Guitarist Wahid Mamdouh will perform a concert on Valentine's Day
FILE - Mamdouh during the rehearsalsCAIRO - 13 February 2019: Wahid Mamdouh is currently performing rigorous rehearsals in preparation for his Valentine’s Day concert. Over the course of three consecutive days, Mamdouh conducted continuous rehearsals with the band led by Mohammed el-Mogy.The rehearsals are for his participation in a music concert at Cairo Opera House on Valentine's Day; the concert is set to be held at the Grand Theater with the participation of Ahmed Effat and Ridwa Said.During the concert, the guitarist will present his version of late musician Kamal el-Taweel's “Heya de heya”, which was performed by late legendary singer Abdel Halim Hafez.Mamdouh will also present Elias Rahbani’s musical compositions that were tailored for famed singer Fayrouz. This is going to be Mamdouh’s first participation in a Valentine’s Day celebration organized by Cairo Opera House.Mamdouh will also present a new musical version for Saber Rebai’s “Athada el-Alam” which was released on Valentine’s Day in 2004.The guitarist’s videos on his social media accounts exceeded the 5,000 mark in terms of viewership.
Source:Egypt Today
February 13, 2019 16:18 UTC
CBE to cut interest rates in February's meeting: SHUAA Capital
FILE - CBEEgypt's annual inflation reaches 12.2% in January CAIRO - 10 February 2019: Egypt's annual consumer price inflation declined to 12.2 percent in January 2019, compared to 17 percent in January 2018, state-statistics body said Sunday, Feb. 10. In December, Egypt's annual consumer price inflation recorded 11.1 percent, compared to 22.3 percent in the same month of 2017. CBE keeps interest rates at 16.75%, 17.75% in December CAIRO - 27 December 2018: The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) kept the overnight deposit rate and the overnight lending rate at 16.75 percent and 17.75 percent, respectively, during December's meeting for the sixth time this year. CAIRO – 13 February 2019: SHUAA Securities Egypt reiterated its view that the monetary policy committee of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) might cut interest rates by 1 percent on Thursday, Feb. 14.It attributed this view to the consistency of the inflation rate with the disinflation path.“We note that the inflation increase recorded in January is mainly driven by vegetables volatility,” it noted.The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced on Sunday that Egypt’s annual consumer price inflation declined to 12.2 percent in January 2019, compared to 17 percent in January 2018.SHUAA expected that vegetables are likely to witness volatility in the upcoming months’ readings, triggered by climate swings, especially in view of the adverse climate witnessed earlier in January.“This is likely to affect vegetables’ prices up or down and, in turn, total inflation rates due to their high weight in the index,” it read.The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) kept the overnight deposit rate and the overnight lending rate at 16.75 percent and 17.75 percent, respectively, during December’s meeting for the sixth time in 2018.
