Nada Kabil, a writer, teacher, and artist, faced discrimination at the ACE Club in Cairo for wearing a hijab, which is against the club's policy. This incident is part of a broader issue in Egypt where establishments targeting affluent clientele often ban Islamic headdresses, including hijabs and niqabs. Dina Eissa experienced a similar situation at La Vista 6 resort when she was asked to leave a pool due to wearing a burkini. The Ministry of Tourism has been inconsistent in addressing these bans, even retracting an order that prohibited the burkini ban in resorts. The article also touches on the experiences of Reem Ibrahim, who faces street harassment despite not wearing a veil. The article highlights the contradictory pressures and discrimination women face in Egypt, regardless of their attire.

Ibrahim Halawa, an Irish man, has been acquitted of all charges by an Egyptian court but has not yet been released from prison. Amnesty International and his legal team have expressed concerns over the delay, which is attributed to the Egyptian legal system's slow processing of paperwork. Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan and the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy have also commented on the situation. The Irish government, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister Simon Coveney, is actively engaged with Egyptian authorities to expedite Halawa's release. The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish embassy in Cairo are providing support to ensure Halawa's return to Ireland, although details of his travel arrangements are being kept confidential at the family's request.

The article discusses the tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile. Egypt, which relies on the Nile for over 90% of its freshwater, fears a significant reduction in water flow, impacting its agriculture and water security. Ethiopia views the dam as a crucial development project to provide electricity to its population and become a regional energy exporter. Despite past threats of military action, the current discourse has shifted to negotiations, with Ethiopia planning to fill the dam in three years and Egypt requesting 15 years. The article highlights the historical agreements that have given Egypt the majority share of the Nile's water and the changing geopolitical dynamics in the region. It also touches on internal issues in Sudan and Ethiopia that may affect the negotiations.

The article discusses the death of Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, who died of an apparent heart attack during a court session. Morsi, who was ousted by the military in 2013, had been in prison for six years, often in solitary confinement. His death has reignited concerns about the treatment of political prisoners in Egypt, particularly members of the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood, once at the pinnacle of Egyptian politics, has been suppressed by the government, with many members jailed or in exile. The Egyptian government tightly controlled the media narrative around Morsi's death, with uniform reporting across state-controlled outlets. The article also touches on the broader implications for the Muslim Brotherhood and the political climate under President Abdel Fattah Sisi's administration.

The article discusses the protests by Nubian activists in southern Egypt against the government's decision to sell their ancestral lands for a state-backed agricultural megaproject. Despite a temporary victory where the government agreed to exclude the land from sale, the struggle continues. Nubians have faced displacement since the early 20th century, culminating with the Aswan High Dam's construction. The article highlights the Nubian identity's connection to the land and the Nile, and the fear of cultural eradication. Egypt's 2014 constitution included a pledge to enable Nubians to return to their lands, but progress has stalled, with activists blaming the government for not honoring its commitments. Some Nubians believe the land is not exclusively theirs, while others are seeking international legal recourse. The article also touches on the broader human rights crackdown in Egypt.

The article discusses the resurgence of tourism in Egypt, highlighting the experiences of local vendors like Ahmed Ashour and tour guides such as Ragab El-Motgalye. Despite the setbacks following the 2011 Arab Spring and the 2015 Russian plane bombing, tourism is showing signs of recovery. The Ministry of Tourism reports an increase in tourist numbers, and the UNWTO ranks Egypt as the second-fastest growing tourist destination of 2017. Hilton Worldwide and Thomas Cook have expressed confidence in the market, with Hilton planning to expand and Thomas Cook doubling bookings year on year. The Egyptian government has been actively promoting tourism through incentives and celebrity endorsements. However, concerns remain due to recent terror attacks, including the deadliest attack in Egypt's history at a mosque in El-Arish.

The article discusses the discrimination faced by veiled women in Egypt, particularly in upscale establishments and resorts. Nada Kabil, a hijab-wearing writer, artist, and teacher, was denied entry to the ACE Club in Cairo unless she altered her headscarf. Similarly, Dina Eissa faced discrimination at the La Vista 6 resort over her burkini. Despite the majority of Egypt's population being Muslim, veiled women are often seen as out of place in venues that cater to a Westernized clientele. The Ministry of Tourism has been inconsistent in addressing the issue, with a short-lived order prohibiting burkini bans. The article also touches on the broader issue of sexual harassment faced by women in Egypt, regardless of their attire, highlighting the contradictory pressures they face.

The article discusses the arrest of 24 Nubian activists in Aswan, Egypt, who were protesting for the right to return to their ancestral lands, a promise made in the 2014 constitution but not yet fulfilled. The Egyptian authorities have charged them with illegal protesting, a consequence of a restrictive protest law enacted in 2013. The Nubians, a marginalized indigenous minority, have faced discrimination and displacement for over a century. Despite the recognition of their rights in the post-2011 revolution constitution, the current government's crackdown on dissent has led to a worsening human rights situation. The article highlights the broader context of the Egyptian regime's intolerance towards opposition and the uncertain future of the detained Nubian activists.

The article reports on the Egyptian government's blocking of at least 21 news websites, including Mada Masr, Al Jazeera, and The Huffington Post Arabic, for allegedly supporting terrorism or spreading false news. This action is part of a broader crackdown on media and dissent in Egypt as President Abdul Fattah el-Sisi prepares for the upcoming presidential elections. The crackdown includes arrests of opposition figures and a controversial NGO law. Despite the blocks, Mada Masr continues to publish via social media. The Committee to Protect Journalists and other rights groups have condemned the censorship. The situation reflects the government's insecurity amid economic challenges and recent ISIS attacks. Egypt's press freedom ranking has declined, and the country is now one of the top jailers of journalists worldwide.

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi ratified judicial reforms that grant him new powers to appoint heads of judicial bodies, a move criticized by judges and rights groups as a threat to judicial independence. The reforms allow Sisi to choose from three nominees for each judicial position, replacing the old system where the president's approval of the councils' single nominee was a formality. Critics argue this is a tactic to consolidate power and silence opposition, citing the use of security arguments to justify crackdowns on civil society and political opponents. The parliament, dominated by Sisi supporters, passed the amendments swiftly. Despite resistance from judicial bodies and a legal challenge against the amendments, the new law is seen as an attempt to prevent certain judges from gaining leadership positions and to align the judiciary with government interests.