Egypt’s Environment Minister Yasmin Fouad will lead negotiations on climate finance at the upcoming COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, she announced during a virtual meeting with her Azerbaijani and Danish counterparts on Saturday. Fouad held talks with Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s Ecology and Natural Resources Minister and designated COP29 president, and Dan Jørgensen, Denmark’s Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, to discuss preparations for the summit. The meeting focused on enhancing the role of joint ministerial groups tasked with addressing climate issues, particularly the new collective quantified goal on climate finance. Fouad pledged Egypt’s full support to Azerbaijan in hosting COP29, building on Egypt’s experience as the previous COP president. She highlighted Egypt’s role in managing joint ministerial groups on climate issues, such as climate finance and the global goal on adaptation.

The Egyptian Olympic football is set to face off against the French team, led by Thierry Henry, on August 5 at exactly 10 pm Cairo time. The Egyptian Olympic team, led by its Brazilian coach, Rogerio Micale, defeated Paraguay on penalties in the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics. Egypt has reached the semi-finals of the Olympics in football for the first time in 60 years after winning 5-4. A positive draw dominated the regular and extra time with a goal for each team, as Ibrahim Adel scored the goal for the Pharaohs, while Diego Gomez scored the goal for Paraguay. Meanwhile, the French national team defeated Argentina with a goal without a response, scored by Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas Political Bureau, in Tehran early Wednesday has not only shocked the Middle East but also highlighted significant failures within Iranian intelligence. What is happening now is an invitation for an extension of war.”The operation also exposed weaknesses in Iranian intelligence, according to Divsallar. Tehran has lost this round of intel war to Israel.”This assassination marks another success for Israel in penetrating Iranian security. The spiral of escalation has already started, and it is tough to control now.”He added that Iran’s response might involve other groups within the axis of resistance. Given the strategic alliance between Iran and Hamas, Iran is likely to feel compelled to respond.

CAIRO - 2 August 2024: The Egyptian government targets to allocate 1.8 percent of GDP for spendings on research and development (for the Ministry of Higher Education) in 2030, compared to about 1.2 percent in the current fiscal year 2024/2025. The percentage is expected to increase annually, as the government has set spending on research and development as a percentage of GDP at about 1.4 percent during the fiscal year 2026/2027, while it recorded 1.1 percent in 2023/2024. This comes within the objectives of the government program of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly's government, which gained the confidence of the House of Representatives, and continues for 3 years (2027-2024), towards better education in Egypt that provides future jobs, from which 3 sub-programs emerge, namely "Upgrading the educational system" to ensure achieving the desired return from the development process of this pivotal system, and "Comprehensive education for all and educational and pedagogical rehabilitation" by integrating all societal groups within the educational system to ensure achieving social justice in society. As for the third and final program, it is represented in "Encouraging research and development and diversifying funding sources", as the program's vision is based on the importance of enhancing innovation and scientific research, in a way that ensures achieving maximum benefit for the Egyptian student, and the vision also revolves around the importance of diversifying funding sources in the educational and research system, whether through government support or private sector support.

Artistic producer Tamer Fathy passed away due to severe injuries from the Dabaa Road accidentHe was with the late producers Hossam Shawky, Fathi Ismail, and Mahmoud Kamal, who also passed away this morning. It was a sad and difficult day. May God have mercy on them and grant their families patience.

CAIRO – 2 August 2024: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration Badr Abdel-Atyand his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan addressed the dangerous regional escalation in recent days as a result of extremist Israeli policies and the assassination approach it adopts. During a phone call between the two Ministers, they tackled ways to contain the ongoing confrontations, according to a statement released by the Egyptian Foreign Minister. He also stressed the importance of stopping the ongoing escalation, and the necessity for major international powers, led by the United States, to assume their role and responsibility in stopping the pace of this escalation. Iran, Hezbollah and Iraqi Army vowed to revenge for those who killed by Israel. Additionally, Arab, Muslim and other countries voiced their concern about these political assassinations as these could lead to a regional all-out war.

CAIRO - 2 August 2024: Egypt has reiterated the imperative for Israel to halt its policy of escalation, which includes assassinations and breaches on the sovereignty of regional countries under any pretext. The call transpired amidst Israel's recent string of assassination attempts targeting leaders of Palestinian factions in Gaza and Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon. In light of escalating tensions, several global airlines, including United Airlines, Delta Air, and British Airways, have temporarily suspended flights to Israel. Abdelatty and Wennesland underscored the dangers of escalation that can lead to widespread confrontations, imperiling the stability and populace of the region. Wennesland, on behalf of the UN and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, expressed profound concern over the escalating regional tensions.

