CABINET WATCH- Ministers approve safeguards for assault victims after student confesses to serially abusing women: The Madouly cabinet approved amendments to the criminal code that would safeguard the anonymity and personal data of victims of assault, it said in a statement following its weekly meeting on Wednesday. The decision comes in response to the arrest of ex-AUC student Ahmed Bassam Zaki, who on Tuesday confessed to charges that he serially abused and blackmailed a number of women. Maya Morsi, head of the National Council for Women, praised the “historic” decision during an interview with Masaa DMC’s Ramy Radwan last night, saying that it would help to hold aggressors to account for acts of violence committed against women (watch, runtime: 17:09).

Ministers approve draft bills governing slush funds, waste management and more: The cabinet approved new regulations governing the practices of ministerial “private funds,” widely referred to as government slush funds, stressing greater transparency. The government had last year approved channeling 5-15% of surpluses generated by the funds to state coffers.

Also approved by the cabinet on Wednesday:

• Tax officials can be brought to testify: Amendments to a draft law on tax procedures that would allow taxpayers to summon Tax Authority officials in court cases;
• More mining news: A draft law authorizing the oil, local development and housing ministers to enter into agreements with the Central Administration of Mines and Quarries and the New Urban Communities Authority to “develop” the nation’s mineral wealth;
• Educational oversight: Transferring oversight of the Nile International Education System Unit from the Education Development Fund to the Education Ministry.