Nervana

This Week in Egypt: Week 7-2019 (Feb 10-16)

Posted on February 16, 2020 by nervana111

Top Headlines

Egypt’s booming population officially hits 100 million
Egypt reports Africa’s first coronavirus case
No breakthrough yet on Nile dam talks, Ethiopia says
Egyptian pound strengthens to three-year high against the US dollar
Egyptian security forces kill 17 militants in shootout in North Sinai
Egypt builds a wall on border with Gaza

Main Headlines

Monday

Egyptian pound strengthens to three-year high against the US dollar
Egypt and Germany sign gas exploration agreement in Nile Delta
Egypt’s parliament discards ‘television channels and social media accounts’ from terrorist entities law

Tuesday

Egypt’s booming population officially hits 100 million
Egypt’s PM reviews plan to relocate 52,000 employees to New Administrative Capital
Egypt to set up its first oil and gas exploration website to help foreign investors
Egypt’s FM Shoukry heads to Washington for final efforts to settle GERD issue
Direct flights between Luxor and Sharm El-Sheikh to start on 20 Feb: Egypt Air

Wednesday

Egypt is talking to IMF about technical assistance: Central bank
Doctors in Egypt launch anti-genital cutting campaign after girl dies
Egyptian security forces kill 17 militants in shootout in North Sinai

Thursday

Second day of talks on Ethiopian GERD dam kicks off in Washington
Mask prices in Egypt skyrocket over coronavirus fears
Italy’s Edison starts exploratory drilling for gas in Egypt
Egypt did not import any liquefied natural gas in 2019
Egypt approves first gold mining licence in more than a decade
Egypt signs $35 million oil, gas exploration deal with Neptune energy
Muslim Brotherhood’s Tariq Ramadan formally charged with two more counts of rape

Friday

Egypt reports Africa’s first case of coronavirus
No breakthrough yet on Nile dam talks, Ethiopia says
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry says GERD agreement to be signed before end of February
A British man has been arrested and accused of sexual assault for patting a male police officer on the back at an airport in Egypt
Thousands sign petition demanding release of British holidaymaker held in Egypt

Saturday

UK man arrested in Egypt for ‘pat on the back’ is released
Egypt expects final agreement on GERD “to be fair”
Egypt achieves highest growth rate in 11 years, tops ME economies
Egypt’s FM Shoukry presents vision on challenges in North East Africa at Munich Security Council meeting
Egypt Air receives its first Airbus 320

Sunday

Egypt’s FM underlines necessity of restoring legitimacy to Libya’s institutions
Researcher Patrick Zaki to remain in custody over broadcasting false news
Egypt’s top prosecutor denies activist was tortured

Reports

Egypt builds a wall on border with Gaza.Rasha Abou Jalal
Egypt shows diplomatic finesse forging Gaza cease-fire. Al-Monitor
Egypt brings long-awaited compensation to thousands of Nubians. Muhammad Ghamrawy

Read

Why Egypt and Ethiopia can’t agree on how to manage water resources. Michael Greco
Libya in focus. Dina Ezzat

From Twitter

BREAKING: Egypt's foreign minister says the US will next week propose a text agreement over Renaissance Dam dispute between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia

— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) February 15, 2020

Ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia & Sudan & their delegations met with the Secretary of the Treasury & President of the World Bank, participating as observers, to continue negotiations on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in Washington, D.C., Feb 12-13.

— US Embassy Cairo (@USEmbassyCairo) February 14, 2020

Extensive meetings for the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry on the sidelines of Munich Security Conference, focusing on the bilateral relations and topics of common interest @MunSecConf #MSC2020 #Egypt pic.twitter.com/aWtk9iSL70

— Egypt in Albania (@EgyptAlbania) February 16, 2020

An immense honour to moderate a critical discussion on ‘Peacing it together – Regional Security in North-East Africa’ at @MunSecConf #MSC2020 by @giz_gmbh.
• AU Commissioner for Peace & Security @AU_Chergui
• Egypt MFA
• Sudan MFA
• @WorldBank
• Europe Institute for Peace pic.twitter.com/aR7LczeFD2

— Ottilia Anna MaSibanda (@MaS1banda) February 16, 2020

No #GERD agreement yet. #Ethiopia #Egypt #Sudan @WorldBank pic.twitter.com/zcHtj3vZN4

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) February 14, 2020

BREAKING:
Egypt reported first case of coronavirus, to be the first case in the land of Africa#coronavirus #Egypt pic.twitter.com/lKHvdvRk8h

— Stats Alerts 🌐 (@Stats_Alerts) February 14, 2020

#Egypt| Raouf Ghali, brother of Youssef Ghali, Minister of Finance under the admin of Hosni Mubarak, was sentenced to 30 years in prison and a fine of 6 million Egyptian pounds (350,800 euros), for having attempted to smuggle out thousands of ancient objects to Italy.
📸File pic.twitter.com/b99KkggETb

— Mete Sohtaoğlu (@metesohtaoglu) February 15, 2020

I can access BBC and Al Hurra websites on two ISPs. It seems the block has been lifted. #Egypt

— The Big Pharaoh (@TheBigPharaoh) February 16, 2020

USCIRF condemns use of reconciliation councils in rural #Egypt, incl Feb 3 in al-Karm, Minya, which deny justice to victims of sectarian violence.

It’s time for local officials to uphold rule of law & end intimidation of #Coptic victims. https://t.co/tnFgXwOLdj

— USCIRF (@USCIRF) February 13, 2020

Agricultural land (% of land area)

🇺🇾URU: 82.6%
🇿🇦RSA: 79.8%
🇳🇬NGR: 77.7%
🇺🇦UKR: 71.7%
🇬🇧GBR: 71.7%
🇲🇳MGL: 71.5%
🇮🇳IND: 60.4%
🇨🇳CHN: 56.2%
🇹🇷TUR: 49.8%
🇩🇪GER: 47.7%
🇵🇰PAK: 47.8%
🇺🇸USA: 44.4%
🇨🇴COL: 40.3%
🇧🇷BRA: 33.9%
🇲🇾MAS: 26.3%
🇷🇺RUS: 13.3%
🇨🇦CAN: 6.9%
🇪🇬EGY: 3.8%

(WorldBank)

— World Index (@theworldindex) February 15, 2020

Cairo's Tahrir Square obelisk has its pyramid-shaped top installed https://t.co/cqT8Isaw9V

— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) February 12, 2020

#Nevine El-Ibiary: One of the 50 most influential women of 2019 https://t.co/TMVjYjByYi pic.twitter.com/ToeVnYd17q

— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) February 12, 2020

Plus

‪Naguib Mahfouz’s daughter donates 257 translated editions of his works to his newly opened museum

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged Coronavirus, Egypt, Egyptian pound, Ethiopia, Gaza, GERD, North Sinai | Leave a comment

This Week in Egypt: Week 6-2020 (Feb 3-9)

Posted on February 9, 2020 by nervana111

Top Headlines

Egypt’s Sisi calls for firm stance to confront dispatch of ‘terrorists to Libya
The Egyptian Navy is said to be close to purchasing a pair of European Multi-Purpose Frigate (FREMM) warships from Italy
Egypt ranks 9th in military strength among 138 states: Global Firepower
Egypt brings back home 32 fishermen detained by Yemeni Houthis
UN appoints former Egyptian minister Mahmoud Mohieldin as special envoy on financing the 2030 Agenda
Egypt to build first restaurant serving tourists at Great Pyramids of Giza

Main Headlines

Monday

Gas pipeline in Egypt’s Sinai is attacked, Israel imports is unaffected
Egypt non-oil private sector shrinks faster in January
Egypt to sell a 45% stake of Banque du Caire in the first half of 2020
Egypt builds world’s largest block of flats costing £420million

