Heat wave to hit Egypt on Monday only; Cairo records 34°C
File: scorching heat waveCAIRO – 1 June 2020: "A heat wave will hit Egypt on Monday only. It was expected that the wave will continue for three days but changes happened in pressure distributions and the fading of the air depression," said Undersecretary of the Center for Remote Sensing of the Meteorological Authority Iman Shaker.She further said that the rise in temperature will be witnessed Monday, where Cairo will see highs of 34°C, while on Tuesday and Wednesday the temperature will decrease back to 32°C.On Monday, there will be a rise in temperature; warmer weather will be witnessed in Cairo, Lower Egypt, and the Northwestern Coast with moderate winds.The official weather forecast authority announced Saturday that the country will witness a heat wave over three days, peaking on Wednesday with some areas recording highs of 40°C.
Source:Egypt Today
June 01, 2020 14:26 UTC
Cairo Airport receives 624 stranded Egyptians from Saudi Arabia
FILE - A charter flight - PixabayCAIRO – 1 June 2020: The Cairo International Airport has received on Sunday three exceptional flights from Saudi Arabia carrying 624 Egyptians, as part of the national efforts to expatriate stranded nationals abroad amid the coronavirus crisis.The flights were operated by the Egyptian flag carrier EgyptAir and Air Cairo.As Egypt halted international flights on March 19, in a bid to curb the spread of the novel virus, it has operated dozens of flights to repatriate its stranded citizens who are willing to return from different countries.On April 22nd, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi noted that around 3,500 Egyptians are stranded abroad over coronavirus, affirming that authorities are committed to bringing them back despite "hard circumstances".Although Egypt has reported a relatively high number of coronavirus cases during the past few days, Cabinet’s Spokesman Nader Saad said the government will discuss this week the issue of reopening airspace and operating flights again after a long halt over coronavirus.Egypt reported 1536 new coronavirus, COVID-19 cases, Sunday, raising the total number of confirmed cases since the outbreak in Egypt to 24985.Spokesman for the Health Ministry Khaled Megahed said in the daily briefing that 46 patients have died from the virus over the past 24 hours, raising the death toll to 959.As many as 344 patients were discharged from isolation hospitals after receiving necessary medical care, taking the number of recovered cases to 6810 so far, the spokesman said.The number of coronavirus patients who had now been retested for the virus and received negative results has reached 6037, he added.
Source:Egypt Today
June 01, 2020 14:15 UTC
Coronavirus infections in Egypt may be 10 times the reported figures, official
Egypt’s actual number of coronavirus cases could be between five to ten times higher than officially reported Ministry of Health figures, according to a member of the Higher Committee for Viruses from the Higher Education Ministry Adel Khattab on Friday. In an interview with the “al-Gomaa Fe Masr” (Friday in Egypt) show, Khattab explained that all coronavirus cases registered by the Health Ministry are of those able to reach the ministry for testing in the first place. Khattab therefore believes that Egypt has yet to see its peak. Egypt on Sunday confirmed 1,536 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country’s number of confirmed total cases so far to 24,985. The total number of COVID-19 deaths has now reached 959 nationwide, after announcing 46 deaths.
Source:Egypt Independent
June 01, 2020 13:30 UTC
Minister estimates 40K COVID-19 cases mid-June, presents speculative model of real figures
The new Coronavirus (COVID-19)- CC via Pixabay/FrankundFreiCAIRO – 1 June 2020: Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel Ghaffar presented Monday a model that speculates the real figures of COVID-19 infections and deaths given they are unidentifiable by authorities worldwide.The model suggests multiplying documented infection figures by 5 and deaths by 10. When applying the model to Egypt's latest figures released on May 31, the total number of infections becomes 117,000 instead of 24,985 by an increase of 6,835 and not 1,536.The number of infections has been increasing by 5.4 percent daily, and the percentage of deaths has been 3.9.The minister had speculated that infection cases would reach 20,000 by the end of May, and now estimates that they will hit 40,000 on June 10-13. Further, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli stated on Monday that infections will rise over the next 2 weeks.Egypt recorded 1536 new coronavirus, COVID-19 cases, Sunday, raising the total number of confirmed cases since the outbreak in Egypt to 24985.Spokesman for the Health Ministry Khaled Megahed said in the daily briefing that 46 patients have died from the virus over the past 24 hours, raising the death toll to 959.As many as 344 patients were discharged from isolation hospitals after receiving necessary medical care, taking the number of recovered cases to 6810 so far, the spokesman said.The number of coronavirus patients who had now been retested for the virus and received negative results has reached 6037, he added.
