ISSUE #4 3 - 31 JAN 10
WEEKLY UPDATE
B RIEF ME!
Haiti: earthquake, logistics difficulties and peacekeeping
January 12’s earthquake of 7.0
magnitude hit Haiti so hard. Estimates
according to Red Cross, death toll
50,000 till Jan 16, however the interior
minister said it could reach 200,000. The
capital Port-au-Prince the country’s
most populous city (more than 1.2
million people) has suffered tremendous
devastation.
In the absence of the government and
the presence of the United Nations,
survivors continued to be pulled from
the rubble, mass graves were filled, and
streets piled up with unclaimed bodies, a
sense of a collapsing state.
Desperately needed aid — including
food and water — was pouring Saturday
however the airport in the capital
HAITI ON THE MAP
FREE
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
NANICE ARAFAT
Port-au-Prince continued to be jammed
which had caused logistics obstacles in
delivering supplies as well as pilled up
bodies in the street which had blocked
roads in front of relief efforts.
Nonetheless aids are desperately
needed outside the capital.
Frustration and anger rose turned to
violence in some places, for which U.N.
peacekeepers patrolling the capital
warned aid convoys to add security
against looting.
The international community was
responding and the U.N. planned a large
medical facility at the city stadium
US aircraft carrier arrived Friday. US
Navy hospital ship and other more ships
were expected to come.
DEAD BODIES EVERYWHERE
The Earthquake left the children
homeless, orphans and even in worse
situation, as they became more
threatened of kidnapping than before.
On Saturday 30 Jan, Ten Americans were
charged of trafficking (smuggling children
out of their homelands). They were
caught on their way to the border with
33 children, no documentation on them
at all, and no proof that these children
are orphans.
The United States will resume shortly
emergency medical evacuation flights,
for critically injured Haitian quake
victims. The flights stopped on
Wednesday 28th due to some logistical
issues.
PULLING PEOPLE OUT OF THE REBBEELS
 BU RJ DU BA I SET S R ECO RD S O F T HE TA LL ES T BU I L DI NG

BURJ KHALIFA FORMERLY KNOWN AS BURJ DUBAI IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES IS THE
TALLEST MAN MADE TOWER EVER BUILT, AT 828 M. CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON 21
SEPTEMBER 2004, OPENED OFFICIALLY ON 4 JANUARY 2010. THE TOTAL COST FOR THE
BURJ KHALIFA PROJECT WAS ABOUT $1.5 BILLION. BURJ DUBAI SMASHED THE PREVIOUS
WORLD RECORD, WHICH WAS HELD BY TAIWAN'S 508M TAIPEI 101. IT IS ABOUT TWICE THE
HEIGHT OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING.

THE TOWER SIGNALS A RECOVERY OF REAL ESTATE MARKET BEATEN BY THE WORLD
ECONOMIC CRISIS IN DUBAI, WHERE PRICES HAVE COLLAPSED BY AS MUCH AS 50
PERCENT. HOWEVER MANY DEVELOPERS ARE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING OCCUPANTS FOR
THEIR BUILDINGS. ACCORDING TO ANALYSTS IT IS A UNIQUE BUILDING BUT IT IS NOT
GOING TO STIMULATE DEMAND.

Davos 2010; The global recovery is fragile

At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2010 in Davos - Switzer
land, participants met from 27-31 January – committed to
improve the state of the world: Rethink, Redesign, Rebuild.
A number of issues were discussed: unemployment, global poverty and
climate change and avoidance of future crises i.e more
regulation for the financial system. However the big task going forward
would be fixing responsibility on those who caused the crisis
and reforming the system. The blame game between bankers and governm
ent officials continued. However there is no premature
withdrawal of stimulus.
(The Economic Stimulus is an act of providing payment; money
intended to boost economy to prevent
recession, or ameliorate economic conditions and tostim
ulate business investment) 

I N A T W I S T M OVE CHINA PENALIZES U.S . OVER ARMS SALES TO TA IWA N

BEIJING TOOK A SERIES OF MEASURES IN RETALIATION TO THE ARMS DEAL OF WASHINGTON TO TAIWAN; MOST
IMPORTANT WAS THE SANCTIONS MEASURE ON AMERICAN COMPANIES SUPPLIED THE DEAL.

