “مرآة البحرين” ومركز “كيتوس” الثقافي يصدران كتاب الشيخ نمر النمر بعنوان “مرافعة كرامة.”

أيّ عُمرٍ بقيَ لقناة «الجزيرة»؟ 
محمد فارس جرادات يؤكد رحلة “الجزيرة” في الكهولة المبكرة بدأت منذ استقالة وضاح خنفر.