Source:Egypt Today
June 01, 2020 13:18 UTC
Video: Egypt send Congo, Zambia anti Covid-19 supplies
Zambian Vice President Inonge Wina receives Egyptian Covid-19 medical suppliesCAIRO - 1 June 2020: Egypt has sent Congo and Zambia medical supplies, disinfectants, drugs and protective suits to heal combat Covid-19.The military jet loaded with the supplies was received Monday by Congolese Deputy Foreign Minister Raymond Tshibanda and other officials, as well as the Egyptian ambassador in Congo. "As you know, throughout history Egypt has given us assistance and aid. The supplies sent today aim to promote deeper relations with Egypt. The Zambian officials thanked the Egyptian people and leadership for helping their country in the novel coronavirus crisis. "This is not the first time that the government of Egypt has supported Zambia, so we are very thankful indeed to the government of Egypt to show solidarity to the Zambian people in this hour of need.
Source:Egypt Today
June 01, 2020 13:18 UTC
Egypt to consider opening airspace, set maximum price for coronavirus treatment: Gov’t
FILE – A plane wing – Pixabay/FoundryCAIRO – 1 June 2020: The government will discuss this week the issue of reopening airspace and operating flights again after a long halt over coronavirus (COVID-19), Cabinet’s spokesman Nader Saad said on Sunday.Although Egypt has suspended flights due to the coronavirus crisis, the state’s flag carrier EgyptAir has operated several exceptional flights to many countries to bring the stranded nationals abroad.Concerning coronavirus treatment, Saad said Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli has known about the extremely high price of treatment from the novel virus at private hospitals and has ordered forming a committee to put a price ceiling for private hospitals to adhere to.“The relevant ministers will meet and determine this ceiling based on the available data for the prices of medical services. Private hospitals who are willing to treat coronavirus will have to adhere to the maximum price,” Saad said.Details about the maximum price will be announced during the coming few days and maybe in less than a week, Saad said, adding that prices will vary according to the service provided, including the type of the room and whether the patient needs a ventilator or not.Egypt reported 1536 new coronavirus, COVID-19 cases, Sunday, raising the total number of confirmed cases since the outbreak in Egypt to 24985.Spokesman for the Health Ministry Khaled Megahed said in the daily briefing that 46 patients have died from the virus over the past 24 hours, raising the death toll to 959.As many as 344 patients were discharged from isolation hospitals after receiving necessary medical care, taking the number of recovered cases to 6810 so far, the spokesman said.The number of coronavirus patients who had now been retested for the virus and received negative results has reached 6037, he added.
Source:Egypt Today
June 01, 2020 12:11 UTC
Egyptian singer Nihal Nabil tests positive for coronavirus
File- Nihal Nabil. CAIRO – 1 June 2020: Egyptian singer Nihal Nabil announced that she and her mother tested positive for the coronavirus.Nabil and her mother are now receiving the needed treatment in their home quarantine.It is also worth mentioning that Aya Abdel Rahman, anchor-woman of the Egyptian Extra News channel, announced on May 31 that she tested positive for the coronavirus.Additionally, veteran Egyptian actress Ragaa el-Gedawy tested positive for the coronavirus. The famed actress is currently in the Isolation Hospital in Ismailia.Famed TV anchor Wael el-Abrashy announced that he previously spoke to Gedawy and that she is in very good health, but her psychological condition is not okay, because she loves to be surrounded by her family and friends. "Family visits during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are behind the increase in the number of patients infected with COVID-19," presidential advisor Mohamed Awad Tag el-Deen said Sunday.He added that medical facilities are “still able” to handle the expected numbers.Although the restaurants and mosques were closed during Ramadan, which are places heavily frequented during the holy month, some people managed to exchange visits despite the curfew which began at 9 p.m.Tag el-Deen explained in a press conference that a protocol and home quarantine are advised for mild cases, appealing to the public to follow preventative measures. "The new procedures of diagnosis and treatment allow the immediate handling of coronavirus patients," the advisor stressed.At the same press conference, Health Minister Hala Zayed stated that the number of quarantine hospitals rose from 18 to 340 with a total capacity of 35,152 beds, 3,539 ICU beds, 2,218 ventilators, 125 CT scanners, and 643 X-Ray devices.Egypt recorded 1536 new coronavirus cases on May 31, raising the total number of confirmed cases since the outbreak in Egypt to 24985.
