A lex Wiens was sentenced to life imprisonment for the July 2009 murder of Egyptian Marwa Al-Sherbiny, dubbed the “veil martyr” by local press.

The pregnant Al-Sherbiny was stabbed to death in a German courtroom in a crime that critics say received scant attention in the West. The kiling sparked international debate over Islamophobia in the Western world and public fury in the victim’s home country.

Wiens had earlier called Al-Sherbiny, who wore the hejab, a terrorist during a confrontation in a Dresden park. Al-Sherbiny filed a lawsuit against Alex, and won. Alex appealed and, at the July 1 hearing, stabbed Al-Sheribiny as she testified against him.

Elwy Okaz, Al-Sherbiny’s husband, was also stabbed by Wiens while defending his wife and then shot in the leg by a police officer who confused him with the attacker. No security personnel had been assigned to the courtroom; the officer who fired the shot was in the vicinity for another hearing and responded to the incident.

Okaz has filed a court case against the president of the regional court as well as the judge presiding over the July trial for denial of assistance and involuntary manslaughter.

When Wiens’ murder trial began on October 26, he entered the courtroom wearing a mask, sunglasses and a hood over his head. He was asked by the court to remove the items and fined when he removed the mask and hood but refused to take off the sunglasses.

Amr Nabil US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called upon to clarify her perceived praise of Israeli settlement policy .

Wiens’ lawyers had attempted to prove that he was mentally unfit and had a history of mental illness. The court’s verdict was delayed while the defense tried to obtain documents relating to a mandatory medical examination given to Wiens in Russia, which reportedly proved that he had severe psychological conditions. The defense also claimed the murder was not premeditated.

An independent examination, however, determined he was psychologically sound and criminally responsible for Al-Sherbiny’s murder and the court declared him fit to stand trial. Also, since Wiens had had the murder weapon in his backpack when he entered the courtroom in July and had previously made death threats against Al-Sherbiny, the murder was deemed to be premeditated.

The trial became emotionally charged when the judge presiding over the first trial broke into tears during his testimony. Okaz also broke his silence for the first time during the hearing, announcing that he will probably not continue to live in Dresden.

Al-Sherbiny’s lawyers opened another case against the court, charging it with severe neglect during the July hearing. A case is also being filed against the officer who mistakenly shot Okaz.

T he football rivalry between Egypt and Algeria turned ugly afterEgypt’s November 14 World Cup qualifier victory in Cairo and loss in the resulting playoff game in Sudan November 18.

On November 13, Egyptian fans allegedly stoned the bus carrying the Algerian team from the airport to its hotel, injuring three Algerian players. Egyptian officials claim no stones were thrown at the bus and that all the windows were broken from the inside. FIFA has opened an investigation into the incident.

After the Cairo game, Algerian daily Al-Shorouk reported that eightAlgerian fans in Cairo had been attacked and killed and that hundredsof others had been injured. The newspaper ran pictures of coffins inHouari Boumediene Airport in Algiers that it claimed carried fans’ bodies back. The story later proved to be false.

In response, fans allegedly attacked Egyptianbusinesses in Algeria such as Orascom Telecom, EgyptAir and The ArabContractors.

The Algerianambassador held the Egyptian media responsible for the violence, while many in Egypt blamed the attacks on false reports published by Algerian press.

Mohamed Raouraoua, head of the Algerian Football Federation, blamed his Egyptian counterpart for the events and refused to shake hands with Samir Zaher at the pre-game ceremony held by Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir in Khartoum.

After the incidents, hundreds of Egyptians working in Algeria flew home. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit told Algeria that something must be done about the “saboteurs” who attacked Egyptian businesses.

On November 16, Egypt summoned the Algerian ambassador to seek “assurances that the Algerian authorities are doing everything necessary to ensure the safety of Egyptian nationals in Algeria,” Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Abdel Rahman Salah told international media.

Following Algeria’s victory November 18, about 1,000 Egyptians gathered near the Algerian Embassy in Zamalek, burning flags and fighting with riot police, the BBC reported. Egypt recalled its Ambassador to Algeria on November 19 and is considering boycotting international football for two years in protest of alleged attacks against Egyptian fans in Sudan, according to international media reports.

Traditionally, the Egypt-Algeria rivalry has been a highly charged and violent affair. After Egypt’s 1989 victory over Algeria, Algerian player Lakhdar Belloumi allegedly blinded an Egyptian team doctor during an attack at a post-game party. In April the doctor dropped the case, and with it went an Interpol arrest warrant that had prevented Belloumi from leaving Algeria for 20 years.