Tuesday

Egypt brings back home 32 fishermen detained by Yemeni Houthis
UN appoints former Egyptian minister Mahmoud Mohieldin as special envoy on financing the 2030 Agenda
Egypt has declined a Chinese order for millions of protective masks
Egypt to build first restaurant serving tourists at Great Pyramids of Giza

Wednesday

Egypt ranks 9th in military strength among 138 states: Global Firepower
Regulators rules that Saudi Telecom must offer to buy remaining 45% in Vodafone Egypt
Egyptian engineers attend training in Russia for construction of Dabaa nuclear power plant
Egypt’s Interior Ministry calls on car owners to get new e-stickers
Forbes names 9 Egyptians in ‘Middle East’s 100 Power Businesswomen’ of 2020

Thursday

Egypt pumped $291mln into road projects last year
Saudi King Salman sends letter to Egypt’s El-Sisi
Cairo’s first electric bus now runs from downtown to New Cairo

Friday

Egypt’s net foreign reserve rise to US$45.457 billion in January
An Egyptian court frees on bail a doctor who performed FGM on girl who bled to death
Red Sea’s Marsa Alam Airport in Egypt installs new security scanning system
Man finds 3,400-year-old Egyptian anchor during his morning swim

Saturday

The Egyptian Navy is said to be close to purchasing a pair of European Multi-Purpose Frigate (FREMM) warships from Italy
Egypt takes measures limiting subsidies to 2 children per family
Cabinet: Egypt’s inflation rate hits 9.2 percent in 2019, compared to 14.4 in 2018

Sunday

African Union Summit kicks off with participation of Egypt’s President Sisi
Egypt’s Sisi calls for firm stance to confront dispatch of ‘terrorists’ to Libya
Trudeau says he spoke to Egypt’s president about detained Canadians during AU summit Canada’s Trudeau
An Egyptian court sentences fugitive contractor Mohamed Ali to 3 years over tax evasion
Italy is alarmed after Egyptian studying in Bologna arrested in Cairo
New on-demand fuel delivery company to launch in Egypt

Reports

Egypt stays out of renewed Israel-Gaza escalations. Rasha Abou Jalal
A profit bonanza for for Egyptian banks is ripening the industry for acquisitions. Farah El-Bahrawy

Read

The dispute between the grand imam of Al-Azhar and the president of Cairo University reflects deep divisions over Islamic renewal. Gamal Essam El-Din
The revival of Egypt. CPI Financial

From Twitte

The ties between Canada and Egypt, and the people who call our two countries home, run deep. President @AlsisiOfficial and I sat down today to talk about strengthening economic relations, supporting peace & development around the world, and more: https://t.co/9ozWkfSY2o pic.twitter.com/JSCqT6VzD0

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 9, 2020

🇮🇹🙏🇪🇬 Giga military deal 9 Bn€ on the way b/n Italy & Egypt
Navy:
– 6 frigates FREMM (2 ready + 4 to build)
– 20 OPVs (to be built in Egypt)
Air Force:
– 24 Eurofigthers
– M-346 advanced jet trainers
Space
– 1 satellite
Reinforcing IT /EGY strategic alliance in Eastmed pic.twitter.com/B1jYlK9AtL

— Marco Florian 🇮🇹🇺🇸🇪🇺🇨🇾🇬🇷🇮🇱🇪🇬 (@MarcoFlorianMED) February 8, 2020

#BreakingNews: Egyptian Armed Forces foil terrorist attack on a military checkpoint in North #Sinai killing ten militants, two army personnel died in the attack#Egypt #terrorism pic.twitter.com/Mb77ny2UJT

— Daily News Egypt (@DailyNewsEgypt) February 9, 2020

The real "deal of the century" will be the one that enables Ethiopia to harness the Nile without strangling Egyptian agriculture. https://t.co/owEcpNTG87

— Tarek Masoud | طارق مسعود (@masoudtarek) February 3, 2020

The dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the $4bn dam on the Nile features prominently in today's NYT. Also available here: https://t.co/hjToV1LZPe pic.twitter.com/cyMlb4YpIY

— Declan Walsh (@declanwalsh) February 9, 2020

Reminds me of Egypt Muslim Brotherhood supporters when they stormed the protest camp outside the presidential palace. Religious zealots answer to their religious zealot superiors not to any cause of a revolution. https://t.co/mudJYNQo0C

— The Big Pharaoh (@TheBigPharaoh) February 6, 2020

Egypt's foreign debt marked as safe https://t.co/QygBLWWEmu pic.twitter.com/Zn1WbNM9zL

— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) February 6, 2020

An Egyptian court has ruled that a Christian women barred by the Coptic Church from receiving communion shall be allowed to do so 🙂 https://t.co/VZVWY89wKp Will be fascinating to watch how such a verdict can be enforced!

— Samuel Tadros (@Samueltadros) February 7, 2020

The Grand Egyptian Museum pic.twitter.com/UG7K8qaKjz

— Maged Atef (@magedatef75) February 8, 2020

Mohamed Safwat makes Egyptian tennis history!

The 29-year-old becomes just the second 🇪🇬 champion ever, claiming his maiden title in Launceston. First winner from Egypt since Tamer El Sawy in 1996. pic.twitter.com/g2m95ZPt4L

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) February 9, 2020

Nadia Lutfi: A real legend https://t.co/eX6sWQaQPD pic.twitter.com/GFXXv14rTv

— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) February 5, 2020

Sports

Egypt dominates junior freestyle at African Wrestling Championships

Plus

Egypt is working to register arabic calligraphy as UNESCO intangible heritage

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged AU, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sisi, Trudeau | Leave a comment

For Erdogan, Western Libya is North Cyprus II

Posted on February 7, 2020 by nervana111

Erdogan and Sarraj photo

Erdogan met Libya’s Sarraj- Photo via AFP

As Turkish warships and loyal Syrian mercenaries have reportedly arrived in Libya, questions have been raised about the Turkish president’s real goals in his Libyan adventure. The formal Turkish line is that Erdogan is supporting the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, but the ambitious Turkish leader’s real intentions are much more sinister.

For Erdogan, Libya is the 2020 version of North Cyprus. The Turkish president is seeking to challenge Europe again by carving up a loyal entity facing European shores in an ambitious bid to expand his East Mediterranean gas exploration plans to expand within the heart of Africa.

If you visited North Cyprus and sat in its small eclectic Ercan Airport, observing that all the flights arriving and departing belong to Turkish Airlines, you will sense the inevitable fate of Western Libya under Turkish control^___ an isolated entity stuck in a permanent state of no peace/no war, and no horizon for a comprehensive political solution.

The Turkish president is popular within certain groups in Western Libya, particularly Islamists and Libyans of Turkish descent, more so than he is in North Cyprus, where most of the natives are moderate, non-ideologically oriented Muslims. Furthermore, there is a growing, misplaced nostalgia towards the bygone era of Ottoman-controlled Libya, fuelled mostly by decades of oppressive pan-Arab nationalism that has ruined Libya. In fact, Islamist groups loyal to the Turkish president aggressively encourage such nostalgia in a bid to win hearts and minds among the heavily populated tribal and civilian groups in Western Libya.

Against that backdrop, the Turkish government rushed to sign tentative military and maritime agreements with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj. This was later followed by sending thousands of armed militants from Syria, together with advanced heavy weapons to boost the defence of GNA forces and to stop the advance of the GNA’s opponent, the Libyan National Army (LNA), which was marching from Eastern Libya under the command of General Haftar.

Erdogan’s strategy in Libya is threefold: First, he wants to achieve a military balance between Saraj’s GNA forces and Haftar’s LNA to stop the latter’s advance towards Tripoli. Second, Erdogan is determined to block any political agreement that aims to disarm his loyal militias in Western Libya or return them back to Syria. Third, he wants to create a de-facto partition in Libya and a separate entity in Western Libya that is fully dependent on Turkey for its survival.

