Who was al Qaeda leader and key 9/11 architect Ayman al-Zawahiri?
He proudly endorsed Sadat’s assassination after the Egyptian leader made peace with Israel. “We are working with brother bin Laden,” he said in announcing the merger of his terror group in May 1998. Before and after the September 11 attacks, Zawahiri appeared on numerous video and audiotapes calling for attacks against Western targets and urging Muslims to support his cause. Zawahiri became al Qaeda’s leader after US forces killed bin Laden in 2011. Zawahiri “was not a charismatic leader in the mold of bin Laden,” CNN National Security Analyst Peter Bergen said Monday.
Source:Egypt Independent
August 02, 2022 17:39 UTC
'Rafah Border Crossing is still open': Egyptian authorities confirm
CAIRO – 1 August 2022: The Egyptian Authorities confirmed Monday that Rafah Border Crossing is still open in both directions for the entry of passengers, and aid to Gaza Strip. Around a year ago, 11 days of Israeli aggression on the Gaza enclave left dozens of deaths, damaged and demolished countless houses, left tens of thousands of Palestinians homeless, and destroyed scores of businesses. Late last year, the committee announced launching the second phase of reconstructing the destroyed places in the strip. The second phase plan was announced in a conference held at al-Mashtal hotel in the strip, in the presence of representatives of the Palestinian government and factional delegations. Sarhan said on Monday that the Egyptian housing projects in the enclave are expected to be completed next year.
Source:Egypt Today
August 01, 2022 23:58 UTC
315 Egyptian companies apply to participate in El-Dabaa nuclear plant construction: NPPA
A total of 315 Egyptian companies applied to participate in the construction of the local component of the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant, Amgad El-Wakeel, Chairperson of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA), told Daily News Egypt. He explained that the main contractor for the nuclear project, Atomstroyexport, is responsible for selecting subcontractors. The equipment to be used in the construction will be supplied by Egyptian companies, and there are local companies that have concluded agreements with Russian and international counterparts to partake in the project. Some Egyptian companies also participate in building the infrastructure of the nuclear plant. The total capacity of the nuclear power plant is about 4800 MW, and it includes four reactors of a capacity of 1200 MW each.
Source:Daily News Egypt
August 01, 2022 16:25 UTC
Sudan raises alert after start of the 3rd filling of GERD
He pointed out that the past quantities ranged between 50 and 60 million cubic meters per day, adding that the amount of incoming water would reach 500 million cubic meters per day early next week. Sharaki added in statements to Masrawy news website that the Nile River is one of the powerful rivers, as last year it recorded the supply of nearly 860 million cubic meters, or nearly one billion per day. He pointed out that the Sudanese dams empty thier quantities of water in order to be able to receive the quantities of the new flood. “This flood is expected to be less than last year’s flood,” he added. Sharaki pointed out that the amount of retained water, whether in the first, second or third filling, is considered among the shares of the downstream countries.
Source:Egypt Independent
August 01, 2022 10:29 UTC
Egypt aims to increase petroleum production to 790 bln during new fiscal year 22/23
CAIRO - 30 July 2022: During the new fiscal year 2022/2023, the government aims to increase production for the petroleum and mineral resources sector at current prices from 671.5 billion pounds in the previous year to about 790.9 billion pounds, an increase of 17.8 percent, according to the economic and social development plan submitted by the Minister of Planning, Dr. Hala Al-Saeed, and approved by both houses of Parliament (Representatives, Senators). At constant prices, it is expected to rise to about 675.5 billion pounds during the same period, with a slight increase of 0.6 percent. The increase in production of crude oil and natural gas at these high rates is due to the rise in international energy prices. The government targest to increase the output of the extractive sector to reach 686.9 billion pounds at current prices, compared to 575.6 billion pounds in the previous year, achieving a growth rate of more than 18.1 percent, at constant prices, to reach 581.2 billion pounds in the same period, with a slight increase of 1 percent due to the decline in the output of extractives Crude oil by 2.9 percent.
