Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has called on investors to actively participate in all agricultural projects being implemented in Egypt. Al-Sisi emphasized the state’s commitment to achieving significant production volumes in agricultural projects. Regarding the high costs associated with current agricultural projects, Al-Sisi pointed out that they are often executed simultaneously and in an integrated manner. He expressed disapproval of cultivating a million acres to yield only 2.5 million tonnes of wheat when it is possible to achieve 3.5 million tonnes without increasing land area or water usage. Al-Sisi directed the Ministry of Agriculture to learn from the experience of the Modern Farming Company in agricultural investment.

Egypt, alongside the African continent, celebrated Africa Day on Saturday, May 25th, marking the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963. The “Africa Voice on Water” (AVOW) magazine was launched, providing a platform for information on water and sanitation in Africa. The country also chaired the “Road to the 10th World Water Forum” session during the 6th Cairo Water Week. Egypt led the African track of the 10th World Water Forum, showcasing a unified vision of the continent’s water challenges. The country is now preparing to host “Africa Water Week” in conjunction with the 7th Cairo Water Week in October 2024.

CAIRO - 25 May 2024: Egyptian Minister of Finance Dr. Mohamed Maait confirmed that a project to develop and automate the real estate tax system was launched in cooperation with the tax solutions operating technology company E-Tax, owned by the Ministry of Finance, and the E.G. The project is meant to make it easier for citizens, by making real estate tax system services available electronically for the first time, gradually, within the framework of the Ministry of Finance’s strategy to optimally exploit the path of digital transformation in various sectors and affiliated departments, in a way that contributes to improving the quality of services and establishing the pillars of equal opportunities and transparency. The minister added that an “advanced electronic platform” has already been launched to facilitate services and spread awareness of real estate tax laws and procedures, and the service will gradually begin to launch the service of inquiring about unit tax dues, paying debts, reviewing the account electronically, and electronic payment of the tax “online” for those registered in high-density tax offices. Anwar Fawzi, Head of the Real Estate Tax Authority, confirmed that procedures are being carefully re-engineered and mechanized to make “remote services” available via the advanced electronic platform, during the project implementation stages. This contributes to alleviating the burden on citizens and relieving them of the need to go to mission offices to receive services.

CNN — The United Nations’ top court has ordered Israel to immediately halt its controversial military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, further increasing international pressure on Israel over its war against Hamas. Israel began a limited ground offensive in Rafah on May 7, defying calls from the international community, including the United States, not to proceed. More than a million Palestinians were taking shelter in Rafah before Israel started its operation, but the court noted that around 800,000 have since been displaced. Upon entering Rafah, the military seized the city’s border crossing with Egypt, which has remained shut since. Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to the Netherlands, Vusimuzi Madonsela, waits for judges to enter the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands on Friday.

CAIRO - 25 May 2024: For decades, Egypt's role in the Palestinian issue has been remarkable and appreciated by all parties and seen by the whole world. Egypt deals with the Palestinian issue from the point of view of it being a national security issuePrimarily. In this regard, the Egyptian state has adopted a consistent policy regarding the method of resolving the Palestinian issue. Relations with Palestinian factions:Egypt has strong relations with the Palestinian National Authority, as well as with all factionsand Palestinian organizations without exception. C- Supervising the complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005.

The occupation warplanes further opened heavy gunfire targeting east of the city of Deir al-Balah. Meanwhile, a number of civilians were wounded as a result of violent artillery shelling and gunfire by occupation warplanes and military tanks that targeted the neighborhoods of Sheikh Ajlin, Tal al-Hawa, and al-Zaytoun in Gaza City. Ambulance and civil crews are finding difficulties in reaching the targeted areas due the intensity of the fire and the ongoing shelling. In Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, the occupation launched a series of airstrikes on many areas. The occupation artillery fired dozens of shells at the eastern border areas between the cities of Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis and Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

In the past, Arab singers regarded performing in Cairo as a stroke of luck. Being famous in Egypt meant achieving true fame that resonated throughout the entire Arab region, unlike fame in any other Arab country. However, other Arab cities have emerged as appealing destinations for singers across the region, including some of Egypt’s artists. The countless Arab singers who achieved success and fame here stand as a testament to this legacy. Egyptian singers themselves increasingly choose to perform outside their home country, impacting other Arab stars’ decisions.

Egypt has reiterated its opposition to “de facto policies” imposed by Israel and reaffirmed its commitment to aiding the Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza, a high-ranking Egyptian official told Daily News Egypt on Friday. The official underscored Egypt’s stance that the Rafah border crossing is an “Egyptian-Palestinian gateway” and outlined plans to re-establish aid channels through a mechanism agreed upon with the Palestinian Authority. To address this, Egypt has reached a temporary agreement with the United States to enable aid delivery through the Kerem Shalom Crossing. He also reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the importance of facilitating aid to meet the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza. The official concluded by rejecting any prevailing de facto policies imposed by the Israeli side, highlighting the North African nation’s commitment to a collaborative approach with the Palestinian Authority in delivering essential aid.

