Egypt targets 30 million annual tourists following record 19 million arrivals
Egypt is targeting 30 million tourists annually following a record 19 million arrivals last year, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday during a meeting to review measures for facilitating entry procedures and improving the visitor experience. “We currently have an increase in numbers; last year we reached an unprecedented figure of 19 million tourists, and we have the opportunity to reach target figures,” Madbouly said. He noted that the growth in arrivals has been supported by the opening and operation of the Grand Egyptian Museum. The government is focusing on streamlining procedures at airports and increasing the number of hotel rooms to sustain this growth, Madbouly added. The initiative aims to reduce airport congestion and improve the efficiency of border points to enhance Egypt’s global competitiveness, El-Homsani added.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 17:44 UTC
US–China friction intensifies following Maduro’s abduction
The abduction and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ignited a sharp political confrontation between Washington and Beijing. This escalation comes as Washington moves forward with Maduro’s trial in New York, while President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies its regional rhetoric regarding an ‘alternative administration’ for Venezuela. In this unprecedented military operation, American forces carried out a lightning air raid on Caracas on Saturday, January 3. Venezuela issues statementIn response, the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela issued its first official comment following the abduction of President Maduro. The complaints demand international condemnation of the US and that it be held accountable for the military operation and the arrest of a sovereign head of state.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 14:35 UTC
Trump’s Armada: A state-sponsored intimidation
He described the formidable fleet stationed in the Caribbean as a “massive armada”, marking the most significant display of hard power in Latin American waters in decades. An analysis of Trump’s colonialist rhetoric reveals a streak of state-sponsored intimidation. The state-sponsored intimidation of the Trump administration is poised to continue. He worked as Editor-in-Chief of CBC Extra channel, which he founded, as former Managing-Editor of Al Watan newspaper, and former Executive Editor-in-Chief of its website. He also co-founded the Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper, the Al Watan newspaper, and the Al Ashera Masaan program on Dream TV channel, and was the Head of Program Editing at Alhurra channel.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 14:20 UTC
China’s robot sports craze could eventually put humanoids in homes
Today, the country has over 150 humanoid robot companies, and this number is steadily increasing, according to officials. This robot sports craze comes as humanoid robots emerge as a key front of China’s global tech competition with the US and other countries. Spectators watch as humanoid robots compete in the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China, on August 17, 2025. Unitree Robotics and Tiangong humanoid robots compete in the 100m final at the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games on August 17, 2025. At Beijing’s World Humanoid Robot Games, one robot crashed into a human operator, while another made an unexpected 90-degree turn to collide with the referee seats.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 13:40 UTC
Why the US action against Maduro recalls Panama — not Iraq
Now that the United States has taken decisive action to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power, the inevitable comparisons are already flying. That is especially the case when it comes to the use of military power, the application of which must be tied to clear, articulated and achievable aims. Maduro is now facing trial in New York, just as Noriega did in Florida, where the former leader of Panama was convicted of crimes including drug trafficking and money laundering. “Out of our many military ventures since Korea,” he told me, “Panama must be considered one of our most successful. His 2020 indictment in New York lists counts of narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and corruption.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 13:40 UTC
PM begins field tour of development project sites in Luxor
LUXOR, Egypt, Jan 3 (MENA) – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has highlighted the significant progress of development projects in Luxor, especially those under the presidential “Decent Life” initiative aiming to improve rural areas. The premier’s remarks came during a field visit to follow up on the implementation progress of the projects being implemented in the Upper Egyptian governorate. He inspected ongoing projects in Esna and Armant, two key districts in the province. The prime minister was accompanied by Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment Manal Awad, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Sherif al-Sherbiny and a host of respective officials, including the governor of Luxor. Governor of Luxor Abdel Muttaleb Emara praised the project’s impact on the local community, noting that the improvements are unprecedented in these rural areas.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 10:29 UTC
PM hands over housing contracts to beneficiaries in Luxor
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly handed over housing contracts to beneficiaries of the national housing project for youth in the town of Tod, during his visit to several development and service projects in Luxor on Saturday. The project, known as “Tod Housing,” involves the completion of 30 residential buildings. Hosni Mansour, project supervisor from Wadi El Nil Company, briefed the premier on details about the project, which includes 30 buildings, each containing 20 units of 65 square meters, totaling 600 residential units. The project, known as “Tod Housing,” began in 2008, but work had been halted before being resumed in recent months. By November and December 2022, 10 buildings with 200 units were handed over, while 20 more buildings are expected to be finalized by mid-2026.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 10:19 UTC
Who is Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s leader after Maduro’s capture?
