Egypt’s rights in the Nile are both legally and practically unresolved, Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif is quoted as saying in state-run papers. Nazif, however, assured journalists at a press conference yesterday that Egypt's rights will be defended, and there is no danger from the agreement signed by some Nile source countries last Friday.

The prime minister also commented on the increasing number of strikes and sit-ins, saying that peaceful strikes are a new outlet for expression, and all issues brought forth by workers are considered. Nazif went on to say that ministers have been asked to act immediately to resolve any reasonable requests, pointing out that most strikes stem from private companies struggling with internal difficulties.

Nazif added that a new law will soon be presented to the People’s Assembly to protect workers in cases of bankruptcy.

Al-Ahram reports on troubles in Cairo’s metro system yesterday, where one train was stopped for more than half an hour between Sadat and Opera stations at around 10:30 AM due to an electrical failure that resulted from disruptions at the electricity station in Shubra el-Kheima.

Passengers in the train lost patience after 20 minutes with no announcement from the conductor. Some passengers began breaking the windows and jumping out, while one eventually pulled the emergency brake and opened the doors for the “sweat drenched” people to exit. Many walked through the dark tunnel to Sadat station.

In other news, Al-Shorouq reports on the implementation of a development project headed by the Ministry of Social Solidarity and the American University in Cairo. Titled Conditional Cash Transfers, the project focuses on 65 villages in Assiut and Sohag. Each family will receive LE244 per month for two years.

The condition of receiving the cash subsidies is that family heads must ensure their children are sent to schools, and that all family members go to neighboring medical clinics at times set up by social workers, who will follow up with the families each month.

Egypt's newspapers:

Al-Ahram: Daily, state-run, largest distribution in Egypt

Al-Akhbar: Daily, state-run, second to Al-Ahram in institutional size

Al-Gomhorriya: Daily, state-run

Rose el-Youssef: Daily, state-run, close to the National Democratic Party's Policies Secretariat

Al-Dostour: Daily, privately owned

Al-Shorouq:Daily, privately owned

Al-Wafd: Daily, published by the liberal Wafd Party

Al-Arabi: Weekly, published by the Arab Nasserist party

Youm7: Weekly, privately owned

Sawt el-Umma: Weekly, privately owned