The current weak and divided global order will ultimately help the Turkish president achieve his goal. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, openly admitted the situation in Libya is a “scandal,” and he criticized the countries that met in Berlin last month to push for progress in the Libyan peace talks. “They committed not to interfere in the Libyan process and they committed not to send weapons or participate in any way in the fighting,” Guterres said, and added, “The truth is that the Security Council (arms) embargo remains violated.”

Judging by the unfolding tragedies in Syria and Yemen, the UN may succeed in forging a ceasefire in Libya (which may or may not last), but it will not achieve a lasting political deal between the two rival sides.

Moreover, the Turkish president understands that even if direct negotiations resume between the two rival Libyan leaders, Serraj and Haftar, and they miraculously reach a political settlement, their agreement will not survive in reality, simply because no rational country will commit to sending UN peacekeeping forces that have a mandate to disarm hard-core Islamist militants embedded in Libya. Those militants are not willing to abandon their lucrative payments and return to the Syrian inferno.

Unlike Syria, however, those countries that back General Haftar and the LNA, whether they be Egypt, the UAE, or even Russia, cannot afford the political cost of advancing into heavily civilian areas in Tripoli and Misrata. Therefore, any permanent ceasefire devoid of an agreed political settlement will lead to the inevitable de-facto partition of Libya.

Northern Cyprus serves as a vivid example of Turkey’s ability to bring political and military paralysis to a country in the heart of Europe, leaving behind a permanent legacy of no war/no peace. The likelihood of repeating this scenario in Libya does not necessarily depend on the ability of Erdogan’s Libyan allies to achieve field victories, but on the failure of international and Arab parties to prevent the existence and long-term survival of the unfolding pro-Turkish entity in Western Libya.

The Turkish president’s foreign policies may be erratic, emotional, and overly ambitious, but unlike other fronts, he stands a good chance of succeeding in Libya, despite all the odds.

An Arabic version of this piece was published in Al-Hurra

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Eulogy for a Father

Posted on February 3, 2020 by nervana111

I would like to share this beautiful eulogy by Maged Atiya for his father who passed away last year. It is truly moving and worth reading

salamamoussa

Samir Age 12
Samir and his sister Linda late 1940s
Samir on the night train to Aswan for his honeymoon 1953
Samir, his wife and Mother-in-Law and first born son 1954
Samir being honored by Pope Tawadros II for effort in building early churches in America 2018

“There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.” Ecclesiastes 1:11

In remembrance of Samir Nessim Atiya (November 4 1925 – October 17 2019)

The nonagenarian and his first born son
were bound by filial love and separated by almost everything else, especially
God and Country. He was a man marked by early losses, those of a father as well
as beloved siblings. He remarked to his son, in a moment of transparency
brought on by old age that his deepest wish is to finish life’s course…

View original post 4,110 more words

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

This Week in Egypt: Week 5 ( Jan 27-Feb2)

Posted on February 3, 2020 by nervana111

Top Headlines

Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan to sign final agreement on Blue Nile dam next month -joint statement
Egypt Israel gas line is attacked by unidentified assailants
Egypt sentenced Hisham al-Ashmawy, a former special forces officer turned Islamist militant, and 36 others to death
Egyptian businessman and Sisi’s opponent Mohamed Ali steps away from politics
12-year-old girl in Egypt dies after genital mutilation
Egypt’s court upholds ban on face veil for academic staff at Cairo University in a final verdict

Main Headlines

Monday

Egyptian businessman Mohamed Ali steps away from politics steps away from politics
Egypt’s court upholds ban on face veil for academic staff at Cairo University; verdict is final
Egypt parliament to discuss new amendments to “terrorist entities law”

Tuesday

Egypt calls on ‘both parties’ to consider Trump’s Middle East peace plan
Egypt signs two gas exploration deals in Mediterranean worth $332 million with ExxonMobil
‘Super dad’ saves daughter from under a moving train

Wednesday

Saudi Telecom to pay $2.4bn for Vodafone’s Egypt stake

Thursday

Egypt Air suspends flights to and from China over coronavirus outbreak
Bill Gates’ daughter Jennifer engaged to Egyptian equestrian Nayel Nassar

Friday

Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan to sign final agreement on Blue Nile dam next month -joint statement
12-year-old girl dies after botched genital mutilation in Egypt
Tombs of high priests discovered in Upper Egypt

Saturday

In a meeting in Cairo, Arab League rejects Trump’s Mideast plan
Egypt’s FM says fair political settlement for Palestine key to peace
An Egyptian court sentenced Hisham al-Ashmawy, a former special forces officer turned Islamist militant, and 36 others to death to death
Egypt backs Congolese proposal to hold comprehensive forum for Libyan reconciliation
Orascom Development boss Khaled Bichara dies in a car accident
Egypt sends 10 tons of medical equipment to China to China

Sunday

Egypt Israel gas line is attacked by unidentified assailants
Egyptian prosecution detains doctor of girl who died from genital mutilation
Egypt may lose 235k Chinese tourists due to corona virus
Egypt assigns hospital on northern coast city to quarantine China returnees

Reports

US to boost Egyptian air defenses despite congressional anger. Jack Detsch
Egyptian army flexes muscle near border with Libya. Al-Monitor
Egypt’s population nears 100 million, putting pressure on resources and jobs. Reuters

And

Joint Statement of Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, the United States And the World Bank. S. Department of the Treasury

Read

Is Egypt’s energy hub dream falling apart? Cyril Widdershoven
Changing threat dynamics irk Egypt amid new wave of regional competition. Sabahat Khan
Minya of Egypt will soon be back on international tourism map Hamada Elrasam

From Twitter

President Trump on Friday voiced confidence a US-brokered deal will come soon on a giant dam Ethiopia is building on the Nile that has fueled fears of conflict with Egypt and Sudan.#VoiceOfNations pic.twitter.com/R8JZn7cZmO

— Voice of Nations (@2020von2020) February 1, 2020

White House-brokered talks to break deadlock between Ethiopia and Egypt over Grand Renaissance Dam have broken up. In a call with Abiy Ahmed, Trump says he is optimistic that a deal is near. Talks scheduled to resume Feb 12.

— Declan Walsh (@declanwalsh) January 31, 2020

Still no final agreement. #Egypt signed, but not #Ethiopia.
More meeting scheduled on Feb12 and 13.
Tough road ahead to solve GERD crisis. https://t.co/zOEBTVXSFd

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 31, 2020

#Trump Plan:

• Conditional state for Palestinians
• Jerusalem undivided capital for Israel, but Palestinians capital somewhere in E J
• Conceptual map
• Only Netanyahu on podium
• No Saudi or Jordan or Palestinian or Egypt representation in room https://t.co/pd3gpAZnla

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) January 28, 2020

The #ArabLeague warning re: #Israel annexation should, I believe, be taken seriously. But most hopeful, practical words came, surprisingly, from #AbulGheit who urged Israelis/Palestinians to negotiate directly for “satisfactory solution for both of them." https://t.co/Cgn30Lkk8q

— Robert Satloff (@robsatloff) February 1, 2020

The only Arab leader who openly warned, very early, the #Palestinians that rejecting serious negotiations was a big mistake was hated, attacked, murdered, and his murder was celebrated!#RIP #Sadat

If they listened to him in 1978, there would be no #DealOfTheCentury pic.twitter.com/K0VlgeEanp

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 29, 2020

Remember the crazy conspiracies that asserted #DealOfTheCentury will propose a Palestinean state in #Sinai?
Can we at least acknowledge that #Egypt did not betray the #Palestinians? https://t.co/6JKCoRYHi6

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 28, 2020

The gas pipeline linking Egypt and Israel was bombed in North Sinai on Sunday by unknown assailants. Local sources say the assailants arrived in a four-wheel-drive vehicle and placed explosives beneath the pipeline in the village of Amoureya, east of Bir al-Abd. pic.twitter.com/9ZN3bBi24l

— Mada Masr مدى مصر (@MadaMasr) February 2, 2020

"what is clear is that Egypt lacks the sort of political culture that can sustain a liberal democratic regime. The superficiality of the opposition's demands is matched only by the absurdity of the regime's discourse."