Egypt was not the only country disappointed on the pitch that night. In a World Cup qualifier the same night as the Sudan playoff, France’s game-winning goal against Ireland, which secured their place in South Africa, came as the result of the ball being handled. French Captain Thierry Henry admitted the handball offence and told British media that a rematch would be “the fairest solution.” FIFA has declared that there will be no rematch. (OD)

U S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton extended her trip to the Middle East with a last-minute stop to visit President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, November 4. After speaking to Mubarak, Clinton told local media that Jerusalem should be a part of the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

“When you insult my dignity []I will beat you on the head.”— Alaa Mubarak, oldest son of President Hosni Mubarak, responding to Algerian fans’ reported behavior after Egypt’s loss to Algeria in a World Cup qualification play-off in Sudan, according to the BBC, November 20

The visit comes just days after Clinton came under fire from regional leaders for supporting what she called “unprecedented” Israeli plans to limit, but not stop, expansion of settlements in disputed Palestinian territories. The White House has been firm since President Barack Obama’s inauguration that it does not condone the construction or expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Echoing her earlier statements, Clinton described the settlements as illegitimate but added that Israel’s proposed limits on further expansions were a positive sign for an eventual peace agreement.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit told reporters before her visit that he had wanted Clinton to clarify her statements as they seemed to be a reversal of the Obama administration’s promise to support Palestinian authorities in the peace process. He later described Clinton’s meeting with Mubarak as “useful,” adding that the government was assessing the situation. Currently, Palestinian leaders say they are unwilling to meet with Israeli negotiators until the country promises to halt settlement activities. Egypt backs the stance. Talks broke down when Israel invaded the Gaza Strip a year ago. (JG)

S ix months since the initial outbreak, the swine flu pandemic shows no signs of abating. At press time 2,719 cases have been reported nationwide and, according to press statements released by the Ministry of Health, an average of 50 people are infected every two days.

Despite postponing the beginning of the school year until October 3, nearly 1,000 elementary and secondary school students and more than 100 university students have come down with the virus. On October 31, nine-year old Mostafa Ayman, a student at Helwan’s Egyptian Language School, was the first student to die from swine flu, after initially being misdiagnosed.

At press time, the virus had claimed at least seven victims in the country so far. Swine flu, however, is generally not a fatal virus. At press time, 2,544 cases have been cured, with some 167 patients receiving hospital treatment.

The Ministry of Education mandates that any school with one or more cases of swine flu close down for up to four weeks. More than 15 schools have closed, but Education Minister Yousry El-Gamal insisted that the school year will not be suspended. The Eid Al-Adha break for public schools, however, was extended to 10 days.

Also last month, Minister of Health and Population Hatem El-Gabali announced the arrival of 80,000 doses of swine flu vaccine, the first batch of 5 million doses expected to arrive by the end of March. El-Gabali injected himself with the vaccine on national television last month to reassure people that it is effective and causes no side effects other than regular flu symptoms. (PR)

M ohamed ElBaradei, outgoing director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Nobel laureate, announced during a CNN interview November 5 that he might consider running for president in 2011, provided the election was free and fair.

When asked about a potential presidential run, the 67-year old ElBaradei told CNN: “[You should] never say never.”

According to Article 76 of the Egyptian Constitution, only leaders of eligible political parties that have been operating for five years may run for president. Up until 2017, eligible parties must have won at least one seat in either the People’s Assembly (PA) or the Shura Council in the most recent election; after 2017, eligible parties must hold at least 3 percent of the seats in Parliament as a whole.

Mamdouh Qennawy, president of Al-Dostory Al-Hor (Free Constitutional party), told the press that following ElBaradei’s statement, the party had asked him to join its high board to pave the way for his nomination in 2011.

ElBaradei’s announcement, although noncommittal, sparked a round of political posturing. By November 14, the presidents of four other opposition parties — Al-Wafd, Al-Gabha (The Democratic Front), Al-Tagammua and the Nasserist Party — suggested that, despite their respect for ElBaradei’s accomplishments, their respective candidates were better suited for the job.

Foad Badrway, vice president of Al-Wafd party, told the weekly independent Al-Youm Al-Saba’ that although ElBaradei’s post in the IAEA may have earned him international respect and important connections, “[He] still lacks knowledge about Egypt’s internal affairs.”

Others expressed optimism over ElBaradei’s potential candidacy. “Of course ElBaradei is better than all the messy political figures we have.” says 45-year old accountant Hesham Rezk. “At least he is knowledgeable and might have some good thoughts to reform our miserable education system.” (DB)

“We are Muslims too [] This will not stop Egypt from hosting an award-winning, first-class artist.”— Ahmed Beltagi, event organizer of singer Beyomce’s November 6 concert in Port Ghalib, responding to con

I n an audit published October 27, USAID/Egypt accused the Egyptian government of hindering efforts to promote democracy programs in the country. Prepared by the Office of Inspector General, which monitors government agencies for fraud, waste and abuse, the report, said Egyptian authorities resisted USAID efforts to establish human rights and civil liberty projects by delaying and canceling events, despite signing bilateral agreements to support such programs in exchange for development aid funding. The organization also raised concern that some of the funding may have been used to support terrorist groups in the region.

