[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
Journalist Mohamed Abdel Moneim sentenced to 3 years imprisonment Journalist Mohamed Abdel Moneim was sentenced to three years imprisonment on Sunday, after a court found him guilty of partaking in an unauthorized protest dating back to 24 April 2015.
Authorities detain, deport Tunisian writer at Cairo Airport Prominent Tunisian writer and academic Amel Grami was deported from Egypt via Cairo Airport on Sunday, despite being officially invited to speak at a conference at the state-owned Library of Alexandria.
Novelist Ahmed Naji, editor acquitted of 'harming public morality' charges Novelist Ahmed Naji and editor of Akhbar al-Adab Tarek al-Taher were both acquitted on Saturday of charges of “harming public morality.”
Disappeared journalist Sakka detained for 15 days pending investigations The Stop Forced Disappearances campaign declared that journalist Mahmoud al-Sakka, who has been missing for three days, has appeared in front of National Security prosecution. He faces charges of joining a banned organization and was sentenced to fifteen days in jail pending investigations.
Egypt ministry provides info on 101 people suspected to be victims of forced disappearance Egypt's interior ministry said that information has been sent to the National Council for Human Rights regarding 101 out of 191 people suspected to have been the victims of forced disappearances perpetrated by the government.
Public figures lambast recent arrests of activists A number of public figures released a statement on Wednesday condemning the recent spate of activist arrests, slamming the current administration and deeming its approach reminiscent of the lead-up to the 25 January revolution.
Human Rights Monitor demands release of Mahienour al-Massry and two others The UK-based Human Rights Monitor group, along with a host of Egyptian political groupings, have denounced the rejection of an appeal for the release of three political detainees on Sunday.
Reporter Mohamed Fahmy released from Egypt prison wants citizenship back: AP A Canadian journalist who spent much of the last two years jailed in Egypt says he has requested Egyptian authorities to restore the citizenship he renounced in order to win his release.
Egypt arrests 3 Facebook pages admins ahead of 25 Jan anniversary Egypt's interior ministry said on Saturday that it has arrested three people who were running twenty-three Facebook pages, accusing them of using the website to incite against state institutions.
Facebook says its free Internet service to over 3 million Egyptians shut down: AP A program that had been giving free basic Internet services to over three million Egyptians was shut down on Wednesday, social media site Facebook said.
Postgraduate protesters calling for employment arrested Three protesters were arrested in downtown Cairo taking part in a demonstration staged by postgraduates demanding state employment.
4 April 6 members detained, two others wanted on charges of illegal protest and belonging to a banned group Four members of the April 6 Youth movement were arrested Monday and charged with illegal protests and belonging to a banned organization.
Activist Khaled al-Sayed among 52 defendants referred to military trial Activist Khaled al-Sayed is among fifty-two defendants referred to military trial on charges of belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood, inciting murder and disseminating false information.
Update: Prosecution orders release of Merit Publishing House staff member, summons founder Prosecution ordered the release of Merit Publishing House staff member Mohamed Zein on Tuesday evening shortly after the downtown office was raided,
Egypt appeal court annuls 5-year sentences against 18 Morsi supporters, orders retrial Egypt’s Court of Cassation scrapped Saturday five-year prison sentences against eighteen supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi and ordered a retrial on violence-related charges.
Preacher Islam al-Beheiry sentenced to one year for insulting Islam A misdemeanor court reduced the five-year jail sentence of preacher and researcher Islam al-Beheiry on Monday, giving him just one year instead for his conviction on charges of insulting Islam.
'Security crackdown threatens stability in Egypt,' says Egyptian Social Democratic Party The Egyptian Social Democratic Party condemned in a statement on Wednesday what it described as a security crackdown against independent cultural venues and activists in Egypt which could threaten stability in Egypt.
Essam Khalil elected as leader of Free Egyptians Party The liberal Free Egyptians Party voted on Thursday for Essam Khalil to become its leader.
