The Challenges That BRICS Pay Is Going To Face
The 11-member alliance is seeking to carve out a new path in the global financial system with the launch of a BRICS Pay system. Source: dailynewsegypt.comThe alliance envisioned BRICS Pay to be a standalone payment mechanism, similar to the West-dominated SWIFT system. BRICS Pay could face a reality check when it enters the formation process. China could begin to control the functioning of the BRICS Pay, as it will have a larger share of the payments. The formation of a BRICS Pay will be a mixed bag that is not harmonized.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 20, 2026 14:08 UTC
Trump reacts to former Prince Andrew’s arrest over alleged Epstein ties
President Donald Trump has addressed the arrest of the former British Prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, describing the situation as “very bad” for the British Monarchy. The President’s remarks followed the detention of the former Prince on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking to reporters while traveling to Georgia, Trump praised King Charles III, Andrew’s brother, noting that the King would be visiting the United States “very soon.”According to The Guardian, Trump characterized the arrest as “shameful,” adding: “I think it’s very sad. Trump said King Charles, who is “obviously coming to our country very soon”, was “a fantastic man”. He stands as the first senior royal in modern history to be arrested, facing allegations of sharing sensitive information with Epstein during his tenure as a UK trade envoy.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 20, 2026 13:25 UTC
Factory owner detained after viral assault in New Cairo
The assault incidentIn recent hours, new footage has emerged shedding light on the conflict. The uploader of the clip clarified that the dispute began when the resident objected to the security guard sitting down during his shift. The first was filed by a security guard at the aforementioned residential complex, who sustained multiple abrasions and bruises. The second was filed by a resident of the same complex, reporting verbal abuse and insults sustained while attempting to mediate. Legal measures have been taken, and the Public Prosecution has taken over the investigation.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 20, 2026 13:25 UTC
Weather alert: Drastic temperature drops expected overnight on Friday
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) predicts cold to severely cold conditions in the early morning hours this Friday. Daytime temperatures are expected to be warm to moderately hot across most regions, before dropping significantly to cold or severely cold levels overnight. In Cairo, temperatures are expected to reach a high of 22°C and a low of 11°C. According to the EMA, morning fog and mist are expected between 4:00 AM and 9:00 AM across Northern Egypt, Greater Cairo, the Canal Cities, Northern Upper Egypt, and Central Sinai. Additionally, intermittent active winds are forecasted for parts of Greater Cairo and South Sinai.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 20, 2026 12:41 UTC
Egypt dispatches 142nd humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza
The Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) launched the Zad al-Izza (Provisions of Honor) convoy on Thursday, marking its 142nd mission to provide comprehensive humanitarian relief to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. As part of its Ramadan Meals for One Million initiative, the ERC dispatched over 197,000 food parcels and 235 tons of flour. Volunteers are providing logistical support for both incoming and outgoing cases, assisting them through the necessary border formalities. The ERC is providing an integrated relief package that extends beyond physical aid. With over 65,000 volunteers working across various logistical hubs, the organization has successfully facilitated the entry of more than 800,000 tons of humanitarian aid to date.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 20, 2026 12:41 UTC
Saudi Arabia pledges $1 billion to support Palestinians and regional peace
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel Al-jubeir, announced that the Kingdom will contribute up to $1 billion to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and support the pursuit of a well-deserved peace. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Peace Council, Al-Jubeir emphasized that the Kingdom is actively working toward a vision of comprehensive peace and security in the region. This $1 billion pledge reinforces its role as a central player in any future Palestinian state-building efforts. This pledge aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which views regional stability as essential for economic growth. By leading the “Peace Council,” Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a mediator that balances humanitarian aid with high-level political negotiations.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 20, 2026 12:41 UTC
UN experts say destruction by Sudan’s rebels in El Fasher in October bears ‘hallmarks of genocide’
UN officials say several thousand civilians were killed in the RSF takeover of El Fasher, the Sudanese army’s only remaining stronghold in the Darfur. Only 40% of the city’s 260,000 residents managed to flee the onslaught alive, thousands of whom were wounded, the officials said. The RSF and their allied Arab militias, known as Janjaweed, overran El Fasher on Oct. 26 and rampaged through the city. Under the convention, a genocide determination could be made even if only one of the five were met. The RSF has been supported by the United Arab Emirates over the course of the war, according to UN experts and rights groups.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 20, 2026 01:22 UTC
US to withdraw all remaining troops from Syria, ending decade-long mission
US officials revealed that the US is set to withdraw its remaining force of approximately 1,000 troops from Syria, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday evening. Anonymous officials stated that the US forces will vacate their remaining positions in Syria over the next two months. The officials added that the Trump administration has determined that a permanent US military presence in Syria is no longer necessary. This development follows an announcement from Damascus earlier in February confirming that Syrian forces took control of the Al-Tanf military base from the US. Units have begun deploying along the Syrian-Iraqi-Jordanian border in the Al-Tanf desert.”Since 2014, Washington has maintained a military presence in Syria and Iraq as part of the International Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 19, 2026 23:22 UTC
