Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, has permanently banned smoking “in all its forms” at all health facilities that provide curative, preventive, or rehabilitative services. This measure aims to preserve the health and safety of citizens from the health risks associated with smoking. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, explained that the minister’s decision also includes a ban on smoking in the facilities of the ministry and its affiliated bodies and agencies. “The director responsible for each facility is obligated to take the necessary measures to prevent smoking in them. 52 of 1982 regarding the prevention of smoking harms, which includes a final ban on smoking in all its forms in health and educational facilities, governmental bodies, sports and social clubs, and youth centres.

She explained that the IMF is having a very good discussion with the authorities of Egypt. She stressed that the IMF is very open to continuing discussions with the Egyptian authorities. She indicated that the Egyptian authorities are taking appropriate steps, citing the recent agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to use their expertise to accelerate the privatisation of state-owned enterprises. There is full understanding with the Egyptian authorities that it is a must to make it so that the private sector flourishes and creates more jobs, according to the IMF Chief. But they can do even better.”Third, Egyptian authorities need to think of ways in which they can make their reserve position stronger.

CAIRO - 21 June 2023:Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), Osama Rabie, confirmed that the authority will offer 20 percent of the Canal Company for Mooring and Lights (CCML) on the Egyptian Stock Exchange in an initial public offering (IPO) today, after its inclusion in a holding company. This came on the sidelines of a press conference held by the Authority within the framework of the project to develop the southern sector of the Canal in Suez Governorate. CCML will be transferred to the newly established holding company that will obtain ownership of some SCA companies earmarked for privatization. Earlier this June, the Suez Canal Authority announced that it will have a new holding company after the cabinet approved the establishment of the Suez Canal Holding Company for Industries and Naval Services and Investments. The holding company owns The Port Said Engineering Works and Marine Construction and is responsible for managing and investing its new assets and aims to develop the national economy.

CNN — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was once shunned by the United States. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was once shunned by the United States. But in the nine years since that ban was lifted, Modi has been progressively embraced by the White House – now more than ever. US President Joe Biden meets with Modi during the Quad leaders summit at Kantei Palace in Tokyo, on May 24, 2022. Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for photographs at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on December 6, 2021.

According to International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, it is important that Egypt take actions to protect against leakage of foreign reserves, because otherwise “it’s like putting water in a bucket that has holes”. She explained that the IMF is having a very good discussion with the authorities of Egypt. However, she explained that having multiple exchange rates creates privileged positions for some and not for others. She indicated that the IMF also understands that when there is support for the currency, but not enough foreign exchange that shrinks the reserves and makes the situation of the country more difficult. “I have high respect for President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and I trust that by working together, he can make the right decisions for the country,” Georgieva added.

Member states of the EU and European lawmakers have agreed to change the current Schengen visa system, as the EU allows visa-free entry to citizens of more than 60 countries outside the bloc. According to “Deutsche Welle”, the member states of the EU and European lawmakers agreed to change the current Schengen visa system so that it becomes digital without the need to put stickers on passports. The new law, once officially approved and put into effect, will allow travelers who need a visa to enter the EU to apply online instead of coming to consulates or visa services offices. Some countries, such as Australia, adopted a similar system where the online visa is linked to the traveler’s passport without the need for a sticker. Using these systems, applicants can download the required documents and pay the fees.

CAIRO - 20 June 2023: EgyptAir operates on Tuesday 18 flights to transport pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Egypt's flagship carrier is operating 10 flights from Cairo to Jeddah and eight flights from Cairo to Medina. The flights will move the pilgrims of the mission of the ministries of interior, tourism and antiquities and solidarity as well as lottery pilgrims from different governorates, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

KYIV, June 20 (MENA) - Russian forces launched another massive air and missile attack on Ukraine overnight Tuesday. Some 28 out of 30 enemy Shahed UAVs were destroyed, said the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this in a facebook post carried by Ukrinform. According to preliminary information, 28 out of 30 Shaheds launched by the enemy were destroyed. Also, 7 S-300 missiles were used by the occupiers to attack Zaporizhzhia and its surroundings - the information is being verified,” the report says.

