Egypt, Qatar, US leaders invite Israel, Hamas to join urgent Gaza ceasefire talks on Aug. 15
CAIRO – 9 August 2024: The leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have issued a joint invitation to Israel and Hamas to participate in critical discussions on Thursday, 15 August, in either Doha or Cairo to negotiate a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. In the statement, Egypt, Qatar, and the US have offered their assistance in bridging any remaining gaps to meet the requirements of both sides. In November, a prisoner exchange brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US resulted in the release of about 100 Israeli captives in return for about 240 Palestinian prisoners. However, unrelenting Israeli strikes have led to the deaths of some of the roughly 100 captives still held in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced overnight Friday that Tel Aviv has agreed to resume Gaza ceasefire discussions on August 15 at the request of Egypt, Qatar, and the US.
Source:Egypt Today
August 09, 2024 14:10 UTC
Egypt launches innovative touch card to empower visually impaired
In a significant step towards financial inclusion, Maya Morsy, the Minister of Social Solidarity, has announced the launch of the Touch Card by the National Bank of Egypt. This specialized payment card has been crafted to empower visually impaired individuals, enabling them to conduct financial transactions with greater independence. The card is meticulously designed to seamlessly integrate with existing point-of-sale systems and ATMs. The innovative design of the Touch Card features distinctive notches on the sides, allowing users to easily differentiate between debit and prepaid cards. The Ministry of Social Solidarity provides support to 1.2 million people with disabilities through the ‘Karama’ program, with a total annual budget of 9.8 billion Egyptian pounds.
Source:Egypt Independent
August 09, 2024 11:27 UTC
Egyptian, UAE FMs discuss Gaza War, Middle East tensions
CAIRO – 8 August 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expats Badr Abdelatty made a phone call Wednesday to his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed to exchange views on developments in Gaza Strip and current escalation in the Middle East. The two ministers discussed endeavors to attain a ceasefire, and entry of humanitarian aid to the enclave. There was congruence on the importance of a truce given that the war in Gaza is the main reason behind the increasing tensions and escalation in the region. In that context, Minister Abdelatty presented the outcome of his communication with counterparts in the past few days to contain the crisis, and avoid the expansion of the scope of conflict.
Source:Egypt Today
August 08, 2024 22:05 UTC
Egypt aims to reduce inflation to below 10% by early 2026: PM
CAIRO – 8 August 2024: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that Egypt is targeting a reduction in the inflation rate to less than 10% by the beginning of 2026 at the latest. Here are the key points from the Prime Minister's statements:The total amount of hot money exiting Egypt recently accounted for no more than 7 -8% of the total market funds. The hot money that left Egypt is unrelated to the primary sources of Egypt's reserves. Foreign currency reserves within Egypt remain stable, ensuring the security of the state's primary needs. Madbouly reassured the Egyptian populace that the country's economic conditions are stable, with reserves sufficient to cover the next eight months.
Source:Egypt Today
August 08, 2024 21:17 UTC
Netanyahu’s gamble: Can Israel’s Prime Minister get away with escalating conflict in the Middle East?
Netanyahu’s intentions to escalate the conflict in the Middle East are evident, as he stands to benefit significantly from such actions. However, Netanyahu’s primary objective is to involve the United States in a large-scale conflict in the Middle East. Today, Netanyahu finds it increasingly imperative to involve the United States in the Middle East for a variety of reasons. Certainly, the outbreak of a major war in the Middle East would harm American interests. More importantly, the U.S. blindly following Netanyahu’s criminal escapades would undermine its prestige and influence in the Middle East, while bolstering the influence of other regional and international actors.
Source:Daily News Egypt
August 08, 2024 20:31 UTC
The battle for the Middle East: Can a political decision bring peace to the region?
In less than six hours, the dynamics of the Middle East conflict underwent a significant transformation. Shortly after that, Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the political bureau of Hamas, was targeted in Tehran. The justifications for expanding the war have outnumbered the reasons for halting it, putting the entire region at risk of sliding into a regional conflict. While Israel is responsible for the stream of Palestinian bloodshed, Hamas’ political and moral responsibility towards the Palestinian cause requires finding political solutions to end the war. This is a central point in all conflicts in the Middle East, as its solution is primarily based on a political decision rather than a military one.
Source:Daily News Egypt
August 08, 2024 19:56 UTC
T-Vencubator launches investment programme aiming to fund 5 Egyptian startups by 2025
The program serves as an open call for Egyptian startups seeking investment and support to grow their businesses. The firm seeks to support startups with innovative technological solutions that address real-world societal challenges. We believe technology offers solutions to many Egyptian societal challenges, and that Egyptian minds hold innovative ideas to tackle them. “This program represents a pivotal shift in supporting Egyptian startups,” explained Hazem El-Samra, Head of Growth and Marketing at T-Vencubator. Egyptian startups with innovative technological ideas are encouraged to submit applications through T-Vencubator’s official website.
Source:Daily News Egypt
August 08, 2024 14:13 UTC
Financing Loss and Damage: A third line of defence against climate change
As a result, the concept of “loss and damage” has emerged as a critical third line of defence, culminating in the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund. Loss and damage refer to the irreversible impacts of climate change that go beyond what can be managed through mitigation and adaptation. The fund recognizes the principle of climate justice, acknowledging that those who have contributed least to climate change often suffer the most. As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, the Loss and Damage Fund stands as a beacon of hope. In conclusion, while mitigation and adaptation remain vital components of the climate response, the Loss and Damage Fund represents an essential third line of defence.