Source:Egypt Today
June 01, 2020 12:00 UTC
Egypt’s US dollar exchange rate rises Monday
US dollar exchange rates against the Egyptian pound increased in banks across Egypt on Monday, compared to Sunday’s exchange rates. The exchange rate for US dollars at the Central Bank of Egypt was set at LE15.83 for purchase and LE15.80 for selling, compared to LE15.80 for purchase and LE15.90 for selling on Sunday. Rates at the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) and Bank Misr increased by three piasters, recording LE15.82 for purchase and LE15.92 for selling. The price of the dollar in ALEXBANK reached LE15.83 for purchase and LE15.93 for selling. Dollar rates recorded LE15.83 for purchase and LE15.94 for selling at the Bank al-Qahira, the Commercial International Bank (CIB), the HSBC Bank, Audi Bank, the Arab African International Bank (AAIB), and the Suez Canal Bank.
Source:Egypt Independent
June 01, 2020 12:00 UTC
Egypt demolishes almost 26K unlicensed buildings in 65 days
FILE - Government removed an illegal building on agricultural lands- Press photo/ Ministry of Water Resources and IrrigationCAIRO – 1 June 2020: The Ministry of Local Development demolished 10,611 unlicensed buildings on state-owned and privately-held lands between March 25 and May 30 in addition to 15,249 buildings established on agricultural lands.There were 1,542 buildings constructed on more than 16,000 feddans owned by the state, and 13,707 buildings constructed on private 3,600 feddans.Construction is banned on agricultural lands even if privately held. As for state-owned lands, agricultural or not, the government launched a campaign in 2017 to remove squatters.In a different context, the amount of garbage collected between March 18 and May 28 has recorded 4.2 million tons with a daily average of 59,700 tons. The breakdown is 48.5 percent collected from Greater Cairo, 26 percent from Delta governorates, 13.4 percent from Upper Egypt, 9 percent from coastal governorates, and 3.3 percent from Suez Canal governorates.The Ministry of Local Development suspended for six months the issuance of construction licenses for private buildings in Greater Cairo, Alexandria, capitals of governorates, and main cities.The suspension includes licenses for modifications in the buildings like adding floors and expansions. The suspension is aimed at ensuring that terms and conditions pertinent to the construction are met.It is noted that President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi instructed the continuation of mega national projects while taking protective measures against COVID-19. Those mainly include constructions in the 20 planned new cities, public transportation facilities, and roads among others.In March, President Sisi instructed the postponement of the inauguration of national mega projects that were supposed to take place in 2020 to 2021, including the government’s relocation to the New Administrative Capital and the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
Source:Egypt Today
June 01, 2020 12:00 UTC
Egypt demolishes almost 26K unlicensed buildings in 65 buildings
FILE - Government removed an illegal building on agricultural lands- Press photo/ Ministry of Water Resources and IrrigationCAIRO – 1 June 2020: The Ministry of Local Development demolished 10,611 unlicensed buildings on state-owned and privately-held lands between March 25 and May 30 in addition to 15,249 buildings established on agricultural lands.There were 1,542 buildings constructed on more than 16,000 feddans owned by the state, and 13,707 buildings constructed on private 3,600 feddans.Construction is banned on agricultural lands even if privately held. As for state-owned lands, agricultural or not, the government launched a campaign in 2017 to remove squatters.In a different context, the amount of garbage collected between March 18 and May 28 has recorded 4.2 million tons with a daily average of 59,700 tons. The breakdown is 48.5 percent collected from Greater Cairo, 26 percent from Delta governorates, 13.4 percent from Upper Egypt, 9 percent from coastal governorates, and 3.3 percent from Suez Canal governorates.The Ministry of Local Development suspended for six months the issuance of construction licenses for private buildings in Greater Cairo, Alexandria, capitals of governorates, and main cities.The suspension includes licenses for modifications in the buildings like adding floors and expansions. The suspension is aimed at ensuring that terms and conditions pertinent to the construction are met.It is noted that President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi instructed the continuation of mega national projects while taking protective measures against COVID-19. Those mainly include constructions in the 20 planned new cities, public transportation facilities, and roads among others.In March, President Sisi instructed the postponement of the inauguration of national mega projects that were supposed to take place in 2020 to 2021, including the government’s relocation to the New Administrative Capital and the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
Source:Egypt Today
June 01, 2020 12:00 UTC
Telecom Egypt, Etisalat Misr sign 2 new agreements
Telecom Egypt premises - Creative Commons via WikimediaCAIRO – 1 June 2020: Telecom Egypt and Etisalat Misr signed two first of its kind agreements relating to transmission and mobile-to-fixed interconnection.Telecom Egypt clarified that the first agreement entails a development of the company’s transmission and infrastructure services' commercial model with Etisalat Misr, where Etisalat Misr for the first time signs a long-term agreement including an annual commitment for Telecom Egypt's infrastructure and transmission services.“The agreement will enable Etisalat Misr to continue delivering premium offers and mobile telecommunications services to its customers in the Egyptian market and extends for three and a half years with a total value of LE 2 billion,” it added.The second agreement is a mobile-to-fixed termination agreement representing the first commercial arrangement on mobile-to-fixed between Telecom Egypt and Etisalat Misr and the second for Telecom Egypt in the Egyptian market.“The transmission agreement is evidence that Telecom Egypt's long-term commercial model is indeed valued by all mobile operators in the market. 'We are pleased with the development of our strategic partnership with Telecom Egypt, a company that we consider to be our success partner in the Egyptian market. We always strive through such agreements to provide the latest and highest quality integrated services to our customers using the most advanced technological solutions prevalent in global markets. It has subsidiaries operating across British Islands, Western Europe, Northern Africa and Middle East.Etisalat Misr is a subsidiary of Etisalat group, with total presence in 16 countries across Africa, Middle East and Asia. Etisalat group entered the Egyptian market and commercially launched in May 2007.