Egypt - Trading over TAQA Arabia’s shares has been postponed until after Eid Al-Adha holiday, sources told Daily News Egypt. The sources added that the company was planning to start trading on its shares this week, and is awaiting approval of the disclosure report for trading. Trading the company’s shares shall not start until after it publishes the disclosure report approved by FRA. In all cases, it is not permissible to trade the company’s shares during the period from the date of temporary registration until the start of trading in these shares except with the approval of the Authority. The temporary registration is considered null and void in the event that the aforementioned period expires without fulfilling the rest of the conditions and requirements for registration.

An Egyptian court ruled that fugitive contractor Mohamed Ali, currently residing in Spain, be imprisoned for three years with a bail of LE 200,000 and a fine of LE1.35 million. The ruling came against the backdrop of the trial of 24 defendants, including the partners of Ali in Case #1530 of 2020. In a video on his Facebook page, Ali said: “Today was a determinate day for me. The most important thing is that you remain satisfied and happy.”“I love Egypt and love the people of Egypt. Egypt’s Tax Evasion Prosecution referred Ali in November 2019 to an urgent criminal trial on charges of tax evasion.

Egyptian Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir announced that Alexandria Port has received the first batch of 19 new American locomotives, coming as of a deal to manufacture and supply 100 new engines for the Egypt National Railways (ENR) Authority. The entire contract of 100 tractors is set to be completed according during the first quarter of 2024. The deal comes within as part of the plan to support the rail traction force with 260 new tractors. The ENR has previously received 110 new locomotives from the American General Electric Company, which have operated on the railways to support the fleet of mobile units. The ENR inspects the locomotives by specialized technical committees, while subjecting them to continuous technical follow-up, to ensure their technical readiness.

Egypt’s Interior Ministry on Sunday announced the introduction of a multi-entry visa for foreigners, valid for a period of five years, allowing its holder to reside in the country for a maximum of 90 days in one trip. The ministry indicated in a statement, that the fees imposed on other entry visas, which are currently in force in Egypt, will continue without change. The Official Gazette published the decision of the Interior Minister to amend some provisions of Ministerial Resolution #31 of 1960 regarding visas. According to the decision, the value of the new visa is US$700. The ministry excluded countries that have bilateral or regional agreements with Egypt that include mutual exemptions from visa fees.

Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar; chaired the meeting of the Supreme Committee of the Population, Health and Development Conference (PHDC 23) and its subcommittees. The steps to review the national strategies to be launched during the conference were also discussed, most notably the national health strategy, the national population strategy, and the investment map for health. The minister directed that the national strategy for research be presented for discussion during the conference sessions. Moreover, the minister discussed with the medical committee the pillars of the medical insurance plan for the conference. The plan aims to protect the conference participants from any health symptoms or crises and providing ambulance and emergency services in a timely manner.

The Qatar Investment Authority negotiates over the purchase of a 30% stake of the Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels, sources told Daily News Egypt on Saturday. The company includes 7 hotels: Cairo Marriott, Aswan Cataract, Haram Mena House, Luxor Winter Palace, Alexandria Cecil, Movenpick Aswan, and Elephantine Aswan. The hotels company owned by the Ministry of Public Enterprises, which was included in a holding company between the Sovereign Fund of Egypt and the Ministry, comes within the government offering program that includes 32 companies, which was revealed by the Cabinet at the end of last February. The Qatar Investment Authority is conducting advanced negotiations with the Sovereign Fund of Egypt about several potential deals in the Egyptian market, and Qatar deposited one billion dollars in the Central Bank last year under the balance of deals expected to be implemented. Egypt seeks to enhance direct foreign investment flows during the current period in which the country faces a currency shortage crisis, and seeks to return to the path of the International Monetary Fund program.

As a neighboring country to Sudan, Egypt has been keen since the beginning of the conflict to open its borders for those fleeing the conflict, Shoukry said. Egypt has received over 250,000 Sudanese people, representing 60 percent of those who fled the conflict, Shoukry said. This is in addition to 5 million Sudanese people that Egypt has hosting since before the conflict for long decades. Egypt has been keen to provide the Sudanese people fleeing the conflict with basic health and education services, Shoukry noted. Shoukry urged the international community to implement its commitments toward Sudan and provide urgent relief assistance to the Sudanese people.