CAIRO – 7 May 2024: The Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources indicated in a statement Tuesday that 3,230 kilometers of canals had been rehabilitated within the first phase of Decent Life initiative – aimed at developing the countryside - that was launched in 2019. The ministry pointed out that the goal for that phase was 4,000 kilometers, and that the rehabilitation of the remainder 770 kilometers had been in-progress. In a related context, the ministry revealed in a press statement in February 2023 that the total length of canals lined had amounted to 6,648 kilometers, and that tenders would be invited soon for lining 1,664 others. The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development had indicated in a report released in November 2022 that the government targeted to finish the lining of 20,000 kilometers of canals by mid-2024. It is noteworthy to mention that the canal lining initiative is carried out at 18 governorates, mainly in Menya, Luxor, Menoufeya, Asyut, Qena, Beni Suef, Sohag, and Beheira.

China regards Europe as an important dimension in its major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and an important partner on its path toward Chinese modernization, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Monday. Xi made the remarks at a China-France-EU trilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Elysee Palace. Expressing his delight in meeting with Macron and von der Leyen again, Xi noted that France is the first stop of his overseas visit this year, and that the trilateral meeting amplifies the Europe-wide significance of this visit. China always approaches its relations with the European Union (EU) from a strategic and long-term perspective, Xi said. It is hoped that China-France and China-EU relations would reinforce each other and thrive together, he added.

Kenyan authorities on Sunday said nine more people lost their lives in the last 24 hours due to the devastating floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains, bringing the death toll to 228. The Ministry of Interior and National Administration, however, said the tropical Cyclone Hidaya in the Indian Ocean has lost its strength following its landfall at Mafia Island in Tanzania on Saturday. Approximately 227,238 people have been impacted by the heavy rains while a total of 1,967 schools have been affected by the floods, the ministry said. People residing in urban areas, low-lying areas and riparian areas have been warned of possible flooding and those in hilly areas or steep slopes have been cautioned against landslides. “The government is carrying out assessments of damaged roads and mobilizing resources to address critical sections and restore safe travel,” the ministry said.

CAIRO - 6 May 2024: The Union of Arab Tribes warned of serious repercussions of an Israeli offensive in the crowded Palestinian Rafah area. The union called for the intervention of the UN Security Council and bodies concerned to stop this aggression. The union added that the aggression will have catastrophic consequences on the life of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and the region at large. Spokesman for the Union Mostafa Bakry said in remarks on Monday that the international community should pressure the Israeli government to stop this dangerous aggression and respond to the Egyptian efforts to achieve the truce between Hamas and the Israeli government. The union announced its complete solidarity with the Palestinian people.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said that he is closely following up on the positive developments in the ongoing negotiations regarding reaching a comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. “I am closely following the positive developments pertinent to the ongoing negotiations to reach a comprehensive truce in the Gaza Strip. 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. Israel, which is still bombing the civilians in the besieged strip, received the Hamas’ approval and will consider its response. 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.

The statement, signed by more than 50 chapters at various universities, said that many university leaders are condoning violent arrests and responding to peaceful protests with law enforcement in riot gear. The Associated Press reports that over 2,400 protesters have been arrested since April 17 on more than 45 US campuses. “We denounce police brutality and the militarization of campuses sanctioned by institutional leaders,” MERIP said in a statement. Mayor Eric Adams defended the actions, citing a disruption to academic life and the role of outside agitators. “We condemn the use of militarized police force against students in the strongest possible terms and affirm their right to assemble peacefully,” she said on social media.

CAIRO - 5 May 2024: Two defendants have been sentenced to three years in prison in the case of the death of Nayera Salah, known in the media as “ the Arish student.”One of the defendants, Shorouk, whose full name was withheld, was one of the victim’s colleagues. She is charged with taking copies of messages on Nayera’s phone in secret and then threatening her with the public disclosure of the messages. According to the prosecution, the accused woman shared a conversation forwarded from Nayera's phone with the accused man. He then threatened to share the conversation and claimed to possess compromising photos of Nayera, intending to distribute them within their colleagues' Whatsapp group. However, the exact cause of her death is still under investigation.

(Reuters) - Real Madrid claimed a record-extending 36th LaLiga title on Saturday after Girona's 4-2 thrashing of local rivals Barcelona left Carlo Ancelotti's side with an unassailable lead in the standings. With four games left, Real Madrid moved to 87 points on top of the standings after their second-string players earned a 3-0 over relegation threatened Cadiz earlier on Saturday, 13 ahead of Girona in second and 14 clear of third-placed Barcelona. Real Madrid now can turn their attention to a LaLiga-Champions League double as they get ready to host Bayern Munich in the semi-final return leg on Wednesday after snatching a 2-2 draw in Germany last week. Bellingham scored 15 goals in his first 16 games and he, Vinicius and Rodrygo have netted 41 of Real's 74 league goals. "A big part (of Real success) was achieved when we started to defend better, with a collective commitment," Ancelotti said.

