Egypt’s national team readies for 3 tough matches in preparation for World Cup
Egyptian Football Association President Hani Abu-Rida announced that the Egyptian national team will play several friendly matches against Spain, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia as part of national team’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup. We support the staff with everything we have and will provide them with everything they need before the World Cupm,” he added. The Egyptian national team will participate in the Qatar Football Festival, to be held in March. It will play Saudi Arabia at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on March 26, before facing European champions Spain at Lusail Stadium on March 30. The draw for the 2026 World Cup placed Egypt in Group G with Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 24, 2026 12:50 UTC
TV host Amr Adib criticizes taxing private residences
Egyptian TV host Amr Adib on Friday criticized the property tax imposed on private residential units. During his show “al-Hekaya” (the story) on MBC Masr channel on Friday evening, Adib said: “This is my own home. !”Adib stated that imposing a tax on private residences, in addition to fees for phones coming with Egyptian expats, will not make a significant difference to the state budget. “Today you want tax me because my apartment’s rent is LE 8,000 it is now eight million LE. Or is your role to make things more expensive for the people?”He continued, “Please, let’s focus on politics, not just economics.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 24, 2026 12:43 UTC
Trump announces ‘massive naval fleet’ is on its way to Iran
He reiterated his warnings to Tehran against continuing to suppress protesters or reactivating its nuclear program, Reuters reported. Trump claimed that his threats prompted Iranian authorities to halt the execution of approximately 840 protesters. Iran respondsIranian authorities denied Trump’s claims regarding a decision to halt executions. Iranian Attorney General Mohammad Movahed emphasized that the Iranian judiciary operates according to domestic laws and is not subject to foreign interference. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had “shamelessly” called for illegal US aggression against Iran, in violation of the UN Charter itself.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 24, 2026 12:43 UTC
Up to 245K visitors at 57th Cairo International Book Fair’s first day
The 57th Cairo International Book Fair, held at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, witnessed a large turnout with up to 245,099 visitors. The exhibition attracted hundreds of visitors from Arab and Asian countries, amidst a heavy security presence. Families enjoyed a variety of activities within the exhibition. Some visited the play area, while others flocked to the children’s hall, which featured interactive events, storytelling workshops, traditional games, and arts and crafts. He added that this has contributed to providing a distinguished cultural experience befitting the history of the CIBF and its leading position, both locally and across the Arab world.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 24, 2026 12:43 UTC
Ethiopia intends to sell Nile River waters to Egypt: Expert
Professor of Water Resources at Cairo University, Nader Nour-Eddin said that Ethiopia has proposed selling water to Egypt in the future, emphasizing that the UN has not yet approved the sale of river water, as it is a natural resource. The Nile is the primary source of silt that formed the fertile agricultural lands of Egypt, he explained. He said that these dams, in addition to the GERD’s existing capacity of 74 billion cubic meters, will raise the total storage to approximately 200 billion cubic meters. The expert pointed out that Ethiopia has nine river basins, while Egypt relies on only one river, and it is only fair that this river be left to those who have no alternative. He noted that the Blue Nile originates from Lake Tana with an inflow of approximately five billion cubic meters, but reaches the Sudanese border with about 50 billion cubic meters thanks to its tributaries, reflecting a significant water abundance in Ethiopia.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 24, 2026 12:43 UTC
Constitutional appeal seeks to void the Old Rent law amendments
The Old Rent law crisis has returned to the forefront of the national agenda, driven by parallel movements from both the Supreme Constitutional Court and Parliament. Constitutional Court challengeIn a significant legal development, the Board of Commissioners of the Supreme Constitutional Court has decided to adjourn the hearing of an execution dispute lawsuit filed against the constitutionality of the Old Rent Law (Law No. New lawmakers call for amendmentsIn tandem with the ongoing judicial appeals, several Members of Parliament have called for amendments to the Old Rent Law, with a specific focus on Article 7. This would ensure that support is directed to those who truly need it, fostering genuine equity in the pricing of “Old Rent” units. Landlords’ Union rejects amendment demandsConversely, the head of the Landlords’ Union rejected parliamentary calls to amend the law, asserting that the Old Rent Law is being implemented smoothly on the ground.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 23, 2026 13:18 UTC
Gold prices slump below record highs amid strengthening US dollar
Global gold prices fell on Thursday, as precious metals saw a broad decline driven by subsiding geopolitical risks and a diminishing appetite for safe-haven assets. In early spot trading, gold fell by 0.8% to $4,799.79 per ounce as of 01:36 GMT, following a record high of $4,887.82 reached in the previous session. Other precious metals followed the downward trend:Spot Silver dropped 0.9% to $92.38 per ounce, cooling off from Tuesday’s record peak of $95.87. Platinum plunged 2.7% to $2,415.60 per ounce, down from Wednesday’s record high of $2,511.80. Palladium slipped 1% to $1,821.50 per ounce after hitting a one-week high in the previous session.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 23, 2026 11:42 UTC
EgyptAir increases UK flight frequency to 31 weekly services amid tourism surge
EgyptAir has announced an increase in its flight capacity to the United Kingdom, raising the total frequency to 31 weekly flights across all UK destinations. This strategic move aims to accommodate the rising influx of British tourists to Egypt during the peak winter season. During the current winter season, EgyptAir operates 28 weekly flights to the UK, consisting of 21 direct services to London and seven to Manchester. A thriving aviation marketThe aviation corridor between Egypt and the United Kingdom continues to see significant activity. Regular direct flights link Cairo International Airport with several London hubs, most notably Heathrow, via both EgyptAir and British Airways.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 23, 2026 10:56 UTC