Source:Egypt Today
February 13, 2019 15:45 UTC
Know about Egypt's 2nd housing min. under Sisi
Asem al-Gazzar, housing minister's deputy sworn in on Wednesday before President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi as the new housing minister - Press photoCAIRO - 13 February 2019: Asem al-Gazzar, the housing minister's deputy,was sworn in on Wednesday, Feb. 13 before President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi as the new housing minister, succeeding Mostafa Madbouli, who has served in the post for five years in three consecutive cabinets.Madbouli who took over as prime minister in June 2018, had also kept his old post apparently due to ongoing major housing projects that have started during his first tenure, as Sisi's first housing minister.The president has met with Madbouli and Gazzar, according to presidential spokesman BassamRadi, where Sisi directed Gazzar to make the utmost efforts to finish the ongoing projects including developing unsafe areas on time.Sisi also urged the continuous development of infrastructure projects and the provision of periodical maintenance for these projects, including sanitation projects, Radi added.The Parliament approved appointing Gazzar as deputy minister of housing on January 14,2018, before he was granted the same post again in Madbouli's government which was formed in June 2018.Gazzar served as the head of the General Authority for Urban Planning, succeeding Madbouli, during the term of Tarek Wafik, the former housing minister. He also directed the National Urban Observatory and served as the head of the technical committee to create strategic designs for new cities.Furthermore, Gazzar was a member of the ministerial committee to develop the Suez Canal Axis, and a board member of the General Authority for Suez Canal Economic Zone, the National Organization for Urban Harmony, General Authority for Tourism Development, the National Center for Planning State Lands Usage (NCPSLU), and the Housing and Building National Research CenterGazzar was a teacher at the Faculty of Regional and Urban Planning at Cairo University. He participated in preparing Egypt's scheme 2052, initiated by Madbouli.He got his PhD from Cairo University in 2006 from the Urban Design Department. He also got high-level academic degrees from a number of universities including George Washington University, and Oxford Brookes University.In July 2018, Madbouli and Gazzar witnessed the signing ceremony of two cooperation protocols between Cairo governorate and the New Urban Communities Authority.The protocols were signed by former Cairo Governor Atef Abdel Hamid and Deputy Chairman of the NUCA Mazen Hassan, in the presence of other officials to develop El-Mawardi area, Al-Sayeda Zeinab.Gazzar said that the two parties agreed on developing the unsafe El-Mawardi area,which stretches over an area of 3.35 feddans, referring that the protocol comes within the framework of the development project of Tal Al-Aqareb area in Al-Sayeda Zeinab.Gazzar referred that Cairo governorate’s vision aims to restore the city's vital role as Egypt’s capital, and focuses on evacuating some areas in Cairo to be able to develop and use these areas in cultural and urban activities.Head of the Parliament’s Housing Committee Moataz Mahmoud said in June, that Madbouli kept his post as the housing minister in order to continue the national construction projects he started.In an interview with the Egyptian “90 Minutes” program on Al-Mihwar, Mahmoud said the state has initiated a number of national projects worth billions of pounds in the past few years which are expected to be completed during the next year.He explained that it was not certain that a new housing minister would adopt the same policy while resuming projects and would offer the same high efficiency as Madbouli.On June 5, 2018, Egypt’s former Prime Minister Sherif Ismail submitted the resignation of his government only two days after President Sisi was officially sworn in as the head of state for a second term until 2022.Selecting Madbouli wasn’t a surprise as he was Sisi’s first choice to lead the government last November when former Prime Minister Ismail had jetted off to Germany for a surgery. Ismail returned to his post later in January 2018.
Source:Egypt Today
February 13, 2019 15:33 UTC
Qatar still deceiving int'l community, African gov'ts, supports terrorism
The armed vehicles and military equipment were dispatched by Doha in a desperate attempt to deny the accusation against it of supporting terrorism and terrorist organizations in the African continent. Some military experts asserted that the vehicles granted by Doha to the two countries were manufactured in Turkey. The foundation considers itself as a non-profitable organization that aims to achieve development in and outside Qatar. However, reports exposed how the Qatari regime took advantage of the foundation to finance terrorism through undercover charitable activities. As a result, the Arab Terrorism Quartet (ATQ) enlisted the foundation within the list of terrorist entities and figures.
