UN General Assembly adopts Egypt-drafted resolution on tolerance
The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution on tolerance submitted by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Morocco entitled, “Promoting a culture of peace and tolerance to safeguard religious sites”. Egypt’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mohamed Idris, on Friday explained that this resolution emerged in response to an escalation of religious intolerance, and addresses a growing need to promote coexistence and peace. He added that the resolution urges all countries to take effective measures to answer all forms of hatred that lead to discrimination and violence. This resolution is the second promoting peace and religious freedom submitted by Egypt and adopted by the UN within two months, Idris noted, as the UN on December 21 had previously accepted a resolution submitted by Egypt and UAE to declare February 4 an international day of human fraternity. The resolution invites the Secretary‑General to convene a global conference aimed at advancing the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites, involving Governments, political figures, religious leaders, civil society and the media, among other stakeholders.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 23, 2021 11:37 UTC
Russian delegation to inspect measures in Hurghada airport on Wednesday
The Hurghada International Airport on Wednesday will receive a Russian security delegation to inspect the airport’s security measures, check on all security measures followed inside the travel and arrival halls, and follow up on procedures for securing luggage and travelers. Navigation sources at the airport on Friday said that the delegation will also check on the deployment of security personnel in their locations, as well as the precautionary measures followed by aviation authorities to protect travelers against COVID-19. The Russian inspection also includes meals from the moment they are produced until they arrive on the planes, alongside monitoring the airport walls, surveillance cameras, and runway security systems. It also includes checking on the groups of workers assigned to service inside the customs offices and inside the aircraft. The primary reason for suspending flights with Egypt was the Russian plane disaster in October 2015, he added.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 23, 2021 10:07 UTC
Egypt’s COVID-19 infections continues to plunge, 748 cases on Friday
The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population on Friday announced 748 coronavirus cases, down from 752 on Thursday. Egypt has now recorded a total of 160,463 confirmed cases, 125,603 recovered cases, and 8,853 virus-related deaths. The country has officially entered the second wave of the pandemic, after cases rose steadily throughout November and December. The peak reached so far during the second wave was on December 30, when the daily new cases reported at 1,411. The Eastern Mediterranean WHO Director Rick Brennan, said in December that the number of coronavirus cases recorded by Egypt’s Health Ministry does not reflect the actual figures for infections in the country.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 23, 2021 10:07 UTC
Egypt inaugurates electric train heading to New Administrative Capital in October
Egypt has inaugurated the first and second phases of its electric train project on the al-Salam/ Administrative Capital/10th of Ramadan route back in October, Egyptian Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir said on Friday. The project line guarantees speedy transportation between Cairo and the new cities (Obour – Mostakbal – Shorouk – New Heliopolis – Badr – Industrial Zone and the 10th of Ramadan – the New Administrative Capital). Wazir started the tour by inspecting how work was being implemented at train stations, tunnels, bridges, workshops, and railway installations. The railway installations have also started in the workshop, with 10 basalt railway platforms for the train storage canopy having already been installed. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping signed an agreement in September 2017 to construct a $739 million electric train linking 10th of Ramadan City and New Cairo with the New Administrative Capital.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 23, 2021 09:11 UTC
Saudi TV says missile or drone intercepted over Riyadh
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia said Saturday it intercepted an apparent missile or drone attack over its capital, Riyadh, amid the kingdom’s yearslong war against neighboring Yemen’s Huthi rebels. The Huthis did not immediately acknowledge launching a missile or a drone toward Riyadh. Saudi Arabia and its allies launched a war against them in March 2015 in support of Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Riyadh has been targeted in sporadic missile attacks in that time, while the Huthis also have launched missile and drone strikes. Western experts, Saudi Arabia and the US say Iran has supplied arms, including ballistic missiles to the Huthis.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 23, 2021 08:48 UTC
Wuhan returns to normal as world still battling pandemic
WUHAN, China (AP) — A year ago, a notice sent to smartphones in Wuhan at 2 a.m. announced the world’s first coronavirus lockdown, bringing the bustling central Chinese industrial and transport center to a virtual standstill almost overnight. Life has largely returned to normal in the city of 11 million, even as the rest of the world grapples with the spread of the virus’ more contagious variants. Wuhan accounted for the bulk of China’s 4,635 deaths from COVID-19, a number that has largely stayed static for months. China on Saturday announced another 107 cases, bringing its total since the start of the pandemic to 88,911. Image; Residents practice tai chi at a park in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei Province on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 23, 2021 08:37 UTC
Egypt to start vaccinating medical teams against COVID-19 on Sunday: Sources
The Health and Population Ministry on Sunday will begin vaccinating medical teams in isolation, chest and fever hospitals with the Chinese vaccine Sinopharm, official ministry sources announced on Friday. Health and Population Minister Hala Zayed assured that Egypt has plenty of available doses, and that the Vaccine Alliance Gavi will supply Egypt with 20 percent of its vaccination needs. The Health Ministry announced plans earlier to roll out its vaccination campaign at the beginning of February, beginning with the elderly, healthcare workers, and those with underlying health conditions. Egypt also launched a website for anyone eager to take the Chinese vaccine for COVID-19. Egypt has already received several doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and is expecting more shipments, the Health Ministry announced.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 23, 2021 08:26 UTC
Biden’s early approach to virus: Underpromise, overdeliver