RELATIONS BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND BEIJING SOURED LATELY; US CRITICIZED CHINA FOR NOT TAKING TOUGHER
POSITION TO SANCTION IRAN FOR ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM. ALSO WARNED CHINA THAT IT MIGHT FACE DIPLOMATIC
ISOLATION AND ECONOMIC INSECURITIES. MORE ISSUES TENSIONED RELATIONS ESPECIALLY CLIMATE CHANGE,
RESTRICTION ON INTERNET AND CHINA’S STAND AGAINST THE WORLD PRIMACY OF THE DOLLAR.

MORE CONFIDENT NOW, THE FOREIGN MINISTRY IN BEIJING ANNOUNCED SATURDAY THAT SOME MILITARY EXCHANGE
PROGRAMS BETWEEN USA AND CHINA WOULD BE CANCELED. THE CHINESE WERE ENCOURAGED BY THEIR-LEADING
RECOVERY FROM A RECESSION CONTRARY TO MOST ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACIES.
BR IEF IN FO

CLIMATE ISSUE: THE DOLLAR ISSUE:

CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES – THE POST THE ECONOMIC CRISES THAT USA BANKING
WORLD’S TWO LARGEST CARBON POLLUTERS SYSTEM HAD CAUSED, CHINA’S AND OTHER MAJOR
– HAVE WAGED A WAR OF WORDS AT NATIONS WITH SURPLUS RESERVES HAVE CALLED
COPENHAGEN. THEY HAVE CLASHED ON KEY CONSTANTLY FOR NEW WORLD RESERVE CURRENCY
ISSUES SUCH AS HOW TO SHARE OUT THE AND FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND TO
BURDEN OF SLASHING GREENHOUSE GASES ISSUE A NEW SINGLE “SUPER-SOVEREIGN
(GHGS) AND WHETHER THE UNITED STATES CURRENCY” REPLACING THE US DOLLAR. ANALYSTS
OWES DEVELOPING COUNTRIES A "CLIMATE SAID THAT CHINA IS ACTUALLY TAKING STEPS, THE
DEBT". YUAN OR RENMINBI (CHINA’S CURRENCY) IS NOW
TRADED AGAINST A BASKET OF CURRENCIES,
INCLUDING THE DOLLAR.
 L OC A L NEWS

Violence on Egypt-Gaza borders, Egyptian guard killed

An Egyptian guard was killed and four
Palestinians were wounded on Jan 6
during a riot against Egypt's
interference with the lifeline aid convoy
as well as the anti-smuggling barrier
that Egypt began constructing a month
ago on the Gaza border.
Egypt under US and Israel pressure is
maintaining a blockade of the border
for preventing the smuggling of
weapons and wide range of products
that could help in making rockets to be
fired at Israel.
Gaza strip suffered since the blockade
imposed by Israel in 2006 after militants
seized its soldier. Blockade was
tightened after Hamas Islamists who
oppose international efforts to achieve
Israeli-Palestinian peace, took control
over Gaza from President Mahmoud
Abbas’s Fatah movement.
Hundreds of Palestinians had turned
out to protest against the wall, which
they called “Wall of Death”, shooting
erupted after scores of Palestinian
protesters hurled rocks at the soldiers.
The violence was the most serious
between Egyptian and Hamas forces
since Cairo began constructing the
underground steel barrier.
The blockade has drawn international
condemnation especially after the 22
day-Israeli war on Gaza on 27
December 2008 in which 1,400
Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed
and Gaza homes and infrastructure
were destroyed.

MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD ELECTED NEW LEADER

The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt (the outlawed movement)

ed
had elected Mohamed Badi as its eighth general guide succeeding Moham
Mahy Akef who stepped down willingly.
The Muslim Brotherhood movement is Egypt's oldest and largest Islamist
organization founded by Hasan Al-Banna in 1928, it influenced Islamist
cing
movements worldwide mixing political activism with charity work. Renoun
h Islamic
violence, the movement has supported democratic principles to establis
in Egypt
state governed by Shari’a law. It was banned from open political activity
dent candida tes to gain
since 1954, however its members succeeded as indepen MOHAMED BADI
20% of the seats in the last parliamentary election in 2005.
TONS O F D E A D F I SH SOLD IN MONEEB AND SABROMANT
M A RKE TS

TONS OF DEAD FISH FLOATED ON THE SURFACE OF THE MOHEET AND MARIOUTEYA
CANAL DUE TO THE LARGE-SCALE SANITIZATION THE 6TH OF OCTOBER IRRIGATION
DEPARTMENT HAD CONDUCTED IN THE CANAL.