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, police say
Police have arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Thames Valley Police said Thursday. Police arrived at Mountbatten-Windsor’s home in Sandringham, north of London, according to UK media reports. Thames Valley Police previously said the force is reviewing allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to have a sexual encounter with Mountbatten-Windsor, and claims he shared sensitive information with Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied all accusations against him and insisted that he never witnessed or suspected any of the behavior of which Epstein was accused. He has not commented on recent allegations of misconduct in public office.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 19, 2026 14:55 UTC
No one can agree on whether AI is the next big thing or all hype. Here’s why
“And that’s also changing pretty rapidly.”Paid AI versus the free versionPeople who use free AI for basic tasks like making grocery lists and planning vacations are likely only seeing one side of the technology. (AI researchers accused Shumer of exaggerating the performance of his company’s AI model in 2024. She said it would be “misguided” to make assumptions about AI’s capabilities based solely on free AI services. Free AI tiers are good at writing summaries and generating content, but users will typically have to pay to conduct deep research or draft sophisticated documents using AI. AI is a helpful tool that programmers use to speed up development, but it’s still prone to mistakes, and AI models aren’t writing themselves.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 19, 2026 14:55 UTC
Where and when to watch Al Ahly vs. El Gouna in the Egyptian Premier League
Al Ahly is set to host El Gouna on Thursday night, in a highly anticipated Egyptian Premier League fixture. Ahly enters the clash seeking to move up the Egyptian Premier League rankings. They currently sit in fourth place with 30 points. On the other hand, El Gouna currently occupies the 12th spot with 20 points. Fans can catch the live action and full coverage of the home fixture on ON Time Sports I.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 19, 2026 12:19 UTC
Irrigation min vows immediate action against Nile River encroachments
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam affirmed the continued monitoring by the Nile River Protection and Development Sector to safeguard the Nile River and its two branches, stressing the immediate removal of any encroachments on the river course or its floodplain lands. The minister made the remarks after receiving a report from Head of the Nile River Protection and Development Sector Hossam Taher on ongoing removal operations targeting encroachments along the main Nile River and the Rosetta Branch within Giza governorate, as part of the National Project for Regulating the Nile River and its Branches, Egypt’s “Irrigation 2.0” modernization. These efforts were undertaken in coordination with the Committee for Rectifying Situations on Nile Floodplain Lands at the Shubra–Helwan sector, security authorities, and Giza Governorate. The report added that previous removal campaigns along the Rosetta Branch resulted in the clearance of 339 cases of illegal construction. The National Nile Regulation Project aims to restore the river’s hydraulic capacity to address water and climate challenges and to remove all encroachments.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 19, 2026 12:19 UTC
Trump’s rationale is still opaque as he slides closer to war with Iran
Given the stakes, and the potential risk to American personnel, the lack of a specific public rationale for any war with Iran seems surprising. “Well, there’s many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran,” Leavitt said, offering no specifics. Trump’s explanations extend only to repeated warnings that Iran will face the consequences if it doesn’t make a “deal” with the United States. Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu/Getty ImagesThe White House may not be telling Americans why it might be time to go to war with Iran. While officials said that forces would be positioned to strike Iran at the weekend, US action is not guaranteed.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 19, 2026 12:19 UTC
Petroleum Ministry: EGYPS 2026 set to open March 30
The ninth edition of the Egypt International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EGYPS 2026) is scheduled to take place from March 30 to April 1, 2026, under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The Supreme Committee for the Egypt International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EGYPS 2026) held its second meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, under the chairmanship of Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi, to review preparations for the ninth edition of the event. He further noted that one of the main objectives of the ninth edition is to strengthen integration between the public and private sectors. The exhibition will host 550 participating companies, 13 national pavilions, and more than 50 national and international institutions and companies in energy, technology, and engineering. New activities to be launched at EGYPS 2026 include the Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Zone, a first-of-its-kind platform showcasing digital solutions and advanced applications.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 19, 2026 12:19 UTC
Russia issues vital guidelines for tourists in Egypt ahead of Ramadan
The Russian Consulate in Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate, urged Russian citizens in the city to respect Egyptian traditions during the holy month of Ramadan. In an official statement, the Consulate emphasized that citizens should refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking in public spaces during daylight hours. Additionally, the Consulate cautioned its citizens to exercise extra care while driving, citing the heavy traffic congestion typical of Ramadan peak hours—specifically the period immediately preceding the Iftar (breakfast) meal. These directives aim to maintain positive relations between tourists and the local community, while ensuring respect for Egypt’s cultural and religious privacy during this sacred month. Following Dar al-Ifta’s moon sighting on Tuesday, Ramadan officially began on February 18, and the first day of fasting observed on Thursday, February 19.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 19, 2026 08:56 UTC