Sadat Academy to hold conference on economic happiness
For the first time in Egypt, Sadat Academy for Management Sciences (SAMS) will hold a conference on “Economic Happiness” on Sunday, where five Egyptian ministers will participate, including Supply Minister Ali Meselhy, Planning Minister Hala al-Saeed and Higher Education Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar. Sadat Academy is holding an economic conference for the fourth consecutive year. The idea of economic happiness is new to the Egyptian society, but it deserves research, study and attention from the executive authorities, according to Desouky. The conference will display 10 research papers discussing the various dimensions of economic happiness. The conference will also discuss achieving economic happiness under different economic policies, as well as requirements to achieve economic happiness in developing countries.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 13, 2018 11:25 UTC
Insurance companies await propagation of electric cars - Daily News Egypt
Insurance companies are waiting for electric cars to propagate in the Egyptian market in order to prepare their insurance documents in light of the state’s attention and encouragement for electric cars so as to limit carbon emissions and environmental pollution. One of the first steps taken by the ministry was opening 12 electric cars’ recharging stations earlier this year. Amr El Kafrawy, head of cars management at Iskan Insurance Company, said that the spread of electric cars in Egypt together with gasoline-fuelled cars will lead to a variety of diversity in the protection programmes insurance companies offer to clients who have cars. Moustafa El Sawy, the general manager of cars at Arab Misr Insurance Group, said that insuring electric cars represents a new channel for insurance companies in order to increase the collected instalments. Qatari suggested that the IFEgypt and the Insurance Institute of Egypt prepare training courses in the sector to qualify employees in the field of car insurance.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 13, 2018 11:03 UTC
Egyptian novel explores Copts under controlling church
Beyond entrenched discrimination, the Arabic-language novel explores what the author says is the victimization of Egypt’s Christians by a “politically engineered harmony” between the state and their own church, seeking to control their lives. “Ways of the Lord” is a rare example of an Egyptian work of fiction whose primary characters are Christian. The novel opens the world of Copts to both Copts and Muslims.”The novel, the author’s first, takes on added relevance because the Coptic Church leadership has adhered closer than ever to the government. The novel tells the story of a young Christian man in Cairo, Sherif, who has abandoned the church. He tells of his family’s past rebellions, like a grandfather who left the Coptic Church because the priest would not baptize his newborn child before her death.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 13, 2018 10:57 UTC
German min.: Egypt is key pillar of stability in Africa
erman State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Martin Jäger - Youtube still/Phoenix ChannelBERLIN - 13 December 2018: Egypt is a "key pillar of stability" in Africa, German State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Martin Jäger said in a Thursday meeting with Egypt's Ambassador in Berlin Badr Abdel Ati.Jäger and Abdel Ati met to follow up on agreements signed during the recent visit by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi to Germany. They discussed convening a ministerial meeting of the joint committee to further boost cooperation and coordination at international forums.The German minister hailed Sisi's vision of the country's domestic situation and the latest developments in the Egyptian-German relations, as quoted by Abdel Ati.Egypt's diplomat quoted Jäger as saying that Berlin is interested in boosting cooperation with Cairo, for being a main partner to Germany in the African continent.The Egyptian ambassador added that he probed with the German minister means of cementing bilateral cooperation in Africa, especially in light of Cairo's presidency of the African Union in 2019.Also, Abdel Ati pointed out that the agreements signed during Sisi's visit will be activated as per a timetable covering 2018 and 2019.
Source:Egypt Today
December 13, 2018 10:30 UTC
Democracy in Arab world leads to civil wars, I refuse calls to amend Constitution: Dr. Abdelmoneim El Saeed - Daily News Egypt
As for the Arab situation, is establishing an Arab deterrent force becoming a reality? The problem with Qatar revolves around one point, which is opening media platforms to attack Arab countries and hosting groups which adopt violence and terrorism against Arab regimes. Egypt does not prefer the Russian military presence in Syria continues, and sends clear signals concerning this. Unfortunately, Arab countries are in a coma and do not realise the major changes that occurred. I believe what is currently happening answers the question “Where is Egypt headed?” I believe that Egypt is headed towards implementing the 2030 plan.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 13, 2018 10:18 UTC
Omaima al-Khamis wins Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature
Saudi novelist Omaima al-Khamis receives the award CC via AUC - Press photoFILE - Late legendary novelist Naguib MahfouzCAIRO – 13 December 2018: The American University in Cairo Press announced Dec. 12 that Saudi novelist Omaima al-Khamis won the 2018 Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature for her novel "Masra al-Gharaniq fi Mudun al-‘Aqiq"(Voyage of the Cranes in the Cities of Agate).The winner was agreed upon by members of the Award's Committee: Tahia Abdel Nasser, Shereen Aboul Naga and Mona Tolba, Humphrey Davies and Rasheed el-Enany. The award was presented by Ehab Abdel Rahman, provost of the American University in Cairo.The ceremony was held at the AUC’s Oriental Hall in Tahrir Square Campus and was attended by many writers and significant personalities of the Egyptian cultural scene.The committee described "Masra al-Gharaniq fi Mudun al-Aqiq" as “a serious novel that speaks to our time through history.It takes the form of a journey from Arabia northwards and westwards to Andalusia through the great cities of the Arab world in the 11th century during the titular rule of the weakened Abbasids in Baghdad, the Fatimids in Cairo, and the warring factions of the Islamic rule in Spain.”The Saudi writer succeeded in shedding light upon the essence of the cultural and religious diversity in the Arab world between 402 and 405 Hijri.After being granted the award, Khamis paid tribute to Naguib Mahfouz describing the late legendary novelist as “Our great writer who taught us the magic and craft of story telling.”Khamis thanked her parents for shaping her mind, “The book was a vision of our house,” said the Saudi writer,recalling the piles of books that surrounded her growing up.The American University in Cairo Press, which established the Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature in 1996, has been the main publisher of Naguib Mahfouz’s English editions for more than three decades.The AUC has also been responsible for publishing around 600 editions of the Nobel laureate’s works in more than 40 languages around the world since late legendary writer Mahfouz won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988.Nominations and submissions for the 2019 Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature are open until 15 February 2019.
