Egypt

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood organization has said it will protect Christian believers as next year’s Coptic Christmas holiday rolls around.

This is happening due to the slew of attacks brought against the Christian population during 2010 and 2011. The Coptic Christmas holiday will take place in the country on Jan. 7, 2012.

"We have decided to form Muslim Brotherhood committees to protect the churches so that the hands of sin do not ruin the festivities like they did several times under the old regime," the group said. more >>

In an attempt to generate public support, Egypt’s ruling military council has pledged to loan $1 billion to the central bank, thus proving its benefit to the country’s financial stability.

The state news network reported Wednesday that the money will be loaned in an attempt to support the country’s flailing currency.

Although from the outside this appears to be a noble idea, the military’s easy access to the $1 billion, independently held by the military outside of government banks, proves its special privileges and authoritarian rule, the The New York Times reports. more >>

Egypt’s former President Hosni Mubarak resumes his trial Wednesday in Cairo after nearly a three-month hiatus.

Mubarak is being charged with aiding in the murder of nearly 840 protesters during the Arab Spring uprisings, which began in late January and resulted in the president stepping down from power on Feb. 11.

Mubarak’s two sons, the country’s former interior minister Habib El Adly, and six of his aides also face charges related to the February protests, which include corruption and the intentional killing of protesters. more >>

An Egyptian court ordered Tuesday that the ruling military council stop “virginity testing” on female detainees.

The ruling comes after the court case of female protester Samira Ibrahim, who sued the country’s military for forcing the invasive test after she was detained during Tahrir Square’s March protests.

“The court orders that the execution of the procedure of virginity tests on girls inside military prisons be stopped,” Head of the Cairo Administrative Court Judge Ali Fekri announced Tuesday. more >>

Tens of thousands took to Cairo’s streets Friday to protest the ruling military’s violent tactics against protesters and its continued control over the country’s government.

Thousands gathered in Tahrir Square Friday for the “Regaining Honor and defending the revolution” rally.

Egypt’s violent clashes between military and protesters began last week when a small group of sit-in protesters clashed with soldiers. The group was protesting the military’s continued hold in Egypt’s government. more >>

Violent clashes between women and soldiers in Egypt has led to U.S. Secretary Hillary Clinton’s condemnation of the military, a diplomatic move which Egypt sees as “interference.”

The clashes, which began last Dec. 16, quickly escalated into violent exchanges between civilian protesters and the military. The clashes were initiated when soldiers attempted to break up a group of sit-in protesters, who were urging a hasty push for a democratic government.

One particularly disturbing video surfaced on YouTube Sunday, showing Egyptian soldiers dragging and beating a half-naked female as she lay helpless on the ground. more >>