— Samuel Tadros (@Samueltadros) January 28, 2020

Road accidents are one of the main killers in Egypt. Many blame poor road conditons. I don’t. Many of these accidents happen in perfectly paved roads. I blame Egyptian absurd driving, high speed, lack of law enforcement and the criminals who are behind the wheels of big trucks.

— The Big Pharaoh (@TheBigPharaoh) January 31, 2020

🌇 #مشاريع_مصر🇪🇬|
Egypt has sent a special jet with 10 tons of preventive medical items and equipment to China and will bring 306 Egyptian nationals back home from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus epidemic began. pic.twitter.com/bEXErq52zw

— مشاريع مصر Egypt (@EgyProjects) February 2, 2020

Most competitive countries in tourism, 2019.

1. Spain
2. France
3. Germany

4. Japan
5. US
6. UK
7. Australia
8. Italy
9. Canada
32. Brazil
34. India
43. Turkey
61. South Africa
65. Egypt

(WEF)

— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) February 1, 2020

President Sisi orders that children to be considered as orphans are to be given birth certificates not stating the word "bastard". #Egypt https://t.co/UaiC5pKS6j

— Karina Loren (@miskelayla) February 1, 2020

40 foreign ambassadors visit Abdeen Palace in Downtown Cairo https://t.co/r3gJqwX3IJ pic.twitter.com/H4Wrg240h8

— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) February 1, 2020

Plus

Purpose of Egypt’s Great Pyramid ‘uncovered’ by mysterious lost structures

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged Deal of Century, Egypt, Ethiopia, GERD, Hisham al-Ashmaway, Israel | Leave a comment

This Week in Egypt: Week 4-2019 (Jan 20-26)

Posted on January 28, 2020 by nervana111

Top Headlines

Egypt’s FM Shoukry heads to Washington in final round to secure agreement over the Ethiopian Dam
US dollar is weakening in Egypt as economy improves
Egypt’s Foreign Minister visits Algeria for meeting of Libya’s neighboring countries
Egypt starts screening travelers from China for new coronavirus

Main Headlines

Monday

‪Egypt signs nine energy exploration agreements in Mediterranean and Western Desert
‪Egypt warns against any violations of Cypriot rights
Egypt’s Sisi addresses Africa’s investment interests in UK-Africa Summit
International cooperation minister discusses boosting partnership with the UK’s DFI

Tuesday

Khartoum hosts ‘legal and technical’ talks on GERDon Ethiopian Dam GERD
Egypt’s Sisi, UK’s Johnson agree to work to reach comprehensive settlement in Libya
Egypt, UK sign billions-worth deals at investment summit
Egyptian and Saudi forces hold joint naval exercise in Red Sea

Wednesday

Saturday fully-paid holiday to mark January 25 revolution anniversary, and Police Day
Egypt foils plot by fugitive Brotherhood leaders to disrupt national security: Interior ministry
Former Italian diplomat receives 15-year sentence for smuggling Egyptian artefacts
US embassy to fund restoration of ancient Jewish cemetery in Cairo

Thursday

Egypt’s Foreign Minister visits Algeria for meeting of Libya’s neighboring countries
Egypt starts screening travelers from China for new coronavirus
Egypt’s economic outlook improves in 2020- Reuters Poll
Egypt is involved in ‘intensive efforts’ to rein in Hamas , end balloon attacks

Friday

Former Egyptian president Mubarak undergoes surgery
Egypt free from coronavirus: WHO
Ancient Egypt: Scientists re-create Egyptian mummy voice
SpaceX will launch a 4-ton satellite for Egypt’s Nilesat in 2022

Saturday

Egypt denies rumours of decrease of Nile water level
2,957 inmates pardoned, 2,957 released on parole in Egypt
Egypt’s police celebrates 68th National Police Day with chocolates and roses
Egypt’s Sisi gets Germany’s St. George medal for peace-making in Africa
Orange Egypt to build new data centre in Cairo

Sunday

Egypt’s FM Shoukry heads to Washington in final round to secure agreement over the Ethiopian Dam
Egypt reopens Rafah border crossing between North Sinai, Gaza Strip

Reports

‪Nine years after Egyptian revolution started, Tahrir Square icon languishes in jail. France24
Greenback weakening in Egypt as economy improves. Ahmed Elleithy
First Nuban language dictionary is published by volunteers. Ahmed Megahid
Egypt Consumer Appliances Market AP

Read

‪Avoiding a dangerous water war between Ethiopia and Egypt. Robert Rotberg

Video

Footballer Mohamed Salah becomes first Egyptian footballer to get a wax sculpture at Madame Tussauds London

From Twitter

Leading #British company Actis signed an MOU with the newly established Sovereign Wealth Fund of #Egypt to invest £3 billion in the energy sector#InvestInAfrica #UKAfricaInvestmentSummit pic.twitter.com/TJMy5yPNEF

— UK in Egypt (@UKinEgypt) January 20, 2020

VIDEO: 🇬🇧 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledges that Britain will be Africa's partner 'through thick and thin' as he opens the #UKAfricaInvestmentSummit in London pic.twitter.com/sVULvsbuPu

— AFP news agency (@AFP) January 20, 2020

Nine years after #Jan25, Egyptians face widespread rights abuses and daunting political, economic, and social challenges. Centering the voices of those resisting is more important than ever, writes TIMEP Legal and Judicial Director @maitelsadany for @PRI https://t.co/WlaZAU3TaJ

— The Tahrir Institute (@TimepDC) January 27, 2020

Nine years after Egypt's 2011 uprising, the threat of prison looms over the entire population, shaping the lives of everyone from apolitical dentists to students. My piece for @guardian https://t.co/0MdkXsqU4N

— Ruth Michaelson (@msrmichaelson) January 25, 2020

Egypt's Sisi says Police Day is special occasion for all Egyptians https://t.co/cOzrSTqe5l pic.twitter.com/NlTIVzW2A8

— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) January 23, 2020

Egyptian Security announces the disclosure of a plot by the Brotherhood leaders who are in #Turkey to strike #Egypt – #Hasm, affiliated with MB, was charged with preparing a series of terrorist ops targeting important personalities in conjunction with January 25. https://t.co/beY3J3DF1E

— Karina Loren (@miskelayla) January 22, 2020

Quaint little hole in the wall downtown selected by #CNN as #Egypt’s best Molokhia https://t.co/vsWD450774

— Daily News Egypt (@DailyNewsEgypt) January 20, 2020

#Egypt
One of twitter celebrities once argued that non-#hijab women were only upper class #Egyptians.
Here is a photo of female factory workers in 1963.
I know… I know.. their elegance may make you think they were celebrities, but they were all from humble backgrounds! https://t.co/591W25Dom5

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 21, 2020

The much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open this year, after nearly two decades of labor and reportedly $1 billion. The massive space will contain around 100,000 objects, including more than 5,000 related to King Tutankhamun. https://t.co/aqQ0gbjFFx

— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 26, 2020

The Egypt you won't see in any museum in Egypt about Egypt: a countryside family portrait (1930s), a woman fishing (1950s), a woman in boy drag (c. 1920s), and a matron with her family pictured on her bed (1930s). We need museums to tell our stories for us, not tourists. pic.twitter.com/0YGgmffiN8

