President Joe Biden has reportedly notified Congress that he intends to shift tens of millions of dollars from Egypt to Taiwan for failing to improve in areas that were required to receive the money.
Read More: Daily Wire
Tag Archives: Egypt
Former Israel Prime Minister Warns Against Allowing Saudi Arabia to Enrich Uranium
“Israel can’t agree to uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia, because it endangers its national security,” Lapid said.
“It would harm our campaign against Iran. It would lead to a regional nuclear arms race. Egypt and Turkey won’t agree to uranium enrichment on Saudi territory unless they can do it, too. But they will want Russian or Chinese technology,” Lapid argued.
Read More: Newsmax
OVER 100 DEAD IN PROTESTS IN CAIRO
The Egyptian capital Cairo erupted in violence today, as both pro-and anti-Morsi protesters held huge rallies in the city.
The ousting of the elected President Mohammed Morsi has left the county divided and today’s violence has raised the speculation the country is heading towards civil war.
The military is being accused of killing over 100 pro-Morsi protesters. The clashes have also left around 1,500 people injured.
There has also been violence in Egypt’s second city Alexandria, leaving around 10 dead.
Morsi is currently under arrest, accused of plotting jail breaks during the overthrowing of President Mubarak, as well as conspiring with Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has strong links to the Muslim Brotherhood. It is believed Morsi is soon to be moved to the same prison Mubarak is currently being held.
Read More: BBC News
ENERGY CRISIS IN EGYPT; CONSPIRACY THEORIES BEGIN
Since the Muslim Brotherhood came to power, Egypt had been blighted by petrol and water shortages and power outages. As soon as Egypt’s first democratically elected President was ousted from power the petrol supplies returned to normal, and there have been no power outages since.
Egyptians are delighted, one taxi driver from Cairo told reporters, “For a year, life was very difficult. There were water shortages, power outages, no fuel. But now, everything has returned to normal.”
A local petrol station owner, Achraf Hader, said “Before the demonstrations on June 30, I had to send two employees to negotiate all night in order for us to have enough petrol, and that didn’t always work. Tonight, both pumps are full. And the petrol supplier called to ask if I wanted more!”
Many Egyptians believe the Muslim Brotherhood were blocking supplies to stop protesters from reaching Cairo.
However, many believe the sudden return of power and petrol are signs that supporters of former President Hosni Mubarak’s regime, free market economists and the military are behind the shortages. They believe they created unrest within the civilian population, by blocking supplies so as to create the correct atmosphere for protests to begin.
ALI AHMED, 1ST GRADER IN EGYPT, ABOUT THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD
This 12-year-old Egyptian boy just put all of America to shame.
In a video interview with Egyptian news outlet El Wady, first grader Ali Ahmed delivers an incredibly precocious condemnation of the Muslim Brotherhood that will leave you speechless.
Touching on topics like Egypt’s wealth inequality, lack of rights for women, and oversize influence of religion on politics…
EGYPT’S PRESIDENT MORSI DEPOSED IN MILITARY COUP
Egypt’s first democratically elected President, Mohammed Morsi, has been removed from power in a military coup. Morsi had been President for less than a year, however the people were becoming increasingly unhappy with Morsi, leading to mass protests in Cairo. The army had given President Morsi an ultimatum to enter into a greater dialogue, however he refused, so on Wednesday the army seized power. Egypt’s top judge is now acting as leader of the nation.
Tensions had been increasing in Egypt after Morsi granted himself sweeping powers late last year. Religious leaders from the Muslim as well as the Coptic Christian communities have backed the coup with Ahmed al-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University, and Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Church saying that the military was taking up it’s “patriotic duty to the Egyptian masses” by removing President Morsi from power.
Mohammed Morsi was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Brotherhood have been linked to al-Qaeda, and with Morsi in power the Christian minority had seen a significant increase in persecution.
Today authorities have moved to arrest prominent members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Despite the jubilant scenes on the streets of Cairo, there are concerns that the country could see further violence with Muslim Brotherhood supporters vowing to die to defend Morsi’s “legitimate” right to power.
