In a pivotal moment for the BRICS economic alliance, the “BRICS Pay” system was officially unveiled during the BRICS Business Forum held in Moscow a few days ago, as part of the ongoing BRICS summit for 2024. In a symbolic gesture of the group’s commitment to launching the system, BRICS payment cards were distributed to participants at the forum. This mechanism is poised to disrupt the Western “SWIFT” system’s monopoly on global financial transactions. The BRICS nations are earnestly working towards reshaping the global economic system by developing their financial frameworks. Additionally, initiating this mechanism could provoke pressures from Western sanctions, as the system may pose a threat to the current international financial system dominated by the West.

CAIRO – 22 October 2024: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi headed Tuesday to the Russian Federation to attend the BRICS summit held in the city of Kazan. The summit marks Egypt's first participation as a member of the group, since its official accession at the beginning of this year. Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Ahmed Fahmy, stated that during the summit, President El-Sisi will present Egypt's vision and positions on a multitude of significant international and regional issues. The President will also address climate change-related issues and avenues for strengthening economic and developmental cooperation among BRICS member countries. President El-Sisi will participate in the BRICS Plus summit, which includes BRICS member states as well as influential and friendly international countries and organizations.

Kazan – Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi landed in Kazan on Tuesday for the 16th BRICS Summit. Al-Sisi is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimiri Putin. The three-day BRICS summit, starting Tuesday in the southwestern Russian city of Kazan, is the first meeting of the group of major emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa since it expanded earlier this year to include Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Iran. Earlier, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told RT Arabic in Cairo that BRICS “opens up new opportunities for cooperation, partnership, investment and trade” ahead of his trip to Russia. “We are against the policy of polarisation… This is not a political bloc, but an economic union to promote our interests and our economic agenda.

KAZAN— Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on Tuesday in Kazan, Russia, during the BRICS summit, emphasising the need for important decisions to expand and strengthen cooperation within the bloc. “In Kazan, we must take a number of important decisions aimed at further improving the activities of the association and strengthening multifaceted cooperation within its framework,” Putin said. Putin also highlighted Russia’s appreciation for cooperation with India within the BRICS framework. “We highly value our cooperation in this area, bearing in mind that our states stood at the origins of the creation of the association,” Putin added. Modi also touched on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, stating India’s commitment to a peaceful resolution.

The upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, from 22 to 24 October, will host a wider group of nations, with representatives from 36 countries and six international organisations participating. Ushakov outlined the summit’s schedule, highlighting that a meeting of delegations from the BRICS countries will be held on October 22, beginning with an informal lunch at Kazan City Hall. President Putin will also hold a press conference after the conclusion of the summit. The United Arab Emirates’ President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will attend the summit on October 23 after talks with President Putin in Moscow. Finally, Ushakov stated that President Putin may meet with Milorad Dodik, head of the Republika Srpska canton of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Kazan.

The alliance's initiatives have provided the medical tools and needs that help people with disabilities live their normal lives as much as possible. The latest of these initiatives was "The Best Friend", which aims to integrate people with disabilities into society, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Life Makers Egypt Foundation. The initiative works to achieve clear goals to help people with disabilities and their families integrate into society. A total of 800 volunteers from Life Makers Egypt volunteers participated in the launching ceremony. The initiative aims to enhance the role of youth in integrating people with disabilities into society, and achieving equality for all.

Yomna El-Bahar, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, emphasized the profound historical connections between Egypt and India, highlighting their ancient and rich civilizations. This statement was made during the India Tourism Promotion Event organized by the Indian Embassy in Cairo on October 17. She noted that Egypt and India possess significant tourism potential, characterized by diversity and historical richness. C. Sushma, Chargé d’affaires of the Indian Embassy in Cairo, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the millennia-old ties between India and Egypt. The focus was also on medical value tourism, wellness tourism, and eco-tourism.

Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, launched the second Global Conference on Population, Health, and Human Development (PHDC24) on Sunday, under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. The conference, themed “Human Development for a Sustainable Future,” is a key component of Egypt’s comprehensive strategy for human development and population improvement, aligning with the “Egypt 2030” vision and the outcomes of the National Dialogue. Abdel Ghaffar emphasised the importance of the PHDC24 and President Al-Sisi’s initiative, “A New Beginning for Building the Human Being,” as central pillars of Egypt’s human development strategy. The launch of the presidential human development initiative, “A New Beginning for Building the Human Being,” on 17 September demonstrates the country’s unwavering commitment to this area. The conference is a platform for Egypt to showcase its commitment to human development and population improvement while fostering international collaboration to address global challenges.

