Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met with Adama Bictogo, Speaker of the Ivorian National Assembly, on Tuesday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and joint cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted Egypt’s dedication to South-South cooperation and support for Côte d’Ivoire, recognizing its pivotal role in West Africa. Offering a Helping HandThe Prime Minister expressed Egypt’s eagerness to aid Côte d’Ivoire’s development and stability. Economic OpportunitiesOn the economic front, Bictogo expressed his hope to attract more Egyptian investment, citing Côte d’Ivoire’s embrace of South-South cooperation and the strong relationship with Egypt. The meeting concluded with Madbouly expressing gratitude for Côte d’Ivoire’s support for a ceasefire and highlighting Egypt’s continued relief efforts and mediation role.

Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met on Tuesday to review proposals for the 2024/25 Economic and Social Development Plan, outlining key priorities for the coming year. The plan emphasizes increased private sector participation, aiming to exit state financing of some projects and leverage private expertise for economic growth. The plan acknowledges the need for rationalized investment spending, considering economic conditions and rising public investment costs. It aims to strike a balance between current and investment spending to maximize efficiency. Furthermore, the plan encourages partnerships with the private sector for various projects, fostering collaboration and leveraging diverse expertise for development.

CAIRO - 20 February 2024: The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that the death toll of the Israeli aggression on Gaza has risen to 29,195, and the injured to 69,170, since the seventh of last October. The Ministry of Health said that the occupation committed 9 massacres in the Gaza Strip, killing 103 martyrs and 142 injured during 24 hours. That is in addition to 13 foreigners, 150 Palestinian-Egyptians, and 250 people holding residency permits. Also, 120 trucks of aid and medical materials entered the Emirati Hospital, as well as 5 fuel trucks. The governor added that the area would be set up for preserving humanitarian aid like food and other supplies so they would not be damaged by weather conditions.

CAIRO – 20 February 2024: Minister of Local Development Hisham Amna revealed in a statement Tuesday that the Inspection and Follow-Up Sector had referred 1,184 employees at municipal authorities to investigation between September 2022 and February 2024. The breakdown is that 199 were referred to the Public Prosecution, 642 others to the Administrative Prosecution, and 343 were subjected to internal investigation. Minister Amna announced in July the conclusion of the 21st campaign of restoring state-owned lands from squatters and that was executed between April 19 and July 28. Although the number declined to 194,900 in 2015 and 176,100 in 2016, it went up again to 186,100 in 2017. That was the year President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi launched a nationwide campaign to remove encroachments on state-owned properties and constructions on agricultural lands.

Tuesday 20 February 2024 01:00 AMEgypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said on Monday that the Suez Canal, which used to earn about $10bn a year, has seen its revenues drop by 40-50%. He also mentioned the situation in the Gaza Strip, which affects the shipping corridor that brings billions of dollars to Egypt. Al-Sisi met with Murray Auchincloss, the CEO of British Petroleum (BP), on the sidelines of the conference. The president praised BP’s work in clean energy transition and emissions reduction and said Egypt shared the same vision of a just energy transition. Auchincloss, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, applauded Egypt’s balanced strategy of developing the energy sector and shifting to clean energy, which taps into Egypt’s huge potential in this field.

Africa’s economic growth dipped to 3.2% in 2023, falling short of the 4.1% recorded in 2022, the African Development Bank (AfDB) reported. Despite the slowdown, the bank projected a return to faster growth for most regions in 2024, with the exception of Central Africa. However, amid the challenges, 15 African countries defied the trend, achieving economic growth exceeding 5% in 2023. Looking forward, the AfDB forecasts an upswing in growth for all regions except Central Africa in 2024. East Africa is expected to lead the pack with 5.7% growth, while Southern Africa remains the laggard at 2.2%.

A new analysis by Global Witness reveals that European and US oil and gas majors have raked in a staggering $281bn in profits since the Russia-Ukraine war two years ago. This windfall, driven by soaring energy prices, coincides with mounting criticism of the industry’s profiteering amidst human suffering and the climate crisis. War Fuels Profits, Fuels DoubtsRussia’s invasion exacerbated an already volatile energy market, leading to skyrocketing gas prices and historic gains for oil and gas producers. Profits Amidst HardshipThe staggering profits stand in stark contrast to the human cost of the conflict. Shell recently backtracked on reducing oil output despite the climate crisis, while BP weakened its emissions reduction pledge.