RESIDENTS OF THE AREA COLLECTED THE DEAD FISH, DESPITE WARNINGS FOR THEIR
DANGEROUS TO THE HEALTH, TOOK THEIR WAYS THE MARKETS NEAR BY IN THE
MONEEB, HARRANEYA AND SHABRAMONT AREAS.

SEVERAL FISHERMEN HEADED TO THE ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY AND THE HARRANEYA

POLICE STATION TO FILE REPORTS OF THE INCIDENT, THEY CONFIRMED THAT THEY
RENTED FROM THE GENERAL AUTHORITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FISH RECOURSES.

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE DECIDED TO BAN FISHING IN THE AGRICULTURAL

SEWAGE WITH HIGH LEVELS OF POLLUTION WHETHER IT IS INDUSTRIAL WASTE OR
SEWAGE, AND ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WITH HIGH MORTALITY OF FISH LIKE
MARIOTEYA CANAL. THE RESULTS OF TESTS CARRIED OUT BY THE MINISTRY LABS
THAT THE DEATH OF THE FISH IN THE CANAL WAS DUE TO THE REMNANTS OF
«MOLASSES» RESULTING FROM THE SUGAR FACTORY OF HAWAMDIA.

A NUMBER OF HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS DECIDED TO FILE LAWSUITS

AGAINST 4 SIDES SAID TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR POISONING DEATH OF THE FISH
Close-up
KILLS; THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES, THE
DIRECTORATE OF IRRIGATION COUNTY 6 OCTOBER AND THE SUGAR COMPANY
HAWAMDIA.

THE FIRST EVER RULING AGAINST NILE POLLUTION

Amid the government growing interest of the environment, Imbaba court for the first time
ever sentenced to one year in prison, the Managers of both branches of the Nile Company
for Food Industry (Enjoy), for dumping industrial waste into the Nile in Imbaba district–
Giza.
In a sudden inspection to the Industrial Site, they discovered the violation of the company
to the national environment law. The Minister of state for Environment affairs Maged
George ordered the continuation of inspection to the industrial sites, drainage canals and
ditches that discharge industrial waste into the Nile in order to stop such illegal activities.
More such lawsuits are to be filed in the near future. Patients who suffered kidney failures
due to contaminated water in Damietta are taking their problem to court against officials.

EGY P T’ S LO C A L PUBLIC DEBT WA S ALARMING

A REPORT OF THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE REVEALED THAT EGYPT’S LOCAL

PUBLIC DEBT EXCEEDED LE689, WHICH REPRESENTED 58.5% OF GROSS
DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP).

SOME EXPERTS SAID THE LOCAL DEBT WAS STILL WITHIN THE SAFE
LIMITS AS LONG AS IT DIDN’T EXCEED 50 PERCENT OF GDP, HOWEVER IT
WAS ALARMING BECAUSE IT MEANT THAT THE INDIVIDUAL’S SHARE OF
DEBT EXCEEDS LE9000.
Three suspects on trial for Naga Hammadi killing incident
Three men were accused of shooting and killing seven people outside a ch
urrch in Naga Hammadi, Qena Governorate, on Coptic 
Christmas eve. That act of violence was in retaliation for the rape of 12‐ye
ar old Muslim girl by a Christian man in a nearby town 
of Farshout. 

The three men have been charged of premeditated murder, using of forc
e, violence and terror to undermine public security, 
possession of arms and attempting murder for the injured. They have b
een referred for trial at the Supreme State Security 
Emergency court. (The State Security Emergency courts share jurisdiction
 with military courts over crimes affecting national 
security).

CON F L I C T I N
YEME N

Gulf of Aden
In an international conference in London, ministers and officials from 20 countries gathered, as said, to bring unity and
stability to Yemen, and to discuss the economic and political condition of the poorest Arab state.

The conference came amid fears in the Arab world that Yemen might become a "failed state", accused of harbouring al-
Qaeda (as western media trying to paint it), and might end up suffering the same fate as Iraq, Afganistan, Pakistan or
even Somalia. The Arab voices accused the UK and the US of beating the drum of war aiming to turn Yemen as a base
in the Gulf of Aden to protect Western interests in the region.

