Egypt assumes AU Peace and Security Council presidency in February with focus on Sudan, Somalia
Egypt will assume the presidency of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council on Feb. 1, with a primary focus on addressing the ongoing conflicts in Sudan and Somalia. The Egyptian presidency aims to enhance the effectiveness of the council through a comprehensive approach to peace, security, and governance. Consultations are also planned with specialised agencies to examine the connection between food security and regional stability. During its term, the Egyptian delegation will present the annual report on the activities of the Peace and Security Council to the AU Summit of heads of state and government. The presidency will also include various field visits and consultations with relevant parties to coordinate regional security efforts, the ministry added.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 31, 2026 15:09 UTC
Amazon’s layoffs are staggering. We’ve seen this before
Big Tech continues to wrestle with mass layoffs, most recently with Amazon’s announcement to slash 16,000 jobs. Amazon’s staggering jobs cuts this week, the second wave since October, brings the commerce giant’s recent layoffs to roughly 9% of its corporate workforce. While Amazon’s layoffs aren’t a direct result of AI, they’re tangentially related. AI is the “most transformative technology we’ve seen since the internet,” Beth Galetti, senior vice president of people experience and technology at Amazon, said when announcing layoffs in October. New technology can bring new business prioritiesIBM is one of the most prominent examples of mass layoffs in response to new technology.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 31, 2026 14:11 UTC
France enacts law to return artifacts to their countries of origin
The French Senate approved a bill aimed at facilitating the return of artworks and artifacts to their countries of origin, reflecting a significant shift in France’s approach to its colonial past. France responded to demands from numerous African nations, which endured years of French colonial rule, to reclaim historical artworks and artifacts looted during the colonial era, according to France 24. The French Senate unanimously approved the bill to facilitate the return of artworks and artifacts taken from former colonies. Algeria is demanding the return of personal belongings of the religious and military leader Emir Abdelkader al-Jazairi. Mali is seeking the return of pieces from the Ségou treasure, and Benin, which has received 26 artifacts in recent years, and has submitted additional requests including for the return of a statue of the god Djo.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 31, 2026 11:36 UTC
Hundreds feared dead after mine collapses in eastern Congo
Goma, Congo AP — A landslide earlier this week collapsed several mines at a major coltan A landslide earlier this week collapsed several mines at a major coltan mining site in eastern Congo , leaving at least 200 people dead, rebel authorities said Saturday. The collapse took place Wednesday at the Rubaya mines, which are controlled by the M23 rebels, Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, the spokesperson of the rebel-appointed governor of North-Kivu province told The Associated Press. The country produced about 40 percent of the world’s coltan in 2023, according to the US Geological Survey, with Australia, Canada and Brazil being other big suppliers. Despite the signing of a deal between the Congolese and Rwandan governments brokered by the U.S. and ongoing negotiations between rebels and Congo, fighting continues on several fronts in eastern Congo, continuing to claim numerous civilian and military casualties. The deal between Congo and Rwanda also opens up access to critical minerals for the U.S. government and American companies.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 31, 2026 11:36 UTC
Salah earns resounding victory on Champions League night
Wednesday’s Champions League matches witnessed fiery encounters and impressive results, including Liverpool’s resounding 6-0 victory over Qarabag. Salah’s victory came after a goal drought since November, propelling him to 11th place in the all-time Champions League top scorers list with 49 goals, surpassing Zlatan Ibrahimovic. This appearance against Qarabag marked Salah’s 80th Champions League match for Liverpool, equaling Jamie Carragher’s record. Barcelona continued their strong performances with a resounding 4-1 victory over Copenhagen, while Olympiacos edged past Ajax 2-1. Arsenal secured an important away win against German side Kairat 3-2, while Sporting Lisbon snatched a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Athletic Bilbao.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 31, 2026 11:36 UTC
Israeli media reveals date for Rafah crossing’s opening
Israeli news site Walla reported a senior official in the Israeli army saying on Wednesday that the Rafah border crossing will open to pedestrians on Sunday. According to the Israeli website, government ministers were summoned last week to a cabinet meeting to discuss the reopening of Rafah crossing. At the end of the meeting of the Israeli Security Cabinet, which focused on a series of “sensitive issues” related to the continuation of the ceasefire in Gaza and steps toward the second phase of the agreements, the potential reopening of Rafah crossing was on the agenda. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier met for several hours with two senior envoys of US President Donald Trump, Steve Wittkopf and Jared Kushner. Another senior US official, Josh Greenbaum, also joined the meeting, which was part of an intensive US effort to bolster steps that would ensure the continuation of the ceasefire in Gaza and lay the groundwork for a long-term agreement.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 31, 2026 09:03 UTC
Suez Canal Authority issues warning after stranded vessel abandoned for two weeks
The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has issued a formal statement regarding the stranded vessel FENER, which has remained grounded off the coast of Port Said for nearly two weeks. The Authority clarified that the vessel lies outside its legal jurisdiction, noting that it cannot initiate salvage operations without an official request from the shipowner or relevant legal authorities. Positioned five miles west of the Suez Canal’s northern entrance in the Mediterranean, the vessel poses no threat to maritime navigation within the waterway. The statement further highlighted that despite the vessel’s location outside SCA waters, the Authority did not hesitate to fulfill its humanitarian duty. On Wednesday, the Authority submitted a comprehensive technical report on the vessel’s condition at the agent’s request.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 30, 2026 11:24 UTC
Warm days and dusty winds predicted for Friday
