CAIRO – 9 May 2024: The Gaza ceasefire talks resumed in Cairo on Thursday with the participation of all parties, a source told Al Qahera News. On May 6, the Hamas movement informed the Egyptian and Qatari mediators of the movement’s approval of the Egyptian proposal on a ceasefire agreement in the besieged Gaza Strip. Concurrently, displaced individuals will continue returning to their residences in the northern Gaza Strip, while freedom of movement for the population will be ensured across all areas of the Gaza Strip. This is in addition to starting the rehabilitation of the infrastructure of electricity, water, sanitation, communications, and roads in all areas of the Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, the reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, slated for a period of 3 to 5 years, will be implemented.

Delegations from Hamas and Israel participating in Cairo talks for Gaza ceasefire departed for consultations, on Thursday after two days of ceasefire negotiations, according to a high-level Egyptian source who spoke to Daily News Egypt. The discussions came amid escalating violence and increasing international pressure to de-escalate the conflict in Gaza. The source indicated that further diplomatic work is ongoing, highlighting the challenges in finding a resolution amid the current hostilities. The pressure on Israel to avoid a full-scale ground operation in Rafah has also grown, especially considering the damage already inflicted on the region. In response, Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, criticized the US President’s remarks, posting on X that “Hamas loved Biden.”

Contact Financial Holding, a premier provider of non-banking financial services in Egypt, has successfully concluded its first securitization bond issuance for the year 2024. The issuance, managed by Sarwa Securitization, comprises a consumer finance portfolio from Contact Credit, its affiliates, and sister companies, totaling EGP 1.04bn. Major financial institutions have underwritten and subscribed to the issuance, with Contact Financial Holding spearheading the process as the issuance manager, promoter, and underwriter. Arab African International Bank served as the custodian, and Banque Du Caire functioned as the placement agent. It also signifies the trust that both local and international financial institutions place in our robust credit portfolio, our diverse financial products, and our team’s expertise.

A new variant of COVID-19 has been identified, dubbed “FLiRT,” and currently accounting for 25 percent of coronavirus cases in the US. The Daily Star website reported on another variant known as KP.1.1, estimated to represent 7.5 percent of COVID-19 cases in the United States. They explained that some mutations may make the virus easier to spread or more resistant to treatments and vaccines. The Vice President of the Scripps Research Center, Eric Topol, who closely monitors new COVID-19 variants warned that these new variants are expected to cause a “significant increase” in cases. While the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, the symptoms associated with it remain largely consistent.

(MENAFN- Daily News Egypt) High-level ceasefire talks involving Qatari, US, and Hamas delegations resumed in Cairo on Wednesday. On the other hand, a senior Israeli official told Axios that significant gaps persist in the negotiations over the Gaza hostage deal. Israel's seizure of the Rafah crossing has also stranded international aid personnel on both sides of the Gaza-Egypt border, further complicating the delivery of much-needed supplies. The Cairo talks come at a critical time, with international stakeholders closely watching for signs of progress. Egyptian mediators continuetheir efforts to pushfor a resolution, the Egyptian sources indicated.

Yet the Brazilian, who was almost unplayable at times, said that the recipe for Real Madrid's success in big moments is their selfless commitment and collective sacrifice that, combined with the Bernabeu's electric atmosphere, prove an unstoppable combination. It's all due to the togetherness of the group, that's what makes the difference," Vinicius told Movistar Plus. The 23-year-old Brazilian tormented Bayern's defenders on Wednesday, showing once again he is Real's man for the big occasion. I feel proud to be able to play so many times in this stadium, to experience nights like this and to do something like this again. This is Real Madrid... We never give up," an emotional Vinicius said.

Top international officials have criticized Israel’s military action in eastern Rafah, after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday ordered residents there to “evacuate immediately” as it conducts an operation in the city. Many of those leaving Rafah have been previously displaced multiple times as Israel’s focus has moved from city to city. REUTERS/ Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters“The impacts on Palestinian civilians from an expanded military operation would be devastating,” she added. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned on X against a “major offensive” on Rafah, saying: “One million people cannot vanish into thin air. To this end, the Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings must be reopened immediately.”German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks to the media in Berlin, Germany, on April 25.