Yemen and its western partners agreed in the conference, where the Arab League was not invited, to fight together the
threat of Al-Qaeda and appointed Riyadh for the next meeting in February.
The conflict is essentially between Yemen's Sunni-majority government against Shia fighters, a conflict that has added
significance for many Arab countries worried about the rising influence of Shia-ruled Iran. Saudi Arabia concerned
about the violence along its southern border since it flared up in August, which the Houthis accused of providing
support to Yemen's military, has become involved in the conflict and shelling suspected Houthis positions in November
2009.
After failure attempts to rein stability, Ali Abdullah al-Saleh, the Yemeni president, said on August 10, 2009, that the
fighters had no intention of implementing the peace deal signed. He accused them of destroying homes and farms and
blocking food distribution.
Washington supplied the Yemeni army with military intelligence and equipment, and the US media have reported that
its attacks were aimed against Al-Qaeda targets in the Arabian Peninsula.
The UN said the Yemeni government's war against the Houthis has displaced more than 200,000 civilians and killed
hundreds of people.
In a latest development, The Houthi rebels have been forced out of Saudi Arabia, said Prince Khalid Bin Sultan.

Brief Info:
The conflict in Yemen had begun since 2004, when the government of Yemen had carried out a campaign against the Shia
Muslim rebels (the Houthis) in the north of the country.
The conflict has actually historical roots. In 1962, a revolution toppled the shia Zaydi Hashimtes that ruled Yemen for more than
1000 years.Their stronghold in the north Saada was economically ignored since.The Shia Houthi was named after Hussein Al
Houth, a religious leader belonged to the Zaydi Hashimites who ruled Yemen, however was killed in his hide out.
Moreover the strong Wahhabis voice (Islamic sect in Saudi Arabia adopting a strict version of Sunnis) that helped the Yemeni
government during the Civil War in 1994 against the separatist in the south, had offended the Shia Houthis in the north against
Saudi Arabia.
Iran: US and Israel were behind the scientist’s bombing
On Tuesday 12, Iran Foreign Minister
accused the Zionist regime, The Us and
its allies in Iran of the bombing of the
nuclear scientist. This was what US
denied and called it “absurd”.
Primary investigations revealed that the
bomb was planted on a motorcycle
outside the scientist Ali-Mohammadi's
home in Tehran, triggered by a remote
control device, which had caused his
instant death. Mr. Mohammadi taught M A S S OU D A LI -
neutron nuclear physics at Tehran MO H A MM A DI
University.
According to Iran, such actions would
not affect Iran's nuclear program and
definitely would not cause any obstacle
in the way of the country's scientific
and technological development. Rather
they will speed up.

Could Barak visit to Ankara put

behind soured relations?
Offended by a Turkish TV series that
depicted Israeli agents as baby
kidnapers, Israeli Deputy Foreign
Minister Danny Aylon summoned the
Turkish Ambassador on Monday 11 to
complain, and deliberately seated the
Turkish envoy in a low chair and
removed the Turkish flag from a table.
In response, Turkey’s president,
Abdullah Gul, threatened to recall the
Turkish ambassador unless an Israeli
formal apology was issued, which came
at the last minute of a deadline on
Friday when Mr. Aylon apologized. Later
on Sunday the Israeli Defense Minister
said during his visit to Turkey that the
act was a “mistake”, Mr Ayalon had
"overstepped his mark", and urged for
the norms of diplomacy.
Turkish Foreign Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan replied in the news conference
that Turkey was “not thinking of taking
the matter any further”.
Relations soured and deteriorated
between the used to be strategic allies
in the region since Turkey condemned
Israel's Gaza offensive in 2008-09.

Brief information about the Turkish series... “VALLEY OF THE

WOLVES: IRAQ”
The scriptwriter Bahadir Oezdener is working on a movie to be released in the
second half of this year which will focus on Palestinian suffering in the Gaza Strip
and "depict Israel as it is -- with bloody hands, merciless... flouting all human
values" he continues "What we do is fiction... But what about what they do, their
crimes against humanity? They are real".
Ozdener is the scriptwriter of "Valley of the Wolves", the long-running television
series that sparked a diplomatic row with Israel. In the episode that angered
Israel, the protagonist storms an Israeli diplomatic mission to rescue a Turkish boy
kidnapped by the intelligence agency Mossad, with one scene showing blood
splaying over the Star of David as he kills an Israeli agent.
Israel slammed the show for depicting "Israel and Jews as baby-snatchers and war
criminals," but Ozdener expressed no remorse. B AHADIR OEZ DENER
 S TO C K S RANIA EL MARIAC ORN E R

A TECHNICAL ANALYSIS APPROACH TOTHE EGYPTIAN

BENCHMARK INDEX EGX 3O

THE DIRECTION OF THE INDEX, SINCE DECEMBER 2009, WAS

GOING ON AN UP TREND FROM THE LEVEL OF 5868 TILL
REACHED THE HIGHEST POINT IN TODAY'S SESSION AT 7067.
THE INDEX  WAS GOING ON AN UPWARD CHANEL. THE
CHANEL'S UPPER BOUNDARY IS 7200 AND THE LOWER
BOUNDARY IS 6650.