Source:Egypt Today
July 30, 2022 23:45 UTC
Egypt to organize a grand celebration to the centennial of Tutankhamun’s tomb discovery on November 4
This unique opera is tailor made to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the golden king Tut’s tomb. Tutankhamun opera will continue for five days in front of the Temple of Hatshepsut. Sir Howard Carter, British archaeologist and Egyptologist, had made it his life’s quest to find the tomb of King Tutankhamun. One, however, proved to be elusive; King Tutankhamun, whose resting place had yet to be found and who Egyptologists knew very little about. Alas, even after five years of work, Carter wasn’t able to report back on anything substantial.
Source:Egypt Today
July 30, 2022 23:05 UTC
Misr Finance aims to increase its portfolio to $132mln within 3-5 years
Misr Finance, which was recently established by Misr Insurance Holding Company, aims to increase its financing portfolio to EGP 2.5bn within 3-5 years. Mahmoud El-Sakka, Chairperson of Misr Finance, said that the company obtained an operating licence for financial leasing and factoring from the Financial Regulatory Authority. Misr Insurance Holding owns 85% of Misr Finance, while the remaining percentage is distributed among subsidiaries of the holding company; 10% by Misr Life Insurance, and 5% by Misr Real Estate Management. The investment portfolio at Misr Insurance jumped for the first time in the group’s history to more than EGP 75bn. During the coming period, the group aims to expand in non-bank financial activities, including financial leasing, factoring, microfinance, and consumer finance, in addition to increasing its investments in the health and education sectors and supporting MSMEs.
Source:Daily News Egypt
July 29, 2022 19:39 UTC
French President discusses Europe’s energy crisis with Saudi Crown Prince
French President Emmanuel Macron discussed and stressed the importance of working with Saudi Arabia to resolve Europe’s energy fears in a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday. The French President underlined “the importance of pursuing the committed coordination with Saudi Arabia in the perspective of the diversification of European states’ energy supplies,” according to an Élysée Palace readout released Friday. In a wide-ranging discussion, the two also touched upon the question of human rights in Saudi Arabia. This week, Russia’s state-owned gas company Gazprom cut flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany in half, to just 20% of its capacity. In response to the turmoil, the White House dispatched presidential coordinator for global energy Amos Hochstein to Europe on Tuesday, officials said.
Source:Egypt Independent
July 29, 2022 11:32 UTC
LE100 added to ration cards for 6 months to support poor citizens: PM
The government has taken some decisions to support the less well off citizens, as it has decided to add LE100 to each ration card per month for a period of six months, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, said, on Thursday. Madbouly added, during a press conference after the government meeting, Thursday, that the country has a reserve of wheat sufficient for seven months. Madbouly stated that the government has added one million new families to benefit from the “Takaful and Karama” program, thus bringing total beneficiaries of the program who will receive direct financial support to more than five million families. The Ministry of Religious Endowments, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, will distribute sacrifice meat throughout the year. The Ministry of Finance shall provide the necessary financial resources in this regard, amounting to about LE11 billion.
Source:Egypt Independent
July 29, 2022 09:58 UTC
At least 15 injured in Kyiv region missile strikes
At least 15 people were injured in Thursday morning strikes in the Kyiv region, according to Andrii Nebytov, the head police in the Kyiv region. More than 20 projectiles were fired in five separate attacks on the area — hitting a military facility — Oleksiy Kuleba, the head of Kyiv region state administration, posted on Telegram. “Two more missiles were shot down by air defence forces,” Kuleba said. “The enemy launched a rocket attack on a community in the Vyshhorod district this morning. An infrastructure target was hit,” Kuleba said earlier.