— Cairobserver (@Cairobserver) January 24, 2020

Plus

‪Talk like an Egyptian: mummy’s voice heard 3,000 years after death
Food in Egypt: 13 delicious dishes and drinks you shouldn’t miss

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged Egypt, GERD, Jan25, Libya, Mubarak, UK | Leave a comment

This Week in Egypt: Week 3-2020 ( Jan 13-19)

Posted on January 20, 2020 by nervana111

Top Headlines

Egypt’s Sisi participated in Berlin summit on Libya
Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan make a draft deal on Ethiopian Dam
Israel starts exporting natural gas to Egypt
Pompeo expresses outrage over American’s ‘pointless’ death in meeting with Egyptian President Sisi
France asks to join Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum
Egyptian police arrest four in raid of Turkish-state news agency in Cairo, later released
Central Bank of Egypt keeps interest rates unchanged

Berlin summit 2

Berlin Summit

( Photo Italian PM,Giuseppe Conte, FB page)

Main Headlines

Monday

‪Egypt’s Air Force participates in Qader 2020 drills
Egypt’s trade deficit declines 32.2% in October 2019
Egypt’s football association starts VAR trials
Members of international human trafficking ring are arrested in Egypt

Tuesday

‪Egypt held ‘long, in-depth talks’ with US officials in Washington over Ethiopian dam
Egypt military says a pilot killed in fighter jet crash during training
Mustafa Kassem: Egyptian-American dies on hunger strike in Egypt.
Egypt’s top prosecutor orders autopsy after death of detained American-Egyptian citizen

Wednesday

‪Nile River dam row: Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan make a draft deal
Israel starts exporting natural gas to Egypt
UAE leader Mohamed Bin Zayed in Egypt for military base opening
Egyptian police arrest four in raid of Turkish-state news agency in Cairo
US urges Egypt to release detained Turkish state news agency employees

Thursday

‪France asks to join Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum
Egypt, Greece, Italy mull repercussions of sending Turkish forces to Libya
GERD statement signed after Washington talks does not constitute new agreement: Egypt’s FM
Turkey’s Anadolu news agency has has no legal presence in Egypt: SIS
Egypt’s top prosecutor orders release of two Turkish citizens and three Egyptians in Anadolu case
CBE keeps interest rates unchanged during 2020’s 1st meeting

Friday

Egypt says did not make concessions in GERD negotiations
Egypt’s 2020 GDP growth is estimated at 5.8%: UN report

Saturday

Egypt’s Sisi heads to Berlin to participate in resolving Libyan crisis
Lawsuit demands Turkey to repay Egypt 23M gold coins
More investment in the Suez Canal Zone

Sunday

World powers in Berlin to seek elusive Libya peace elusive peace in Libya
Foreign powers vow to halt interference in the Libyan conflict
Pompeo expresses outrage over American’s ‘pointless’ death in meeting with Egyptian President Sisi
Detained Anadolu Agency employees in Egypt were released on Sunday

Reports

‪Congress pushes Trump to sanction Egypt over jailed US citizen’s death.Bryant Harris
‪Egypt’s water challenges: beyond the dam saga. Mahmoud Aziz and Menna Alaa El-Din
Joint statement of Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, the United States and the World Bank

Read

‪Code name ‘Angel’: Mossad agent who handled Israel’s greatest spy speaks out. Yossi Melman

From Twitter

Met with President Sisi today and addressed the pointless and tragic death of detained U.S. citizen Moustafa Kassem in Egypt. On #Libya, President Sisi and I agreed on the urgent need for a return to a @UN-facilitated political process and a ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/xhhRxQhjwM

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 19, 2020

Joint statement of Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, the United States and the World Bank https://t.co/lwRrgpTxaw

— Treasury Department (@USTreasury) January 15, 2020

Now in Washington, DC… Foreign Minister #Sameh_Shoukry participates in the US-held meeting for Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on the #GERD, with the presence of the #World_Bank.@UStreasury @WorldBank

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) January 13, 2020

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will participate in the work of the Berlin Peace Conference on #Libya tomorrow, Sunday
#Burn #LNA #Egypt #مصر pic.twitter.com/cUPFCYtLmD

— M.LNA (@LNA2019M) January 18, 2020

Egypt can now increase its strategic focus on confronting the challenge of Turkey in Libya because it has reached a deal with Ethiopia on Nile River Dam Project

BBC News – Nile River dam row: Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan make draft deal https://t.co/JBLA64OCei

— Michael Tanchum (@michaeltanchum) January 16, 2020

#BREAKING: Minutes ago, #Egypt's Ministry of Defense Released official video of exercise #Qader2020 which was hold by #Egyptian Armed Forces as a show of force & as a warning to #Turkey in-order to not start its military intervention in #Libya. pic.twitter.com/VQPq6dBNHc

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) January 13, 2020

#Libya This is the holdup for tomorrow's Libya peace talks in Berlin. Turkey and Libya's Tripoli government have declared control of two sections of the Med for gas exploration and to block a proposed pipeline by Greece/Cyprus/Israel/Egypt to move gas to EU from East Med. pic.twitter.com/xPPDn4HLgo

— Chris Stephen (@reportingLibya) January 18, 2020

This is the defense minister that wants to invade Libya clearly dosnt know where it is
Turkish Minister of Defense: #Libya is our neighbor by sea,not a neighbor of #Egypt .
Somebody please give this guy a map.
Whom teaches geography in #turkey? pic.twitter.com/9RynqEtfyF

— M.LNA (@LNA2019M) January 16, 2020

Energy is a promising source of cooperation for our partners in the E. Mediterranean, which is a fulcrum of US-Russian competition. Cooperation among Israel, Egypt, Cyprus & Greece, facilitated by U.S. companies, bolsters regional security & US interests. https://t.co/UwtZzJTEDv

— Sen. Jim Inhofe (@JimInhofe) January 18, 2020

Turkey’s Minister of Defence: “Libya is our neighbour by sea, not a neighbour of Egypt. It is illegitimate to question why our forces are there.“ @RTarabic

Do they not have maps in Turkey? https://t.co/YCSJVPkNNY pic.twitter.com/HmzHNhJ8pU

— Georgina Merhom (@GeorginaMerhom) January 16, 2020

🇪🇬🇪🇹🇸🇩This is how civilized Countries act. Is there an international row? Agreement is the key! Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, reach an agreement on the Nile Rive mega dam. Well done! https://t.co/pCvOKoR3w2

— Marco Florian 🇮🇹🇺🇸🇪🇺🇨🇾🇬🇷🇮🇱🇪🇬 (@MarcoFlorianMED) January 16, 2020

#UAE Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
arrived #Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate to attend the opening ceremony of Berenice military base— the largest military airforce and navy base in the Middle East.#قاعدة_برنيس_العسكرية
ولا عزاء للاعداء

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 15, 2020

The military base opened today in #Egypt is almost the size of #Qatar. pic.twitter.com/pzTe6f0ssf

— M.LNA (@LNA2019M) January 15, 2020

An American citizen was wrongfully accused & unfairly jailed by the government of #Egypt.

Now he is dead.

Completely outrageous that this happened at the hands of a government that is supposed to be a partner. https://t.co/I0IXPMdsxh

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 14, 2020

The men of honor 🇦🇪🇪🇬🇸🇦🇧🇭 👏🏼@MohamedBinZayed @AlsisiOfficial pic.twitter.com/mTQwyBh40j

— حسن سجواني 🇦🇪 Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) January 17, 2020

In Egypt today the medical community mourns young doctors, -all women-who had a minibus accident that killed several and badly injured more while on their way from Minya in Upper Egypt to Cairo for a training course,we are all devastated.

