[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
Jan 25, 5 years on: The only words I can write are about losing my words Alaa Abd El Fattah, outspoken software techie, blogger and activist serving a five-year sentence for his political activism, reflects on the aftermath of the revolution five years later.
Opening politics’ black box (selections) Khaled Fahmy offers his reflections on the past, present and future of the Egyptian revolution.
Egypt: who`s afraid of January 25? A noted increase in crackdowns and scare tactics against activists occurs ahead of the fifth anniversary of the January 25 revolution.
State repression in Egypt worst in decades, says activist Campaigning journalist Hossam Bahgat speaks out amid further crackdown as fifth anniversary of uprising approaches.
Public figures demand release of activists arrested ahead of 5th anniversary of 25 January Revolution Twenty Seven public figures signed on Saturday a statement that demanded the state to release activists arrested within the last two weeks on accusations of planning mass protests and to cease the stringent security measures the state has implemented ahead of the anniversary of the 25 January Revolution.
`Vernacularize` human rights for revolution Sherif Azer discusses the need to reformat activist language in order to appeal to more people and make the revolution that began on 25 January 2011 reach its long-term objective goals.
Sisi: Deviation of 2011 revolution is not the fault of its sons, June 30 corrected the path In a pre-recorded televised address commemorating the fifth anniversary of 25 January, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi saluted the youth of the 2011 revolution, claiming they are not responsible for deviation from the revolutionary path and that June 30 gave the people back their freewill.
Sisi marks Police Day celebrations as security brace for revolution`s anniversary President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi celebrated national Police Day at the Police Academy on Saturday, a day originally marked on 25 January.
Foreign Ministry launches media campaign claiming #EgyptBetterToday Ahead of the fifth anniversary of the 25 January uprising, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a media campaign dubbed “Egypt Better Today,” which will reportedly highlight the 25 "most important accomplishments" of the Egyptian state since 2011.
Salafist Nour Party urges Egyptians not to protest on revolution anniversary The ultra-conservative Nour Party urged Egyptians on Sunday not to heed the calls of protests on Monday, saying that they will cause societal division and more damage and destruction.
Fifth anniversary of Egypt`s 2011 revolution marked by security concerns Non-Islamist political parties say that they will commemorate the 25 January Revolution at their headquarters only.
Police breakup 3 Muslim Brotherhood marches in Monufiya Police forces broke up three marches by Muslim Brotherhood supporters in the Berket al-Sabe`, Tala and Ashmun localities, Monufiya on Friday.
Activists Maher, Adel, Douma given 6 months in absentia for assaulting police April 6 Youth Movement founders Ahmed Maher and Mohamed Adel, along with activist Ahmed Douma, have reportedly been sentenced to six months in absentia for allegedly assaulting police officers during their trial in 2013.
The saga surrounding Egypt`s top auditor explained General Prosecutor Nabil Sadek issued a gag order Wednesday on reporting details concerning an investigation into a corruption report by the Central Auditing Authority after a presidential investigative committee found the authority`s head Hesham Geneina guilty of misrepresenting facts about state corruption.
Court reverses decision to ban MP Tawfiq Okasha from media Cairo administrative court revoked a decision to ban controversial media personality and member of parliament Tawfiq Okasha from media appearances.
Court lifts travel ban on Egyptian newspaper-owner Salah Diab Giza Criminal Court decided on Saturday to lift a travel ban imposed in November on Egyptian businessman and newspaper owner Salah Diab, who is charged with possessing unlicensed firearms at his home.
Court annuls gag order on 2012 presidential election rigging allegations An administrative court annulled a gag order issued in October 2014 on all publications and broadcasts discussing allegations of rigging in the 2012 presidential race, which saw the election of deposed Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.
Egypt`s MPs caught voting for each other with new electronic system Videos of members of parliament abusing the electronic voting system to cast ballots on behalf of colleagues circulated on Tuesday, casting further doubt on the performance of Egypt`s new parliament in its first few weeks in session.
Amid mass passing of laws, Egypt`s parliament rejects civil service law Parliamentary news sources reported on Wednesday that the highly controversial civil service law was rejected, with 332 members of parliament voting against the law, versus 150 in favor and seven abstentions.
MP Khaled Youssef calls for amending law regulating protests Film director and MP Khaled Youssef called on Wednesday for amending the law regulating protests, describing it as "unconstitutional and the cause behind the unjust detention of many youth."
Sisi receives 20 Egyptians previously abducted in Libya President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received twenty Egyptians on Tuesday who were previously abducted in eastern Libya, promising them compensation and job opportunities.
Trade unions, parties reject proposed health insurance bill Seventy-four trade unions and political parties voiced opposition Monday to a draft law on health insurance prepared by the Health Ministry, arguing that the draft fails to ensure social justice and turns medicine into a “sheer business.”
Economy
2015 was a boom year for global tourism, but a bust for Egypt International tourism hit record levels worldwide in 2015 but, battered by local and regional events, Egypt failed to capture a share of that bounty.
Egyptian market closes with gains following region-wide upward trend Egypt’s stocks continued to rally Sunday, sharing in a region-wide upward trend following the recovery in oil prices.
Foreign Relations
China to loan Egypt billions in financial agreements Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday and signed a financing agreement that will see China`s Central Bank transfer one billion USD to the Central Bank of Egypt along with a loan of 700 million USD to the National Bank of Egypt.
Egypt, China sign 21 investment deals to foster mutual cooperation Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed in Cairo on Thursday a number of cooperation deals aimed to foster over sixty years of ties between the two countries.
Egypt parliament speaker to receive Russian delegation Tuesday A high-profile Russian delegation led by Sergy Naryshikin, speaker of the Russian Duma, will visit Egypt`s House of Representatives Tuesday.
MoUs to be signed during 10th joint Egyptian-Russian Economic Committee meeting The tenth meeting of the joint Egyptian-Russian Economic Committee will be held in Cairo next week.
Domestic Security
Islamic State affiliate claims Giza bomb blast The Islamic State-affiliated terrorist group Sinai Province has claimed responsibility for Thursday night’s bomb blast at a Giza apartment that killed at least six people, injuring about a dozen others.
Egypt’s police say ‘terrorist’ killed in home raid-turned-shootout Egypt’s police forces killed on Sunday a "terrorist" in the town of Kerdasa in Giza, after they engaged in a shootout when they were attempting to storm his house.
Egyptian civilian shot dead in North Sinai An Egyptian man was shot dead in the North Sinai town of Rafah on Sunday by unidentified gunmen.
Three security personnel killed in Egypt`s Delta governorate of Sharqiya Three security personnel were killed and two civilians injured earlier Sunday when unknown assailants attacked a checkpoint located in the Lower Egypt Delta governorate of Sharqiya.