Source:Egypt Today
December 13, 2018 10:07 UTC
Russian delegation praises security at Egyptian airports
Russian experts, who are carrying out a current inspection visit at the Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh airports scheduled to end on Monday, have confirmed that security measures at Egyptian airports are no less than those applied at Russian and European airports, sources with the Egyptian Civil Aviation Ministry said. The security devices used at Egyptian airports are the latest in the world of airports, according to the delegation of experts. The delegation said that they would file a detailed report on the latest developments in the Egyptian airports’ security after their return to Moscow, stressing that their reports are indicative, but the decision on whether to resume direct flights between Russian cities and tourist resorts in Egypt is up to the Russian political leadership, the sources added. Russian tourists are keen to return to Egyptian resorts because of its warm weather and suitability for the low income levels of a large segment of Russian citizens compared to other countries, along with the demand of Russian travel agencies in this regard, according to the same sources. The rate is expected to increase during 2019 even with the absence of direct flights to the Egyptian tourist cities, she added.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 13, 2018 10:07 UTC
Agreement to establish entity for Red Sea, Gulf of Aden countries reached
Red Sea Port - CC RSPA.pngCAIRO – 13 December 2018: An agreement to establish an entity for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden countries was reached on Wednesday, Dec. 12 by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia.The agreement aims to boost stability and increase investment opportunities in the above mentioned countries.This came during the Consultative Ministerial Meeting of the African and Arab States bordering the Red Sea in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in which Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shourky participated.In a press conference, Ahmed Hafez, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, referred that the meeting aimed to discuss ways of promoting cooperation between the African and Arab countries bordering the Red Sea.Hafez pointed out that Egypt hosted the first Consultative Ministerial Meeting of the African and Arab States bordering the Red Sea on December 11 and 12, 2017, and will host the next meeting to resume discussions.He added that Shoukry stressed the importance of promoting cooperation and economic integration among the countries bordering the Red Sea on the political, economic and cultural levels.In December 2017, Egypt launched an initiative to establish a framework of cooperation between the Arab and African countries bordering the Red Sea to face different challenges they may encounter.Foreign Minister Shoukry stressed that the Red Sea countries have not reached the required level of coordination to face challenges.He pointed out that the countries have recently exerted efforts to combat piracy in the Horn of Africa, warning “we should consider the foreign agendas as well as the political and security turmoil in the region, including the Yemeni crisis, which affect the economic conditions of the Red Sea countries.”He noted that Egypt is among the top countries combating terrorism with its participation in the Arab alliance. The Egyptian Navy contributes to ensuring maritime security and preventing arms trafficking in accordance with the international resolutions.