Source:Daily News Egypt
August 08, 2024 12:26 UTC
Egyptian, Brazilian FMs confer over global economic challenges
CAIRO – 8 August 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expats Badr Abdelatty made Wednesday a phone call to his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira to confer over bilateral ties, international affairs of joint interest, and main developments in the Middle East. The minister stressed the necessity of bolstering economic cooperation and trade exchange, welcoming Brazil's chairmanship of the G20 this year and expressing appreciation to the country for its support to Egypt to join BRICS. In that context, there was congruence among the two ministers on the best ways to deal with the economic challenges engulfing the world. On his side, Minister Abdelatty stressed the necessity of accomplishing a tangible progress on restructuring the global financial system, and handling the global debt crisis. The call tackled the escalation on multiple fronts in the Middle East, so as the Egyptian minister presented the efforts deployed by the country to broker a ceasefire in Gaza Strip and contain tensions.
Source:Egypt Today
August 08, 2024 10:35 UTC
Egyptian, Cypriot FMs hold consultations on Middle East tensions
CAIRO – 7 August 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expats Badr Abdelatty received Wednesday a phone call from his Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos as they held consultations on regional developments of mutual concern. Minister Abdelatty underscored the precarious impact of the current events, and the salience of intensifying efforts to avoid more violence and instability. On the other hand, the minister stressed Egypt's rejection to the Israeli policy of assassinations and violation of states' sovereignty. On his side, Minister Kombos lauded the efforts deployed by Egypt on the political and humanitarian levels to resolve the consecutive crises in the Middle East, describing the country as a cornerstone for security and stability in the region. He equally valued the country's continuous communication with different parties to contain tensions.
Source:Egypt Today
August 07, 2024 23:28 UTC
Egypt issues 1.8M free medical treatment decisions, benefiting over 1.5M
CAIRO – 7 August 2024: Egypt's Ministry of Health has announced the issuance of 1,822,077 free medical treatment decisions, totaling 10,165,940,000 Egyptian pounds, from January to June 2024. To streamline the process, 3,179 cases were reviewed via video conferencing, eliminating the need for patients to visit the specialized medical councils in person. In its commitment to caring for people with disabilities, the Ministry has medically examined 152,120 applicants for integrated services cards. The Ministry of Health reaffirms its dedication to enhancing and governing medical procedures to facilitate citizens' access to healthcare and provide comprehensive support. Citizens can now inquire about free treatment decisions using their national ID number on the Ministry's website.
Source:Egypt Today
August 07, 2024 11:58 UTC
Egypt strives to establish regional de-escalation, prevent all-out war: FM
CAIRO – 7 August 2024: Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed Egypt's strenuous efforts and intensive communication with involved parties to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, contain regional escalation, and prevent an all-out war. Iranian retaliation on horizonIsrael is on alert for potential retaliatory actions from Iran following the Israeli forces’ assassination of prominent Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. Both Hezbollah and Hamas have also pledged to avenge Haniyeh's killing, heightening fears of a potential regional conflict. Several major airlines, including United, Delta, and Lufthansa, have suspended flights to and from Israel due to concerns about the escalating security situation. The growing tensions across the region come while the Israeli war in Gaza has continued for 10 months.
Source:Egypt Today
August 07, 2024 11:58 UTC
Egypt, China discuss efforts to prevent expansion of conflict in Middle East
CAIRO – 6 August 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty on Tuesday discussed in a phone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East region and preventing the expansion of the current conflict. During the phone conversation, Abdelatty briefed Wang on his contacts in the past few days with the foreign ministers of concerned and influential countries to contain the aggravating regional situation, said Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid. Abdelatty underlined that the Israeli policy of political assassinations and its violation of states' sovereignty have exacerbated the crisis and significantly raised regional tensions. The Egyptian foreign minister said he looks forward to visiting China in the coming period to hold a new round of strategic dialogue with his Chinese counterpart. Wang expressed hope for working with Abdelatty to advance Egyptian-Chinese relations to broader horizons, and to continue close coordination and consultation on the most prominent regional and international issues.
Source:Egypt Today
August 07, 2024 03:43 UTC
FM: Egypt rejects Israeli assassination policy, violation of regional countries' sovereignty
CAIRO – 6 August 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty said Tuesday Egypt rejects Israel’s assassination policy and violation of regional countries' sovereignty. The continuation of this bellicose Israeli attitude is exacerbating the situation and increasing tension, he warned during a phone call he received Tuesday from Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Abdelatty stressed his aspiration to work on further strengthening relations between Egypt and Italy, which are already witnessing remarkable development in all aspects, especially after the visit of the Italian Prime Minister to Egypt in March, said spokesperson at the Ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid. Talks between the two ministers tackled the latest developments in the region and Egyptian efforts to contain the regional escalation, as the top Egyptian diplomat briefed his Italian counterpart on the contacts he had with the foreign ministers of several countries in the region, the United States, Russia and a number of European countries, over the past few days to work on containing the tension and de-escalating the crisis.
Source:Egypt Today
August 07, 2024 03:37 UTC
Government prioritises citizen services with major financial initiatives: Finance Minister
Egypt’s Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk emphasized that the government’s priority is to enhance services for citizens, highlighting that the ultimate owners of the budget are the Egyptian people. In his first press conference since taking office, Kouchouk announced the financial performance results for the fiscal year 2023/2024. Kouchouk pointed out the government’s continued efforts to encourage investment and support economic activities despite global, regional, and local challenges. According to Egypt’s Minister of Finance, 2527 investors benefited from the production sector support initiative with approximately EGP 80bn, with the treasury covering the interest rate differential. Egypt’s Minister of Finance highlighted the comprehensive digital transformation of tax administration, which has helped expand the tax base and incorporate new taxpayers.
Source:Daily News Egypt
August 06, 2024 23:34 UTC