Germany must halt all arms deliveries to Saudi - Merkel ally
© dpa/AFP/File | German Chancellor Angela MerkelBERLIN – 22 October 2018: Germany would lose credibility if it proceeds with any deliveries of weapons to Saudi Arabia, even those approved before the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a senior German lawmaker said on Monday.Norbert Roettgen, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and head of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, said all such arms sales should be halted until the case was cleared up. "Even those deals that were already approved cannot happen now, as long as the case has not been resolved, and as long as there have been no substantial consequences in Riyadh," Roettgen told broadcaster ZDF. "We would completely lose our credibility."
Source:Egypt Today
October 22, 2018 20:15 UTC
Oil little changed despite Saudi pledge to boost output
A maze of crude oil pipes and valves is pictured during a tour by the Department of Energy at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Freeport, Texas, U.S. June 9, 2016. He added that Riyadh had capacity to increase production to 12 million bpd.“Oil prices are finely balanced in today’s trading session despite the Saudi pledge to boost production. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) CLc1 for November delivery also rose 5 cents to settle at $69.17 on its last day as the U.S. front-month. In intraday trade, WTI fell as low as $68.27, its lowest since Sept. 14.Several U.S. lawmakers, meanwhile, have suggested imposing sanctions on Saudi Arabia over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Investors are watching and waiting for the next chapter before positioning themselves accordingly,” Cincotta said.U.S.
Source:Egypt Today
October 22, 2018 19:30 UTC
Gov't denies database of Egyptians abroad will result in taxes
Ministry of Immigration Nabila Makram – File photo/Amr MoustafaCAIRO - 22 October 2018: The Cabinet Media Center denied Monday that the government is creating a database of Egyptians abroad to impose taxes on them; rather, the data entry will be used to integrate them in the 2030 vision.Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli decreed Saturday that a national committee will compile the information. The committee will be headed by Minister of Emigration Nabila Makram and with members from the Foreign Ministry, Manpower Ministry, Planning Ministry and the Ministry of Communications, as well as representatives of the Central Bank of Egypt and the Administrative Control Authority.The database will in fact be created per the request of many Egyptians abroad, according to the Emigration Ministry, which condemned rumors that claim otherwise on social media.The committee is tasked with determining the capabilities and expertise of Egyptians abroad who would like to support the country’s sustainable development plan “Egypt Vision 2030.”
Source:Egypt Today
October 22, 2018 18:11 UTC
FM visits Riyadh to deliver message from Sisi to King Salman
President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi during his meeting with King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in the futuristic city of NEOM – Press PhotoCAIRO - 22 October 2018: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry headed Monday evening to Riyadh with a message from President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi to King Salman Al Saud.The message tackles Egyptian-Saudi relations and means to enhance joint consultation and coordination in regional matters of mutual concern, according to a statement by Egypt’s Foreign Ministry.On Saturday, Egypt applauded the results of investigations announced by Saudi top prosecutor into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "Egypt finds that the brave and decisive decisions and actions taken by the Saudi King in this matter align with his majesty's approach that respects the principles of law and application of effective justice," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.The legal measures taken by Saudi Arabia will uncover the truth and prevent “all attempts to politicize the issue,” the statement added.
Source:Egypt Today
October 22, 2018 17:59 UTC
LE50,000 license fee for online publications
FILE - Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation Abdel Fatah al-GebalyCAIRO - 22 October 2018: The Supreme Council for Media Regulation has set the license fee for operating an online publication at LE50,000 ($2,777), slated to be renewed every five years. Those who do not obtain a license within six months will be considered illegal and subject to punishment by authorities.“Our goal is adjusting the media sector in Egypt. We are for ultimate freedom. We operate within the legislative framework regulating work,” the council’s Deputy Chairman Abdel Fatah al-Gebaly said in a press conference.“Terrorist entities and others involved in sedition against the state will be deprived from licenses,” al-Gebaly added.According to law no. 180/2018, online publications must indicate the name of the publication, the name of the owner and his/her address, the administrative and the editorial structures, the name of the editor-in-chief, and the location of the newsroom in the license application.Former Dean of Mass Communication School at Cairo University Hassan Emad Mekawy told Egypt Today that Journalists’ Syndicate bill must be amended to allow those working for online publications eligibility for the syndicate’s membership as long as they are working for licensed institutions and carry bachelor degrees in journalism and mass communication.
