French tourists arriving in Luxor were well received by Egypt's Authority of Tourism Promotion - Min. of Tourism & AntiquitiesCAIRO – 1 August 2021: On August 1, the office of the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion in Luxor received the first charter flights coming from France to Luxor, after the resumption of the inbound tourist movement to Egypt since the beginning of July 2020. Head of the Central Department of Domestic Tourism at the authority Iman Mahmoud indicated that the plane coming from the French capital, Paris, was carrying 178 French tourists, pointing out that the members of the authority's office in Luxor welcomed these tourists and presented roses, souvenirs and promotional materials about the various Egyptian tourist destinations to them. She added that a charter flight is scheduled to operate once a week from France to Luxor until November of 2021. It is worth mentioning that the authority's office in Luxor had received on July 31 the first charter flights coming from Spain to Luxor, which were coming from the Spanish capital Madrid, carrying 114 tourists.

CAIRO – 1 August 2021: Production index of manufacturing and extractive industries (excluding crude oil and petroleum products) reached 102.72 during May 2021 (primary), compared to 109.10 during April 2021 (final), marking a decrease of 5.85 percent, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). CAPMAS added that with regard to the economic activities that witnessed an increase: the beverage industry index reached 325.56 during May 2021 compared to April 2021, where it reached 257.40, with an increase of 26.48 percent due to the increase in the demand for beverages in the summer season. The electrical appliance industry index increased 12.01 percent, reaching 118.77 during May 2021 compared to 106.04 in April 2021, due to meeting the market needs. The index for the manufacture of machinery and equipment not classified elsewhere reached 155.25 during the month of May 2021 compared to the month of April 2021, when it reached 166.70, with a decrease of 6.87 percent, due to the market situation and the decline in exports. It updated the index methodology using the base year 2012/2013 and at the level of the industrial activity indices according to the Industrial Activity Index (ISIC Rev.4) and using the monthly index (producer prices based on 2012/2013).

An official source at the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population announced Saturday, that a locally-produced Sinovac vaccine will be launched to vaccinate citizens at the end of this week. The source added that two million doses of the Egyptian Sinovac vaccine were produced, and it is being analyzed by the Egyptian Drug Authority, and it is scheduled to be released soon. The Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) said last month that Egypt has produced the first million doses of China’s Sinovac vaccine. VACSERA aims to produce 80 million doses of the jab by the end of 2021, as directed by government officials. The Health Ministry is currently working to vaccinate medical staff first, and has opened registration for Egyptians and non-Egyptian adults on its website.

CAIRO – 1 August 2021: The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, is set to issue LE 11 billion in treasury bills (T-bills) on Sunday, August 1. The T-bills were offered in two installments, with the first valued at LE 6 billion with a 91-day term, and the second worth LE 5 billion with a 273-day term. For the current fiscal year, the budget deficit is estimated to record 6.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), planned by the ministry to be financed through treasury bills and bonds and through international and Arab loans. The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) decided Thursday, June 17, to keep the overnight deposit rate, overnight lending rate, and the rate of the main operation unchanged at 8.25 percent, 9.25 percent, and 8.75 percent, respectively. The discount rate was also kept unchanged at 8.75 percent.

CAIRO - 1 August 2020: The Health Ministry said Saturday night that 47 new coronavirus cases were detected, upping the total number of confirmed cases since the outbreak in the country to 284,262. In a statement, Spokesman for the Health Ministry Khaled Megahed said six patients have died from the virus over the past 24 hours, raising the death toll to 16,524. In a statement on Saturday, Spokesman for the Health Ministry Khaled Megahed said the certificates will be issued for EGP 100 for Egyptians and $10 for non-Egyptians. When these codes are scanned by mobile phones, the certificate holder’s data, photo and status as regards the virus vaccine will appear. Passengers will register their data then the application will be able to recognize their vaccine certificates and show whether they are vaccinated or not.

Egyptian troops in North Sinai - Photo courtesy of the spokesperson of the Armed ForcesCAIRO – 1 August 2021: A total of 89 high-risk terrorists were killed in the operation zone of North Sinai in the recent past period, according to a Sunday statement by the General Command of the Armed Forces. Eight members of the military were killed or injured during the operations, the statement said without specifying the number of those killed. Further, four explosive belts, 404 explosive devices on main roads, 59 motorbikes and 52 cars used by terrorists were destroyed. Thirteen tunnels used to infirtlate terrorists into North Sinai were also discovered and destroyed. In South Sinai, 844 farms of marijuana and hydro-narcotic plants, as well as 1,114 poppy famrs.

The day turned out far better for Ghanaian featherweight Samuel Takyi, who overpowered his Colombian opponent Ceiber Avila to win at least a bronze -- the country's first boxing medal in nearly 50 years. "I'm going to make history and I'm going to win the gold colour," Takyi said, his short hair dyed golden for the Tokyo Games. I'm going to do something, I'm going to make a great history." MARCIAL ADVANCES WITH KNOCK-OUTElsewhere, Filipino middleweight Eumir Marcial knocked out Armenia's Arman Darchinyan with a right hook to cruise into the semi-finals, securing him at least a bronze medal. It will be a Britain versus Cuba final also in the light-heavy category.

