PM reviews completion of 1st phase projects of Decent Life initiative
The premier made the remarks during a meeting held Thursday to follow up on the completion of the first-phase projects of the initiative. This is in addition to preparations to move into the second phase of the initiative and begin implementing its service and development projects across the targeted villages nationwide. In this context, the prime minister directed that handover committees be formed swiftly for the completed projects so they can be brought into service. Additionally, only two projects remain in Ismailia Governorate, meaning that projects in these three governorates will then be fully completed. He also reviewed the projects currently being completed, along with their implementation and financial status.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 03, 2026 11:39 UTC
PM reviews progress at Fustat Gardens, West Dabaa development
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly instructed officials to complete all remaining works at the Fustat Gardens project at the highest quality standards ahead of its opening and start of operations. This came during a meeting at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital to review progress at Fustat Gardens and the new urban community west of Dabaa. During the meeting, officials reported that development works at the Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque square and the adjacent cultural area — which includes six restaurants and the Egyptian-Cairene Club — have been completed, bringing the overall project completion rate to approximately 95 percent. The meeting also reviewed inspections of architectural and structural works, sidewalks, parking areas, pedestrian paths, and utility networks, including water, sanitation, irrigation, electrical, mechanical, and fire-safety systems, with instructions to finalize the remaining items promptly and to specification. Additionally, they also reviewed the status of the new urban community west of Dabaa, covering infrastructure works, road preparation and paving, and the installation of water, sanitation, and electricity networks across the project.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 03, 2026 10:35 UTC
Hundreds of Egyptians to be released from Libyan prisons: Official
The Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs, Haddad al-Gohary, said that several hundred Egyptian citizens currently held in Libya will be released in the coming period. Procedures for their release and the resolution of their legal status are underway to facilitate their repatriation from Libyan prisons to Egypt, he explained. Foreign Ministry’s efforts pay offThe Foreign Ministry’s efforts during 2025 resulted in the repatriation of more than 3,000 Egyptian citizens from Libya accused of illegal immigration, the ambassador noted, alongside the release of over 1,200 citizens from Libyan prisons. He added that 300 bodies were repatriated at the state’s expense following the sinking of boats carrying illegal immigrants off the Libyan coast. He emphasized the necessity of respecting entry regulations to neighboring countries by obtaining official visas and documented employment contracts in order to protect the rights and lives of immigrating Egyptian citizens.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 03, 2026 10:21 UTC
TMG to launch post-AI project and begin Noor city deliveries in 2026
Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) is set to launch “The Spine”, a 2.4 million square metre project in East Cairo utilizingpost-artificial intelligence technologies, and will commence deliveries of the first phase of its Noor city development in 2026. The Spine project, located within the group’s Madinaty development, is designed to incorporate a mix of residential, administrative, commercial, and hotel zones. In line with its delivery schedules, TMG confirmed that units within the first phase of Noor city are scheduled for handover during 2026. TMG announced that approximately EGP 10bn will be invested to construct roughly 200 buildings within the project’s first phase. In the hospitality sector, TMG will continue construction on the Four Seasons Madinaty and Four Seasons Luxor hotels throughout 2026.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 02, 2026 15:43 UTC
Arab and Islamic nations issue urgent warning over Gaza’s deteriorating humanitarian crisis
The Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Qatar expressed their profound concern regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. This crisis has been further exacerbated by harsh and volatile weather conditions, including torrential rains and severe storms. These factors have also heightened the risk of disease outbreaks, especially among children, women, the elderly, and those with underlying medical conditions. Furthermore, they reaffirmed their full support for Security Council Resolution 2803 and the comprehensive plan presented by US President Donald Trump. The Ministers further demanded the immediate, full, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip through the United Nations and its agencies, without interference from any party.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 02, 2026 14:37 UTC
Angelina Jolie visits Rafah crossing, meets injured Palestinians and aid workers
Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing into Gaza on Friday, where she met with Red Crescent staff and truck drivers transporting humanitarian aid. Local media reported that Jolie, a former UNHCR special envoy, undertook the visit to observe the condition of injured Palestinians transferred to Egypt and to review aid deliveries to the war-torn territory. Her schedule also includes a stop at Al-Arish General Hospital, where she will meet injured Palestinians receiving medical treatment and evaluate their health and the quality of care being provided. ADVERTISEMENTThe visit comes amid mounting international concern over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, highlighting global support for Egypt’s efforts in receiving the wounded and delivering essential healthcare.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 02, 2026 14:22 UTC
Egypt’s agricultural exports surpass 9 million tons in 2025
The Egyptian Minister of Agriculture, Alaa Farouk, announced that agricultural exports surpassed 9 million tons in 2025. In a televised interview with Al-Qahera News (Cairo News), Farouk clarified that Egypt’s agricultural exports reached a total of 9.2 million tons. He noted that citrus fruits led the exports at 2.10 million tons, followed by potatoes at 1.4 million tons, sweet potatoes at 400,000 tons, and beans at 350,000 tons. Farouk emphasized that the Export Council and the Agricultural Quarantine Department are exerting every effort to expand into new markets. These efforts, he added, are bolstered by strong international relations, high product quality, and the continuous modernization of laboratories and quarantine procedures.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 02, 2026 13:41 UTC
Photos: Angelina Jolie arrives in North Sinai to review Gaza aid and medical efforts