Source:Egypt Today
February 13, 2019 15:22 UTC
Romanian Airlines to increase flights to Egypt
Romanian Airlines will start operating two flights to Egypt starting April as EgyptAir’s Ground Services Company will also activate its services at the same time. EgyptAir Ground Services renewed its contract with the Romanian lines after it suspended flights to Cairo International Airport for more than five years. Chairman of EgyptAir Ground Services Mohamed Athallah, received a delegation from the Romanian Airlines Company headed by Alexandru Szlivka, director general of the company’s procedures and agreements, to discuss the contract. They talked about cargo transportation services to and from Cairo, security measures, and increasing the number of flights to Sharm al-Sheikh, Hurghada, Luxor and Aswan, which were resumed last year.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 13, 2019 15:11 UTC
Khamenei says talks with US can only ‘harm’ Iran
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that negotiations with the US “will bring nothing but material and spiritual harm” in remarks just ahead of an American-led meeting on the Mideast in Warsaw that’s expected to largely focus on the Iranian Republic. They also come two days after Iran marked the 40th anniversary of its 1979 Iranian Revolution amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington. “About the United States, the resolution of any issues is not imaginable and negotiations with it will bring nothing but material and spiritual harm,” Khamenei said. The deal saw Iran limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Amir Mousavi, a former Iranian diplomat, has claimed that Trump sent a message to President Hassan Rouhani last week requesting direct talks.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 13, 2019 15:11 UTC
Gov't takes samples of oil spill off El Tor to identify pollution source
The oil spill, seen here, is being invesigated by the Coast Guard after it was reported in the vicinity of South Pass, La. April 6, 2010. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jesse Kavanaugh- CC via FlickrCAIRO - 13 February 2019: The government has taken swift measures to contain an oil spill found off the southern shores of El Tor city, South Sinai, forming an investigative unit.The Ministry of Environment was notified by its central operations room on the oil leakage near the coast of the city, according to a ministry statement issued Wednesday.The committee will survey the spill site and try to identify its possible source, the statement added.Coordination is under way with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) to immediately start a cleanup of the oil spill and survey the surrounding area, the statement said.El Tor is the capital of South Sinai governorate.
Source:Egypt Today
February 13, 2019 15:00 UTC
Salah criticizes Al-Ahly, Zamalek supporters’ social media fights
“I just can’t believe how supporters of Egypt’s two biggest football teams used to curse each other all the time on social media,” Mohamed Salah posted on his official Twitter account, expressing his disbelief. Shocked by the Egyptian supporters’ continuous trading of insults on Twitter, Salah criticized the non-stop frustration between Al-Ahly and Zamalek supporters, which is clearly reflected in social media posts. There is unconfirmed news that the eighth round of the Egyptian League may get canceled due to the ongoing conflicts between the administrations of the Al-Ahly and Pyramids clubs. The international football star previously played for the Egyptian football club Al Mokaweloon Al-Arab between 2006 and 2010.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 13, 2019 14:37 UTC
Egyptian women lead society
In every historical event, Egyptian women have a place, but things are not measured on a moment or exceptions that showed the essence of Egyptian women. And these memories are the picture of the crescent and the cross together, and the participation of Egyptian women with influence. “Two images are attached to my mind from June 30: the participation of Egyptian women with their voices louder than men’s voices and the embrace between the crescent and the cross. Women in ancient Egyptian civilization had a sense of dignity that allowed them to sit on the throne. “The Bedouin life in the pre-Islamic Arab civilization gave women some freedom because they would water, graze and collect food.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 13, 2019 14:37 UTC
IMF official lauds Egyptian economic reform measures
Jihad Azour, the director of the IMF's Menap area, was a former Lebanese financeCAIRO - 13 February 2019: Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Jihad Azour on Wednesday lauded the Egyptian economic reform measures.Azour is now visiting here with a mission of the IMF to get acquainted with the economic and social reform programs in Egypt.He said that recent economic and legislative reform measures introduced by Egypt have made it a favorite destination for investments despite economic challenges facing the world economy.At a meeting with Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr, he added that the new investment law is one of the most important reform measures adopted by Egypt.Nasr asserted that the government is keen on the participation of the private sector in national projects.She said that her ministry is supporting small and medium-sized projects along with ventures by women and young people.
