| Cabinet allows the National Council for Women (NCW) to resume operations. Created under the auspices of former first lady Suzanne Mubarak, the NCW was suspended shortly after the revolution. |
| By ET staff |
| Mubarak’s trial resumes off-camera on the orders of Chief Judge Ahmed Refaat, who says the army of lawyers present are attempting to seek attention. The media blackout was ordered ahead of the testimony phase of the trial.After a football match between Al-Ahly and Kima Aswan at Cairo Stadium, clashes erupt between Ahly fans and the police forces securing the game, leaving at least 74 injured, including 50 policemen. 9 Hundreds of protesters storm the Israeli Embassy in Cairo and smash through a security wall recently erected to protect the building. Three people die and over 1000 are injured in the incident, in which a handful of protesters make it inside the embassy. The Israeli ambassador is evacuated. SCAF freezes new licenses for private satellite TV channels, claiming that satellite channels and broadcasters are inciting violence. Saying the decision is temporary, Minister of Information Osama Heikal says it is necessary because of the chaos that has engulfed Egyptian media. Egypt’s military rulers declare the enforcement and reactivation of the Emergency Law after the attacks on Cairo’s Israeli Embassy. In a statement to state TV, Interior Minister Mansour el-Essawy warns that police would open fire on anyone who attacks the Interior Ministry or police stations or who posed a threat to the lives of policemen. Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, speaking to Turkish television, declares that the Camp David accords are not sacred, suggesting they could be revised. Several hundred people demonstrate in Cairo against a decision by Egypt’s military rulers to enforce the Emergency Law. Osama Heikal orders the closure of Al Jazeera’s studios in Egypt, claiming in a TV interview that the organization had failed to acquire or even apply for a license to broadcast live from Egypt. At the beginning of the new school year teachers strike for the first time since 1951, demanding better pay. Islamist group Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya’s application to form a new political party based on religion is turned down. Amid national security concerns, Field Marshal Mohammed Tantawi, head of Egypt’s ruling military council testifies in secret at the trial of former President Hosni Mubarak, but his reported testimony is leaked on social media within hours of his court appearance. The Cabinet approves amendments to the Parliamentary Elections Law. The percentage of the People’s Assembly seats elected via the party list system rises to two thirds, and the number of seats for individual candidates is reduced accordingly. The total seats of the People’s Assembly shrinks from 504 to 498, and that of the Shura Council from 390 to 270. The SCAF announces parliamentary elections dates. People’s Assembly’s elections are to start on November 28 and Shura council elections on January 29. A pipeline in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula feeding gas into Israel and Jordan is blown up for the sixth time. Four police and army officers are referred to a military tribunal after a video was posted online showing officers assaulting two detainees. 30 A group of Muslims burn down part of Saint George’s Church in the village of Marinab, Aswan, which they claim is supposed to be a community center and not a church. Protestors across the country take to the streets to demand the removal of the Aswan governor Mostafa Al-Sayed. Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish Prime Minister, announces Turkey will boost its investment in Egypt from $1.5 billion to $5 billion. Attempting to cover growing local demand, the government inks electricity deals with GE Technology worth $300 million. After a four-percent fall in GDP in the first quarter of 2011 and a 0.4 percent rise in the second quarter, the 2010/11 GDP overall growth reaches 1.8 percent, better than expected. Inflation slows down to 8.5 percent in August from 13 percent in June. The country’s benchmark stock index EGX30 drops 2.21 percent to 4,335 points. |
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