Angelina Jolie, the renowned actress and former Special Envoy for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), arrived in Al-Arish, North Sinai, on Friday, accompanied by a delegation from the US Department of State. According to an official statement, Jolie is scheduled to visit the Rafah Border Crossing to observe the humanitarian conditions and the efforts to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip. Her itinerary also includes a visit to Al-Arish General Hospital to meet with injured Palestinians receiving medical care, where she will assess their health status and the quality of medical services provided to them. This visit takes place amidst growing international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and serves to underscore global support for Egypt’s ongoing efforts in receiving the wounded and providing necessary healthcare.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 02, 2026 13:36 UTC
Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City’s first Muslim mayor
Zohran Mamdani has become the Mayor of New York City after taking his constitutional oath in a historic setting—a decommissioned subway station in Manhattan. A private ceremony was held, presided over by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, a political ally of Mamdani. The event took place at the “Old City Hall” subway station, one of the city’s original underground stations. Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist, took his oath of office with his hand on a Quran before Attorney General James. Mamdani performed the oath with his hand placed on a centuries-old copy of the Holy Quran, marking the first time a Mayor of New York City has used the Quran for a constitutional swearing-in.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 02, 2026 05:41 UTC
Egypt braces for a sharp temperature drop and heavy nighttime fog on Friday
The Meteorological Authority released on Thursday the latest weather forecast for Cairo and the provinces. Cairo will see a daytime high of 19°C, followed by a significant drop to a chilly 10°C overnight. Weather maps warn of heavy morning fog on roads leading to and from Northern Egypt, Greater Cairo, Northern Upper Egypt, and Central Sinai. Moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast in parts of the northeastern North Coast and North Sinai, with light to moderate showers forecast for the northwestern North Coast and Lower Egypt. Forecasters also expect light rain in parts of Greater Cairo, the southern Delta, and the Canal cities, accompanied by wind activity along the North Coast and South Sinai.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 02, 2026 05:41 UTC
Egypt extends free 96-hour transit visa and Luxor-Aswan entry facilities until 2027
The Egyptian Cabinet on Wednesday decided to approve a request by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to extend the free ’96-hour’ transit visa for an additional year, effective until April 2027. The visa continues to apply to passengers on Egyptian airlines under existing regulations. In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the Cabinet also approved the Ministry’s request to extend the free emergency entry visa for travelers arriving by air at Luxor and Aswan airports during the summer seasons (from May until the end of October) of 2026 and 2027, maintaining the same regulations currently in place. This decision follows the positive impact of such measures on tourism flow from key markets, particularly those favoring cultural tourism within these two governorates. This initiative comes amid a steady growth in tourism arrivals and aligns with ongoing efforts to streamline entry visa facilities and enhance Egypt’s position as a leading global tourist destination.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 01, 2026 14:55 UTC
Defending churches is an Islamic duty equal to protecting mosques: Al-Azhar
The Sawt Al-Azhar newspaper published statements from the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayeb, refuting various misconceptions regarding greeting Christians in Egypt on their holidays. In his messages, the Grand Imam emphasized the human and Islamic values that promote tolerance and affection. Imam al-Tayeb clarified that greeting Christians on their holidays stems from the teachings of true religion, noting that Islam views non-Muslims through a lens of fraternity. The Grand Imam added that full equality in rights and duties among all citizens, regardless of their beliefs, is a fundamental principle in Islam. He stressed that the Quran and the Sunnah do not prohibit the construction of churches, and that Sharia law equates the defense of mosques with the defense of churches and synagogues.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 01, 2026 14:50 UTC
NASA could be weeks away from its biggest test in decades
Instead, Artemis II aims to test and verify the various systems and components of the crew’s spacecraft, called Orion. Darlene Beville of contractor ASRC Federal inspects the Artemis II heat shield in July 2020. The heat shield protects the Orion capsule and astronauts during reentry through Earth’s atmosphere. Isaac Watson/NASAThe heat shield showed abnormal wear and tear during the Artemis I test. NASAThe damage was not catastrophic and the heat shield still adequately protected the capsule, but NASA spent more than a year working to address the issue.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 01, 2026 14:35 UTC
Mali and Burkina Faso announce reciprocal travel ban on US citizens
Reuters — Mali and Burkina Faso have said they are imposing a travel ban on US citizens in response to an equivalent measure announced by the Trump administration Mali and Burkina Faso have said they are imposing a travel ban on US citizens in response to an equivalent measure announced by the Trump administration earlier this monthIn separate statements issued by their foreign ministries late on Tuesday, the two West African countries said they were acting in the name of “reciprocity” after the White House announced on December 16 that US President Donald Trump was adding them and five other countries to a list of those subject to a full travel ban. The White House said the expanded ban, set to take effect on January 1, applied to “countries with demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing to protect the Nation from national security and public safety threats.”Mali said on Tuesday that Washington’s decision to add it to the travel ban list had been taken without prior consultation and that the stated rationale was not justified by “actual developments on the ground.”Mali and Burkina Faso are not the first countries to take such measures affecting US citizens after being targeted by Trump’s travel restrictions. On December 25, neighboring Niger announced it would stop issuing visas to US citizens, the country’s state media agency reported, citing a Nigerien diplomatic source. In June, Chad announced it was suspending visa issuance to US citizens after it was included on an earlier list of 12 countries affected by a travel ban.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 01, 2026 14:35 UTC
PM reviews development works at SEMAF factory
CAIRO, Jan 1 (MENA) – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reviewed on Thursday the development and upgrading works at the SEMAF Factory, as part of the state’s ongoing follow-up on plans to modernize and upgrade industrial entities and enhance their production efficiency. Madbouly was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel al-Wazir, along with a number of ministers and senior officials.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 01, 2026 11:12 UTC