Egypt has escalated its dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to the UN Security Council. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry sent a message on Saturday to the President of the UN Security Council, where he explained developments in the situation and called on the council’s responsibility in accordance with the United Nations Charter to maintain international peace and security. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Hafez added that the Foreign Minister’s letter, which was circulated as an official document to the Security Council, reveals to the international community the truth of Ethiopia’s uncooperative stance. Shoukry also spoke on Ahmed Moussa’s TV show “Ala Massoulity” (By My Responsibility) to slam reports of Ethiopia selling water to Egypt. Meanwhile, the Council of the Arab League will hold an extraordinary meeting in Doha involving various foreign ministers on Tuesday to discuss developments on the GERD.

Egypt’s Health Ministry on Sunday confirmed 691 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country’s total up to 273,182. The total number of COVID-19-related deaths has now reached 15,623 nationwide, after the ministry announced 41 deaths. And 795 patients were discharged from quarantine at isolation hospitals, raising Egypt’s total number of fully-recovered cases to 201,038. Egypt is currently using China’s Sinopharm vaccine and the UK’s AstraOxford vaccine. The Ministry of Health announced that it will soon begin producing Russia’s Sputnik V and China’s Sinovac vaccines at Vacsera.

Meteorologists predict hot weather on Monday during the daytime over Greater Cairo, Lower Egypt, and northern Upper Egypt, with moderate weather along the northern coasts and very hot weather on southern Upper Egypt and South Sinai. The weather will be mild by nightfall over Greater Cairo, Lower Egypt, and northern coasts, and moderate on South Sinai and Upper Egypt. Maximum temperatures:Alexandria: 28CCairo: 33CHurghada and Qena: 38CSharm el-Sheikh: 39CLuxor: 40CAswan: 41CActive winds are expected on South Sinai and Upper Egypt, blowing sand and dust. Waves in the Mediterranean Sea will be low to moderate, ranging between one and 1.75 meters in height with northwestern surface winds, while in the Red Sea will be rough, ranging between 2.5 and 3. 5 meters in height with northwestern surface winds.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Saturday has restricted the number of pilgrims to 60,000 this year, limited exclusively to Saudi citizens and residents. The decision follows in the wake of new developments regarding the coronavirus pandemic, the ministry explained. It added that pilgrims must be free of the coronavirus and within the appropriate health-range for vaccination (18 to 65 years). The ministry assured that the Saudi government “always takes great care of the pilgrims’ safety, health and security, and places this at the forefront of its priorities in compliance with the purposes of Islamic Sharia in protecting humans.”Over the past ten years, the kingdom has had the honor of serving over 150 million pilgrims, the ministry said.

REUTERS: Portugal defender Joao Cancelo has been ruled out of Euro 2020 after testing positive for COVID-19 and will be replaced by Diogo Dalot ahead of their tournament opener against Hungary on Tuesday, the European champions said on Sunday. The versatile Manchester City player tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Saturday and is "doing well" after being placed in isolation, the team added. "In accordance with the COVID-19 protocol defined by UEFA before the Euro 2020 matches, all players and members of the entourage underwent RT-PCR tests on Saturday," Portugal said in a statement https://www.fpf.pt/pt/News/Todas-as-notper centC3per centADcias/Notper centC3per centADcia/news/29960. "The results, with the exception of Cancelo, were negative." Portugal Under-21 international Dalot, who plays for Italian Serie A side AC Milan, will join the team's delegation in Budapest to prepare for his debut at Euro 2020.

Churches across Egypt announced Saturday that mass and other activities will return following a noticeable decline in coronavirus infections. Church goers will continue to participate in mass and evening prayers at an attendance of 25 percent of the church space, and a maximum of one person in each bench. The Bishop of Mallawi, Ansanna, and Ashmounin Anba Demetrius said that churches will run ecclesiastical education classes and deacon schools during summer vacation. The bishop and head of the monastery of Anba Antonios in the Red Sea Anba Justus said that the monastery will reopen for visit starting June 15 immediately after the prayer of the rosary, without allowing overnight stays or retreats for guest monks, priests, and monk families. Justus added that visitors must continue to adhere to precautions by wearing masks and social distancing.

CAIRO – 13 June 2021: On June 13, many important events took place. Important world events:1325 - The traveler Ibn Battuta sets off on his first voyage around the world from his hometown of Tangiers, heading to Mecca to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. 1933 - Hitler approves the establishment of the Gestapo, one of the worst security agencies in the world during the twentieth century.