Read More: The Telegraph
EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT MOHAMED MORSI GRANTS HIMSELF SWEEPING POWERS
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has signed a decree that gives him new sweeping powers. The presidential decree states that any challenges to his decrees, laws and decisions were banned, including by the judiciary.
Morsi signed the decree the day after he won international praise for his diplomatic efforts to broker the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Today angry demonstrators torched the Cairo offices of the Muslim Brotherhood in protest at the decree. Among Egypt’s secular opposition groups, there was mounting alarm over Morsi’s declaration that no court could dissolve the country’s Constituent Assembly, which is drawing up a new Egyptian constitution.
A leading Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei accused Morsi of usurping authority and acting like a new Pharaoh.
ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCED
The Egyptian foreign minister has announced, as of this evening, a 24-hour cease fire will be in place between Israel and Hamas. Mohammed Kamel Amr made the announcement with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by his side.
If the 24 hour period passes without any violence both sides will be open to more serious talks.
In the agreement, Israel agreed to end it’s assassination of top Hamas officials, and end the blockade of Gaza. Hamas has agreed to end all rocket fire from militant groups within the Gaza strip.
Israel has not explained how the blockade will be lifted. Hamas believe this will mean the border between Gaza and Egypt will be opened.
PEACE TALKS CONTINUE IN MIDDLE EAST
Egypt is at the centre of peace talks between Israel and Hamas, as the violence continues. Israel have stationed troops on the border with Gaza, but are keen to find a diplomatic solution to the fighting.
Hamas have been able to target Tel Aviv and Jerusalem with their rockets, something that has been impossible until now. Hamas’ new capabilities have come with the help of Iranian rockets.
Pictures have also emerged of a man being dragged through the streets of Gaza tied to a motorcycle. The man was said to be an Israeli sympathiser.
Pressure is mounting on Israel, as civilian casulties rise. Civilians accounted for 54 of the 113 Palestinians killed. Israel has stressed they try to minimise civilian deaths, but that Hamas position their rocket launchers and weapons beside civilian populations, sometimes beside hospitals and schools.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is making her way to Jerusalem to talk with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, before going to the West Bank to talk to Palestinian leaders, and then on to Egypt for talks with Egyptian leaders.
Read more: Fox News
ISRAEL SENDS TROOPS TO BORDER WITH GAZA
After the Israeli assassination of the Hamas military leader Ahmed al-Jaabari, the Palestinians have made good on their promise of revenge. Hamas have responded firing rockets into Israel. One rocket fell into the sea off the coast of Tel Aviv. Israel have now mobilised ground troops to the border with Gaza. Until recently it was thought Tel Aviv was out of range of the Palestinian rockets.
Three Israelis have been killed in the southern town of Kiryat Malachi, after a Hamas rocket hit a four story building in a residential area. In Palestine fifteen people have been killed, mainly militants, however two children were also amongst the dead. Israel have said they do all they can to prevent civilian casualties, but blame Hamas for using human shields.
“In the past 24 hours, Israel has made it clear that it will not tolerate rocket and missile attacks on its civilians. I hope that Hamas and the other terror organisations in Gaza got the message,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “If not, Israel is prepared to take whatever action is necessary to defend our people.”
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has said, “Hamas bears principal responsibility for the current crisis”, also urging all the sides involved to “avoid any action which risks civilian casualties or escalates the crisis”. Hague’s views were echoed by President Obama, who agreed that Hamas needed to halt it’s attacks on Israel.
The latest wave of violence comes after Hamas fired rockets into Israeli territory.
The Arab world has condemned Israel for the attacks. Egypt’s Prime Minister will visit Gaza on Friday to show solidarity with Hamas. Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood have close ties.
White House Attempt To Give Millions To Egypt Meets Resistance
On Friday, Congress was notified by the Obama administration that it would be sending $450 million to Egypt. This $450 million is part of a $1 billion package that Obama had pledged to Egypt in 2011 for debt forgiveness to the United States.
The administration however has met resistance.
The direction of Egypt’s course under the Muslim Brotherhood, its policies, local protests against the American Embassy located in Cairo and how the Obama administration has handled crisis in Islamic regions has left some wondering why the US continues to send aid.
Kay Granger, a Texan Republican who is chairwoman of the House appropriations subcommittee that is responsible for managing foreign aid, said that she would block this aid distribution.