Source:Egypt Today
February 13, 2019 14:37 UTC
Minister of education reveals status of Japanese schools
FILE - Minister of Education and Technical Education Tarek ShawkyCAIRO - 13 February 2019: Minister of Education and Technical Education Tarek Shawky posted on his Facebook account the main features of the education system adopted by Japanese schools and the progress achieved in their foundation.Thirty-five Japanese schools were inaugurated on September 22, 2018, and fully funded by Egypt under the auspices of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, the minister said. The experts visit the schools twice a month at least, while the trainers visit the schools weekly.The experts reports reviewing the teachers performance are positive, the minister said. The computers and projectors are still being supplied to the schools, the minister explained.The tuitions fees are LE10,000 that are paid on three installments. The subscription to the mobile application is LE200 to be paid one time when first enrolled at any of the Japanese schools. However, the application has not been launched yet.Egypt has launched an initiative to build 200 “Japanese Schools” adopting the Japanese education system more than three years ago.
Source:Egypt Today
February 13, 2019 14:37 UTC
Cabinet approves bill on independence, regulation of FRA
FILE: The Cabinet, headed by the acting Prime Minster Mustafa Madbouli, review on Wednesday a comprehensive report on the duties carried out by various ministries and bodies with regard to developing the services provided to residents of al Rawda villageCAIRO - 14 February 2019: The cabinet approved during its weekly meeting on Wednesday a bill on the independence and management system of the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA).The bill falls within the framework of realizing financial and administrative independence of the authority.Under the bill, the authority will present an annual report on its efforts and activities in addition to analysis of the non-banking capital markets and monitoring and regulatory measures.The report will be presented to the president, the parliament speaker and the premier.The bill regulates also the appointment of the authority's chairman and board members.
Source:Egypt Today
February 13, 2019 14:37 UTC
Cairo ranks as world’s cheapest tourist city: Express newspaper
Tourists eager to spend a special holiday, enjoy the warm sun and learn about a new culture and civilization should visit Cairo, which was recently named the world’s most budget-friendly city, British newspaper Express reported. The newspaper quoted travel-booking website”lastminute.com” as stating that the top three cheapest cities tourists can visit in 2019 are Cairo in first place, followed by Mexico City and Turkey’s Antalya. When setting up the menu, Express says that “lastminute.com” took into account meal prices, housing costs and transport charges. One day in Egypt can be enjoyed for a total of £42.38, including the cost of a full day tour at £11.30, while the average transfer price is £ 4.19, according to the website. The paper said that in Cairo, tourists with limited budgets could enjoy cheap family trips and combine culture with a mild climate.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 13, 2019 14:26 UTC
Shell, Eni, ExxonMobil win concessions in Egypt oil, gas exploration tender
Shell, Eni, BP and ExxonMobil won rights to explore for hydrocarbons in Egypt. Photo courtesy of Wikilmages/PixabayFeb. 13 (UPI) -- Shell won most of the concessions in an oil and gas exploration tender organized by the Egyptian natural gas holding company and the country's General Petroleum Corporation. According to Daily News Egypt report Wednesday, Shell picked up the crude oil exploration areas sector 7 West Fayoum, sector 9 South East of Horus, and sector 10 South AbuSnan. The companies are committed to drilling 39 exploratory wells for oil and 21 in the natural gas concessions. In an Aug. 29 report in Enterprise Presse, Eni and Shell were discussing the connection of a well in Western Desert, where Shell operates, to an Eni gas processing plant.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 13, 2019 13:51 UTC
Written in the stars: In chaos, Thai politicians turn to clairvoyants
“The stars are all in place,” the president of Thailand’s International Astrological Association told AFP. “Yes, (junta leader Prayut) will come back as prime minister,” she said. Thai politics has revolved around billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra for almost two decades, and his party and its proxies have won every election since 2001. But analysts say the recent upheaval linked to Ubolratana’s fleeting tilt for office has seriously undercut Thaksin’s position and if Thai Raksa Chart is dissolved, it would deal a serious blow to his affiliated parties’ electoral chances. “I can’t dare to predict who will be prime minister….
Source:Egypt Independent
February 13, 2019 13:50 UTC