A global group of primatologists and cognitive biologists has now observed playful teasing in four species of large apes. The ancestors of all four great ape species utilized playful teasing, suggesting that at least 13 million years ago the necessary elements of humour originated in the human lineage. Joking and teasing are quite similar, and playful teasing can be thought of as the cognitive antecedent to joking. Cartmill notes that playful teasing in great apes is one-sided and typically originates from the teaser throughout the entire engagement, with little to no reciprocation. Laumer explains, “From an evolutionary perspective, playful teasing and its cognitive prerequisites may have been present in our last common ancestor, at least 13 million years ago.

Having a combination of all the signs makes them special in their way. IntuitiveA Pisces' intuition never lies. Moreover, they show love and admiration in every way possible to their partners. Having a Pisces in your life will help you feel at ease with all your emotions. They will listen endlessly to your problems while never judging you, helping you in every way possible.

CAIRO – 19 February 2024: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi offered his condolences to the Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, and Crown Prince of Jordan, Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, on the passing of Saudi businessman Khalid bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al-Saif, father of Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein, wife of the Jordanian Crown Prince. President Sisi expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to the family and the brotherly people of Jordan, praying to God that the deceased be showered with mercy, and that his family be given patience and solace. Jordanian Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, mourned on Sunday, his father-in-law on his official Instagram account saying: “‏With profound sadness and sorrow, we bid farewell to my beloved father-in-law. The Royal Hashemite Court mourned the passing of the father of Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif, on Sunday. The Royal Hashemite Court has announced three days of mourning, as of Sunday, 18 February.

Sunday 18 February 2024 10:40 PMEgypt expressed its appreciation for the decision of the African Union (AU) Executive Council to support the nomination of Khaled El-Anani, Egypt’s candidate for the position of Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Khaled El-Anani, the former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, was endorsed by the Arab League’s Ministerial Council last September as the Arab candidate for the UNESCO top job for the term 2025-2029. El-Anani, who holds a PhD in Egyptology, has a distinguished career in academia, research, and public service. He also oversaw the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo during his tenure as Minister of Antiquities. The UNESCO elections are expected to take place at the agency’s headquarters in Paris in 2025.

The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) aims to achieve the goals of regulators of the non-banking financial sector, which include ensuring its stability and safety, as well as improving the business environment, said Mohamed Farid, Chairperson of the FRA. He also highlighted the amendments to the Egyptian accounting standards that were issued by a decision of the Prime Minister based on the recommendation of the Egyptian Accounting Standards Review Committee. Farid also announced the FRA’s decision to issue Egyptian standards for the financial evaluation of establishments, by developing methodologies and models that suit the nature and work of emerging companies. He said that the FRA is digitizing non-banking financial transactions and making them a top priority in implementing the law to use technology in non-banking financial activities. Farid confirmed that carbon markets will be officially activated soon in support of the state’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality following international standards and Egypt’s 2030 vision to achieve sustainable development.

Egypt has joined the request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, according to the head of the State Information Service, Diaa Rashwan. Rashwan stated that the Egyptian memorandum also denounced the Israeli occupation, which has lasted for over 75 years and violated international humanitarian law. Moreover, the memorandum rejected the Israeli policies of persecution, racial discrimination, and other practices, which flagrantly violate international humanitarian law and human rights law. Rashwan said that the memorandum and the Egyptian plea urged the court to affirm Israel’s liability for these unlawful acts and to demand Israel’s immediate withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem. The memorandum also called for the compensation of the Palestinian people for the harm caused by these unlawful policies and practices.

CAIRO - 18 February 2024: Egypt announced on Sunday that it has submitted two memorandums to the International Court of Justice on Israeli practices in the occupied Palestinian territories. A pleading by Egypt will be heard at the International Court of Justice on a Feb. 21 session, according to Cairo News. Egypt will also participate in the advisory opinion requested by the General Assembly of the International Court of Justice regarding Israeli practices in the Palestinian territories since 1967.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of providing goods in markets and controlling prices, especially as the government is paying great attention to this file. He also said that the “Welcome Ramadan” exhibitions and the “We Are All One” initiative outlets will be expanded to offer various commodities at reasonable prices. He expressed his readiness to provide any goods in the required quantities in the different outlets. Al-Moselhi also said that the current goal is to increase the supply of goods, which will contribute to controlling prices. Al-Sayyid Al-Quseir, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, said that his ministry has more than 270 outlets in the governorates, in addition to mobile outlets, that work to provide various goods.