THE INDEX SUCCEEDED RECENTLY IN FEBRUARY TO BREAK THE

PREVIOUS PEAK AND THE RESISTANCE OF 7050 AS WELL AND
CLOSED AT 7062. IF THE INDEX SUSTAINS ABOVE 7050 THE
NEXT TARGET WILL BE 7200.

2010 AF RI C A C U P O F NAT I ON S

THE 27TH AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS, HELD IN ANGOLA BEGAN ON 10 JANUARY

2010 AND CONCLUDED ON 31 JANUARY.

IN THE TOURNAMENT, THE HOSTS ANGOLA WERE TO BE JOINED BY 15 NATIONS

WHO SUCCESSFULLY ADVANCED FROM THE QUALIFICATION PROCESS, BUT THE
WITHDRAWAL OF TOGO AFTER A TERRORIST ATTACK ON THEIR BUS UPON
ARRIVING FOR THE TOURNAMENT REDUCED THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING
NATIONS TO 15. A TOTAL OF 29 GAMES WERE PLAYED, INSTEAD OF THE
SCHEDULED 32 GAMES. EGYPT WON THE TOURNAMENT, THEIR SEVENTH ACN
TITLE IN HISTORY AND AN UNPRECEDENTED THIRD TIME IN A ROW, BEATING
GHANA 1–0 IN THE FINAL.

DURING THE SEMI FINALS, EGYPT GOT THE BETTER OF ALGERIA IN THIS
TYPICALLY BAD TEMPERED ENCOUNTER WITH HOSNI ABOU RABOU NETTING THE
FIRST GOAL AFTER ALGERIA HAD BEEN REDUCED TO TEN MEN WHEN HALLICHE
WAS SENT OFF. MOHAMED ZIDAN SCORED A SECOND TO KILL OFF ANY CHANCE
OF COMEBACK FROM THE DESERT FOXES WHO’S WOES CONTINUED WHEN THEY
FOUND THEMSELVES DOWN TO NINE MEN WHEN NADIR BELHADJ WAS RED
CARDED. AN ABDEL-SHAFY GOAL ENDED THE GAME AS A CONTEST AND GAVE
EGYPT AN UNASSAILABLE THREE GOAL LEAD. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY FAOUZI
CHAOUCHI WAS THE THIRD PLAYER TO SEE RED FOR ALGERIA AND GEDO
SCORED A FOURTH.
FASHIONCORNER
For women that 'stand out' look is just about to get a
whole lot easier thanks to the hottest trend for shoes
in 2010: thigh high boots.
Yes, over-the-knee boots are back with a vengeance but
this 2009/2010 shoe trend won't stop there. In fact, the
top of your boots will be going much higher: thigh-high
boots are undoubtedly the hottest shoe trend for women
in the Autumn (Fall)/Winter season, but make sure you
don't wear it in the wrong way. Avoid two main things with
any pair of over-the-knee or thigh-high boots you decide
to invest in: thick heels and a glossy patent finish.

Recommended Materials
Genuine leather, of which you're safest investment choice
is classic matt black or brown. If you want more unique
color leather, your other big choices for 2009/2010 are
olive greens, grays or cream/neutral tones. One other
material you might look at incorporating into your 2010
over-the-knee boot collection is shearling or wool lining.

Styles
Classic: for a classic or elegant take on the over-the-
knee boot, your best bet is to go for a slim-fitting suede
pair with a round or tapered toe.
Rock: the right pair of tight black leather over-the-knee
boots screams rock-chic; tough, but tempting.
Wearing your thigh-high boots with leggings or stockings
and goes very well with lose tops.

UNTIL THE NEXT ISSUE

BRIEF YOURSELVES!

Brief Me! team

Editor-in-Chief Nanice Arafat

Managing Editor Reem Ismail

Contributing writers:
Stocks Corner Rania El Maria
Sports Section Ramy Abdel Fattah
Fashion Corner Rana Abdel Fattah