The ‘Second Friday of Anger' demonstrations across Egypt yesterday topped today's headlines. Egyptian youth and liberal political groups managed to gather one million protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square and across the country despite the absence of religious groups – most significantly, the Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Ahram (state-run) Prime Minister Essam Sharaf announced today that the leaders of the G8 summit have pledged support to Egypt during its transitional period due to its importance in the region. Today the Public Prosecutor will begin investigations into a profiteering case involving former president Hosni Mubarak and his family, regarding the facilitation of access to public funds and the abuse by some businessmen of their relationship with the former president for illegal gains, such as businessman Ibrahim Kamel, who managed to obtain a loan without interest from the Cairo Bank and is in debt to the tune of 3.4 billion EGP (U.S. $570 million). Al-Wafd Party held elections for positions in its general assembly. Other headlines: • Father Anthony visits the Muslim Brotherhood conference in Darb el-Ahmar • International calls for Yemeni president to step down • Thousands of Syrian protestors congregate to burn Hassan Nassrallah's photo Al-Akhbar (state-run) The Ministry of Finance to has decided that the minimum wage allotted to government employees shall be 800 EGP (U.S. $135) and the maximum allotted will 28,000 EGP (U.S. $4,750). Minimum wage will apply in both public and private sectors but the maximum wage will not be applied in the private sector. The announcement was made during a meeting with PM Essam Sharaf and Minister of Finance Samir Radwan, who reached an agreement and presented it to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to be finalized. Hundreds of Salafi supporters of Sheikh Hafiz Salama congregated at Nour Mosque in Abbassiya demanding the implementation of judicial rulings they received to supervise the mosque. They threatened to sit-in next Friday until the Ministry of Religious Affairs complies with their request Other headlines: • Egypt objects to terms imposed by IMF for loan of U.S. $10 billion • Increase in the wages of high-ranking public servants • Muslim Brotherhood in Alexandria stoond against the Second Friday of Anger • Mubarak declared innocent in Gold bar and Library of Alexandria cases Al-Wafd (opposition, affiliated with al-Wafd Party) Al-Wafd managed to score a journalistic coup by being the first to interview the police officer convicted for the murder of protestors in Zawya district. The armed forces, in cooperation with security services in Alexandria, managed to foil attempts by thugs to break into the Police stations of Raml, Attarein and Mansheya . However 28 suspects jailed in Montazah police station managed to escape. Other headlines: • Badawy: Wafd elections have proven to be an exemplar of democracy • Garana and Abu el Fotoh accused of seizing Paradise Hotel • Demonstrations in Suez around Arabein police station Al-Masry Al-Youm (independent) Egyptian youth and liberal political groups managed to mobilize demonstrations in Tahrir Square and across Egypt despite the absence of religious groups, notably the Muslim Brotherhood. • Muslim Brotherhood described Friday demonstrations as "driving a wedge between the nation" • Former President weeps three times and claims he ordered al-Adly to restrain police forces • Mustafa Bakri questions the origins of Sadat family fortune totals 10 billion EGP • G8 offers $40 billion to Egypt and Tunisia • Mubarak claims he purchased a villa from Hussein Salem from his private fortune and paid 500,000 pounds Al-Dostor (independent) Today the seventh district Investment Court of Administrative Justice, headed by Judge Hamdi Yassin, will deliver its judgment in the lawsuit, filed by the Egyptian Center for Housing Rights, which demanded the prosecution of former President Hosni Mubarak, Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and the former Minister of Communications for the cutting off mobile phone and Internet services during the revolution. Engineer Fouad Ahmed Saeed said thugs broke into the Dayaa nuclear power plant and destroyed many machines. Damages are estimated at 15 million EGP. • Prince Waleed Ibn Talal will sign new Toshka contract this Tuesday • MB leader warns against using army against Israel • Politicians refuse the creation of the Egyptian Neo-Nazi party • End of diesel crisis expected soon Al Shorouq (independent) Egyptian authorities have opened the Rafah crossing in accordance with the announcement by the Supreme Council of the Armed Force to allow for the majority of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to pass into Egypt. G8 has pledged a total of U.S. $40 billion in aid to Egypt and Tunisia • Iron company licenses to be issued within days • Free Egyptians Party to present constituting papers soon • Egyptian businessman jailed for bringing in 2 million illegal pills • Breakthrough in Ministry of Health crisis after equating pharmacists with doctors Al-Gomhorreya (independent, government-leaning) Mohamed Fathi el-Baradei, the Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development, said the new national housing project will provide 900,000 jobs, including 300,000 direct jobs in construction and 600,000 in the fields of industry, building materials, feeding industries, and real estate. He added that the average area of the apartment will not be less than 70 meters square and that the project will be implemented in 14 cities in Egypt. A high-level security source said security plan has been implemented to secure the borders and ports of Egypt to prevent their infiltration by smugglers and others. Recently the police forces seized 15 million EGP and 66,000 rockets entering the Sinai port. • New Governor to be instated in Qena after end of financial year • Removal of Mubarak and spouse's name from thousands of schools in Cairo • Sharaf investigating investment opportunities to aid in the rebuilding of Baghdad • Minister of Electricity: There has been no raise in prices
