MOSCOW, April 27 (MENA) - Two Russian citizens were detained as they allegedly prepared to sabotage a transportation infrastructure facility in Russia’s Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border, The Wall Street Journal quoted Russia’s federal security services as saying Wednesday. According to the agency, an investigation revealed that the suspects were supporters of Ukrainian nationalists and had sent data about Russian servicemen participating in Moscow’s military’s operation in Ukraine to the Kyiv-based “Peacemaker,” a website that publishes the personal information of people who commit crimes against Ukraine and the country’s national security. The federal security services said the suspects, who weren't immediately identified, confessed to their crime. The Wall Street Journal couldn't independently verify the agency’s report of the alleged attempted sabotage. Meanwhile, authorities in the regions of Kursk and Voronezh that also lie close to Ukraine, reported Wednesday that overnight Russian air-defense systems had successfully intercepted and destroyed Ukrainian drones, preventing them from causing any casualties or damage to infrastructure, they said.

The Misr Company for Sound, Light and Tourism Development announced the amendment to dates of the sound and light shows in its areas, as the summer tourist season approaching. The shows start in the pyramids area at half past seven in the evening, and in the Philae, Abu Simbel and Karnak areas at seven in the evening, starting from the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, the managing director of the company, explained in a statement on Wednesday, that the dates of the sound and light shows will be modified with the first day of Eid al-Fitr to take into account the good vision at the beginning of the show, in order to achieve a better service for the spectators. The company also decided for the first time that Egyptians attend the sound and light shows in any foreign language at the price of the Arab show ticket, in order to stimulate domestic tourism. Abdel-Aziz added that the company offers groups discounts on tickets for sound and light shows to receive its Egyptian and Arab visitors during the days of the blessed Eid.

Two people were killed and 43 others were injured in a bus rollover accident on the new international road in South Sinai Governorate, 25 km from Sharm el-Sheikh, Youm7 news website reported. Assistant Minister of Interior and head of South Sinai Security Directorate, Sherif Raouf, received a notification from the Police Rescue Service stating that an accident occurred for a bus belonging to a travel agency on the new international road, 25 kilometers before Sharm el-Sheikh. It added the accident resulted in the death of two people from Minya namely Abraham Samy Turkey, 30, and Ayman Boktor Abdo, 39 who were taken to the morgue of Sharm el-Sheikh Hospital. Forty three others who were injured were transferred to Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital to receive the necessary treatment.

CAIRO – 27 April 2022: Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine al-Qabaj stated Wednesday that a list of 700 debtors has been prepared so they would be released from prison by a presidential pardon. The minister noted that the selection was restricted to those who got loans to pay for essentials, and not just for unnecessary consumption. The minister of social solidarity also highlighted that grants will be given to low-income citizens who seek to marry for the first time, and those who need medical treatment but cannot afford it. President Sisi directs were given on Saturday during a meeting with Prime Minister Mustafa Mabdouli, Minister of Social Solidarity Nevin El Qabbaj, said Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady in a statement. The meeting has tackled the government’s efforts to eliminate the phenomenon of debtors, in light of the presidential initiative “Egypt without Debtors,” Rady said.

Russia has cut off natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, dramatically escalating its response to Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over its war in Ukraine. The news sent US natural gas futures up about 3% Tuesday. European gas prices jumped nearly 20% on Wednesday morning, Reuters reported. In preparation for such a situation, European states reliant on Russian gas have been increasing their stored supplies. Polish gas company PGNiG, for example, says the country’s stores are 80% full.

CAIRO - 16 April 2022: Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli said the cost of implementing the presidential initiative Haya Karima, or Decent Life, is much the same as rebuilding an entire country. The initiative is focused on developing the Egyptian countryside and improving the quality of life of its population of roughly 60 million people, according to a word he gave during the Egyptian Family Iftar banquet which was held on Tuesday evening and attended by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. He noted that the cost of implementing Decent Life initiative stands at over EGP 800 billion, noting that the state has no alternative but to continue this giant project that touches the lives of all Egyptians and generates millions of jobs in rural areas. Had it not been for the many national projects launched by the State, the rate could have been 20%, he also said. Despite all difficulties and challenges, the Egyptian nation is still capable of being productive and realizing development and progress, he affirmed.

The Public Prosecution Office in Alexandria is continuing its investigations into a massive fire that destroyed more than five shops and two properties in the al-Mansheya market, resulting in injuries to 12 people and huge financial losses. A13-year-old girl was rescued at the scene of the accident, and six others from the Civil Defense Forces received first aid on site. Director of Alexandria Security Mahmoud Abu Amra received a notification stating that a fire had broken out in the market. The flames and the fire spread to five nearby shops and two properties resulting in the destruction of their stock. Damage to other nearby shops that are being counted.