The Egyptian Exchange (EGX) continued its recent downturn, on Tuesday, after a brief pause, negating all its gains for the current year. Amr El Alfy, Chief Equity Strategist at Thndr, compared the high returns on Treasury bills to those of the stock market, emphasizing the importance of sustainable growth. El Alfy also highlighted that numerous stocks in the Egyptian stock market are currently undervalued and stressed the significance of the investment horizon, advocating for the need for medium to long-term investors in the market, which still holds promising growth prospects. Hany Tawfik, Chairperson of International Investors Group, remarked that the stock market has been used as a store of value, and investments have not mirrored the actual performance of companies. The list extends to Tawfeek Leasing Finance, GB Corp, CI Capital, and various industrial companies, highlighting the investment potential in these entities.

Speaking at the 15th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Banjul, Gambia, Shoukry called for a “decisive stand” against the “delusions” of eradicating the Palestinian cause. Furthermore, he highlighted the need to “firmly confront double standards,” as demonstrated during the Gaza conflict. “The impacts and consequences of supporting what is happening in Gaza through silence extend beyond the Palestinian territories and the region, leaving a deep wound on the conscience of societies,” stated Shoukry. Shoukry also cautioned against Israeli plans to invade the Palestinian city of Rafah, which serves as the last refuge for nearly 1.5 million displaced Palestinians. Hindering aidHe held Israel responsible for imposing “illegal obstacles” that hinder the swift, safe, and sustainable delivery of relief aid.

The Cannes Film Festival, the world’s premier artistic gathering, is set to unfold from 14 to 25 May in its 77th edition. The Cannes Film Festival serves as a vital gateway to such exceptional films. Immersive CompetitionThe 2024 Cannes Film Festival introduces the novel Immersive Competition, hosted at Cannes Cineum and Université Côte d’Azur. Arab Representation at CannesThis edition of the Cannes Film Festival features six films from the Arab world, showcasing the talents of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Somalia, and Palestine across various festival competitions. Premiering at the third Red Sea Film Festival, where it won Best Saudi Film, “Norah” stars Yagoub Alfarhan, Maria Bahrawi, and Abdullah Al-Sadhan.

Washington— Andrew Clemmensen, a member of the US Air Force and military fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, shared insights on the logistical hurdles of delivering aid to Gaza via air. They can’t deliver the quantity of aid Gaza needs,” he said. Clemmensen noted that regional cooperation is crucial for success in air defense and other military operations. Andrew G. Clemmensen is a member of the US Air Force and a military fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. The views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the US government, the Department of Defense, or the Air Force.

For the past few days, Hamas has been studying a ceasefire proposal presented to it during the latest rounds of talks held in Cairo. While the specifics of the proposal are not yet public, any deal will include a ceasefire in Gaza in lieu of the release of hostages in captivity. The United States along with regional partners Egypt and Qatar are facilitating negotiations between Hamas and Israel. AdvertisementHamas is the last remaining town in Gaza where major fighting has not taken place. A top Hamas official on Friday accused Netanyahu of trying to derail the ongoing efforts for a truce in Gaza.

CAIRO - 4 May 2024: A High-level source stated told Al-Qahera TV News Channel the Egyptian security delegation taking part in the talks between Palestinians and Israelis, have reached a consensus formula on many points of disagreement regarding establishing a truce in Gaza. A Hamas delegation has arrived in Egypt this morning to participate in the talks, and significant progress was witnessed in the negotiations, according to Al-Qahera TV News Channel. Hamas said its delegation was heading to Cairo on Saturday to resume Gaza truce talks, as the United Nations warned that Israel’s threatened assault on the city of Rafah could produce a “bloodbath”. According to France 24, Foreign mediators have been waiting for the Palestinian militant group to respond to a proposal to halt fighting for 40 days and exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

Destroyed buildings by Israeli nonstop bombing on the Gaza Strip- the photo from the Palestinian journalists in Gaza through their Telegram channelsCAIRO – 4 May 2024: The Hamas delegation tasked with negotiating a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip arrived in Egypt and made significant progress in negotiations, a high-level source told Al Qahera News. The source added that the Egyptian security delegation reached a consensus formula on many points of disagreement. Egypt is hosting a new round of indirect talks between Hamas movement and Israel regarding reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and increasing the humanitarian aid that should enter the besieged enclave. Meanwhile, Egypt and the UAE jointly continued airdropping humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip, announced the Egyptian Ministry of Defense in a statement on Saturday. This coincides with the implementation of daily sorties and sustains the airdrop of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.