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Sunday, 20 January 2019

Mercedes announcement leads econ talk on the airwaves

News that Mercedes-Benz plans to go back to assembling cars in Egypt after a four-year hiatus featured on Hona Al Asema (watch, runtime 06:40). The announcement comes shortly after the Egyptian government settled a c.EGP 700 mn (USD 39.2 mn) dispute between the Customs Authority and an Egyptian importer of Mercedes-Benz cars. Auto industry analyst Hamdi Abdel Aziz said the news underlines that the economy is on the right track. We have more in this morning’s Speed Round, below.

SIS boss Diaa Rashwan might run for the leadership of the Journalists’ Syndicate, he told Amr Adib on El Hekaya (watch, runtime 07:30). Rashwan said he would be making a decision within hours and doesn’t believe it would be a conflict of interest to head both the State Information Service and the syndicate representing rank and file journalists.

Adib highlighted a report by Business Insider that praised EgyptAir (watch, runtime: 23:10). “I flew 7 hours in EgyptAir economy class and it showed me even the most basic flag carrier can be better than most American airlines,” Harrison Jacobs wrote. “While I wouldn’t say it was the best airline I’ve ever flown, it was enjoyable, on-time, comfortable, and with no extra fees. Color me pleasantly surprised.”

Adib also hosted self-styled Indiana Jones Zahi Hawass to talk about his extended search for Cleopatra’s tomb and a recent misunderstanding that led the press to believe the discovery had already been made (watch, runtime 04:56). Hawass said that the discovery would be the greatest in the world.

Port Said has announced that utility services will be cut for buildings that fail to abide by a government order to paint red brick buildings. Adib is urging the government to issue a unified set of instructions to standardize the move to eliminate confusion (watch, runtime 10:50). Ministry of Local Development Spokesman Khaled Kassem told DMC that governors will form local committees to coordinate with relevant parties and implement the decision (watch, runtime 06:03).

The House is looking to incorporate the rights of domestic workers in amendments to the Labor Act on which it is currently working, Rep. Galela Othman told Masaa DMC (watch, runtime: 06:19).

Pilgrimage prices will go up c. 5% this year to reflect a hike in hotel prices in Saudi Arabia, CBC reported (watch, runtime 01:15).

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