[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
Sisi ratifies law establishing National Press Authority
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ratified on Friday a law establishing the National Press Authority, which was passed by the House of Representatives in June. The state body is tasked with upgrading the performance of national press organizations by supervising their financial and administrative activities.
New Egyptian draft law suggests five year sentence for “insulting historical figures”
Head of the Egyptian Parliament’s religious committee Amr Hamrouch presented a draft law calling for a jail sentence of three to five years for anyone who defames a historical figure, as well as fining them between 100 thousand EGP and 500 thousand EGP.
Egyptian President Sisi swears in 22 new governors
Egypt on Thursday named new governors for twenty-two of the country's twenty-seven governorates, retaining only five in their posts. The new governors took their oath of office in front of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi at the presidential palace in Cairo.
Egypt parliament to impose new code of ethics to discipline 'rogue MPs'
Informed sources told reporters this week that Egypt's parliament – the House of Representatives – is currently in the process of drafting a new code of ethics to be implemented before the House reconvenes in October, to ensure that MPs follow the correct constitutional rules, respect state authorities, and observe good manners and behavior inside parliament.
Egyptian government approves draft resolution for forming a committee for human rights
During its weekly meeting headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Wednesday, Egypt's government approved a draft resolution on forming a permanent higher committee on human rights. The new committee will be tasked with establishing a mechanism to deal with and respond to allegations being raised against Egypt's human rights record.
Is Sisi’s dismissal of Administrative Control Authority head Mohamed Irfan legal?
General Sherif Seif Eddin Hussein Khalil was sworn in on Thursday as the new head of the Administrative Control Authority (ACA), replacing Major General Mohamed Irfan, according to the official spokesperson for the president. However, the legality of the sudden appointment is not clear, as the Constitution requires that the head of the ACA must be confirmed by Parliament.
146 cases of 227 received forced disappearance reports wanted on criminal charges: NCHR member
The state-sponsored National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) received 227 reports of forced disappearances in the years between 2015 and 2016.
Police control minor protest calling for reinvestigating of murder case
Police forces dispersed on Tuesday night a gathering of dozens of individuals in the city of Met Al-Salsel in Daqahlia who protested legal procedures against a man who is currently detained on charges of killing both of his children last week.
Political figures arrested over Eid holiday interrogated about political views, affiliations
In interrogations held on Monday and Tuesday, five of the seven political figures arrested over Eid holiday were questioned about their views on and relationship to prominent political groups and events in Egypt’s post-2011 political landscape.
Military governor upholds death sentences for 14 defendants in military trial
Death sentences handed to fourteen defendants in a military trial in December 2017 have been upheld, Alexandria Military Court officials told defense lawyers on Tuesday.
Economy
Italy’s Eni announces new gas discovery in Western Desert
Italian energy firm Eni released a Thursday statement announcing a new gas discovery in Egypt’s Western Desert. The newly discovered well, located in the East Obayed concession, has started production, delivering twenty five million cubic feet of gas per day, according to the company’s statement.
Bright Star 2018 war games to start in Egypt 8 September
A number of US forces and equipment arrived at an Egyptian airbase in preparation for the joint military exercises "Bright Star 2018" scheduled for 9-20 September.
Egypt and Ethiopia Back to the negotiating table
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) topped the priorities of both Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri’s visit to Addis Ababa and his Sudanese counterpart’s visit to Cairo this week.
Egypt and Sudan discuss bilateral relations, other African developments
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held talks on Wednesday in Cairo with his Sudanese counterpart Foreign Minister Al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed about the ways to boost bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as the latest development concerning South Sudan, the Egyptian foreign ministry announced.
Foreign Relations
Effects of GERD construction delay, Red Sea security lead ‘positive’ talks in Addis Ababa
The Tuesday talks attended by Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry and General Intelligence Service Director Abbas Kamel in Addis Ababa addressed concerns around the pace at which the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam's reservoirs would be filled.
Palestinian national unity will help revive negotiations with Israel, Egypt's Sisi tells Abbas
During a phone call with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, Sisi stressed that the legitimate Palestinian Authority should assume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip once again, saying this will help revive the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, said Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady.