Source:Egypt Today
October 22, 2018 16:07 UTC
Qatari critic attacks regime over floods
Sheikh Sultan bin Suhaim al-Thani - press photoبدلاً من استماتتكم في اشعال الفتنة، وزرع البغضاء بين الأشقاء، اهتموا ببلادنا والفساد الذي يستشري بقطر…رحم الله من توفى وعوض على من أصيب أو تضرر#امطار_الدوحة #الدوحه_تغرق — سلطان بن سحيم آل ثاني (@Sultan_Al_thani) October 21, 2018Qatar regime built World Cup 2022 facilities on land forcibly taken away: Al-Ghufran tells FIFA ZURICH - 24 September 2018: A delegation from Al-Ghufran tribe lodged a complaint Monday to the President of the International Football Federation (FIFA) in Zurich against the practices of the Qatari regime against their tribe, demanding Qatar be stripped of the 2022 World Cup. CAIRO - 22 October 2018: Qatari opposition figure Sultan bin-Suhaim al-Thani tweeted on October 21 criticizing his homeland’s regime for the losses caused by the heavy rain as streets and buildings were flooded.Al-Thani said, “Instead of diligently inflaming sedition and seeding hatred between siblings, give attention to our country and corruption creeping in Qatar… May God bless the soul of those who died and compensate those who got injured or suffered losses.”The father of al-Thani is Suhaim bin-Hamad, the first Qatari foreign minister and the brother of former Qatari Emir Sheikh Khalifah bin Hamad Al-Thani who was toppled by his son, Hamad, in 1995. In 2013, current Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani took over the rule after orchestrating aagainst his father.Other Twitter users questioned how the princedom will organize World Cup 2022 in light of the absence of appropriate infrastructure, accusing Turkish and Iranian companies operating in Doha of corruption.On June 5, 2017, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE severed diplomatic and trade relations with Qatar on June 5, 2017 for its support of terrorism and fostering ties with regional rival, Iran.Turkey is considering the deployment of naval and air forces and troops to Doha, Turkish ambassador to Qatar, Fikret Ozer, told reporters at a press conference in Doha last March.The first batch of Turkish troops arrived at the Tariq Bin Ziyad military base in 2015. The camp, located south of Doha, is Turkey's first installation in the Middle East and can accommodate up to 5,000 soldiers.
Source:Egypt Today
October 22, 2018 15:56 UTC
Sisi receives Lebanese Foreign Minister in Cairo
On Monday, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, alongside Lebanese ambassadors to Cairo. Bassil handed Sisi a letter from Lebanese President Michel Aoun, which included an invitation for Sisi to participate in the Arab Economic Summit planned in Beirut in January, according to Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady. Sisi welcomed Bassil and extended his greetings to Aoun, Rady reported. Sisi praised efforts to form a national unity government in Lebanon, hoping that these efforts would be crowned with success at the earliest opportunity, so as to enhance national unity and stability in Lebanon. He stressed Egypt’s continued support for “the brotherly Lebanese people”, and their efforts to maintain coexistence among Lebanon’s various spectrums.
Source:Egypt Independent
October 22, 2018 15:11 UTC
Italy expects EU budget rejection on Tuesday: source
MILAN (Reuters) – The Italian government expects the European Commission to decide for the first time ever on Tuesday to ask a member state to revise its draft budget, a government source said on Sunday. Since receiving beefed-up powers in 2013 over member states’ budgetary plans, the Commission has never asked a country to submit a revised budget. Though the decision was expected on Tuesday, the source said it may not be announced on the same day. He joined other government members in efforts to dispel concerns about Italy’s euro membership. Di Maio said Italy had a chance to prove public debt could be reduced by “investing in social rights” and trigger important changes across Europe.
Source:Egypt Independent
October 22, 2018 14:37 UTC
Egypt faces great challenges due to increased demand for natural resources: FAO official
Egypt faces great challenges due to the increasing demand for natural resources in line with the rising population, Egypt’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Dr. Hussein Gadeen said on Monday during a celebration organized by the Bibliotheca Alexandria and the FAO on the World Food Day. He added that Egypt has succeeded in achieving food security through a strategy based on adopting sophisticated agriculture methods, including modern irrigation methods. Agriculture still consumes 85 percent of Egypt’s water resources, which requires more investment in the fields of agriculture and scientific research, he said. The population growth continues to consume immense proportions of Egypt’s water resources due to still depending on traditional irrigation methods, Gadeen explained. He called on citizens and officials to help pump more investment in the agricultural field and scientific research.
Source:Egypt Independent
October 22, 2018 14:37 UTC
Israeli forces kill Palestinian who tried to stab a soldier
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says forces shot and killed a Palestinian who attempted to stab a soldier in the West Bank. The military says troops opened fire on the Palestinian after he tried stabbing the soldier, who was lightly wounded. The incident occurred on Monday in Hebron, outside the Cave of the Patriarchs, or the Ibrahimi Mosque, a site holy to Jews and Muslims. Hebron is the West Bank’s largest city and a frequent flashpoint of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Monday’s incident comes as security forces continue to search for a Palestinian who shot and killed two Israelis in a West Bank industrial park earlier this month.
Source:Egypt Independent
October 22, 2018 14:16 UTC
China denounces Pompeo’s ‘malicious’ Latam comments amid influence battle
Pompeo was on a Latin America tour at the end of last week, meeting heads of state in Panama and Mexico. In April, China’s ambassador to Peru said that it would be disrespectful for the United States to drag Latin America into its trade dispute with China. While the United States has traditionally had strong political influence in the region, China has become a major trading partner for many Latin American countries, including Argentina, Chile and Brazil. Three Latin American countries – El Salvador, Panama, and the Dominican Republic – have switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to Beijing in the past two years, prompting warnings from Washington. “Latin American countries know how to weigh their interests.”