Maverick media figure Tawfiq Okasha to give up parliamentary seat, leave the country Notorious maverick television figure Tawfiq Oksaha said on Sunday night that he has been the target of harassment from the National Security and General Intelligence, and will resign from parliament and seek political asylum in Germany.
After Mansour declined offer, Egypt's parliament still looking for speaker The head of Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court and ex-interim president Adly Mansour turned down a request by President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to join the parliament.
First session of Egyptian parliament since 2012 set for 10 Jan: Minister The first procedural session of Egypt's House of Representatives will most likely be held on 10 January, according to the Minister of Legal and Parliamentary affairs Magdy al-Agaty.
Economy
Ministry announces more plans to solve Egypt’s urban housing crises Egyptian Housing Minister Mostafa Madbuly announced on Sunday that the government will invest ten billion LE to “develop 248 slum areas across Egypt by 2018.”
Sisi inaugurates 1st phase of 1.5 million feddan reclamation project Despite the historic failures of Egypt’s state-planned agricultural mega-projects, a new and ambitious plan for the reclamation of 1.5 million feddans of desert land was formally initiated on Wednesday.
Balance of payments deficit hits $3.7 billion in Q1 of 2015/16 Egypt’s transactions with the outside world from July 2015-September 2015 resulted in an overall balance of payments deficit of 3.7 billion USD, compared to a surplus of 410 million USD in the same period last year.
Bond yields rise less than expected after CBE rate hike In the wake of the Central Bank of Egypt’s across-the-board fifty basis point (0.05 percent) hikes on benchmark interest rates, returns on Egyptian treasury bonds and bills have crept up by less than twenty basis points (0.02 percent).
Spate of industrial action continues to gather steam Thousands of workers are protesting in different locations across Egypt in a spate of industrial actions that continues to pick up steam.
Foreign Relations
Israeli Foreign Ministry announces return of Egyptian ambassador to Tel Aviv After a three-year hiatus, a new Egyptian ambassador arrived to Tel Aviv on Friday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday.
Egypt condemns attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran Egypt condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia's embassy and consulate in Iran following the Sunni kingdom's mass execution of dozens, including a prominent Shia Muslim cleric.
Russia to supply Egypt with 46 military helicopters: RT Chief Executive Officer to Russian Helicopters Alexander Mikheyev announced on Wednesday that Russia will supply Egypt with forty-six new Ka-52K Alligator Helicopters developed for the French-made Mistral-class amphibious ships.
Egypt's Sisi tells Egyptians 'not to worry' about Ethiopian dam Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi told the Egyptians on Wednesday not to worry about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, adding that "matters are fine" in that regard.
Domestic Security
Interior Ministry annual report ignores fight against terrorism The Interior Ministry published a year-end report detailing the “harvest” of its security operations in 2015 on Monday night, but failed to mention its crackdown on its most pressing concern: terrorism.
Egypt's interior ministry blames transportation authority for Nile ferry disaster A ferry sank on the Nile in Egypt's Delta region on Thursday night, leaving fifteen dead.
Egypt’s army says it killed 26 'terrorists' in North Sinai raids Saturday Egypt’s army has said it killed twenty-six “terrorists” in Saturday raids in troubled North Sinai governorate amid its continuing “Martyr’s Right” operation to rid the area of terrorism.
Family of five killed in shelling in Egypt’s North Sinai A father, mother and their three children were killed Thursday night when a shelling of unknown origin hit their house in Egypt’s troubled North Sinai.
String of explosions in Arish caused by security raids: source Five consecutive explosions heard east of the city of Arish, North Sinai, on Sunday were the result of security raids on suspected terrorist havens, a security source explained.
Egypt's government to compensate families of those killed in Giza blast LE10,000 Egypt's government says it will provide "urgent financial assistance" to the families of the victims of Sunday's blast in a Giza residential building.