[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
Egypt court overturns closure of human rights NGO El-Nadeem
Egypt’s Administrative Court overturned on Thursday a 2016 decision by Cairo governorate to close El-Nadeem Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture.
Egypt’s Trade Union Federation calls for overturning Iron and Steel Company liquidation
The Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF) voiced on Tuesday its rejection to the decision of liquidating the Egyptian Iron and Steel Company (EISC), a week after the hotly debated resolution was passed officially by the company's board of directors.
Liquidation of the Egyptian Iron and Steel Company should come only after careful study, MPs say
"So, there should not be a final scenario about the future of the company, but there should be a public debate supported by studies, figures, and scientific research about the capacities of the Helwan-based Egyptian Iron and Steel Company in the future," said the committee.
Egypt’s Public Prosecution releases defendant in Fairmont case pending investigation
Egypt’s Public Prosecution ordered the release of Ahmed El-Ganzoury, a defendant in the 2014 Fairmont gang rape case, pending investigation.
Egypt's prosecution releases baker accused of baking sexually explicit cupcakes
Cairo’s prosecution ordered on Monday the release of a baker, who was charged with making cakes involving sexually explicit shapes, on a 5,000 Egyptian pounds bail.
Eight cabinet ministers to deliver statements before Egypt's parliament this week
Eight cabinet ministers of the government of Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly will appear before the House of Representatives this week to deliver statements on the current and future programmes of their portfolios.
Minister of Information Osama Heikal defends himself in parliament
Egypt's Minister of Information, Osama Heikal, told MPs on Tuesday that since he came to office in June 2018, he has done his best to develop the role of the ministry in defending the image of Egypt and explaining government policies.
Egypt's parliament to summon prime minister to answer questions on 'Egypt Kicks Off' programme
The Egyptian parliament's general committee decided on Sunday to summon Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and a number of cabinet ministers to answer questions and discuss a report on the implementation of the so-called “Egypt Kicks Off” programme.
Egypt’s Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali Moselhi told parliament on Tuesday that state subsidies should go directly to consumers rather than bakeries and grocers.
Egypt’s public prosecutor refers three to court for joining terrorist group in Libya
Egypt’s Public Prosecutor Hamada El-Sawi ordered the referral of three defendants to the state security emergency court on multiple charges, including joining a terrorist group in Libya, which aimed to execute attacks in Egypt.
Foreign Policy
Egypt resumes diplomatic relations with Qatar
Egypt agreed with Qatar to resume diplomatic relations between them, the Egyptian foreign ministry announced on Wednesday.
A Qatari foreign ministry official pledged in a meeting with Egyptian and Emirati security officials on Saturday that Qatar would not interfere in Egypt’s internal affairs, two Egyptian intelligence sources told Reuters.
Egypt General Intelligence Service chief delivers Sisi’s message to Palestinian president
El-Sisi’s message stressed Egypt’s keenness to intensify its efforts so that it contributes to the success of the Palestinian elections process. The message also affirmed Egypt’s unchangeable stance on the need to reach a just, comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.
Egypt condemns Israeli plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank
In a statement, foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Hafez reiterated Egypt’s full rejection of the continuation of settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, stressing the need to stand against such violations.
Egypt, Jordan agree to push forward efforts to settle Palestinian issue
In a meeting held in Amman on Monday, the leaders of Egypt and Jordan agreed to push ahead with efforts to revive the negotiation path for the Palestinian issue.
Egypt's Sisi discusses Ethiopia border dispute, GERD with Sudanese delegation
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed on Thursday the latest developments in bilateral relations with a Sudanese delegation led by Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council member Shamseldin Kabashi, the Egyptian presidency announced.
Military, economic aid to Egypt excluded from US spending cuts: Al-Monitor
Egypt, along with Israel and Jordan, was excluded from a decision by the White House to enact deep cuts to domestic and foreign spending omnibus spending package in December, according to Al-Monitor.
