All options are on the table to handle any sudden rise in coronavirus cases, Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said, but did not respond to the possibility of whether an academic year would be postponed in case of an outbreak occurs. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is following up on everything that is done regarding coronavirus infections, and there are plans to deal with any developments, Abdel Ghaffar added during a phone call to the “On My Responsibility” on Wednesday. Everyone is fully prepared to pass the fourth wave of coronavirus, he assured.

The French government did not disclose how they identified him as Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, whose group has terrorized the region. France declared the killing a major victory against jihadists in Africa and justification for years of anti-extremist efforts in the Sahel. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian urged African governments to fill the void and seize back ground taken by the Islamic State extremists. But in 2015, al-Sahrawi released an audio message pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. If Mali’s government were to reach such a deal with Kremlin-backed private military firm Wagner Group, that would be “totally incompatible” with the anti-terrorism strategy in the Sahel that led to the killing of the Islamic State leader, Parly said.

BEIRUT (AP) — The lead judge investigating Lebanon’s massive port explosion last year issued an arrest warrant Thursday for a former government minister who failed to appear for questioning, the state-run National News agency reported. Youssef Fenianos, the former public works minister, is one of a number of former government officials who have declined to appear before investigating judge Tarek Bitar. Bitar has charged Fenianos and three other former senior government officials with intentional killing and negligence that led to the deaths of more than 200 people in the blast and over 6,000 wounded. The former prime minister has also refused to appear before the judge. The blast was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded and was the most destructive single incident in Lebanon’s troubled history.

The logo of FIFA is seen in front of its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland September 26, 2017. REUTERSSept 16 (Reuters) - Euro 2020 finalists England pushed world champions France out of the top three in world soccer body FIFA's latest men's soccer rankings published on Thursday. European champions Italy, on a record unbeaten international run of 37 matches, are fifth with Argentina sixth. France went out of Euro 2020 in the round of 16. In the women's rankings, Sweden moved up to second behind world champions the United States with Germany dropping to third.

At the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr, the dollar price recorded EGP 15.64 for buying and 15.74 for selling. Meanwhile, the dollar rate recorded at the Commercial International Bank, Credit Agricole, HSBC and BLOM Bank Egypt EGP 15.66 for buying and EGP 15.76 for selling. The Euro price slightly went down EGP 18.43 for buying and EGP 18.60 for selling. The sterling registered EGP 21.60 for buying and EGP 21.80 for selling. As for the prices of some Arab currencies, the Saudi riyal stood at EGP 4.17 for buying and EGP 4.19 for selling.

CAIRO – 16 September 2021: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi greeted Thursday his Mexican counterpart Andres Obrador and Governor-General of Papua New Guinea Bob Dadae on the anniversary of their countries' independence day. Mexico gained independence from Spain as a result of a war that lasted for 11 years between September 16, 1810 and September 27, 1821. As for Papua New Guinea, it got independence from Australia on September 16, 1975 becoming a Commonwealth country.

The fourth wave of COVID-19 is rapidly spreading, affecting the younger age groups and children, Megahed warned, and called on citizens to continue calmly following precautionary measures, Health Ministry Spokesperson Khaled Megahed said. The fourth wave is rapidly spreading, affecting the younger age groups and children, Megahed warned, and called on citizens to continue calmly following precautionary measures. Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population on Wednesday reported 531 new coronavirus cases, 13 deaths, and 498 recoveries. A total of 294,482 cases have been disclosed in Egypt, alongside 16,908 deaths and 247,948 recoveries. The country’s fourth wave of the virus is in full force, with daily case figures ten times higher than what was recorded at the end of July.

During a meeting on Thursday with a delegation of Deutsche Bahn, he hailed the international mechanism under which the German railways are managed, referring to his visit several months ago to the Deutsche Bahn training and simulation center in Berlin. The two sides reviewed proposals on future cooperation, especially after the German delegation visited the Egyptian railway workshops. Egyptian-German cooperation will include railways consultancy and future work with the private sector and international companies, where managing railway activities are concerned. The minister referred to the projects being accomplished by the ministry, especially upgrading vehicles and establishing a giant network of express electric trains. The two sides agreed to hold intensive talks in the coming period to start implementing future cooperation plans in line with priorities of the transport ministry.

File- Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hailed strong relations with Egypt in a meeting with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Thursday in Cairo - Courtesy of the Egyptian PresidencyCAIRO - 16 September 2021: Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa will pay Egypt a visit on Thursday, at President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s invitation, an invitation from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Bahraini news agency (BNA) reported the Royal Court announced. President Sisi and King Khalifa will discuss the robust ties between the two countries and the latest regional and Arab developments, the Court said. On August 7, 2021, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry paid an official visit to Manama, to convey a letter from President Sisi to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. In May 2020, President Abdel Fatah al Sisi discussed the latest updates regarding Coronavirus, COVID19 pandemic with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during a phone call.

The United States and its allies are looking for ways to push back against China’s growing power and influence, particularly its military buildup, pressure on Taiwan and deployments in the contested South China Sea. Morrison said the submarines would be built in the city of Adelaide and Australia would meet all of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. ADVANCED SYSTEMSJohnson said the pact, dubbed AUKUS, was not meant to be adversarial towards anyone and it would reduce the costs of Britain’s next generation of nuclear submarines. Singapore said it had long had relations with Australia, Britain and the United States and hoped their grouping would contribute to peace and stability. They said that since Australia does not have any nuclear infrastructure, it would require a sustained effort over years.

AFP - Leon Goretzka has penned a new deal to stay at Bayern Munich until 2026, it was announced Thurdsday, following on from his Germany team-mate Joshua Kimmich who has also committed to the defending Bundesliga champions. Goretzka was out of contract at the end of the season, but the midfield enforcer has committed to another five years, just weeks after national team-mate Kimmich extended his Bayern deal until 2025. Since joining Bayern from Schalke three years ago, Goretzka, 26, has forged a midfield partnership with Kimmich for Germany and Bayern, winning three back-to-back Bundesliga titles and the Champions League in 2020. Goretzka has scored 25 goals in 118 games for Bayern and wants more success with Munich, who are chasing a tenth consecutive Bundesliga title. The resigning of Kimmich and Goretzka means Bayern have locked in most of the stars for the coming seasons.

GENEVA (AP) — The head of the United Nations called Thursday for “immediate, rapid and large-scale” cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to curb global warming and avert climate disaster. Ahead of the annual UN General Assembly meeting next week, Antonio Guterres warned governments that climate change is proceeding faster than predicted and fossil fuel emissions have already bounced back from a pandemic dip. “Unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, we will be unable to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit),” said Guterres. “Even with ambitious action to slow greenhouse gas emissions, sea levels will continue to rise and threaten low-lying islands and coastal populations throughout the world,” the authors wrote. ___Read more of AP’s climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/Climate___On Twitter, follow Seth Borenstein at @borenbears, Frank Jordans at @wirereporter and Jamey Keaten at @jameykeaten

Can kids be harmed wearing masks to protect against COVID? No, there is no scientific evidence showing masks cause harm to kids’ health despite baseless claims suggesting otherwise. Some argue that young children miss important visual and social cues that enhance learning and development when their classmates and teachers are wearing masks. There’s strong evidence masking children in schools can reduce COVID-19 transmission to other children and adults. To avoid skin irritation, doctors suggest washing masks regularly, making sure they fit properly and picking masks made with soft, breathable fabric.

Sept 16 (Reuters) – The Taliban’s abrupt return to power has left hundreds of Afghan diplomats overseas in limbo: running out of money to keep missions operating, fearful for families back home and desperate to secure refuge abroad. One senior Afghan diplomat estimated there were around 3,000 people either working in the country’s embassies or directly dependent on them. But these calls for continuity do not reflect the chaos on the ground, embassy staff said. I am not being paid now,” a source at the Afghan embassy in Canada’s capital Ottawa said. “It’s very clear that not a single Afghan diplomat posted overseas wants to go back,” said a senior Afghan diplomat in Japan.

In a further sign that the hard-liners had prevailed, the white Taliban flag was raised over the presidential palace, replacing the Afghan national flag. On Tuesday, the Taliban foreign minister, Amir Khan Mutaqi, dismissed such reports as “propaganda.”Baradar had been noticeably absent from key functions. Another Taliban figure said Baradar was visiting family he had not seen in 20 years of war. Analysts say the friction may not amount to a serious threat to the Taliban — for now. “Still, the Taliban will be under a lot of pressure as it tries to consolidate its power, gain legitimacy, and address major policy challenges.