— Hany Ragy (@Hragy) January 15, 2020

At a press conference this morning on Capitol Hill about the death of US citizen Mustafa Kassem in Egyptian custody, the idea of Magnitsky sanctions and visa bans against those responsible for his death are being brought up by @RepMcGovern, @ChrisVanHollen, and others.

— Mai El-Sadany (@maitelsadany) January 15, 2020

When rumors circulated about an affair btn a Christian man & a married Muslim woman in a village in #Egypt’s Minya. app 300 Muslims demonstrated their anger i/t village by setting fire to buildings & homes. Minya Criminal Court ruled 10-year-sentence. https://t.co/dIOB36Nleh

— Karina Loren (@miskelayla) January 13, 2020

Congrats!!

Egyptian soprano Fatma Said signs recording contract with Warner Classics https://t.co/oPGLlypsEn

— Ramy Yaacoub (@RamyYaacoub) January 18, 2020

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged Berlin Conference, Berlin Summit, Egypt, Ethiopia, GERD, Libya, Sisi | Leave a comment

This Week in Egypt: Week 2-2020 ( Jan 6-12)

Posted on January 13, 2020 by nervana111

Top Headlines

Egypt blames Ethiopia for latest failure of Nile Dam talks
Ethiopian PM calls on South African president to intervene in Nile dam dispute
France, Greece, Egypt and Cyprus declared “null and void” agreements between Turkey and Libya
Egypt’s House of Representatives holds public session supporting Libya
Egypt declares 3-day mourning over Oman’s Sultan Qaboos death
Egypt unveils historic Alexandria Eliyahu Hanavi synagogue after three-year renovation

Main Headlines

Monday

‪Egypt to meet four European countries on Libya crisis
High-level World Bank delegation to visit Egypt in first of its kind meeting since 2014
Egypt’s Sisi spoke at Nativity of Christ Cathedral to greet Copts for Christmas

Tuesday

Egypt’s long-awaited banking bill is referred to parliament
Egyptian-American Ramy Youssef takes home his first Golden Globe award

Wednesday

France, Greece, Egypt and Cyprus declared “null and void” agreements between Turkey and Libya
Scottish businessman Colin Finnie missing after yacht found on Egypt reef
Egypt’s FM: Current middle East conflicts need political solutions, not force

Thursday

US Embassy in Egypt issues security alert of heightened Mideast tensions
Egypt’s Foreign Minister to head to Algeria carrying a message from President Sisi
Egypt’s annual headline inflation rises to 7.1% in December
Room for more Egyptian rate cuts even as inflation accelerates
Chinese firm to finish 20 commercial towers in Egypt by 2022
Egypt Air will resume Baghdad flights on Saturday

Friday

Egypt unveils historic Alexandria synagogue after three-year renovation

Saturday

Egypt blames Ethiopia for latest failure of Nile Dam talks
Egypt declares 3-day mourning over Oman’s Sultan Qaboos death
Sisi and Putin stress on political solution in Libya
Cairo court adjourns trial of defendants in Ramses train station accident

Sunday

Egypt’s military carries out combat training activities in the Mediterranean
Ethiopian PM calls on South African president to intervene in Nile dam dispute
Egypt’s House of Representatives holds public session supporting Libya
We may need to request Egyptian Armed Forces intervention: Libyan parliament speaker
President of the European Council visits Egypt
Egypt issues new pet ownership license requirements

Reports

Egypt launches microfinance incentives to contain informal economy. Mohamed Hammad
The Grand Egyptian Museum will finally open at the end of 2020. Lonely Planet
Mixed reactions over turning Egypt’s Investment Ministry into an authority. Amira Sayed Ahmed
3 points of disagreement between Egypt and Ethiopia over GRED. Egypt Today

Good Read

Egypt’s delicate diplomatic moves towards the Mediterranean. Dina Ezzat
Egypt preparing for the worst as Turkish troops arrive in Libya. Ahmed Eleiba
Hamas must choose: Egypt or Iran? Shlomi Eldar

From Twitter

Egyptian army northern military region (infantry mechanized units & armored crops) raise the levels of readiness in order to be re-deployed within the framework of the strategic opening plan as a part of the military exercise Qadir-2020 pic.twitter.com/MxBlge45Ta

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) January 12, 2020

The chief of the Libyan Parliament stated within the Egyptian parliament, that his country might have to invite the #EgyptianArmy to intervene militarily in #Libya if foreign interference occurred in his country. 👌#Egypt 🤝 #Libya ✌
pic.twitter.com/sixKPNH6Zg

— Tamer Fahmy (@DrTamerFahmy) January 12, 2020

A huge Nile Dam project will be discussed in Washington amid a deadlock between Egypt and Ethiopia https://t.co/FINvv1hXQN

— Bloomberg (@business) January 12, 2020

Meeting with the Egyptian president @AlsisiOfficial in Cairo today.

The situation in #Libya was at the core of our discussion. The Berlin process is the only way forward.

Dialogue and negotiations are needed more than ever. pic.twitter.com/TYB2uc2Y3W

— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) January 12, 2020

Natural Gas Wars:

Israel/Cyprus/Greece just agreed to build a gas pipeline to Italy called EastMed

But Turkey and Libya just declared a 'sea border' zone to block it

Today, Turkey is sending troops to Libya to intervene in the civil war

Egypt is staying quiet, for now pic.twitter.com/Ir775qWYvY

— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) January 7, 2020

Egypt to deploy forces to the Egyptian Libyan border.

While US is preoccupied with Iranian threats, Erdogan is taking advantage of the chaos to push his agenda & to tie up Egypt, making Egypt's involvement in any anti-Iran activity next to impossible.https://t.co/S3f31lREzE

— Irina Tsukerman (@irinatsukerman) January 6, 2020

#BREAKING: Egypt Air has suspended all flights to and from Baghdad amid ongoing tensions in the region. #Iran #Iraq pic.twitter.com/A657CQqwSE

— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) January 7, 2020

A front page of Egypt’s best progressive outlet
Happy Coptic Christmas pic.twitter.com/oAEx8pYg66

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 7, 2020

'We should always be together,' Sisi says at the Nativity of Christ Cathedral https://t.co/OQ4mB5jvbY pic.twitter.com/WYPuIwDmf1

— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) January 7, 2020

Government debt as share of GDP.

Japan: 253%
Greece: 178%
Lebanon: 148%
US: 105%
Egypt: 101%
Spain: 98%
France: 97%
Canada: 89%
UK: 85%
Brazil: 74%
Germany: 64%
Israel: 60%
Argentina: 57%
China: 47%
Saudi Arabia: 17%
Russia: 12%
Brunei: 3%

Longer list: https://t.co/5OXTbAqQvX

— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) January 12, 2020

Big media event as #Egypt re-opens historic synagogue in #Alexandria after 2.5 yrs of restoration. It looks beautiful. Introductory speaker described Egypt as ‘The land of religious tolerance, acceptance and diversity’ (and of course, the cradle of civilization) pic.twitter.com/Fh2jbM9Aqk

— Eduard Cousin (@EduardCousin) January 10, 2020

Qaboos Bin Said, Sultan of Oman during his visit to Egypt in late 70s while all other Arab nationalist governments announced during this time what they have called the Arab boycott against Cairo.