CAIRO – 1 August 2021: The relations between Egypt and South Sudan had reached very high levels, said South Sudan's Vice President James Wani Igga in media remarks to Extra News on Saturday. He added that his country agreed with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on enhancing cooperation in the fields of investment, electricity, water, health, education. "We are ready for economic partnership with Egypt in various fields,” he said, adding that an international expo in Juba for Egyptian products, set to be held annually. On July 27, 2021, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli emphasized Egypt's full support for the efforts exerted by South Sudan to achieve peace across the country, build on what has been reached through the Revitalized Peace Agreement, and proceed with implementing the agreement provisions as regards the transitional phase. Madbouli made the remarks during a joint press conference with South Sudan's Vice President James Wani Igga in Cairo at the conclusion of the first session talks of the Egyptian-South Sudanese higher committee, which was attended by high-level ministerial delegations from the two sides.

The Egyptian presidency announced Saturday that new polymer plastic banknotes will be released into circulation by early November. Amer noted that steps are being taken to establish the new banknotes printing house for the CBE, built in the New Administrative Capital. The CBE is reportedly releasing plastic money in 10-pound denominations and put it on the market. Plastic money is made of polymer, which is an anti-spoilage material and has a longer lifespan compared to banknotes. Banknotes have many shortcomings as its condition deteriorates quickly due to being made of paper and having weak resistance to the environment.

CAIRO – 1 August 2021: Egypt announced on Saturday evening that it is following attentively the developments of the situation in the Tunisian Republic, expressing its full solidarity with the brotherly Tunisian people and its legitimate aspirations. “Egypt is following attentively the developments of the situation in the Tunisian Republic, expressing its full solidarity with the brotherly Tunisian people and its legitimate aspirations, and trusting the wisdom and ability of the Tunisian presidency to get the country out of this crisis as soon as possible,” said Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Ambassador Ahmed Hafez in a statement. He said that Egypt is calling for the necessity of avoiding escalation and refraining from violence against state institutions in a manner that preserves the interests, security, and capabilities of the Tunisian people. Egypt is “commending in this regard the role of the Tunisian state’s national institutions in maintaining the country’s security and stability, and expressing his aspiration that the Tunisian brethren will overcome all challenges and proceed towards building a better future.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Saturday expressed its condolences Saturday to the Turkey over the victims of wildfires that have erupted across the nation. “Egypt extends its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and expresses its wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. Wildfires have broken out in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Turkey since Wednesday, killing at least six people. Relations between Egypt and Turkey have soured considerably in recent years. The Turkish Ambassador to Egypt was expelled from Cairo in 2013 and both presidents have repeatedly criticized each other.

The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population reported on Saturday 47 new coronavirus cases, six deaths, and 656 recovered cases. A total of 284,262 cases have been reported in Egypt, alongside 16,524 deaths and 230,368 recovered cases. Madbouly announced at the beginning of June that 2.5 million citizens have received a vaccine against COVID-19, out of Egypt’s population of 104 million. The Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Supply, Medical Supply and Medical Technology Administration (UPA) announced in mid-June that it has secured over 46 million COVID-19 doses during the fiscal year 2020/2021. Egypt’s Prime Minister added that Egypt has also produced one million doses of coronavirus vaccines thus far.

Egyptian Finance Minister Mohamed Maait announced Saturday that the Moody’s credit rating institute has kept Egypt’s credit rating in both local and foreign currencies as it is at the B2 level, the third time in a row – maintaining a stable outlook for the Egyptian economy. He added that the decision reflects the continued confidence of international institution in the solidity of the Egyptian economy and its ability to deal with the coronavirus crisis, unlike other counterpart and emerging economies. Maait added that the decision also reflects Moody’s confidence in the Egyptian economy’s ability to overcome external and internal issues resulting from the pandemic, evident as a result of the government’s continued implementation of economic, financial and structural reforms. Moody’s decision to maintain Egypt’s credit rating for the third time in a row during the pandemic represents a continuous consolidation of the confidence generated by the economic and financial reforms, he added. This will extend the life of the debt to nearly four years, implementing the debt strategy efficiently in the medium term and reducing the financing needs of the public budget to less than 30 percent of GDP – according to the institution’s estimates – reflected in reducing debt service costs.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Caeleb Dressel brought the curtain down on his Tokyo Games by winning a fifth gold medal on Sunday and said that the high expectations, pressure to perform and a rollercoaster ride of emotions had made the Olympics a "terrifying" experience. "It's a different type of pressure, I'm completely aware of that now and I'll stop lying to myself," said Dressel, who has 13 world titles. "You have to be so perfect in that moment, especially we had an extra year, so a five-year buildup, a 24-year buildup. In one moment, your whole life boils down to a moment that could take 20 or 40 seconds. "I wouldn't ever tell myself this during the meet but after looking back, it's terrifying."

CAIRO, 1 August 2021: Hedaya Malak, the Egyptian taekwondo champion, expressed her happiness with the tweet of Mohamed Salah, the star of the Egyptian national team and Liverpool FC, to congratulate her on the bronze medal and wished to meet him. Hedaya Malak won her second Olympic bronze medal after winning the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Hedaya Malak said on Ontime Sports, "I am very happy that Saif Issa won the medal, and I saw that he could compete for gold as well, but he could replace it next time." And about Mohamed Salah's congratulations to them after winning the medal, Hedaya revealed, "He is the role model and I hope to meet him face to face to thank him because he gave us hope to be like him one day." And she continued, "When I go to any country and they ask me what is your country and I answer Egypt, they say Mo Salah, he is a role model and pride for us."