CAIRO – 8 May 2024: Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, key government officials met to discuss the development of real estate export initiatives and the activation of real estate investment funds. He highlighted the recent interest from Gulf countries' citizens in purchasing Egyptian real estate and emphasized the role of real estate development companies and exhibitions in promoting this unique offering. It reviewed several legislative, regulatory, and administrative aspects related to real estate investment funds. Representatives from the Egyptian Real Estate Investment Fund and other stakeholders participated in the discussions, resulting in agreements on various legislative and administrative amendments that aim to activate the role of real estate investment funds. These amendments aim to encourage investment in real estate funds and enhance their effectiveness in promoting real estate investment.

CAIRO – 8 May 2024: Egypt’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid has offered his sincerest condolences to families of the victims of devastating floods that struck the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. In a post on his official X account, the spokesman added that Egypt stands by the side of the government and people of Brazil in this delicate situation

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reviewed the progress of the new urban complex being constructed on Warraq Island during a meeting on Tuesday. Madbouly emphasized the importance of timely compensation for residents affected by the redevelopment. Housing Minister Assem El-Gazzar, Giza Governor Ahmed Rashid, and Osama Shawky, head of the New Warraq Island Development Authority, attended the meeting. Services such as a youth centre, commercial centre, and schools are also under development. Shawky discussed the status of land and property transfers for the development, including the disbursement of compensation to residents.

CAIRO – 7 May 2024: Egyptian high-level source affirmed that there is an agreement between all parties to return to Gaza ceasefire negotiating track. The source also denied what was reported by Israeli media regarding Egypt assuming security responsibilities inside the Gaza Strip. “it’ not true what was circulated in the Israeli media regarding Egypt assuming any security responsibilities inside the Gaza Strip of any kind,” the source saidOn Monday, Hamas movement informed the Egyptian and Qatari mediators of the movement’s approval of the Egyptian proposal on a ceasefire agreement in the besieged Gaza Strip. In a statement, the movement announced that Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas political bureau, made a phone call with Egyptian Minister of Intelligence Abbas Kamel and Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, informing them the Hamas' approval of the proposal regarding a ceasefire agreement. According to Al Qahera News, the Egyptian proposal entails the release of 20-40 captives currently held by Hamas in Gaza, in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners serving lengthy sentences or who are elderly.

Israeli forces conducted intensive bombings in the Palestinian city of Rafah, located in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, targeting areas near the land crossing into Egypt. This escalation occurred even as there were expectations of a ceasefire announcement in Gaza, which has been under conflict for 214 days following Hamas’ agreement to a ceasefire proposal. On Tuesday, the Israeli military took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing at the border with Egypt and hoisted the Israeli flag there. Egypt has voiced strong condemnation of the Israeli military operations in Rafah and the takeover of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing. Hamas has labelled the Israeli incursion at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt as a grave escalation against a civilian installation, which is safeguarded by international law.

In a strategic initiative to enhance Egypt’s economic position, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly chaired a meeting on Tuesday to examine proposed revisions to the Economic Zones Law. Madbouly stressed the importance of this project, pointing out the necessity to update the law to reflect current global standards and to leverage Egypt’s unique economic capabilities. He highlighted the need for comprehensive discussions and detailed analysis to ensure the revised law meets the demands of the changing economic environment. Marwan illuminated the role of the Supreme Committee for Legislative Reform, noting their charge to devise amendments that integrate smoothly with the existing law and enhance the competitiveness of Egypt’s economic zones. This included consideration of the observations, the valuable input from the Supreme Committee for Legislative Reform, and the agreement on unified amendments.

CAIRO – 7 May 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry received Tuesday French President's Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian, stressing that the current regional crises necessitate the resolution of the issue of the absence of a Lebanese president caused by political disputes. That is why the meeting focused on the role of the five-nation group on Lebanon – comprising the United States, France, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar – in creating a common ground between the different Lebanese stakeholders for them to agree on a presidential candidate as soon as possible. Minister Shokry equally stressed the salience of pacification in Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon to inhibit the expansion of the scope of conflict in the region.

CAIRO - 7 May 2024: The French government has tasked senior officials with launching an investigative inquiry into political Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood in France. In a statement, the government highlighted that this is an official mission entrusted to the French state's Minister of Interior to verify the Muslim Brotherhood's presence in France, including its discourse, connections, structures, and activities. The mission will be responsible for issuing a report in the fall to assess the impact of political Islam in France, analyzing the objectives and methods employed by the Muslim Brotherhood in this context, and aligning current methods with the counter-separatist policy to address them. The mission will benefit from the support of relevant state interests and will engage with experts, researchers, and qualified organizations on this subject. It will ensure that its work includes analyzing foreign examples in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa facing similar phenomena.