Egyptian journalist Imad al-Din Adib on Saturday said that the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s visit to Sharm el-Sheikh and his meeting with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi sought to find methods to resolve the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute, with two scenarios having been proposed. During a telephone interview in the “Kalema Akhera” TV program, Adib explained that the first will be attempts to avoid the dilemma reaching a point where military action remains the only option to disrupt Ethiopia’s plans regarding the GERD. The Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Hossam Zaki said that Egypt and Sudan need political support from the member states of the Arab League regarding the GERD, which they will seek to obtain during meetings that will take place in Doha in June 15. Following the main talks, a meeting requested by Egypt and Sudan regarding the GERD will be held followed by another meeting of the committee formed in June 11 to recent clashes in Palestine was and the confrontations that occurred between Palestine and Israel in Jerusalem, Zaki added. He stressed that obtaining support in these issues is important, whether from the Arab countries or any other countries with which Egypt and Sudan have good relations, and warned of Ethiopia’s continued intransigence.

CAIRO - 13 June 2021: CEO of Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) Yofi Grant suggested Sunday in IPAs Africa Forum 1 holding an African conference for investment so as every year “we shoot to” a different country like France, China, and others trying to attract their investors. Grant urged setting a regional strategy ensuring that investors entering the market are contributing to the accomplishment of strategic goals such as upgrading infrastructure, energy utilities, manufacturing, and accomplishing industrialization.

Minister of International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat: “Egypt is transitioning towards a green economy, as we have strong partnership opportunities with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).”H.E. During their meeting, Al-Mashat affirmed the Government of Egypt’s support for the EBRD’s strategy that is aimed at combating climate change and promoting a green economy. In April 2021, Al-Mashat met with Renaud-Basso in her first visit to the region since her election in October 2020. The current portfolio of cooperation between Egypt and the EBRD amounts to $1.3 billion.

CAIRO - 13 June 2021: Managing Director of Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) Moses Ikiara said Sunday in IPAs Africa Forum 1 that an investor wants to feel that the governmental bodies in the country they are investing in treat the investment as if it is their own. Ikiara expressed satisfaction about multinationales and FDI starting operation in his country because they transfer technology and know-how, and not just create jobs. It is noted that Kenya signed preferential commercial treatments with countries housing a total population of 1.4 billion.

The 2-1 defeat to Iceland in Euro 2016 ranks alongside the 1950 World Cup loss to the United States in English football’s hall of infamy. They exited the 2018 World Cup by the same scoreline, 2-1, but to Croatia. “We shouldn’t overlook the opportunity we had,” said Gareth Southgate then, but he was talking more about pride than regret. But it was just England’s third World Cup semi-final. For England, in a game laced with history, the danger is that history repeats itself.

England's Football Association issued a statement Saturday asking fans to respect players taking the knee to protest racism after some supporters booed the national soccer team for doing so ahead of the European Championships. Driving the news: Ahead of England's opening game in the tournament against Croatia at London's Wembley Stadium on Sunday, the FA asked fans "that oppose this action to reflect on the message you are sending to the players you are supporting." "Please respect their wishes and remember that we should all be united in the fight to tackle discrimination." FA statementThe big picture: The police killing of George Floyd last year in the U.S. sparked an international protest movement calling on governments to address systemic racism, with many soccer players in countries including England taking the knee to highlight the problem. A YouGov poll out this week found 54% of English soccer fans back players taking the knee, but 39% are against the action, with critics saying it politicizes the sport, Reuters notes.

ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) -Romelu Lukaku struck twice as Belgium confirmed their status as one of the favourites for Euro 2020 with a confident 3-0 victory over Russia on Saturday. Despite being without key performer Kevin De Bruyne, world number one ranked Belgium were rarely in trouble against a Russia side that struggled to impose themselves. Roberto Martinez's Belgium top Group B on three points, ahead on goal difference of Finland who beat Denmark in the group's other game in Copenhagen. Belgium were calm in possession and finding plenty of time and space against a Russia side who struggled to get a firm grip on the game. Lukaku and the Belgian team had taken the knee before the kick-off but the anti-racist gesture was met with jeers and whistles from the crowd.

Under its three-year expansion strategy, Banque du Caire aims to penetrate several countries across Africa. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, said, “Banque du Caire is a key champion of intra-African trade and investment, facilitating Egyptian engagement with the rest of the continent.” He noted that Banque du Caire is working tirelessly according to an ambitious plan to expand in the African market. Tarek Fayed, Chairperson of Banque du Caire, expressed his appreciation for the partnership with Afreximbank. Banque du Caire is a multi-award winning, full-service bank able to leverage its deep understanding of local and regional market dynamics and an extensive distribution network across Egypt. Source dailynewsegypt.com This comes especially as Banque du Caire has developed good relations with many international financial institutions, which enables it to facilitate all foreign trade operations, and enhances confidence in the Egyptian banking sector.