The report read: “Conceivable risks abound that USAID funds may inadvertently be provided to terrorists or organizations associated with terrorism. Without ongoing communication about specific antiterrorism requirements and periodic verification of procedures and compliance, USAID/Egypt has little assurance that its programs do not inadvertently support entities or individuals associated with terrorism.”

According to the audit, the organization achieved just half of the goals set out for projects since 2004. Last year, projects had a slightly higher success rate of 62 percent. USAID has spent approximately $181 million (LE 981 million) on programs promoting good governance and civil society over the last five years and is working on several measures designed to track and screen funding opportunities in the future. (JG)

E gyptian squash player Amr Shabana was crowned world champion for the fourth time November 7 at the World Open Squash Championship in Kuwait. Shabana, currently number two in the Dunlop PSA World rankings, previously took home the coveted trophy in 2003, 2005 and 2007. Shabana beat teammate Ramy Ashour (ranked number five) to win the championship.

Shabana is only the fourth player to claim the title four times, emulating the feat of previous champions Geoff Hunt (Australia, four titles), Jahangir Khan (Pakistan, six) and Jansher Khan (Pakistan, eight). (PR)

I n the October 2009 Newsreel, Ministry of Interior sources speaking with Egypt Today and Arabic media, denied any official campaign against people who publicly do not fast. However, online news outlet Bikya Masr wrote a September 10 article quoting Major General Abdul Karim Hamdy, assistant to the minister of interior for media and information, saying police officers have the right to arrest people for eating and drinking in public during Ramadan fasting hours. Also, Bikya Masr is an English-only news outlet and does not publish its articles in Arabic.

In the November 2009 Newsreel, Grand Mufti Ali Goma’a’s comments in 2007 endorsing the permissibility of hymen reconstruction surgeries were made specifically regarding victims of rape and sexual abuse, context that should have been included in the article. We regret the errors —ed.

DIED, renowned intellectual Mostafa Mahmoud, aged 88, October 31. Mahmoud wrote over 90 books and was well known for his weekly television program Al-Ilm Wal Deen (Science and Religion) that scientifically debated the existence of God. The show ran for nearly 400 episodes.

CHARGED, eight rail workers in connection with the October train collision in Al-Ayyat that killed 18 people and injured at least 50 others. The workers, including two conductors and three signalmen will stand trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter and negligence. At press time, no date has been set for the trial.

ARRIVED, Egypt’s first ambassador to Iraq since 2005. Sharif Kamal Shahin, a senior diplomat and former ambassador to Zambia, arrived in Baghdad November 6. There had been no official Egyptian diplomat in Iraq since Ambassador Ihab Al-Sharif was kidnapped and murdered by Al-Qaeda operatives in July 2005.

WON, the Coming Up Taller award by Alwan wa Awtar (Colors and Cords), a Moqqatam-based NGO that offers visual and performing arts programs for young residents of El-Hababda El-Wosta slum. The award, sponsored by the US President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and three other federal agencies, honors after-school arts and humanities programs for underprivileged children in the US, Egypt, China and Mexico.

According to an Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement, this is the second year in a row that Alwan wa Awtar has won the award, which includes $10,000 (LE 54,540), a commemorative plaque and an invitation to the annual Coming Up Taller Leadership Enhancement Conference. Program Director Azza Kamel and participant Shaimaa Habib traveled to Washington DC to accept the award from US First Lady Michelle Obama at a November 4 White House ceremony.

BANNED, former leader of Al-Ghad Party and runner up in the 2005 presidential election, Ayman Nour, from traveling to the US last month. Nour had received invitations from political and human rights oranizations such as the Council on Foreign Relations and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the US State Department requested that Nour receive a travel permit, but the request was reportedly denied by the Prosecutor General’s office.

In 2005, Nour was jailed after being charged with forging membership signatures on his party’s application to the Shura Council. He was released in February 2009 for medical reasons. Government-owned newspapers reported that the attorney general’s decision was influenced by the fact that Nour was never cleared of the charges and as such is restricted from practicing politics. et

2 billion Egyptian pounds, receipts taken by the Suez Canal in September 2009, up 2.9 percent from August. The canal revenues have been hurt by the economic crisis and piracy.

10.8 percent, the average inflation for September 2009. The Central Bank of Egypt blamed the 1.8 percent growth over August on fluctuating prices of volatile foods such as fruit and vegetables. Excluding volatile foods, inflation rose slightly to 6.3 percent due to increased meat and sugar prices.

43 percent of Egyptian children are chronically malnourished, according a joint Ministry of Health and USAID report. The report noted 29 percent of children were stunted and 14 percent severely stunted due to malnutrition.

— Newsreel is written by Dina Basiony, Osama Diab, Kate Durham, Nadine El Sayed, Jessica Gray and Passant Rabie