Source:Egypt Independent
July 29, 2022 02:16 UTC
Egypt plans to push for developed countries to fulfill $100B pledge to supporting climate action in developing nations at COP 27
CAIRO – 28 July 2022: Minister of Environment Yasmin Fouad stated in a phone-in Wednesday that Egypt plans to push for developed countries to fulfill their $100-billion pledge – made in 2009 - to support climate action in developing nations at COP 27 it is hosting next November in Sharm El Sheikh. Minister Fouad stated earlier this week that registration for the COP27 summit has been open since June 24, and that the number of attendees is expected to range between 25,000-30,000. Energy, carbon dioxide reduction, women, civil society and youth, water, adaptation, financing will be discussed on the unofficial days of the Cop 27 conference due to convene on November 6- 18, said Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad in comments to Youm7 in June. Since Egypt was announced to be the host of the upcoming United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP 27), all state agencies have been working to prepare for the global event, and steps were taken to declare the hosting city, Sharm el-Sheikh, a green city. Also all hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh will also be powered by solar energy, through the spaces inside each hotel separately, using the net metering system, whereby the solar energy capacities will be increased with this system to reach 1000 megawatts instead of 300 megawatts.
Source:Egypt Today
July 28, 2022 17:29 UTC
Abu Maliha Valley: A destination for nature lovers
CAIRO – 28 July 2022: North of the city of Hurghada, in the Red Sea, 55 km away, lies the Abu Maliha Valley, which is characterized by a unique nature and a rainwater lake surrounded with palm trees. Abu Maliha is a place with a special nature, as it is considered within the extension of Jabal Al Dukhan and Jabal Shayeb Al Banat, which is the highest peak in the Red Sea and is also called Everest of the Red Sea. It is considered an oasis of paradise that lacks marketing and presentation, and deserves to be listed as one of the main tourist destinations. Walking in Abu Maliha Valley is a pleasure that only those who practice it will feel, as they walk between greenery and water surfaces, besides the yellow sand forms an breathtaking view, resembling an artistic painting. Rain water that falls on the mountainous heights that border the valley, led to the growth of mountain trees and palms.
Source:Egypt Today
July 28, 2022 13:57 UTC
Global trend to provide double vaccine for both COVID, seasonal influenza mulled: Health Ministry Spox
CAIRO – 27 July 2022: Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesman for the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, said that there is a global study and a strong trend to give a vaccine that combines the Corona virus and seasonal influenza to citizens during the coming period. He explained that Egypt is waiting for the final decision in this regard to start using it. The double vaccine does not have no harmful effects, and it combines two viruses, especially due to the spread of viruses during the winter season, and the vaccine works to enhance the body’s immunity against viruses, he added in statements to Watan Newspaper. The official spokesman of the Ministry of Health and Population added that citizens should obtain vaccinations because they reduce the severity of any disease and turn its symptoms into simple and mild, instead of severe. “The Corona virus pandemic has proven the importance of vaccines,” he explained, pointing out that the death rates of the COVID pandemic have decreased to the lowest rates due to citizens obtaining vaccines.
Source:Egypt Today
July 28, 2022 00:35 UTC
Coronavirus vaccine can be obtained 3 months after recovery: official
The coronavirus vaccine can be obtained after three months of recovery from the virus, the Ministry of Health and Population, said. The Ministry of Health and Population added the vaccine reduces the chances of infection with the virus and helps reduce serious complications when infected. The seventh version of the treatment protocol will be updated within hours and new drugs will be added, he continued. Pharmacies in Egypt started receiving shipments of the first drug to treat the coronavirus, on Tuesday, local media reported. The symptoms of the current coronavirus mutant are simple and similar to colds, he added.
Source:Egypt Independent
July 27, 2022 23:13 UTC
Most Qatar World Cup teams to be based inside 10km radius
MANCHESTER, England, July 26 (Reuters) - Three quarters of the teams at the World Cup finals in Qatar will be based within a 10km radius of each other, FIFA said on Tuesday, announcing the hotels and training venues for the 32 national sides. FIFA said 24 of the 32 teams are based within a short drive of each other close to the capital Doha. The tournament starts on Nov. 21 and runs until the final on Dec. 18 and is played at eight venues. Teams will check in to their hotels and training camps at least five days before their first match. FIFA said the accommodation "range from four- and five-star hotels to villas, resorts and non-hotel accommodation, including sports academy residences and school/university housing."
Source:Egypt Today
July 27, 2022 21:26 UTC