Cairo
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COP27 and the Middle East
Sinking Alexandria faces up to coming catastrophe
Alexandria, Egypt's fabled second city and its biggest port, is in danger of disappearing below the waves within decades.
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COP27 host Egypt inches towards green energy
COP27 host Egypt – the Arab world’s most populous country – is taking steps to convert to renewable energy. But the developing country, like others, faces obstacles in making the switch. Much of its infrastructure depends on fossil fuels to power the nation of some 104 million people. By Samy Magdy and Jack Jeffery
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Egypt's real estate frenzy
An "iron curtain" between rich and poor
Egypt’s military regime is tirelessly modernising roads, public transport and industry across the country and erecting a luxurious administrative capital for the upper class. But the construction boom is primarily financed on credit – Cairo is racing headlong into a debt crisis. By Sofian Philip Naceur
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Press freedom in Egypt
Renewed crackdown threatens last independent news site
Egyptian authorities have Mada Masr in their sights once again after critical reporting. But the editor of the country's last independent news source is adamant they will continue their work. By Jennifer Holleis
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The Middle East's "Axis of Failure"
Arab autocrats – ruining their own states
In "Die Achse des Scheiterns", Rainer Hermann of Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung explains with refreshing clarity what is currently going wrong in the Arab world. Wolfgang Freund read the book
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Siemens wins major contract in Egypt
High speed up the Nile valley
It is the biggest order in the history of the Siemens Group: a 2,000-kilometre railway network for high-speed trains is to be built in Egypt. But the project raises numerous questions. By Karim El Gawhary
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Repression in Sisi's Egypt
Egyptian media workers – systematically intimidated
Since President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi seized power in Egypt in 2013, he has ruled the country with an iron fist. Civil society, opposition and free press struggle to survive. Tens of thousands of political prisoners, including at least 24 media professionals, are behind bars. Sofian Philip Naceur reports
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Marianne Manda's "Der Atem Kairos"
Portraying Cairo's everyday heroes
In this unusually beautiful book of images and text, published in German and Arabic, artist Marianne Manda presents her own unique take on the megacity of Cairo. In over fifty portraits, she offers a touching insight into the lives of those who inhabit this metropolis of millions. By Volker Kaminski
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Ziad Fahmy's "Street Sounds"
Egypt, and the "great clamour" of urban life
In "Street Sounds", Ziad Fahmy offers the first historical examination of the changing soundscapes of urban Egypt, highlighting the mundane sounds of street life, while "listening" to the voices of ordinary people as they struggle with state authorities for ownership of the streets. In interview he explains his motivations and the value of such analysis
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Overpopulation and Sisi regime propaganda
Egypt's people – nothing but a burden and a nuisance
Looking to mobilise the Egyptians, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and his ministers will refer to them as the "people". As soon as the Egyptians demand something of the state, however, they are a burden. Apparently, it is not the state that is accountable to the people, but the people who are accountable to the state, writes Shady Lewis Botros in his essay
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Egypt plays politics with poverty
President Sisi’s COVID-19 divisive vaccine strategy
As the globe races to inoculate against coronavirus, Egypt President Sisi’s regime plans to profit from the essential shot. Making Egyptians pay for their own vaccines is part of a broader policy that places the burden of the pandemic on the shoulders of the citizenry. By Maged Mandour
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Gentrification in Egypt
Urban counter-revolution in Cairo
The "Reclaiming Downtown" campaign launched by the Egyptian government is no ordinary measure designed to advance the gentrification of the Cairo city centre. It is instead a politically motivated drive against any form of opposition and civilian autonomy. The "backyard of the revolution" is to be refurbished and its revolutionary history wiped out. By Sofian Philip Naceur