God bless his soul pic.twitter.com/pnCV7gG3sN

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) January 11, 2020

If you happen to be an author from a wounded democracy — like Turkey, Venezuela, Pakistan, Egypt, Brazil: you do not have the luxury of being apolitical. Even writing about gender and sexuality can be a political act of resistance in these countries. https://t.co/0Rbt44EguO

— Ekram Ibrahim (@ekramibrahim) January 12, 2020

A monk of St. Anthony's Monastery in #Egypt chants the Song of the Three Holy Children in #Coptic pic.twitter.com/4ReFxe9Yq5

— Amanda Achtman (@AmandaAchtman) January 10, 2020

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged Alexandria Synagogue, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, Oman, Turkey | Leave a comment

This Week in Egypt: Week 1-2020 ( Dec 30-Jan 5)

Posted on January 5, 2020 by nervana111

Top Headlines

Egypt’s naval forces go on amphibious exercises in the Mediterranean
Egypt warns against Turkish military ‘interference’ in Libya
Chevron, Shell and Exxon Mobil have been awarded oil and gas exploration concessions in Egypt’s first ever Red Sea licensing round
Egypt deploys military, police to secure New Year’s celebrations
Egypt appeals against escalation in Iraq following US strike
A mob of men sexually assault a screaming woman during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Egypt

Main Headlines

Monday

Chevron and Shell have been awarded oil and gas exploration concessions in Egypt’s first ever Red Sea licensing round
Gamal Eid: Egypt rights activist ‘attacked and doused in paint by armed men’
Petroleum minister: Unprecedented increase in Egypt’s oil, gas production in 2019
Egypt’s wheat stock is enough for five months

Tuesday

Egypt deploys military, police to secure New Year’s celebrations
Egypt’s antiquities minister defends plans to move sphinxes, obelisk from Luxor to Tahrir Square
Egypt approves legalization of 90 unlicensed churches, bringing total to 1,412

Wednesday

Egypt’s Sphinx Airport receives its first international flight
Ticket prices at historical sites, museums cut by 50% during summer for foreign visitors in Upper Egypt
1% decrease in irrigation water in 2018
Egypt’s domestic liquidity increases by EGP 160.4 billion: CBE

Thursday

Egypt warns against Turkish military ‘interference’ in Libya
Egypt’s Sisi chairs meeting of National Security Council
Egyptian journalist says home raided, and his brother was arrested
Egypt claims full compliance with sanctions on North Korean guest workers
ExxonMobil takes over offshore oil & gas resources in Egypt

Friday

Police arrest 7 in New Year’s Eve mob sexual assault in Egypt
Egyptian FM calls Greek and Cypriot FMs over Turkish decision to deploy troops in Libya
Egypt will not stand idle while Turkey intervenes in Libya
Egypt shuts two Mediterranean ports due to bad weather
Egypt condoles with Sudan over deadly military plane crash

Saturday

Egypt appeals against escalation in Iraq following US strike
Egypt’s naval forces go on amphibious exercises in the Mediterranean
Egypt’s top taxman probed over bribery
Egypt’s MPs call for economic boycott of Turkey

Sunday

UK’s Foreign Office has updated their travel advice for Egypt following the death of Iranian General Qasem Suleimani
Egypt’s Suez Canal’s 2019 revenues hit 5.8 billion USD
Governor of UAE’s Sharjah returns 425 ancient artifacts to Egypt

Reports

The horrifying moment a mob of men grope a screaming woman during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Egypt. Mail-online
Egypt’s military adds new factory to to industrial portfolio. Al-Monitor
Fleeing war, poverty, African migrants face racism in Egypt

Good Read

When religious freedom is not enough. Robert Nicholson

From Twitter

Egyptian navy Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, Type-209/Mod1400 submarine, Ambassador-Mk missile boats & the Egyptian air force F-16 fighter jets as well as SOF units from the Northern Military Region took part in this large scale exercise pic.twitter.com/HqXKSBxbbf

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) January 4, 2020

Egyptian SOF groups from the regular (Thunderbolts) battalions, Task forces Unit-999 & Paratroopers took part in the exercise

SOF personnel from both Unit-999 & Paratroopers were mobilized to the operations zone via C-130H airlifts pic.twitter.com/aVlGH37YZm

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) January 4, 2020

Exclusive video shows the ongoing preparations from Berenice military base located in southern Egypt. pic.twitter.com/cgk94ufcRX

— Mahmoud Gamal (@mahmouedgamal44) January 5, 2020

During this exercise, five #Egypt Air Force helicopters were operated from the ENS Gamal Abdel Nasser (L1010). Two Ka-52s, two AH-64D attack helicopters & one CH-47D heavy transport helicopter of 18sq with 3019 s/n. They were protected by two F-16C fighter jets of 272nd TFW. pic.twitter.com/Kx82BLYYLn

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) January 4, 2020

First time we have seen #Egypt Ka-52 conducting training operations from their Mistral class LHD https://t.co/4K0eLrWQf7 pic.twitter.com/MOivfxdroq

— Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) January 4, 2020

Most powerful militaries:

1. United States
2. Russia
3. China
4. India
5. France
6. Japan
7. South Korea
8. UK
9. Turkey
10. Germany
11. Italy
12. Egypt
13. Brazil
14. Iran
15. Pakistan
16. Indonesia
17. Israel
18. North Korea

(GFP)

No one wants World War III to happen. #WW3

— Philip Obin (@PhilipObin) January 5, 2020

Then why is Egypt importing Israeli gas then? The idea was to import Israeli gas, liquify it in Egypt and then re-export it to Europe on ships. Can someone explain. https://t.co/6bUXXS50Pr

— The Big Pharaoh (@TheBigPharaoh) January 5, 2020

Whoa…
#Iran's Soleimani, "allegedly", entered Egyptian 2013 disguising as tourist, met Muslim Brotherhood top leaders, to discuss a similar :"revolutionary guards" !!! https://t.co/s5tf4zD0xa

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 4, 2020

Yesteday a girl went out in a mini skirt in Mansoura. Large mob sexually harassed & assaulted her before she was rescued. Reminiscent of mob assaults in #Tahrir. Our fight is far from over & we must admit that sexual violence against women in #Egypt remains a big problem #EndSH

— Soraya Bahgat (@SorayaBahgat) January 2, 2020

My mother told me that she used to go to college on the public bus wearing a mini skirt and walk in Alexandria wearing a two piece bathing suit. What was normal 50 or 60 years ago is unthinkable today.

— The Big Pharaoh (@TheBigPharaoh) January 2, 2020

Just as Christian conservatives in the US are obsessed with fighting abortion and gay rights, Muslim conservatives are obsessed with women’s bodies and covering them up. This obsession demeaned the woman body; if she’s not covered she’s automatically “unreligious” and a whore.

— The Big Pharaoh (@TheBigPharaoh) January 2, 2020

The urban succumbed to the rural and it’s medieval views on women, their rights and their bodies. These are the two main reasons, in my view, why sexual harassment is so rampant in Egypt.

— The Big Pharaoh (@TheBigPharaoh) January 2, 2020

Thus the "Coptic issue" is really a proxy for the failure of #Egyptian nationalism to develop in a pluralistic or liberal fashion. The fight remains between religious takfiris and nationalist takfiris – with little regard to the needs of the people

— salamamoussa (@salamamoussa) December 20, 2019

From Milos, Greece to Dahab, Egypt this year’s list of the best budget travel destinations has something for every kind of traveler https://t.co/ACScRyz6Ti pic.twitter.com/7AM6tPujkS

— Forbes (@Forbes) January 5, 2020

Year 2019 marks 150 years since Khedivial Opera House opened its doors in 1869 in Cairo. The opera burned to the ground in 1971 and the new edifice opened in 1988. A century and a half is an important occasion to celebratehttps://t.co/sgkGqMCH0c pic.twitter.com/CwrDuA42Qm

— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) January 1, 2020

.@NASAHubble spots celestial sequins ✨

This spiral galaxy is located in Coma Berenices (Berenice’s Hair), the only modern constellation to be named after a real person: Queen Berenice II of Egypt. Why? The legend is a tangled one. 👸 Check it out: https://t.co/r76hxIulf8 pic.twitter.com/wP7XlGh4jg

— NASA (@NASA) January 4, 2020

Plus

The Oldest copy of the first illustrated book has been discovered in Egypt

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged Egypt, Libya, Turkey, War games | Leave a comment

Twitter Thread: The End of Iran’s Qassem Suleimani

Posted on January 3, 2020 by nervana111

The American President Donald Trump ordered the killing of the powerful commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, in a drone strike on the Baghdad International Airport. The death of Iran’s strong man is described by many as a defining moment in the history of the Middle East. Here is a collection of tweets that I think worth reading about it.

