It was a busier day for Egypt in the international press yesterday, with the spotlight still firmly fixed on our economy.

Pondering privatization plans: In an op-ed for the Financial Times, Yezid Sayigh, senior fellow at the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, praises plans to reduce military involvement in the economy as per our agreement with the IMF — but wonders whether we will follow through. The FT’s editorial board was out with a similar piece last week, as was the Independent’s international correspondent (and former FT correspondent in Cairo) Borzou Daragahi.

MEANWHILE- Deutsche Welle asks if the economic situation makes Egypt “the new Lebanon” and the New York Times puts the spotlight on inflationary pressures.

Also making headlines:

• Madagascar 2.0: The BBC looks into what will happen to the Giza Zoo’s many animals as it undergoes an EGP 1 bn renovation under the new, military-led management. (BBC)
• There’s a walk down Egyptian-Indian memory lane courtesy of the National ahead of President El Sisi’s visit to India for the country’s Republic Day celebrations.
• Local artist brings Egyptian culture to the UAE: Egyptian artist Sara Tantawy took over Dubai's Fann A Porter gallery with her Survivors exhibition, which depicts Egyptian women dancing. (The National)