Egypt voices support to Saudi Arabia against terrorism after latest Houthi attack
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the latest Houthi attack on Jazan governorate in Saudi Arabia, affirming Cairo's support to the kingdom against terrorism.
Egypt urges Libya’s parties to reach consensus over arrangements for planned elections
The head of Egypt's National Committee concerned with Libyan affairs stressed to the Libyan parties the importance of putting aside differences and making use of the current "historic "opportunity to reach a consensus on a unified Libyan constitutional base that would allow holding the Libyan national elections and ending the Libyan crisis.
Economy
Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine El-Kabbaj witnessed the signing of an agreement relating to the ‘Support to COVID-19 Response’ project, which will provide Egypt with six million euros over three years.
Planning Minister approves allocations of EGP 450m for transport development in 2020/21
Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Said has approved the allocation of 450 million Egyptian pounds for the General Authority for Roads, Bridges and Land Transport (GARBLT) as part of the latter’s budget in fiscal year (FY) 2020/21.
Egypt, China sign agreement to complete work at business district in New Administrative Capital
Egypt and China have signed an attachment agreement on completing works at the central business district project in the New Administrative Capital (NAC), a mega seven-hundred-square-kilometer project expected to be a new home to various public agencies.
State revenues expected to drop by EGP 150 bln in FY 2020/21 owing to coronavirus
State revenues are estimated to decrease by not less than 150 billion Egyptian pounds in this financial year owing to the coronavirus, said Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait on Friday night.
Egypt expected to restore pre-pandemic real GDP growth at 5.5% during FY2020/21
Egypt is expected to be the only country in the Middle East to restore pre-COVID-19 real GDP growth rates in the current FY2020/2021 (ends in June) to reach 5.5 percent, Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait said on Wednesday.
Egypt reduces fuel price for aviation to boost tourism ailing from coronavirus
Egypt is further decreasing the price of fuel for the aviation sector starting Thursday as part of efforts to boost travel and tourism as the pandemic continues to take its heavy toll on the vital sectors.
Domestic Security
With the security situation in Bir al-Abd more stable, the Armed Forces have tried to clamp down on its eastern front, establishing several new checkpoints and establishing a de facto siege on the Province of Sinai’s strongholds in the south of Sheikh Zuwayed, prompting several militants and their families to surrender due to hunger.
Egypt to begin rolling out COVID-19 vaccination program on medical staff this week
Egypt will begin rolling out its much-needed COVID-19 vaccination program on medical staff in isolation hospitals this week, Presidential Health Advisor Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din announced on Saturday.
EGP 1 bln allocated to health ministry to acquire coronavirus vaccines: Egypt’s finance minister
Egypt’s Finance Minister Mohamed Maait said on Thursday that one billion Egyptian pounds have been allocated to the health ministry in order to acquire coronavirus vaccines.
Egypt to receive new shipments of Sinopharm vaccine within days
Egypt will receive more shipments of the Chinese COVID-19 vaccine Sinopharm through the UAE within a few days, sources at the Health and Population Ministry announced Saturday.
Egypt's Sisi ratifies extension of state of emergency for three months
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has issued a decree ratifying the extension of a nationwide state of emergency for three months starting Sunday, 24 January.
Arabic
The article examines Egypt’s structural economic challenges over the ten years since the January 25 Revolution.
The podcast tells stories of Cairenes who have been subjected to arbitrary security crackdown.
The article discusses how the internet has played a significant role in protest mobilization.
The family of Egyptian lawyer Islam Salama called on the authorities to release their son who was ordered released on January 16, 2021, in case No. 7869 of 2020, but they lost contact with him since the court decision was issued.
Daarb publishes Cairo Criminal Court filings of Makeen murder case, of which nine policemen were sentenced to three years in prison for torturing the fish vendor to death in Al-Amiriya police station in 2016.
طلبه الأمن الوطني ولم يظهر: 13 يومًا على اختفاء الصحفي أحمد خليفة
Journalist Ahamd Khalifa’s whereabouts remains unknown since his arrest on January 6, according to his family.