The measured approach is drawing praise in some corners for being realistic -— but criticism from others for its caution. “I found it fascinating that yesterday the press asked the question, ‘Is 100 million enough?’” he said in the State Dining Room. You can’t do 100 million in 100 days.’ Well, we’re — God willing — not only going to 100 million. Trump provided an overreach of his own in May 2020, when he said the nation had “prevailed” over the virus. Trump’s lax approach and lack of credibility contributed to poor adherence to public safety rules among the American public.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 23, 2021 00:11 UTC
Top Lebanese hospitals fight exhausting battle against virus
BEIRUT (AP) — Death stalks the corridors of Beirut’s Rafik Hariri University Hospital, where losing multiple patients in one day to COVID-19 has become the new normal. On Friday, the mood among the staff was even more solemn as a young woman lost the battle with the virus. More than 2,300 Lebanese health care workers have been infected since February, and around 500 of Lebanon’s 14,000 doctors have left the crisis-ridden country in recent months, according to the Order of Physicians. At the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, the main government coronavirus facility, there are currently 40 beds in the ICU — all full. According to the World Health Organization, Beirut hospitals are at 98% capacity.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 22, 2021 17:26 UTC
Railway announces discounts, expansion of seat options on online ticket platform
Chairman of Egypt’s Railways Authority Ashraf Raslan announced on Friday that all air-conditioned train seats are being offered for reservation via the internet, whether through the Railway Authority’s website or the mobile application. Raslan told Youm7 that all air-conditioned train seats are now available for online reservation, instead of only 20 percent, as was previously the case. Passengers can now book through the station’s reservation window or online, he said. The Railways Authority also announced earlier new discounts on train tickets of all types, ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent. The discounts are as follows:– For veterans and their companions on regular trains the discount is 75 percent– For military personnel and police officers in air-conditioned trains, 50 percent– For students of military colleges and institutes, the families of deceased police and army personnel, people with special needs, and children from four to ten years old, 50 percent– For youth and sports groups from one to 19 individuals 50 percent, and 66.66 percent for over 19 individuals– For cancer patients, their companions and deaf children, 100 percent
Source:Egypt Independent
January 22, 2021 15:22 UTC
Egypt’s Social Solidarity Ministry, EU, and UNDP sign €6 mn agreement to boost social safety nets amid pandemic
Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS) signed on Thursday an agreement with the European Union (EU) and the UN Development Program (UNDP) will launch a program aimed at supporting the country’s COVID-19 response. The agreement guarantees the funding of €6 million over three years for Egypt’s social programs. The new partnership aims to work on two levels of Egypt’s pandemic response in order to reduce virus’s impact on the country’s most vulnerable groups. The second level will work on addressing the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic and includes the expansion of social safety nets and the creation of dynamic work opportunities for vulnerable families. The project will raise awareness of Egypt’s already present Takaful and Karama programs, which provide cash to households experiencing poverty.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 22, 2021 15:00 UTC
Cool weather continues on Saturday across Egypt
Meteorologists predict cool weather on Saturday throughout Cairo, the Nile Delta region, the northwest coastal cities, and northern Upper Egypt. Temperatures will be slightly warmer in southern Upper Egypt and cooler along the northeast coast. Temperatures will grow very cold in most parts of the country by nightfall, with South Sinai staying a bit warmer. A light morning fog will roll through some agricultural roads leading to and from Cairo, the Nile Delta region, the North Coast, central Sinai, and northern Upper Egypt, Director of the Weather Forecast Department at the General Meteorological Authority Mahmoud Shaheen said. High temperatures for the following cities are:Alexandria: 19CCairo: 19CQena: 23CLuxor and Aswan: 26CSharm el-Sheikh: 23CHurghada: 23CMarsa Matrouh: 17C
Source:Egypt Independent
January 22, 2021 13:41 UTC
Top Iran leader posts Trump-like golfer image, vows revenge
“Those who ordered the murder of General Soleimani as well as those who carried this out should be punished. This revenge will certainly happen at the right time,” Khamenei tweeted on December 16, without naming Trump, who had ordered the strike. There was no apparent immediate action by Twitter over the Persian-language tweet on Friday by Khamenei, Iran’s highest authority. Iran called for action and “not just words” shortly after Joe Biden was sworn in as US president on Wednesday. Biden has said Washington will rejoin the nuclear deal if Iran resumes strict compliance.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 22, 2021 13:26 UTC
Egyptian gov’t cuts fuel prices by LE0.15 for struggling aviation sector
On Friday, the Egyptian government announced a 15 cent per gallon price cut in fuel for its aviation sector, in a move aimed at providing support for the sector and stimulating tourism in Egypt. The new prices were agreed upon during a recent meeting between the Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tariq al-Mulla, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled al-Anani, and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Manar Enaba. During the meeting, the ministers discussed ways to support Egypt’s ailing tourism and aviation sectors in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Enaba praised the petroleum sector, stating that is one of the first sectors to continuously support aviation in Egypt through initiatives and also plays an important role by supplying Egyptian airports with fuel. In an effort to revive tourism, Egypt’s Aviation and Tourism ministers have launched a “Spend Winter in Egypt” initiative, which includes flight, hotel, and tourist site discounts for local and foreign travelers.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 22, 2021 12:54 UTC
Banks across Egypt to close Thursday in observance of Jan. 25 revolution and Police Day
The Central Bank of Egypt announced that all banks will close from Thursday, January 28 in observance of the anniversary of the January 25 revolution and Police Day. A statement issued by the bank said that the closure comes in accordance with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s decision to declare Thursday, January 28 the official holiday, instead of Monday, January 25. This year, the 25th will mark ten years since the start of the 2011 uprising that led to the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak. Before the 2011 revolution, the 25th was an official holiday in Egypt known as Police Day, which celebrated the Egyptian police for protecting the public in a battle against British forces in Ismailia in 1952. The battle, which left 50 dead and over 80 officers injured, was the spark of the 1952 Egyptian revolution that expelled the British monarchy from the country.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 22, 2021 11:37 UTC