Egypt's Sisi ratifies appointment of new ambassadors in annual diplomatic reshuffle
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ratified on Thursday the appointment of new ambassadors to Canada, Sudan, Israel, Ethiopia and the UK as part of the annual diplomatic reshuffle by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, state news agency MENA said.
Egypt's Sisi begins three-nation tour to Bahrain, China and Uzbekistan
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi flew to Bahrain on Thursday on the first leg of a three-nation tour that includes China and Uzbekistan, El-Sisi's office said in a statement.
Al-Sisi, Di Maio agree on enhancing bilateral cooperation, fighting illegal immigration, concluding Reggini’s investigation
Enhancing cooperation between Egypt and Italy across all levels is of great importance, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi stressed on Wednesday, welcoming the increase in mutual visits between officials of both countries in the recent period, as a sign of the return of bilateral relations to its normal course.
Domestic Security
1 soldier, 2 civilians injured in attack on security forces in central Arish
One soldier and two civilians were wounded on Monday in an exchange of gunfire between armed militants and Egyptian Armed Forces personnel responsible for securing a gas station in central Arish.
Prosecutors issue subpoena to question ten Egyptian railway officials over July train derailment
Egyptian administrative prosecutors have issued a subpoena to question ten railway officials over their potential role in a passenger train derailment in Giza that injured sixty-three people last month.
Egyptian forces kill 20 militants in Sinai operation: Army
Egyptian troops have killed twenty militants in recent days in the Sinai and the country's western desert, the army said in a statement on Wednesday as forces press ahead with an ongoing operation to crush militants.
Egypt court sentences six defendants to death over 2016 checkpoint attack
A Cairo criminal court has sentenced six defendants to death and two others to life in prison over a deadly attack on a security checkpoint in Khosos, north of Cairo in 2016.
Police kill five terrorists in shootout in Upper Egypt: Interior ministry
Egypt's interior ministry has said police killed five terrorists during a shootout on the Assiut-Sohag Eastern Desert Highway on Monday.
Operations in Sinai continue, 13 militants reportedly killed
Operations in Sinai against militancy are ongoing, as the armed forces spokesperson announcing the killing of thirteen militants in clashes in North and central Sinai.
Arabic
صلاح و«الاتحاد»..عندما ترفض مصر أن تديك
The article discusses the crisis between the Egyptian Football Association and the football star Mohamed Salah.
«الوزير تفاهم مع النقيب».. تفاصيل تعديلات «المالية» التي أنهت أزمة المحامين مع «ضريبة الدخل»
A few days after the Lawyers Syndicate threatened to take escalatory measures against the decision of the Minister of Finance to increase the taxes paid by lawyers under the income tax calculation, the minister agreed to lower the fees.
من السجن: أن تحاول خداع الألم!
Abdelrahman al-Gendy who was arrested in October 2013, over acts of vandalism, writes a letter from prison to voice his concern about not being granted a presidential pardon.
اﻷزهر والتحرش: هل حقا هناك تياران يتصارعان على الأفكار؟
The article examines Al-Azhar's position over harassment in Egypt.
حقق| تائه في الترجمة: هل سد النهضة لن يرى النور؟
The article discusses the media coverage of the deliberations on the Renaissance Dam project.
بعد الجدل بين النواب وصحفيون| السيسي يسدل الستار على «قانون الصحافة».. ولهذا يرفضه البعض
The article examines the controversy around the recently approved media law passed by president Sisi which is seen by many as an assault on the freedom of expression in Egypt.
بتشريعات «دعم مصر» لانتخابات البرلمان.. هل انتهى عصر الأحزاب؟
Masr Al Arabiya sheds light on the new bill prepared by Support Egypt Coalition to regulate the parliamentary elections slated for 2020.
قانون تحصين العسكريين.. لماذا لم يحم "معصوم مرزوق"؟
The article discusses how the state uses the immunity law to protect military commanders and diplomats who support the regime.