Source:Egypt Independent
October 22, 2018 14:10 UTC
Egypt claims organs were not stolen from dead English tourist
Egypt denied stealing organs from deceased British tourist David Humphries, who passed away during a family holiday at one of the coastal resorts in Hurghada. The missing organs would be sent home tomorrow, Diaa Rashwan, Chairman of the State Information Service said. Foreign media took advantage of the opportunity to launch an attack against Egypt, he said, and stressed that the missing parts would be dispatched to the UK. The dead tourist’s missing parts were sent to forensic laboratories in Cairo and Assiut to ensure that his death was natural, he clarified. The body was dispatched to the UK with missing organs because the family requested he be returned quickly, Rashwan said.
Source:Egypt Independent
October 22, 2018 13:09 UTC
Egypt adopts strategy of using modern methods in agriculture: FAO official
Rice agriculture in Egypt - Photo by Hussein TallalALEXANDRIA - 22 October 2018: Representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to Egypt Dr Hussein Gadin said Egypt has succeeded to achieve its food security through using a strategy that depends on modern methods of agriculture including irrigation.Addressing a celebration held by Bibliotheca Alexandrina to mark the World Food Day, under the theme “Ending World Hunger by 2030, is Possible”, Gadin said Egypt is still facing huge challenges in light of the increasing demand for natural resources, particularly water, due to the growing needs of its large population.Agriculture still consumes 85% of Egypt's water resources due to using traditional irrigation methods, he said, noting that Egypt largely depends on import to meet its local needs of basic food crops such as wheat and corn.The organization is jointly operating with the Ministry of Agriculture to support sustainable agricultural development in Egypt within the development plan 2030. Efforts focus on diverse strategies to meet the target, he said, calling on officials and citizens to be aware of the need to pump in more investments and give attention to scientific research in the agriculture domain.This event rings alarm bells about the recent increase in hunger figures, and calls upon the concerned parties to get back on the right track through showing serious commitment to one of the main sustainable development goals, and shedding light on the significance of collective work to put an end to famines.
Source:Egypt Today
October 22, 2018 13:07 UTC
Lebanon's Hariri still working to form government
FILE PHOTO: Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri gestures as he speaks at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon September 3, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File PhotoBEIRUT - 22 October 2018: Efforts to form a new Lebanese government after months of negotiation remain “on their way to a solution”, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri said on Monday.Last week President Michel Aoun said a government would be formed “very soon” and a government source said it would be agreed during the weekend, but press reports on Monday cited senior politicians saying problems persisted.Parties have been jostling since May’s parliament election over ministerial positions in a new national unity government, but the political uncertainty has contributed to fears that Lebanon faces a looming economic crisis.“Contacts continue to form a government and the issue is not impossible, as some are trying to suggest,” Hariri said in televised comments to reporters.Lebanon has one of the world’s most indebted governments, owing about 150 percent of gross domestic product, and the International Monetary Fund warned early this year that Beirut must urgently undertake fiscal reforms.President Aoun said in a Twitter post on Monday that circumstances required a rapid formation of the government.
Source:Egypt Today
October 22, 2018 12:33 UTC
Eighth Indonesian-Middle East Annual Gathering kicks off
It is worth mentioning that President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi visited Indonesia in September 2015.Concerning the investment environment in Egypt, Aulia said that the Indonesian investors found no big obstacles in Egypt.On the sidelines of the eighth IMAGE gathering, a three-day exhibition was held. It displayed various Indonesian products, most notably crafts and furniture.A fashion show was held on the sidelines of the conference as well, and a showroom on Indonesian traditional industry of Batik was organized for this year's participants.At the beginning of the ceremonial event, Head of Yogyakarta Industry and Trade Directorate Trisaktiyana welcomed the participants, giving a historic brief on the city.The city's population stands at 3.7 million people while the number of tourists bound for Indonesia reached 4.7 million in 2017, he added during his speech. Yogyakarta exports a total of 78 products such as coffee, furniture, tea, palm oil to 122 countries. The number of exporting companies reached 314 with $269 million in investments, he continued.Yogyakarta is a pioneering city in the fields of silver, furniture, cooking oil, clay crafts, stone crafts, bikes, and agricultural tools, he continued, saying “we are witnessing a trade war between the U.S. and China, Amid Trump’s aspiration to annul several agreements. The Indonesian president says that winter is coming and we have to cooperate in that field.”A presentation was also given on the most famous touristic places including Parampan temple and Candi Prambanan, and traditional food and drinks such as the menorah and Merapi coffee and Wedang Uwah, the monks’ favorite healthy drink.He voiced his hope to enhance cooperation with Middle East countries during the current event.On the second day of the conference, six prominent Egyptian businessmen will be granted the Primaduta Award, which is an Indonesian program that aims to increase the growth of Indonesian exports worldwide.In 2017, the annual gathering was hosted by the Indonesian city of Bandung, West Java, where more than 50 Middle Eastern businessmen participated.
Source:Egypt Today
October 22, 2018 12:33 UTC