Chile wildfires leave 19 dead amid extreme heat as scores evacuated
Santiago, Chile Reuters —Wildfires in Chile have left at least 19 people dead, authorities said Monday, as the government carried out mass evacuations and fought nearly two dozen blazes exacerbated by intense heat and high winds. Parts of central and southern Chile were under extreme heat warnings, with temperatures expected to reach up to 37 degrees Celsius (99 Fahrenheit). Hundreds of homes destroyedMost of those killed were in Penco, a small coastal city just north of the regional capital of Concepcion. Amid the wreckage was the corpse of one of her four dogs, some charred rings and a metal ladle. Both Chile and Argentina rang in the new year with heat waves, which have continued into January.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 22, 2026 18:57 UTC
Cairo International Book Fair 2026
The Cairo International Book Fair on Thursday opens its doors for thousands of readers and culture enthusiasts to one of the most anticipated literary events of the year. Reduced fares and fleet expansionThe Governor of Cairo, Ibrahim Saber, has announced a reduced flat fare of only LE10 per trip on buses designated for the Cairo International Book Fair. – Cairo University – Qasr Al-Ainy – Sayyida Aisha – Autostrad – Al-Azhar University – Book Fair. – Cairo University – Qasr Al-Ainy – Sayyida Aisha – Autostrad – Al-Azhar University – Book Fair. Sakr Quraish – Maadi Carrefour – Wadi Degla Club – Ring Road – Al-Mosheer Axis – Book Fair.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 22, 2026 12:29 UTC
Egypt, Kuwait discuss issues related to Kuwaitis studying in Egypt
Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait, Mohamed Aboulwafa, held discussions on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with the Head of Kuwait’s Central Agency for the Resolution of the Status of Illegal Residents, Saleh al-Fadhala, on several issues related to illegal residents who are studying in Egypt or who have ties to the country. Ambassador Aboulwafa stated that during the meeting, he reviewed the Kuwaiti experience in establishing an agency dedicated to addressing the situation of the expatriates, praising the adopted institutional approach. This took place during a reception hosted by the Head of the Central Agency for the Resolution of the Status of Illegal Residents for the Egyptian ambassador and Kuwait’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs, Ambassador Aziz al-Deehani, along with a number of representatives from the Egyptian Consulate, a consultant from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and several senior officials from the Central Agency, within the framework of strengthening joint coordination between the two sides.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 22, 2026 12:29 UTC
Egypt's ETA launches mobile app for electronic payment of real estate transaction tax
Egypt - The Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) has launched a new mobile application that allows taxpayers to pay real estate transaction tax electronically and obtain tax clearance certificates in a fast and convenient manner, according to Rasha Abdel Aal, the ETA chairperson. She noted that these chambers play a key role in representing investors, conveying their challenges, and gathering feedback on the second package of tax facilitation measures ahead of its official launch. She emphasised the Authority’s continued cooperation with major international companies to develop tax systems in line with global best practices. In addition, she said the package includes the development of a central electronic offsetting system, allowing taxpayers’ credit and debit balances to be offset electronically. She added that all inquiries raised by Swiss companies regarding income tax, VAT, and the automated tax system have been resolved.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 22, 2026 11:12 UTC
Why the fate of ISIS prisoners in Syria is back on the radar
Questions have emerged over the fate of thousands of Islamic State prisoners in northeastern Syria after government forces seized swaths of territory long controlled by Kurdish forces who had been guarding the prisons. The territory was held by the mainly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), once a key United States ally in the fight against the Islamic State, or ISIS. And on Wednesday, US forces launched a transfer mission to move ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to secure detention centers in Iraq. The US-led coalition fighting ISIS in Syria had long relied on the SDF to guard ISIS prisons. “Historically, the US military presence in northeastern Syria was justified primarily as a counter-ISIS partnership,” he wrote.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 22, 2026 10:08 UTC
ETA launches mobile app for electronic payment of real estate transaction tax
The Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) has launched a new mobile application that allows taxpayers to pay real estate transaction tax electronically and obtain tax clearance certificates in a fast and convenient manner, according to Rasha Abdel Aal, the ETA chairperson. She emphasised the Authority’s continued cooperation with major international companies to develop tax systems in line with global best practices. Key measures include reducing the time required for value-added tax (VAT) refunds and simplifying related procedures. In addition, she said the package includes the development of a central electronic offsetting system, allowing taxpayers’ credit and debit balances to be offset electronically. She added that all inquiries raised by Swiss companies regarding income tax, VAT, and the automated tax system have been resolved.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 22, 2026 10:04 UTC
What is Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ and who is joining? Here’s what to know
Here’s what to know about the board and who is, and isn’t, joining. Trump’s Board of Peace has been mired in controversy. Diplomats, officials and world leaders have expressed major concerns over the expanded remit of the board, Trump’s indefinite chair, and the potential damage it could cause to the UN’s work. The UN’s top humanitarian official and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher told CNN Trump’s Board of Peace will not replace his organization. “I’m clear and my colleagues are clear that the United Nations isn’t going anywhere,” he said.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 22, 2026 09:53 UTC