Among those headed back to Russia are convicted hackers and several Russian nationals detained in the West for spying. And the biggest prize for Russia was the return of Vadim Krasikov, a convicted hitman whose release had been publicly sought by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Anna Chapman, one of 10 Russian sleeper agents deported from the US in a 2010 prisoner swap, was also feted on her return to Russia. Britain blamed the poisoning on Russia; Russia has consistently denied involvement, although Putin referred to Skripal as a “scumbag” and a “traitor,” his contempt suggesting that Skripal had gotten his just desserts. The release of Russians in the swap means that Russia’s political climate is no less repressive.

Rescue operations are ongoing in India’s southern Kerala state on Wednesday after heavy monsoon rains triggered deadly landslides that swept through homes and stranded hundreds of people, officials said. “We don’t know if people have been washed away in the river but we are doing our best to rescue people. Videos posted to X by India’s National Disaster Response Force also showed rescue workers paddling through muddied water on inflatable boats to try to reach people. None of the people in the neighboring houses were seen.”Janaki’s husband, Vasu, said rescue workers arrived around 6 a.m. and brought the family to the hospital. A rescue worker walks past a damaged house after the landslides in Wayanad on August 1, 2024.

CNN — A teenage boy has been charged with murder after three young girls were A teenage boy has been charged with murder after three young girls were killed in a stabbing attack at a dance class in northwest England on Monday, British police said. Eight other children suffered stab wounds in the attack and five of them are in critical condition, police said. Two adults also remain in critical condition after being injured in the attack. Police said five people have been arrested so far in connection with the violence in Southport, in which more than 50 police officers were injured. “The individuals involved in the disorder had no regard for the families and friends of those who so tragically lost their lives, and a community in grief.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday- press photoCAIRO – 1 August 2024: In New Alamein City, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who made a private visit to Egypt. The two leaders met in a fraternal atmosphere, underscoring the robust and profound historical relations between the two countries and their peoples, said the Egyptian Presidency in a statement on Thursday. President El-Sidi accompanied His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on a tour to New Alamein City, where they visited its prominent landmarks and inspected the construction and development achieved in the city. President El-Sisi then bid farewell to Egypt’s esteemed guest at Al Alamein Airport, emphasizing the brotherly and historical relations and bonds the two countries’ leaderships and peoples share.

Catalyst Partners has submitted paperwork to establish Egypt’s first Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC), the firm announced on Tuesday. The company, named Catalyst Partners Middle East, will operate as a venture capital firm focusing on acquiring businesses in the non-banking financial services and fintech sectors. “Catalyst Partners Middle East aims to capitalize on the investment opportunities in the Egyptian market, particularly in the non-banking financial sector.”Catalyst Partners Middle East aims to provide a new financing channel for non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) and fintech platforms through the EGX. Shawky expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to the FRA leadership for their continuous efforts in developing and promoting the non-banking financial sector. The company’s managing director, Tarek Effat, said Catalyst Partners Middle East will disclose its plans for private placement after completing the establishment process and temporary listing on the EGX.

The massacres in al-Mawasi region, the area designated as a humanitarian zone in Western Khan younis- photo from Palestinian journalists in GazaCAIRO – 1 August 2024: The Israeli occupation forces have carried out two massacres against families in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, killing 35 martyrs and injuring 55 other individuals, who have been admitted to hospitals. Meanwhile, several victims remain trapped under rubble and on the roads, with ambulance and civil defense teams unable to reach them due to the ongoing aggression. Since October 7, the death toll from the Israeli aggression has risen to 39,480 martyrs and 91,128 injured. Families of martyrs and missing persons are urged to complete their data registration using the attached link. This will ensure accurate records are maintained by the Ministry of Health, according to a statement from the Ministry branch in Gaza.

The fund, affiliated with the Prime Minister, will coordinate with the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Human Trafficking, as well as relevant ministries and entities. 64 of 2010, which addresses human trafficking. The fund will also support activities specified in the national strategy to combat human trafficking and finance psychological, health, and social support programmes for victims. The draft decision outlines the organisational structure of the Human Trafficking Victims Assistance Fund, including the formation and responsibilities of the fund’s board of directors, the duties of the chairman, and the determination of the fund’s resources. This move is part of Egypt’s ongoing efforts to address and combat human trafficking, ensuring comprehensive support for victims.

Egypt’s Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk, emphasised that increasing the role and contribution of both domestic and foreign private sectors in the Egyptian economy is a top priority for the new government. Egypt’s Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk has pledged to increase the role of both domestic and foreign private sectors in the country’s economy. In his first meeting with international investors in London, Kouchouk outlined a strategy to create a more attractive investment climate and address economic challenges. The minister emphasised that rationalising public spending will free up resources for private investment, stimulating comprehensive and sustainable development. “The coming period will see enhanced engagement with foreign investors to attract more investments.”