Photo via AP

….of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

#Iran's state TV reporter and the IRGC weep and sob on air after the #US assassination of #IRGC Quds Force chief Qasim Soleimani, responsible for countless deaths of Americans and bloodshed around the world pic.twitter.com/uDob0ysUme

— Adam Milstein (@AdamMilstein) January 3, 2020

If you just woke up to the news of killing of #Iran’s strong man #Suleimani, please ignore the howling and fear mongering from #Iran sympathizers in both ME and Western capitals.
It is part of a psychological war they mastered for years, but it is baseless!

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 3, 2020

Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, died October 26, 2019 in Idlib, Syria.

Qassem Soleimani, died January 3, 2020 in Baghdad, Iraq. pic.twitter.com/xVFJLhUXWm

— Mohammed Khalid Alyahya (@7yhy) January 3, 2020

Soleimani killed 603 American servicemembers.

Soleimani maimed thousands more with IEDs.

Soleimani approved the attack on the U.S. Embassy.

He was plotting to kill more Americans.

Yes he deserves to be dead. If you’re lamenting his death, you hate Trump more than a terrorist.

— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) January 3, 2020

Iraqis — Iraqis — dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more. pic.twitter.com/huFcae3ap4

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020

"Soleimani was killed at about 1 a.m…., just as he was leaving Baghdad airport, and by 4:30 a.m., a group of Iraqis was marching—running, even—though the country’s capital carrying a large Iraqi flag, celebrating his death." — @KimGhattas reports:https://t.co/CpssRYIsop

— Jeffrey Goldberg (@JeffreyGoldberg) January 3, 2020

2. As Iran's undisputed military commander, Soleimani built a Shia foreign legion that played an indelible role in the region’s bloodiest conflicts, including Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Though he was never going to die a natural death, his personality cult left no clear successors

— Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) January 3, 2020

4. Soleimani wasn't a US ally in the fight against ISIS. His complicity in Assad's mass displacement/murder of millions of Syrians (including via repeated chemical weapons attacks), and patronage of Iraq's violent Shia militias fueled the Sunni radicalism that helped spawn ISIS.

— Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) January 3, 2020

6. One senior US official told me, “it was important to show Iran we own escalation. If they kill one of our men we can kill 30 of theirs. If they attack our embassy we can take out their military commanders”. For US military officials who served in Iraq, Soleimani was enemy #1

— Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) January 3, 2020

8. While many are predicting WWIII, the last 40 years of Iran’s history reflect that what’s paramount for the Islamic Republic is its survival. Tehran can ill-afford a full-blown war w/ the US while facing onerous economic sanctions and internal tumult, especially w/o Soleimani

— Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) January 3, 2020

With Sulaimani and Al Muhandis killed, the two men who were most instrumental in imposing Iranian control over Iraqi militias are gone. However, with people like AlKhazaali, Fayyadh and AlAmeri, Iran still has its men who will try to impose its agenda. But will be harder now

— Mina Al-Oraibi (@AlOraibi) January 3, 2020

Reminder:

Israel twice had opportunity to kill #Iran’s Qassem Suleimani but stopped due to US pressure.

Both Bush & Obama said “no” to Suleimani killing. @realDonaldTrump did it 👇🏻 https://t.co/KDU1uSysPV

— Firas Maksad (@FirasMaksad) January 3, 2020

2 A combination of elation, relief and fear here in the region among people who suffered tremendously from Suleimani's policies, from Lebanon to Syria and Iraq. Elation and relief because he was seen as the evil mastermind of policies of death and destruction…

— Kim Ghattas (@KimGhattas) January 3, 2020

6 there is fear because he was so central to almost every regional event in the last two decades that even people who hate him can't believe he could die, a bit like people couldn't believe Saddam was really gone. He seemed invincible, omnipotent. What happens in his absence?

— Kim Ghattas (@KimGhattas) January 3, 2020

7 some of his aura or reputation was probably overblown, but he really was indispensable to Iran, he was not on a mission, he WAS the mission, the architect of Iran's expansionist regional policy, the indispensable upholder of the Islamic Revolution, keeping it alive for Khamenei

— Kim Ghattas (@KimGhattas) January 3, 2020

9 There is anger too of course, among his supporters, allies, proxy militias, who were devoted to him and lionized him and will be lost without him. There is no replacement that I know of or can see. They will be mulling their next step for a bit. First, huge displays of mourning

— Kim Ghattas (@KimGhattas) January 3, 2020

10 Lots more to say abt region, US policy, Saudi Arabia reax, Iran domestic reax, local dynamics… more later, but for now then read Dexter Filkins' piece from 2013 on Suleimaini, the best profile out there: https://t.co/6zo5SZvaJ5

— Kim Ghattas (@KimGhattas) January 3, 2020

Massive crowds in #Idlib northern Syria are celebrating the death of Qasem Suleimani by the American attacks last night.
They’re celebrating the end of that bad guy who caused their displacement and killed their children and the lovely ones… pic.twitter.com/Sjeb79JLFP

— Asaad Hanna (@AsaadHannaa) January 3, 2020

It’s being reported that Qassem Suleimani arrived to #Iraq from #Lebanon.

In days ahead, Iran & Hezbollah will no doubt trying hard to identify the security breach that led their commander to his demise.

Lots of “chatty” Lebanese out there 🙄 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/8btVXcmPWP

— Firas Maksad (@FirasMaksad) January 3, 2020

5 years ago you gave a speech at the ‘Islamic Centre of England’ in Maida Vale London, commemorating the 35th anniversary of the creation of the Islamist theocracy of Iran. Your talk was titled “the Case for Iran”. You are still making that case today #RegressiveLeft https://t.co/Lleee2bga3

— أبو عمّار (@MaajidNawaz) January 3, 2020

The disingenuousness is amazing. Soleimani destabilized region for years and facilitated death, starvation, exile of thousands by pursuing Iranian expansionism that was same as US imperialism (and paid for it). The intellectual lengths ppl will go just because Trump did it…

— Kareem Shaheen (@kshaheen) January 3, 2020

Foreign official?
Delete your account #IlhanOmar, you are making a fool of yourself!
Shame on you!#Suleimani is a criminal who killed thousands! https://t.co/lyXgFdhUVu

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 3, 2020

It seems that the US Democrats hate #Trump than they hate #Iran’s top terrorist #Sulaimani. What is wrong with you folks? Do you really think that your current attitude will help you win hearts and minds in this year’s presidential elections? #Shame

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 3, 2020

Erdogan wants to stay on @realDonaldTrump good side, in the hope that US president will give him a green light for his Libyan adventure! https://t.co/P2UJ6ureVq

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 3, 2020

A serious question to the alarmists: What will the IRGC do now that it has not already done? Kidnap foreigners? Strike military bases? Sack embassies? Assassination attempts? Target GCC oil interests? Send out militias to crackdown on adversaries?

— Rasha Al Aqeedi (@RashaAlAqeedi) January 3, 2020

Despite of wild outrage and endless threats, the killing of #Suleimani is #Iran's 1967 moment. The Islamic Republic is no longer invincible. It looks vulnerable and weak infant of millions of its fans.@realDonaldTrump

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 3, 2020

Posted in Iran, Middle East, Twitter Thread | Tagged #Iran, Donald Trump, Iraq, Qassem Suleimani, Revolutionary Guards, Trump | Leave a comment

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Twitter Thread: The End of Iran’s Qassem Suleimani

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