Source:Egypt Today
June 01, 2020 11:48 UTC
Egypt dispatches coronavirus medical aid to Congo and Zambia
And in Zambia the aid plane was received by Egyptian Ambassador to Zambia Ahmed Mostafa, Vice President of Zambia Inonge Wina and several Zambian officials. Officials in both Zambia and the Congo expressed their deep gratitude to Egypt for its support in helping them confront the coronavirus outbreak. Egypt previously sent aid to other countries to help them in their fight against the pandemic. In May, Egypt sent a military airplane carrying medical aid to South Sudan to help the nation combat its COVID-19 pandemic. And in March and April, the Egyptian government sent two separate shipments carrying medical supplies to Italy.
Source:Egypt Independent
June 01, 2020 11:03 UTC
Egyptian minister follows up on construction of Tanzanian dam
The amount of electricity produced per annum will be 6,307 megawatts/hour. The capacity of the transmission lines connecting the plant to a regular power plant is 400 kilovolts.Four dams will be constructed in addition to the main dam in order to form the reservoir. Also, 2 temporary dams located in front of and behind the main dam will be in place to redirect Rufiji River while the main dam is being built. One of them is for emergencies.The project includes a tunnel extending on 703 meters to redirect the river, and 3 other tunnels transmitting water to the hydropower plant. The trade balance between the two countries is in favor of Egypt at $37.28 million.
Source:Egypt Today
June 01, 2020 11:03 UTC
Egypt amends bank working hours as of Tuesday
The governor of the Central Bank of Egypt has agreed to amend bank working hours for employees beginning Tuesday, June 2 to eight am to three pm, with customer hours being from eight am to 2:30 pm. Previous working hours were from nine am to four am for employees and 9:30 am to three pm for customers. The Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Banks (FEB) and President of Banque Misr Mohamed al-Etriby posted an official letter showing the new working hours on his Facebook page, following cooperation between the CBE and FEB. The decision came in response to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s amendment of Egypt’s curfew hours. Madbouly said earlier this month that life in Egypt will begin to return back to normal by mid-June, with restrictions currently in place to be lifted.
Source:Egypt Independent
June 01, 2020 10:18 UTC
Egypt's central bank issues LE 23.25B in T-bonds, bills Monday
FILE- CBECAIRO – 1 June 2020: The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, issued LE 23.25 billion in treasury bonds and bills on Monday, June 1.The T-bills are at a value of LE 20 billion. They will be offered in two installments; the first installment is valued at LE 9.5 billion with a 91-day term and the second is worth LE 10.5 billion with a 273-day term.While the T-bonds will be offered at a value of LE 3.25 billion with a 10-year term.For the current fiscal year, the budget deficit is estimated to record LE 445.1 billion, or 7.2 percent, planned by the ministry to be financed through treasury bills and bonds and through international and Arab loans.The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) decided May 14 to keep the overnight deposit rate, the overnight lending rate, and the rate of the main operation at 9.25 percent, 10.25 percent, and 9.75 percent, respectively. Moreover, credit and discount rates are cut at 9.75 percent from 12.75 percent.Earlier, CBE decided in March to cut the overnight deposit rate, the overnight lending rate, and the rate of the main operation in an emergency meeting by 300 basis points.Egypt's 2020/2021 draft budget aims to reduce public debt of GDP to 82.7 percent by end of June 2021, up from earlier target of 82.5 percent by the end of June 2020 and to 77.5 percent by the end of June 2022.
Source:Egypt Today
June 01, 2020 09:56 UTC