Sisi greets Egyptians, the world on New Year
CAIRO, Dec 31 (MENA) – President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi extended his heartfelt greetings to the Egyptian people and to peoples around the world on the occasion of the New Year 2026. In a post on his official social media accounts, Sisi expressed hope that the new year would bring goodness and prosperity, and that peace and stability would prevail across the world. He voiced his wish for wars and crises to come to an end and for values of cooperation, integration, and peaceful coexistence to grow in pursuit of a better future for all humanity. The President concluded his message by wishing everyone well and affirming his hope that Egypt will always remain safe and prosperous.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 01, 2026 09:59 UTC
Netanyahu and Trump consider new attacks on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the possibility of launching a new offensive against Iran in 2026 during his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday, according to a report by Axios. Both Trump and Netanyahu viewed the 12-day conflict with Iran in June as a major success. Following the meeting, Trump stated that if Iran attempted to rebuild its nuclear program, the US would ‘destroy it’ once again, while simultaneously adding that he would prefer to reach a nuclear deal with Tehran. Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials have warned recently that Iran is seeking to rebuild its missile program. During the meeting, Netanyahu discussed with Trump the status of Iran’s nuclear program six months after the conflict and raised Israel’s concerns regarding the Iranian missile program, according to sources.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 01, 2026 08:37 UTC
How AI shook the world in 2025 and what comes next
Hundreds of billions of dollars spent, a surge in mental health concerns and thousands of jobs lost. Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesThis year, Trump introduced an AI action plan aimed at stripping back regulation and boosting AI use in the government. Several AI applications seen on a smartphone screen, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Microsoft Copilot, Meta AI, Grok and DeepSeek. Mental health experts and safety advocates say they hope to see greater guardrails from tech companies, especially when it comes to young AI users. Microsoft, Amazon and Meta, among other tech companies, made significant cuts to their staff, driven at least in part by AI.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 31, 2025 13:24 UTC
Churches across Egypt celebrate New Year with hymns, prayers, and Christmas trees
Churches all throughout Egypt, representing various denominations (Orthodox, Evangelical, Catholic, and Anglican), are preparing to welcome the New Year this evening with prayers, spiritual vigils, and festive rituals. These celebrations will include hymns and Christmas carols, reflecting the spirituality of the occasion and joy at the end of one year and the beginning of another. Festive joyThe churches are adorned inside with Christmas trees, Santa Claus figures, angels, and flowers in vibrant shades of green, red, and white—the colors characteristic of New Year’s celebrations. The evening prayer includes Kiahk hymns and praises to the Virgin Mary, according to the established church ritual. The dioceses of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the governorates and other denominations will at the same time see similar celebrations in the presence of the Metropolitans and Bishops, amidst hymns and church chants, in addition to artistic and service performances.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 31, 2025 13:14 UTC
Ramadan Sobhi sentenced to one year in prison for exam fraud
The Giza Criminal Court on Tuesday sentenced Ramadan Sobhi, a player for Pyramids FC, to one year in prison with hard labor over the case of exam fraud in which he and three others were accused. The court also convicted the individual who took the exams for the other defendant and sentenced him to the same punishment. The court acquitted a security guard involved in the case, and sentenced the fourth defendant, who remains at large and is known as “Tarek al-Masry,” to 10 years in prison. Al-Masry Al-Youm observed Sobhi being transported under heavy security escort to his prison at kilometer 10.5 on the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road after the verdict was issued. Sobhi explained that his interest in these documents was for travel and social appearance purposes, denying any knowledge of the exam details or any impersonation.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 31, 2025 12:48 UTC
Egypt comments on Saudi-UAE dispute in Yemen
Egypt announced that it is closely monitoring recent developments in Yemen and is conducting intensive, round-the-clock contacts at the highest levels with all relevant parties. In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, Egypt affirmed its complete confidence in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE to deal wisely with the current developments in Yemen. Egypt called for upholding Arab unity during this critical period for Yemen and the region. Egypt affirmed that it will spare no effort in continuing its ongoing contacts with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as with the Yemeni side and other relevant regional and international parties, to work towards de-escalation. It emphasized its commitment to working towards a comprehensive political settlement in Yemen that fulfills its legitimate aspirations towards a secure and prosperous future and support stability in the region.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 31, 2025 12:34 UTC