Following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro during a US military operation in Venezuela, the command of the South American country has fallen into the hands of Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. Under Articles 233 and 234, whether the absence is temporary or absolute, the vice president takes over the presidential duties. Standing before the Venezuelan flag, Rodríguez said the early-morning operation represents a blatant violation of international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty. Hours after Maduro’s capture, and before Rodríguez addressed the National Defense Council, US President Donald Trump said at a press conference that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with the vice president. In her first messages following Maduro’s capture, Rodríguez showed no signs of backing down and, without referencing Trump’s statements, closed the door to any potential cooperation with the United States.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 09:07 UTC
Angelina Jolie visits al-Mehwar Hospital in 6th of October City to check on injured Palestinians
World-renowned actress Angelina Jolie visited the al-Mehwar Hospital in 6th of October City on Saturday morning, on the sidelines of her official visit to Egypt, to follow up on humanitarian support efforts for the Palestinian people. During her visit to Mehwar Hospital, which receives many injured Palestinians, she praised the hospital’s role in treating the wounded and commended its extensive facilities and medical staff. The international actress emphasized the importance of international and local cooperation in providing support to Palestinians. Jolie visits the Rafah CrossingThe Hollywood star paid an official visit to the Rafah border crossing and al-Arish Hospital on Friday to follow up on humanitarian support efforts and express her solidarity with the Palestinian people. She praised Egypt’s efforts in containing the situation and delivering humanitarian and relief aid.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 09:03 UTC
Inside the operation: How the US moved to capture Nicolás Maduro
This photo posted by President Donald Trump to the social platform Truth Social appears to show Nicolas Maduro in US custody. Even before the first US military strike on an alleged drug-carrying boat from Venezuela in early September, the plan to remove Maduro from power was already in motion. This photo posted by US President Donald Trump to the social platform Truth Social appears to show operations for the Venezuela strike. The assets included a CIA source operating within the Venezuelan government who assisted the United States with tracking Maduro’s location and movements ahead of his capture, one source briefed on the operation told CNN. Caine said Maduro and his wife “gave up” to the US military personnel before being flown out of the country.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 09:03 UTC
Zohran Mamdani comments on arrest of Nicolás Maduro
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani commented on the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Saturday, carried out by US Army Delta Force in an operation dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve”“This morning I was informed of the US military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and the arrangements being made for their incarceration in federal custody in New York City,” Mamdani said, according to the Israeli news site Ynet. The mayor of New York City explained that a unilateral attack on a sovereign nation constitutes an act of war and a violation of both federal and international law. He added that this blatant attempt at regime change impacts not only those outside the country but also those back in home, particularly in New York which includes tens of thousands of Venezuelans who have made the city their home. Mamdani concluded, “My focus is on the safety of Venezuelans in New York and the American people of this city,” emphasizing that his administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue necessary guidance.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 08:37 UTC
Egypt achieves unprecedented number of tourists in 2025: Ministry
Egypt achieved an unprecedented tourism performance in 2025, welcoming approximately 19 million tourists and setting a new record with a growth rate of 21 percent compared to 2024. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy hailed this progress as a “great accomplishment”, one which confirms Egypt’s competitiveness. He credited the country’s renewed security, stability, and specialized vision on diversifying the types and products of tourism offered to the Egyptian destination. In 2025, Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Marsa Alam airports topped the list of airports receiving the most tourists, reflecting the geographical diversity of Egyptian tourist destinations and their ability to attract different segments of tourists from multiple markets. Tourist flights last year were operated from 193 cities worldwide to various Egyptian tourist destinations, a clear indication of the expansion of the international air network and the increasing demand for visits to Egypt.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 08:34 UTC
Gaza tents are insufficient to withstand the bitter cold: Report
The Guardian newspaper explained that this undermines claims that Palestinians in Gaza are receiving adequate shelter. It revealed that the recently delivered tents, which house hundreds of thousands of people, are likely to need replacing. The assessment indicated that these tents tear easily due to poor weaving quality, adding that the fabric is not waterproof. It explained that 20,000 of the 90,000 tents that entered Gaza had been supplied to the UN or other major international NGOs. The report cited Palestinians in Gaza and humanitarian officials as saying that the tents being sold by contractors were insufficient for Gaza’s winter needs and prohibitively expensive.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 08:24 UTC
Textile, spinning industry development project receives strong political support: El-Shimy
Mohamed El-Shimy, Minister of Public Enterprises Sector, said that the national project to develop the textile and spinning industry is receiving strong support and close attention from the political leadership, noting its pivotal role in strengthening national industry and boosting the competitiveness of Egyptian products in both local and international markets. El-Shimy explained that Misr Spinning and Weaving Company in El Mahalla El Kubra represents a cornerstone of the project. The meeting formed part of the ongoing follow-up on the implementation of the national textile and spinning industry development project. Discussions addressed several shared work files and explored ways to enhance cooperation and coordination between the Ministry of Public Enterprises Sector and Gharbia Governorate. The governor also praised the Minister of Public Enterprises Sector for his continuous follow-up and efforts to support plans to revitalise the company and enhance its competitiveness.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 03, 2026 21:05 UTC