Inquisitr ‘Atheist Cafe' Accused Of Harboring ‘Satan Worshippers' Raided And Shut Down By Egyptian Police An "atheist cafe" in Cairo, Egypt, has reportedly been raided and closed by security forces after locals have accused it of being a hub for "Satan worshippers." Atheism is currently not listed as a crime in Egypt. However, blaspheming or defaming any of the Abrahamic religions can result to six months to five years imprisonment and a fine of LE 500 to 1000, or 88 to 140 U.S. dollars. Read more: http://www.inquisitr.com/1683745/atheist-cafe-accused-of-harboring-satan-worshipers-raided-and-closed-by-egyptian-police/#EGilUZ6eve2FFioJ.99 PanARMENIAN CPJ: at least 220 journalists imprisoned around the world There are at least 220 journalists imprisoned around the world, with 132 of them held on anti-state charges of terrorism or subversion, says a report released Wednesday, Dec 17, by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The article highlighted that Egypt has held three Al Jazeera journalists — Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed — since Dec. 29, 2013, with sentences ranging from seven to 10 years. Their appeal is scheduled to be heard on Jan. 1, 2015. Read more: http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/186254/ Al-Monitor Sisi under fire over proposed defamation law Although many Egyptian journalists support most of the decisions made by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, he sparked criticism among his supporters in the media community when, in a meeting with journalists, he announced that the state was determined to issue a law criminalizing defamation of the January 25, 2011, and June 30, 2013, revolutions. The law is not the first of its kind in Egypt's history. Similar laws have been passed, like the Political Parties Act (Act 40 of 1977), which stipulated that any party whose platform contradicts the principles of Islamic law or the principles of the July 23 and May 15 revolutions shall not be established. Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/12/sisi-criticism-proposed-defamation-law.html World Tribune U.S. grants reprieve on aid to Egypt after lobbying from Saudis, Israel, Jordan, UAE The United States, after withholding military aid for more than a year, has granted a reprieve to Egypt. Congress has passed a spending bill that revises U.S. civilian and military assistance to Egypt. Under the omnibus spending package for fiscal 2015, the House and Senate allowed the administration of President Barack Obama to waive human rights certification for Egypt on grounds of U.S. national security. Read more: http://www.worldtribune.com/2014/12/16/u-s-grants-reprieve-aid-egypt-lobbying-saudis-israel-jordan-uae/ Middle East Eye Egypt expels 40 police cadets for alleged Brotherhood ties – The Egyptian Interior Ministry has expelled 40 cadets from Cairo's Police Academy for allegedly belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood group, the official news agency reported. "Investigations have proven that 40 Police Academy students in the third and fourth years belong to the terrorist Brotherhood organization and that they have close relatives who have partaken in the organization's terrorist acts," the agency quoted Interior Ministry spokesman Hani Abdel-Latif as saying. Read more: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-expels-40-police-cadets-alleged-brotherhood-ties-1823511320#sthash.fwnx8O8q.dpuf