As Russia approaches a grim milestone, Putin projects confidence
But as the year comes to an end, Putin is projecting confidence that time is on his side and that winning is inevitable. That spectacle was followed by a very public dressing-down of Zelensky by Trump and Vance in the Oval Office. The relationship between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump was turbulent in early 2025, but appeared to heal as the year progressed. The US president, who often has words of praise for Putin, expressed frustration with his Russian counterpart. Asked later about the video during his year-end press conference, Putin was dismissive, mocking the Ukrainian president as “a talented artist” engaged in theatrics.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 31, 2025 09:26 UTC
Egypt's GlobalCorp issues eighth securitization bond
GlobalCorp Financial Services has successfully completed its eighth securitization bond issuance, valued at EGP 2.5bn, following approval from Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA). A notable feature of the issuance was the participation of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), marking its first-ever investment in an Egyptian securitization bond. The issuance was led by Commercial International Bank (CIB) and Al Ahly Pharos as financial advisors, arrangers, promoters, and issuance managers. Subscription saw participation from several major financial institutions, including the National Bank of Egypt, Commercial International Bank, Arab African International Bank, Suez Canal Bank, Al Baraka Bank, Attijariwafa Bank, in addition to the International Finance Corporation. Founded in 2015, GlobalCorp Financial Services Group provides integrated financial solutions across leasing, factoring, securitization, consumer finance, and mortgage finance.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 31, 2025 06:27 UTC
Valero Developments partners with KAD to strengthen project management, operational performance
Valero Developments has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with KAD Commercial Property Management to enhance the operational performance of its projects and support their long-term investment value. The agreement was signed by Ahmed Fahmy, Chairman of Valero Developments, and Maha El-Fangary, General Manager of KAD Commercial Property Management, in the presence of senior executives from both companies. He added that partnering with KAD supports Valero’s integrated approach by bringing specialized expertise in facilities and property management. The partnership, he said, will enable Valero Developments to integrate specialized operational and facilities management services that help maintain project quality over time and enhance sustainability. For her part, El-Fangary said the cooperation brings together Valero Developments’ real estate expertise and KAD’s professional project and property management capabilities, with the shared goal of improving operational efficiency and maximizing project value.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 30, 2025 19:58 UTC
GlobalCorp issues eighth securitization bond worth EGP 2.5bn
GlobalCorp Financial Services has successfully completed its eighth securitization bond issuance, valued at EGP 2.5bn, following approval from Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA). A notable feature of the issuance was the participation of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), marking its first-ever investment in an Egyptian securitization bond. IFC’s involvement reflects growing international confidence in GlobalCorp’s financial strength and asset quality, while contributing to the development and diversification of Egypt’s securitization market. The issuance was led by Commercial International Bank (CIB) and Al Ahly Pharos as financial advisors, arrangers, promoters, and issuance managers. Founded in 2015, GlobalCorp Financial Services Group provides integrated financial solutions across leasing, factoring, securitization, consumer finance, and mortgage finance.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 30, 2025 19:58 UTC
MSMEDA expands marketing support for SMEs: Rahmy
Basil Rahmy, CEO of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing strong marketing support to small and medium-sized enterprise owners by facilitating their participation in various exhibitions, particularly international fairs, to help develop their products and expand access to regional and global markets. Rahmy explained that MSMEDA aims to enhance the productive capacities of SMEs and prepare them for export, with a special focus on promising African markets. These remarks were made on the sidelines of MSMEDA’s participation in the 33rd edition of the FIDAK International Fair in Senegal, organized in coordination with the Egyptian Exhibitions and Conferences Authority. The agency is represented by a number of project owners showcasing a diverse selection of productive and handicraft goods that are in demand in the Senegalese market, including leather products, carpets, ready-made garments, and heritage items. Rahmy emphasized that exhibition participation also helps project owners gain deeper insights into market needs, allowing them to develop existing products or introduce new offerings that better meet customer demand.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 30, 2025 19:57 UTC