Source:Egypt Today
December 13, 2018 09:56 UTC
Police guard shoots two Copts in Minya
Police have arrested police guard Rabea Mustafa Khalefa over charges of killing two Orthodox Copts in front of the Church of Nahdet al-Qadasa on Wednesday in al-Serafa Street in Minya. The Diocese of Minya and Abu Qurqas stated that the guard shot at “Emad Kamal Sadek, 49, and his son David Emad, 21” after a quarrel erupted between them when they were lifting house ruins in front of Church of Nahdet al-Qadasa. The diocese added that the two Copts were transferred to the public hospital in Minya. Police have investigated the guard. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
Source:Egypt Independent
December 13, 2018 09:22 UTC
Egypt’s most googled words in 2018: ‘Salah’, ‘World Cup’ - Daily News Egypt
The results included the most popular searches in Egypt, in the categories of people, events, sportspersons, shows, songs, TV shows, and series. The data was collected among trillions of searches and questions on Google in 2018. The most frequently googled matches in Egypt included, Egypt vs Russia, and Egypt vs Saudi Arabia. The list of sportspersons googled in 2018, included Coach Ramon Diaz, and football player Abdullah Al-Saeed. The World Cup and the French protests were the two most popular international events searched for by Egyptians on Google.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 13, 2018 09:11 UTC
Madbouly, Magufuli sign Stiegler's Gorge dam's construction contract in Tanzania - Daily News Egypt
Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, on behalf of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, and Tanzanian President John Joseph Magufuli signed a contract on Wednesday to establish Stiegler’s Gorge dam. Magufuli invited Al-Sisi to attend the laying of the project’s cornerstone ceremony in October. Stiegler’s Gorge dam is east Africa’s largest hydropower dam, located along the Rufiji River in the heart of one of Africa’s largest remaining wild areas, the Selous Game Reserve. Last week, President Al-Sisi discussed in a phone call with Magufuli the latest developments regarding the Stiegler’s Gorge dam. Egypt and Tanzania have strong ties as both are Nile Basin states and are cooperating in several economic issues.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 13, 2018 09:11 UTC
OPEC exit frees Qatar from US legal concerns
DUBAI/DOHA (Reuters) – Even before taking over Qatar’s energy policy in a government reshuffle last month, Qatar Petroleum (QP) CEO Saad al-Kaabi had long wanted the Gulf state to leave OPEC. Qatar’s gas production has been a crucial factor in helping it weather the Gulf Arab boycott and it plans to boost capacity 43 percent by 2023-2024. “We don’t have enough weight in OPEC to have an effect,” he told reporters on the eve of his first and last meeting as the head of Qatar’s OPEC delegation. The plan to withdraw from OPEC likely started in June when Kaabi attended OPEC talks in Vienna with then energy minister, Mohammed al-Sada, according to the sources. Due to the Gulf rift, Qatar could no longer attend a traditional closed-doors meeting of Gulf oil ministers to agree policy before twice-yearly talks with all OPEC members.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 13, 2018 09:00 UTC
China detains Canadian with ties to Kim Jong Un
SEOUL/OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canadian Michael Spavor has jet skied with Kim Jong Un, felt the ground shake from a North Korean nuclear test, and now it appears, China has detained him. Spavor, a business consultant with deep ties to North Korea, is being investigated on suspicion of endangering state security, Chinese state media reported. When North Korean leader Kim launched a bid to engage the world and attract international investment this year, Spavor was uniquely positioned to play a role. Now based in the border city of Dandong in China, Spavor has been cultivating ties between potential Chinese investors and North Korean officials. Since then he’s mastered the Korean language – with a distinctly North Korean accent – and maintained regular contact with many people in North Korea, including Kim Jong Un.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 13, 2018 08:48 UTC
Egypt close to ratify the AfCFTA: Nassar - Daily News Egypt
Egyptian Trade and Industry Minister, Amr Nassar, said that Egypt is interested in supporting development efforts in the African continent, and to enhance African integration mechanisms to ensure a new location for the African continent on the map of world economy, which contributes towards ensuring economic and social justice for all the countries and peoples of the continent. Nassar added, “The activation of the African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement is the key step of desired economic growth among all African countries.”During his speech at Meetings of the AfCFTA Negotiating Institutions held Wednesday, the minister announced that Egypt is close to ratify the agreement, which is currently being submitted to the parliament for ratification, praising the African political will for the success of this great agreement in terms of signing and ratifying it by the member states. So far 49 countries have signed the agreement, and some African countries have ratified it, according to the minister. He pointed out that the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement will strongly contribute to the development of the intra-African trade movement, achieve higher rates of African economic growth, after the removal of tariff barriers between sister African countries, as well as facilitate the movement of products and raw materials, thus increasing industrial growth rates, and achieving the desired technological development.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 13, 2018 08:07 UTC
British Trade Commissioner visits Egypt to support entrepreneurs, African ties - Daily News Egypt
The British Trade Commissioner for Africa, Emma Wade-Smith, concluded a four-day visit to Egypt that focused on expanding the trade and investment links between the UK, Egypt and the whole African continent, as well as supporting young entrepreneurs. It is Wade-Smith’s first visit to Egypt since she took office, which was created in June 2018, to foster the UK’s trade and investment links across Africa. The UK is committed to supporting entrepreneurship in Egypt, through an EGP 47m programme to support social enterprise. Wade-Smith was a keynote speaker at the Africa 2018 Forum and the Intra-African Trade Fair during her stay. “The UK is proud to be working with Egypt and across Africa to invest in strategic and job-creating sectors that will let economies thrive.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 13, 2018 08:03 UTC