The US relationship with Egypt “has never been under more scrutiny” than it is now. Granger goes on to say, “I am not convinced of the urgent need for this assistance and I cannot support it at this time”.
However, Hillary Clinton speaking in New York on Friday, indicated that the world should do more in supporting the regions that have experienced the ‘Arab Spring’ uprisings.
This debate comes at a time when Egypt is in an economic crisis. They are currently facing a $12 billion deficit in their budget.
Media for Christ group got permit for movie believed to be ‘Innocence of Muslims’ | 89.3 KPCC
The organization that received the film permit for a movie believed to be the controversial “Innocence of Muslims” was Duarte, Calif.-based nonprofit advocacy group Media for Christ.
Karen Herrera, deputy city manager for the City of Duarte, told KPCC that Media for Christ received a permit last year for a movie called “Desert Warriors” through Film LA, an organization that gives film permits for the County of Los Angeles. Herrera said she was told that information from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department.
People involved in the film believe “Desert Warriors” later became “Innocence of Muslims.”
Meanwhile, the website The Smoking Gun reported Friday that Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, another man connected to the film, became a government informant after his 2009 arrest for bank fraud.
Joseph Nassralla Abdelmasih is the president for Media for Christ, which identifies itself as a non-denominational evangelical Christian organization that provides spiritual aid and humanitarian assistance. Nassralla has been introduced at speaking events as a Coptic Christian and human rights activist from Egypt.
Last year, Nassralla participated in a demonstration asking for Sheriff Lee Baca to resign over his praise of the Council on American Islamic Relations, an Islamic civil liberties group.
“I fled to America with my family because of the violence directed against me for my Christian faith,” Nasralla said in an announcement published on Jihadwatch.org. “Sheriff Baca must be fired, and the County must apologize to all of us who have suffered at the hands of the Muslim brotherhood.”
KPCC made efforts to reach Media for Christ on Friday. Calls to the nonprofit’s office were not answered.
Permit confirmed
Paul Audley, president of Film LA, confirmed to KPCC on Friday that the permit was issued on Aug. 18, 2011. He referred further questions to the County of Los Angeles, which said it would not release the film permit due to safety concerns.
Nakoula Basseley Nakoula has also emerged as another local man involved in the film. Nakoula told the Associated Press that he was in charge of the film’s logistics.
Nakoula has a criminal past and was convicted for drugs and engaging in identity theft, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Times also found an actor who received a check from Nakoula’s address for participating in the film.
It is unclear how “Innocence of Muslims” was funded. Media for Christ had revenues of more than $1 million last year, according to tax records.
US Embassy Cairo Apologises to Attackers
Only months after Americans were hailed as heros in Libya for helping the people overthrow Gaddafi, muslim extremists have raided the embassy and killed the US Ambassador and three US workers. The reason for the violence in Libya and Egypt – a movie on YouTube by a young man from Florida, Sam Bacile. Bacile depicted Mohammed as a womanizer and pedophile.
What has now emerged, is whilst American citizens are under attack, the US embassy in Cairo issued a statement of apology to the attackers, instead of condemning the violence. The White House quickly retracted the statement. Under international law an American Embassy is like US soil in that nation, and an attack on an embassy is normally regarded as an act of war.
Whilst US money and military expertise helped overthrow the Libyan and Egyptian dictators, Muslims still view America as the “Great Satan”.
In 2010 a Danish cartoonist who depicted Mohammed was murdered. The cartoons he created led to violence and attacks throughout Islamic nations against westerners.
Sam Bacile, anti-Muslim filmmaker in hiding following anti-American Violence
The Israeli filmmaker who created the film “Innocence of Muslims” which ignited ultraconservative Islamist violent acts, is now in hiding.
There have been assaults on the U.S. Embassy in Egypt and the U.S. Consulate in Libya.
Sam Bacile states “Islam is a cancer, period” and that his film is a provocative political statement which condemns the religion.
Claims are made in the film that Muhammad was a fraud, a “feckless philanderer” and an “approver of child sexual abuse”.
Bacile was warned that he might be the next Theo van Gogh. A Muslim extremist killed Van Gogh after making a film that appeared to be an insult to Islam.