CAIRO – 24 May 2024: Egypt welcomed on Friday the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s ruling to impose additional provisional measures on Israel. The ICJ demanded Israel to 'immediately halt' military operations and any other measures in the Palestinian city of Rafah that would impose living conditions on the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip that threaten their survival. The ICJ also asked Israel to open the Rafah land crossing to ensure full and unhindered access to humanitarian aid for the residents of the Gaza Strip. It stressed the necessity of implementing previous measures issued by it, including opening all land crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Egypt stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, bears full legal responsibility for the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.

The Al-Azhar World Center for Electronic Fatwa has launched an independent page on Facebook called “Bayan” to counter atheism and secular thought. The page aims to provide safe avenue for dialogue with young minds, protect them from religious misinterpretation, and help them navigate faith in the current digital age. It aims to serve as a credible resource for those seeking accurate information about Islam and its laws, proactively addressing issues raised on social media and in the media. Furthermore, the page will be a hub for specialized awareness programs, all presented in a clear and engaging way. It will deliver essential information through electronic and media campaigns designed to be easily understood by young audiences.

MedFest Forum is offering a free, three-month workshop called “Script to Screen” to help you hone your short film scriptwriting skills. Most importantly, two workshop participants will be awarded production grants valued at around LE250,000. MedFest is committed to supporting these projects by offering production grants to two outstanding films! As for what makes “From Script to Screen” program special, “The program is to be available to all writers, especially experienced ones. Apply for the “Script to Screen” program by May 25th.

CAIRO – 23 May 2024: The British Guardian newspaper published on Thursday a report shedding light on abuses at the Israeli Sde Teiman detention camp in the Negev desert against Palestinian inmates. The report quoted sources describing Palestinian inmates being beaten, kept shackled to hospital beds or made to stand for hours. “If they are unable to keep their hands raised, the soldiers attach the handcuffs to the bars of the cage. Local health authorities confirmed that the Palestinian death toll from the Israeli onslaught since October 7 has risen to 35,800, with an additional 80,200 individuals sustaining injuries. The majority of the victims are women and children, Palestinian news agency (WAFA) said.

General Zaki delivered the greetings of Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces President Abdel Fatah EL-Sisi. He highlighted that the exercises conducted send a reassurance message to the Egyptian people on the constant readiness of its armed forces for combat. In a related context, the general expressed appreciation for members of the Egyptian Armed Forces for the efforts they make to confront the current and unprecedented challenges that target the Egyptian national security on all strategic fronts. On that front, the general commander stressed that the Egyptian Armed Forces was able to face any challenges because of the strength and solidarity of the Egyptian people, noting that the Egyptian state had firm fundamentals and only serves national interest. The general commander also mentioned Sinai Peninsula reiterating that safeguarding its lands would only be completed through comprehensive development.

Egyptian Defence Minister Mohamed Zaki affirmed on Thursday the Egyptian military’s ability to confront any challenges and reiterated the nation’s unwavering commitment to national security interests. Speaking during a tactical training exercise of the Second Field Army, Zaki emphasized that “the Egyptian military is capable of facing any challenges imposed on it.”He reassured the Egyptian people of the armed forces’ constant combat readiness, stating, “The activities and training tasks carried out by the armed forces send a message of reassurance to the Egyptian people about the permanent combat readiness of their armed forces.”Zaki acknowledged the ongoing efforts to address the complex situation concerning the Palestinian cause, stressing that “the current situation is being handled with the utmost wisdom to support and preserve the Palestinian cause and to stand with the Palestinians based on a two-state solution.” He underscored Egypt’s historical role in supporting Palestinians and its commitment to a two-state solution. The minister also highlighted the importance of comprehensive development in preserving the Sinai Peninsula, stating, “The preservation of Sinai is not complete without comprehensive development.”Lieutenant General Osama Askar, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, witnessed one of the training project’s stages, engaging with commanders and officers of the Egyptian military to assess their decision-making abilities and discuss tactical planning. He also answered questions from military students, demonstrating the importance of knowledge exchange and preparedness within the armed forces. The training exercise showcased the Second Field Army’s capabilities, reflecting the broader readiness of the Egyptian armed forces to protect national security on all strategic fronts.

CAIRO – 23 May 2024: The Palestinian Resistance Movement, Hamas, announced on Thursday that the video footage circulating on Israeli media, purportedly showing the capture of Israeli female soldiers on October 7, is fragmented and manipulated. According to the movement, this clip is another attempt by the occupation forces to discredit Hamas fighters, following their failure to distort their image through previous fabricated narratives. Some of the female soldiers displayed minor injuries or traces of blood, which are typical outcomes in such operations due to the chaotic nature of stampeding. Instead, they showed a dialogue between the fighters and the female soldiers without any signs of assault or violence. Recent pictures and scenes from the prisoner exchange unequivocally demonstrate the respectful treatment received by the female soldiers from the resistance in Gaza.