The meeting reviewed the progress of Fayoum Governorate’s four industrial zones, totalling 11,700 feddans, including the North Fayoum and New Fayoum zones, along with two industrial complexes for small and medium industries. The Minister directed the addition of loading ramps or dry ports at high-speed rail stations near industrial zones to facilitate goods transport. He also emphasized that industrial land allocation will be done via the Egypt Digital Industrial Platform, with land reclaimed from non-serious investors to be reoffered in December 2024. He noted that these measures will create opportunities for serious investors and ensure the proper functioning of industrial zones, preventing them from becoming informal areas over time. He added that undeveloped or inactive land and factories will be reclaimed and reoffered to serious investors via the Egypt Digital Industrial Platform to promote job creation.

Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has stressed the importance of the Export Reimbursement Programme in driving Egypt’s economic growth, highlighting plans to offer unprecedented incentives for localising industries and streamlining payment procedures for exporters. This move aims to localize these industries and ultimately reduce Egypt’s reliance on imports. The meeting reviewed the progress of the Export Reimbursement Program from 1 July 2023, to 29 February 2024. The meeting also reviewed the progress of automating the Export Reimbursement Programme. The first phase of automation, launched on 15 August 2024, includes registering exporting companies and electronically submitting support disbursement requests.

CAIRO – 20 October 2024: During his speech at the World Conference on Population, Health, and Human Development, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi confirmed that Egypt lost approximately $6 to $7 billion over just 10 months due to regional circumstances, underscoring the challenges posed by the global and regional economic environment. El-Sisi outlined the significant progress Egypt has made since the turbulent events of 2011, which left the country grappling with severe economic conditions and widespread security instability. El-Sisi noted that the Egyptian government adopted a strategic approach based on balanced, integrated, and interconnected solutions. One of the key achievements highlighted by the president was the successful implementation of the economic reform program, which played a crucial role in reviving Egypt’s economy and restoring investor confidence. The president's speech served as both a reflection on Egypt's resilience and a call to action for further collaboration and support to navigate the ongoing economic challenges.

In an unexpected adventure, American pilot Marshall Mosher, during a paraglider flight over Giza Pyramids, monitored a local dog’s journey to the top of the Pyramid of Khafre. Then we found a dog that appeared to be chasing some birds at the top of the pyramid, which is about 448 feet (136 meters) high. This morning, I decided to go back over the pyramid to see if the dog was still there, in an attempt to rescue it and bring it back to Earth. The video clip spread widely among social media users, garnering millions of views on Instagram within hours. Some have even compared the dog to Anubis, the god of the dead in ancient Egypt, who is often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly revealed on Saturday that there will be no additional fuel price hikes until the end of 2025, provided global oil prices stabilize at an average of $73 per barrel. Madbouly confirmed that fuel prices will remain unchanged for the next six months, as the government strives to reduce the impact on citizens. Diesel prices, crucial for transporting goods and passengers, rose from LE 11.5 to LE 13.5 per liter, marking a 17.3 percent hike. These adjustments reflect significant increases since the beginning of the year, with diesel prices rising by 63 percent and octane prices by over 30 percent. Brent crude oil prices peaked at over $80 per barrel in early October before dropping to around $74 by mid-month.

The US is investigating a leak of highly classified US intelligence about Israel’s plans for retaliation against Iran, according to three people familiar with the matter. One of the documents, which says it was compiled by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, says the plans involve Israel moving munitions around. Any such leak would automatically trigger an investigation by the FBI alongside the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies. The document says the US has not seen any indications that Israel plans to use a nuclear weapon against Iran. Axios first reported on the leaked documents Saturday.

MUNICH, Germany, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane scored a hat-trick to steer his team to a 4-0 victory over visiting VfB Stuttgart on Saturday, snapping their three-game winless run across all competitions and keeping them top of the Bundesliga. Kane, who had missed a golden chance in front of goal in the 51st minute, broke the deadlock six minutes later, rifling in from outside the box. He secured his hat-trick in the 80th minute with his eighth league goal of the season after Joao Palhinha's shot was blocked with substitute Kingsley Coman curling in Bayern's fourth goal in the 89th. The Bavarians are top of the standings on 17 points, ahead on goal difference of RB Leipzig, winners 2-0 at Mainz 05. But they still had control of the game but could not make their dominance count in the first half.