[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 upholds death sentence for 9 convicted for murder of prosecutor-general Barakat
Egypt's Court of Cassation upheld on Sunday death sentences against nine defendants convicted of involvement in the assassination of prosecutor-general Hisham Barakat in 2015.
Egypt parliament discusses measures to defuse country's 'population bomb'
In a meeting held on Sunday, the Egyptian parliament's defense and national security committee recommended that strict measures be taken on all state levels to stem the runaway population growth in Egypt.
Egypt's NGO law under the microscope
The article discusses President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi’s call to amend Egypt’s controversial NGO law.
Egypt's Takaful and Karama limits cash aid to 2 children per beneficiary household starting 2019
Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced on Thursday that starting 2019 cash aid from the Takaful and Karama program will be disbursed for two children in each family enrolled in the program instead of three, which should allow a larger number of families to benefit from the program.
Becoming ‘legal’: On Mada Masr’s decision to apply for a license under the new media law
Mada Masr talks about their choice to apply for a license under the new media law, explaining how they produce their content for publication.
Looking for the root causes of the potato crisis
Behind much of the political maneuvering, farmers and agricultural insiders painted a picture of a sector that has been under strain due to the economic program the government rolled out in coordination with the International Monetary Fund in November 2016, and that leaving the root causes of the potato crisis unaddressed may leave the door open for a recurring cycle.
Over the past week, one lawyer and two of his clients were shot dead by police and another lawyer was arrested and charged in a case he was formerly working on as a defense attorney.
Leaked proposal of media bylaws outlines ambiguous press violations, imposes hefty penalties
A draft proposal put forward by Gamal Shawky, the head of the complaints committee of the Supreme Media Regulatory Council (SMRC), outlines a raft of stiff penalties, including blocking websites, suspending broadcasts and imposing hefty fines, for media organizations that violate a wide set of ambiguous rules.
Tarek Shawky discusses creating ‘Endowments Charity Fund’ to develop education
Minister of Education Tarek Shawky met on Wednesday with several officials to discuss creating an “Endowments Charity Fund” for the development of education.
Foreign Affairs
Egypt's navy, air forces land in Greece for joint training
Egyptian naval and air forces arrived in Greece on Saturday to participate in the joint military training operation Medusa 7, which will be held on the west side of the Greek island of Crete.
Egypt's defense minister leaves for Sudan for talks on military cooperation, conditions in Africa
Egypt’s defense and military production minister and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Mohamed Zaki, left Cairo on Saturday for Sudan to hold important discussions with top officials in Sudan.
Cairo, Khartoum discuss end to proxy fighting in Libya in bilateral meeting
Egypt’s defense minister concluded a meeting on security cooperation with his Sudanese counterpart in Khartoum on Sunday, with sources close to the talks saying that Libya was slated to be the primary focus of the meeting.
Egypt's Sisi and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman confirm depth of ties
Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said in his meeting on Tuesday with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Egypt is keen to boost bilateral cooperation and affirmed the depth and strength of the ties between the two countries.
Economy
2 years after the loan agreement: What the IMF failed to anticipate
On 11 November 2016, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Egyptian government finalized a twelve billion US dollar loan agreement tied to an economic reform plan that included a series of austerity measures and the liberalization of the Egyptian pound.
EGP 1.393bn net profits of HDB by end of September 2018: Chairperson
The Housing and Development Bank (HDB) has achieved net profits of 1.393 billion Egyptian pound after taxes by the end of the third quarter of this year, compared to 887.6 million Egyptian pound by the end of the third quarter of 2017, according to the bank’s chairperson.
Arrears owed to petroleum ministry to be paid within 5 years: electricity minister
The electricity sector will pay its outstanding dues to the ministry of petroleum within five years, after achieving balance and lifting subsidies from electricity prices totally in the fiscal year (FY) 2021-22, the minister of electricity and renewable energy said on Saturday.
Domestic Security
5 dead after ferry sinks in Egypt's Nile Delta
Five people drowned and eighteen others were rescued when their ferry sank as it crossed the River Nile in Egypt’s Nile Delta, according to health ministry official.
Egypt security forces kill 12 terrorists in shootout in North Sinai: Ministry
Egypt's security forces killed twelve terrorists in an exchange of fire on Thursday in North Sinai, the ministry of interior said.
From Jadaliyya
الفن السياسي: مقابلة مع الممثل والمخرج والمنتج المصري خالد أبو النجا
Jadaliyya interviews the Egyptian actor Khaled Abul Naga about politics and art in Egypt.
Arabic
مشاورات التعديل الدستوري: أعوام إضافية للسيسي.. ثم رئاسة أبدية لمجلس «حماية الدستور»
The article questions parliamentary demands to extend Sisi’s presidential term.
تأجيل إلغاء تحويل الوراق لـ «مجتمع عمراني جديد» لـ 22 ديسمبر المقبل
The administrative court postponed the appeal of al-Warraq residents against the government decision to demolish all unlicensed houses to 22 December hearing session.
مصر | الأفُق مغلق أمام «أنفاق السويس»: الافتتاح إلى إشعار آخر
The article examines the challenges against Sisi’s project to build two tunnels under the Suez Canal, connecting Sinai with Egypt’s provinces.
لائحة الجزاءات.. رحلة الأعلى للإعلام من الإعداد للرفض ثم القبول
The article discusses the new media regulations announced by the Supreme Council for Media and its impact on the media sector in Egypt.
بعد يوم واحد من إلغائه .. عودة حجب المواقع الإليكترونية
Egyptian authorities continue to crackdown on the freedom of expression by blocking news websites as Sisi inaugurates the Cairo fair for information and communication technology.