Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Eissa inaugurated the commercial area in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization on Thursday. The area thus far includes 12 shops of various sizes, all of which sell luxury Egyptian products – including accessories and ornaments, arabesque artifacts, sweets, textiles, and children’s toys, alongside a shop selling products by the Konouz Egypt Replica Treasures company. A museum for children, Kimet Kids, has been also inaugurated in the area. Founded by the Kimet company, it features activities for children including weaving and designing their own pharaonic ornaments. The company also presents a play on the museum’s theater telling the story of Queen Hatshepsut, as well as a cinema showing a historical short film in Arabic and English about the history of Egyptian civilization.

CAIRO – 22 June 2023: A large number of actors and public figures participated in the National Dialogue on Thursday to discuss the future of culture in Egypt. The session was held as part of the Culture and National Identity Committee of the National Dialogue’s social access to discuss further effectiveness for the cultural institutions and policies. A number of veteran actors, including Mohamed Sobhi, Sherif Mounir, Sameh Hussein and Ahmed Abdel Aziz participated in the talks to introduce their vision on the future of culture in Egypt. Head of the Egyptian Actor's Union, Ashraf Zaki, also participated in the session. In conjunction, political parties and social experts also held a session today to discuss means of facing domestic violence as part of the dialogue’s social track.

In November 2022, President Sisi welcomed the French president on the sidelines of the Climate Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. He praised the recent, unprecedented momentum in relations between the two countries, especially in the economic and trade relations. President Sisi also visited Paris in October 2017, leading a high-level delegation and was received by President Macron. In August 2019, Egypt's president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi visited France to attend the G7 Partnership meetings with African nations. President Sisi's diplomatic outreach continued with another visit to France in December 2020, where he held a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron.

June 21, marks the death anniversary of Egyptian cinema sweetheart Soad Hosny. Hosny used her outstanding talent to call for gender equality in the TV series "Hekayat Hwa we Heyain" (1985) that achieved booming success. In 2001, Hosny fell to death from her friend's apartment in London, which brought her glamorous life to an end. "Before her death, she was preparing for a play which she discussed with producer and screenwriter Samir Khafaga. May God bless the incomparable soul of Soad Hosny that still lives in the hearts of her fans.

CAIRO - 21 June 2023: The Interior Ministry on Wednesday granted an exceptional visit to all prisoners on the occasion of Eidul Adha. The visit will not be deducted from the number of legalized visits granted for prisoners throughout their jail term. The exceptional visit comes as part of the Interior Ministry's keenness on giving inmates the opportunity to share celebrations with their relatives on certain occasions. It also falls within the framework of upholding the values of human rights alongside the application of the penal policy in its modern approach.

CAIRO – 21 June 2023: Egypt was also elected as deputy head of the executive bureau of the Council of the Arab Media Ministers, said the Supreme Council for Media Regulations (SCMR) in a statement. Saudi Arabia was also elected on Wednesday to preside over the bureau, the SCMR added. This came during the 53rd edition of the council’s meetings that was held in Morocco. Head of the SCMR Karam Gabr led Egypt’s delegation in which he reiterated Egypt’s support to Arab national issues. He also conveyed President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s greeting to Arab media ministers.

The latest season of the drama series “Leh Laa” (Why Not) is scheduled to be shown on June 22 on the Shahid platform. Actress Nelly Karim said that her character, Sherry, represents women who faces great difficulties especially from raising children. The idea was developed by Dina Negm, who wrote the script and dialogue in cooperation with Magdy Amin, Rania Hassan and Salma Abdel Wahab, through a narration workshop and under the supervision of Maryam Naoum. The series stars Menna Shalaby, Ahmed Hatem, Murad Makram, Maha Abu Auf, Sarah Abdel Rahman, Selim Mostafa, Mona Ahmed Zaher, Donia Maher, Firas Saeed, Yara Gibran, Tamer Nabil, and Reem Hegab. “Why Not” marks one of many successful collaborations between Naoum and Karim, who worked together on prior shows such as “Women’s Prison” (Segn al-Nisa), “Under Control” (Taht al-Sitara) and “Free Fall” (Sokot horr).

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.