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) predicts a slight warming trend for Friday, with a chilly start to the day giving way to mild afternoon temperatures before turning cold overnight. In the capital, Cairo is expected to reach a high of 24°C and a low of 15°C. These winds may kick up sand and dust, particularly in open and exposed areas. Maritime conditions in the Mediterranean are expected to be moderate to turbulent, with wave heights reaching 2 to 3 meters and westerly to southwesterly winds. Meanwhile, the Red Sea will remain calm to moderate, with waves ranging from 1 to 1.75 meters and southwesterly to southeasterly winds.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 30, 2026 08:45 UTC
Life sentence for husband of Egyptian judo star Dina Alaa in fatal triple-shot killing
The Alexandria Criminal Court sentenced a man to life imprisonment on Tuesday for the premeditated murder of his wife, professional judo athlete Dina Alaa. According to the case files, a domestic dispute escalated into violence, during which the defendant opened fire on the victim. Alaa sustained multiple gunshot wounds that, according to the forensic autopsy report, proved fatal. The case was originally filed at the Al-Raml First Police Station before being referred to the Criminal Court. Following a review of the evidence and the specialized medical reports, the judiciary handed down the life sentence, the maximum penalty for the charges filed.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 29, 2026 18:44 UTC
Amazon is laying off 16,000 employees as AI battle intensifies
New York —Amazon is laying off 16,000 employees, the company’s second round of large-scale job reductions in three months as it fights to improve its standing in the battle for AI supremacy. He wants the company to remain nimble so it can adapt and change quickly as AI upends the technology sector. Amazon separately announced Tuesday it would close its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go grocery businesses, as it doubles down on its Whole Foods branded stores. Jassy said Amazon wasn’t unique in that respect: He envisioned billions of AI agents being put into service across every company and field. Some companies have recently reported they’re eliminating some positions because AI can automate entry-level workers’ tasks or make current workers more efficient.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 28, 2026 15:04 UTC
Spain to grant legal status to half a million undocumented migrants
Madrid, Spain —Spain has announced it will grant legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants, in a move that goes against a trend of anti-immigration rhetoric and policies in the United States and much of Europe. The number of undocumented migrants in Spain has grown eight-fold since 2017, according to Funcas. The Spanish government said that policy could allow 900,000 undocumented migrants to obtain legal status over the following three years. A history of pathways to legal statusSpain has approved large-scale pathways to legal status for undocumented migrants on at least six other occasions since the 1980s. Under the socialist government of Felipe González, in 1986, more than 38,000 people obtained legal status.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 28, 2026 14:57 UTC
Trump warns against Nouri al-Maliki’s return as prime minister of Iraq
US President Donald Trump has warned Iraq over reinstatement of Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister, saying that the country “descended into poverty and total chaos” under his previous leadership. “Because of his insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq. MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN!”Al-Maliki, leader of the Islamic Dawa Party, previously served two consecutive terms as Iraq’s prime minister from 2006 to 2014. He was nominated by the Shia Coordination Framework —which holds a parliamentary majority — to serve again as Iraq’s prime minister, citing his “political and administrative experience and role in managing the state.”Iraq held nationwide elections in November for 329 seats in parliament. In December, Trump’s special envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, warned Iraqi politicians to rein in non-state armed groups, cautioning that failure could push Iraq toward “fragmentation and decline” more than two decades after Saddam Hussein was toppled.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 28, 2026 13:29 UTC
Egyptian-American-Israeli arrangements commence towards reopening Rafah Crossing
Egyptian-American-Israeli arrangements are in place to begin reopening the Rafah crossing, amid US discussions of moving to a new phase that includes disarming Hamas. This coincides with other transitional political, security, and administrative arrangements in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported US sources as saying that the mechanism for operating the Rafah crossing “has been decided between the US, Israel, Egypt and the Palestinian side,” and that it will be opened this week. Various executive bodies in North Sinai are preparing to open Rafah crossing in both directions, facilitating the movement of Palestinians between Egypt and Gaza. Sources reported that Hamas recently agreed to discuss the issue of disarmament with other Palestinian factions and mediators.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 28, 2026 12:43 UTC
Egypt among the top 10 tourist destinations for 2026: Report
Egypt has been included in the list of the top ten global tourist destinations recommended for visiting in 2026 for holidays, as compiled by the Association of British Travel Agents, confirming its growing prominence on the global tourism map. British newspaper “The Sun” reported on Tuesday that Egypt has become a must-visit tourist destination this year, especially following the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on November 1. The report added that Egypt boasts unique diversity in its tourism offerings, allowing visitors to enjoy rich and varied experiences. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities commented on the report, stating that it reflects the confidence of major international tourism institutions towards Egypt, and the remarkable development it is witnessing in the tourism infrastructure. The ministry also noted the continuous improvement in the quality of services and provision of an integrated tourism experience, thereby enhancing inbound tourism and supporting Egypt’s position as one of the most prominent tourist destinations globally.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 28, 2026 12:35 UTC
Giza court sentences man to death for killing mother and 3 children
Giza Criminal Court sentenced “Ahmed A,” 39, owner of a veterinary supplies shop, to death by hanging on Tuesday for the murder of a woman and her three children in the al-Labini area of Faisal district, Giza. The verdict was delivered at the conclusion of a session marked by tight security measures. The presiding judge read the verdict aloud to the other defendants, who were present inside the iron cage. The session ended with a mixture of conflicting emotions between defendants acquitted and one facing the capital punishment. One of them was seen patting him on the shoulder in silence, while others exchanged astonished looks.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 28, 2026 12:35 UTC