CAIRO – 26 April 2022: The world is pacing towards green economy, and that includes green tourism, or sustainable tourism. The concept has many benefits for the society, the economy, and of course the planet. Here are six benefits to green tourism:1 – Preserves water and energy2 – Supports other social projects in line with sustainable development3 – Helps recycling all kinds of waste4 – Provides job opportunities for local communities5 – Gives space for locally-made products at restaurants and souvenir shops6 – Preserves biological diversity and cultural heritage

Egypt - Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker told Daily News Egypt that his ministry is committed to the plan to restructure electricity prices until 2025, and electricity prices are still subsidised by the state, taking into account low-income groups and families in need. He added that in 2025, the electricity sector will have reached the real cost of the value of electricity, as all subsidies on power will be removed by then. He also mentioned that the fuel supplied to electricity production plants is subsidised by the state. The estimated volume of subsidies for electricity during the next five years is estimated at EGP 76bn. “Impoverished groups spend 1% and low-income groups spend 2%,” according to the study.

Tour of Minister of Transport Kamel al-Wazir and Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority Osama Rabie at Suez Shipbuilding Company on April 25, 2022. Press PhotoCAIRO – 26 April 2022: Minister of Transport Kamel al-Wazir and Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority Osama Rabie discussed Monday possible joint cooperation to build an Egyptian fleet of bulk carriers and assistive vessels. The meeting was coupled with a tour in Suez Shipbuilding Company, which was founded in 1866. In a similar context, Wazir stipulated the importance of achieving integration between the Ministry of Transport and the Suez Canal Authority to build ships, tugboats, and other types of vessels. The chairman of the Suez Canal Authority noted that the company owns one of the largest floating docks, as its length and width are 302 meters and 55 meters, respectively.

CAIRO – 26 April 2022: Egypt's Population Record hit Monday 103,250,000 with an increase of 250,0000, in just two months, up from 103 million in February 22. Equally, the rate of population increase must be compatible with the economy's ability to achieve a high level of human development, and reduce unemployment. The former official pointed out that although Egypt began combating overpopulation in 1965, but not much has been achieved. He added that the government should benefit from the political leadership's desire to reduce the annual population increase from over two million to 400,000 by formulating and implementing relevant effective strategies. Hassan had stated in October that the Egyptian population grew by half a million in the previous 100 days.

CAIRO - 25 April 2022: A number of social media users circulated pictures of lumps of duts suspended in the air, currently moving to different parts of the country. Shaheen added that with the directions of the northeastern winds, this dust moves through areas of the Arab Republic of Egypt, especially in Sinai, and advances to some separate areas of the country. Several separate areas in the country are witnessing suspended dust covering skies in the country, with the presence of wind activity, especially in open areas. The Meteorological Authority advises citizens to be careful due to dust suspended in the air, especially those with chest diseases, and not to be present in open areas, as well as to close windows. Monday witnesses hot weather in Greater Cairo and Lower Egypt, South Sinai and northern Upper Egypt, moderate on the northern coasts, very hot in southern Upper Egypt, cold in the north of the country until Greater Cairo and northern Upper Egypt, moderate on southern Sinai and southern Upper Egypt.

CAIRO – 25 April 2022: Tahajud prayer (non-obligatory Night prayer), which is usually performed at night following the mass night prayers (Taraweeh prayer) during the last ten days of Ramadan, is allowed to be performed at only major mosques in Egypt, announced the Egyptian Ministry of Endowments in a statement on Monday evening. The performance of the Tahajud would start on the 27th of Ramadan until the end of this holy month, the ministry said. Imams who would lead the performance of Tahajud will be thse who have been appointed by the Ministry of Endowments. Tarawih prayers were not allowed to be held at any other small mosques or mosques at universities, in which there is no licensed imams or preachers. In case of any violation, legal measures will be taken against the violators, and prayers will be banned at the violating mosques.

CAIRO – 25 April 2022: Egyptian and Burundi discussed on Monday ways of fostering cooperation between the two countries in the field of communications and information technology. This came during a meeting between Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat and Burundian Ambassador in Cairo Sheikh Rachid Malachie Niragira. During the meeting, Talaat stressed the strong and distinguished relations between Egypt and Burundi at the political and economic levels. The Burundian ambassador also invited Talaat to visit Burundi to hold extensive discussions on enhancing joint cooperation between the two countries in the field of communications and information technology. Sisi voiced Egypt’s support to the developmental needs of Burundi, especially in the fields of infrastructure, electricity, health, mining and agriculture.

Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb said that building a mosque in front of a church restricts Christians and hurts them as it encourages harassment. He assured that al-Azhar had absolutely no qualms about building churches, as is nothing in the Quran or the Prophetic Sunnah that forbids this. In remarks to the “Sout (voice of) Al-Azhar” magazine, Tayyeb said that Al-Azhar would never interfere to prevent the construction of a church. The Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar instead explained that building churches near mosques encourages harassment, which he says has been an inherited tradition amongst villages that has no origin in Islam. However what is required of me is that if the church is attacked, I, as a Muslim, must defend it.”Tayyeb said that Al-Azhar cherishes the relationship between Egyptians, Muslims and Christians, which stems from the correct understanding of religion.