Egypt, Sudan move to deepen industrial, trade cooperation
Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, met with Sudan’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Mahasin Ali Yaqoub, and her accompanying delegation to explore ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand industrial and trade cooperation between the two countries. At the outset of the meeting, Al-Wazir underscored the historic and geographic ties linking Egypt and Sudan, reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to supporting its Arab neighbors. He stressed that Cairo places high priority on deepening cooperation with Sudan—particularly in the industrial and trade sectors—to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity. Discussions focused on enhancing industrial integration and facilitating trade exchange. The Egyptian Ministry of Industry presented its vision for closer industrial cooperation with Sudan, emphasizing the optimal use of Sudan’s abundant raw materials and skilled labor to establish joint industrial projects that increase value addition and benefit both economies.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 30, 2025 19:57 UTC
Egypt moves to deepen local manufacturing, cut textile imports
Discussions also highlighted the difficulty some local textile and garment factories face in competing with imported products that are not subject to the same level of regulatory oversight in terms of quality standards and pricing. Al-Wazir stated that the Ministry of Industry, in coordination with relevant authorities and the Federation of Egyptian Industries, has formed a committee to address customs evasion and curb practices that harm local industry. He said the committee will intensify its efforts in the coming period to ensure that spinning, textile, and garment factories import raw materials and production inputs strictly in line with their actual production capacities. He instructed the Industrial Development Authority to require investors seeking licences for ready-made garment factories to incorporate spinning and textile manufacturing components within their projects to ensure full industrial integration. He called for encouraging factories and companies to expand yarn and textile manufacturing and increase investment to maximise value addition.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 30, 2025 19:14 UTC
ECS, Expolink explore stronger cooperation to boost Egyptian exports
Head of the Egyptian Commercial Service (ECS), Abdel Aziz El-Sherif, received Mohamed Kassem, Chairperson of the Egyptian Exporters Association (Expolink), along with several members of the association’s board, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and enhance Egyptian exports. El-Sherif stated that the coming period will witness intensified collaboration with Expolink to implement targeted action plans for key foreign markets. He noted that the meeting forms part of the ECS’s ongoing efforts to coordinate with national export-related entities to improve Egyptian products’ access to global markets, strengthen cooperation mechanisms, and identify promising export opportunities. The head of the ECS emphasised that Expolink is a strategic partner in Egypt’s export ecosystem, underscoring the importance of expanding the exporter base and prioritising high value-added sectors and industries. For his part, Mohamed Kassem highlighted the long-standing partnership between Expolink and the ECS, whether in supporting export growth or attracting foreign investment.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 30, 2025 18:56 UTC
Reefy secures FRA approval for EGP 1.064bn securitisation bond issuance
Microfinance Enterprise Services – Reefy announced that it has received final approval from the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) for the third issuance under its second securitisation programme, with a total value of EGP 1.064bn, in favour of Egyptian Securitisation Company. The third securitisation issuance is structured into three tranches: a first tranche valued at EGP 451m with a six-month maturity; a second tranche of EGP 413m with a 12-month maturity; and a third tranche amounting to EGP 200m with a 19-month maturity. Both the first and second tranches were awarded a Prime 1 rating—the highest credit rating—while the third tranche received an A- rating. These ratings are consistent with those assigned to the corresponding tranches in the previous issuance, underscoring the stability of Reefy’s financing portfolio and the robustness of the issuance’s credit structure. The company currently serves approximately 145,000 clients through a network of 220 branches across 22 governorates nationwide.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 30, 2025 18:12 UTC