International Business Times Amal Clooney Seeks Release of Jailed Al Jazeera Journalist in Egypt British-Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Clooney called upon Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi to release Egyptian Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy, whom she represents. The attorney released a statement expressing her disappointment over the lack of "concrete" progress toward the release of Fahmy, following a meeting with Egyptian and Canadian diplomats. The attorney, who made headlines in Hollywood after marrying actor George Clooney recently, wrote in the statement, "We hope that the Canadian government is resolved to continue the diplomatic process until Fahmy is released and can return home," reports The Jerusalem Post. Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird had expressed vigilant optimism for Fahmy's release after talks with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shukri on Thursday. Read more: http://www.ibtimes.co.in/amal-clooney-seeks-release-jailed-al-jazeera-journalist-egypt-620774 The Guardian Egyptian cotton hangs by thread after state subsidy axed It is the pride of linen departments around the world. Yet depending on who you believe, the days of Egyptian cotton – the source of what some see as the softest and most durable bedsheets on the market – may be numbered. According to farmers in Egypt, the government's recent decision to end subsidies for cotton growers sounded the death knell for an already declining industry. They say the subsidy was the difference between breaking even and making a loss. "The margin is very low and, with no subsidy, I think that no farmer will grow cotton any more," said Gamal Siam, a cotton farmer, agricultural economist at Cairo University and former adviser to Egypt's agriculture ministry. "This is the end of Egyptian cotton." Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/18/egypt-cotton-industry-farmers-subsidy-decline The National Egyptian President promotes investment on first official UAE visit Egypt is open for business, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi told potential investors on Monday on his first official visit to the UAE. "We welcome you in Egypt and will provide appropriate investment atmosphere. There are genuine investment opportunities in Egypt," Mr El Sisi told an audience of businessmen in Abu Dhabi. The Cairo government alone could not meet Egypt's economic ambitions, he said. "Hence comes the role of Egyptian, Arab and foreign investors to upgrade the Egyptian economy." Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/uae/egyptian-president-promotes-investment-on-first-official-uae-visit Los Angeles Times Egypt's ban on Jewish festival is a reflection of nation's attitudes Not so long ago, this time of year would have brought the echo of songs and chants to the winding streets of this somnolent village in Egypt's Nile Delta — joyous celebrations honoring a 19th century Jewish sage. In its heyday, the festival drew thousands of Jewish pilgrims paying tribute at the tomb of Rabbi Yaakov Abuhatzeira, a revered Moroccan holy man who died in Egypt while on a pilgrimage to what is now Israel. The vicissitudes of the shrine in many ways echo the fate of Egypt's Jews, once a large and vibrant community that dwindled to a few dozen after Jews were expelled en masse and their property seized in the 1950s and '60s. With arched windows and Hebrew lettering on a plaque and the tomb, the mausoleum is guarded now by Egyptian security guards who fend off visitors who do not have written permission to visit. The controversy surrounding the site — a simple stone structure atop a bare dirt knoll, flanked by rutted streets where chickens peck amid heaps of garbage — also speaks volumes about the peculiarity of Egypt's relationship with Israel. Read more: http://www.latimes.com/world/africa/la-fg-egypt-jewish-shrine-20150118-story.html
