Upon Salman invitation, Egyptian terror victims' relatives in Mecca to perform Hajj
A muslim pilgrim prays while others circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque ahead of annual Haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 16, 2018.REUTERS/Zohra BensemraCAIRO – 17 August 2018: A total of 1,000 Egyptian relatives of army and police forces, and victims of violent acts have arrived to Mecca on Friday to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) upon an invitation from King Salman bin Abdel Aziz and as part of the king's Hajj Guests Program, annually supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance.The pilgrims include the parents of the victims who lost their lives during the terrorist attack that hit Al Rawda village in Bir al-Abd city, North Sinai in Nov. 2017.Colonel Tamer Refae, the military spokesman, published a video clip for the 1,000 pilgrims travelling from Cairo to Mecca.In a statement, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh announced that this year the Kingdom is welcoming its guests from all over the world noting that thousands of male and female pilgrims have benefited from this program since it started 22 years ago.Upon reaching Mecca, the program organizers arranged a welcome reception offering them flowers and Zamzam water celebrating their arrival.Additionally, they provided them with room keys, mobile SIM cards and bags filled with all needed equipment for pilgrimage.The pilgrims expressed their happiness and gratitude to King Salman who invited them in recognition of their sacrifice in defending and protecting their homeland.The King stressed the need to ensure a peaceful and reassuring atmosphere during Hajj as part of his constant concern to serve Islam and Muslims.
Source:Egypt Today
August 17, 2018 14:37 UTC
Germany looks at easing immigration laws to fill skilled labor gaps
German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks during a news conference with Bosnia-Herzegovina's Prime Minister Denis Zvizdic (not pictured) at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany August 13, 2018. REUTERS/Hannibal HanschkeBERLIN - 17 August 2018: The German cabinet will soon decide on a proposal to make it easier for skilled workers from outside the European Union to move to Germany to take a job, a paper seen by Reuters shows, as Germany seeks to alleviate chronic labour shortages.Such plans could be sensitive in a country where anti-immigration sentiment has helped drive support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and a row over asylum policy almost toppled Chancellor Angela Merkel's government in July.The new proposal mainly addresses relaxing migration policy for professionals outside the EU, since EU citizens enjoy free labour movement in the bloc.A lack of skilled labour and a shortage of young people willing to commit to on-the-job training for up to 3-1/2 years have become big concerns for managers in Europe's largest economy.Germany bet on more than a million refugees who arrived in 2015 to fill workforce gaps, but a lack of German-language skills and the inability of most refugees to prove any qualifications has slowed the process.A record 1.2 million jobs remain unfilled in Germany, the Federal Labour Office said earlier this month.The German Interior, Labour and Economy ministries agreed to recruit more foreign skilled labour to Germany, the paper seen by Reuters showed.They have sent the proposal paper to the rest of the cabinet, which will take a decision on it soon and changes to it are still possible, two government sources said. "We will adjust the federal government's concept of skilled labour and focus on three areas: domestic, European and international skilled worker potentials," the paper, on which Interior Minister Horst Seehofer took the lead, said.Seehofer, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU) - Bavarian sister party to Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU), takes a hard line on immigration and asylum issues. He vowed in July to present a migration law for professional workers by autumn.Seehofer faces a tough regional vote in Bavaria in October, when the AfD is expected to win seats in the state assembly. The anti-immigrant AfD's popularity has surged since the migrant influx and it became the country's third largest party in September's election.Germany already has a "blue card" system that makes it easier for companies to hire foreign academics and professionals.The paper proposes that the government will no longer insist that companies give preference to German citizens in filling vacancies before looking for non-EU foreigners.Graduates and workers with vocational training will have an opportunity to come to Germany to look for a job within a certain period of time if they meet qualification and language requirements.They will not have access to social welfare benefits during that period but will be allowed to work in jobs for which they are overqualified so they can earn some money, the paper added.Qualification recognition procedures in Germany will become faster and easier, the paper said, adding that the government is planning an advertising campaign in selected countries.
Source:Egypt Today
August 17, 2018 11:48 UTC
Turkish warships harass Cypriot fishing boat in intl. waters
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan via REUTERSNICOSIA - 17 August 2018: Two Turkish warships have harassed a Cypriot fishing boat as it was fishing in international waters between Turkey and Cyprus, in an incident which Nicosia is expected to protest about at the UN level.Aristos Aristidou, the owner of the fishing boat, told Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that the fishing trawler was in international waters, 16 nautical miles off Turkey’s shores, northern of Apostolos Andreas when two Turkish warships harassed it and asked the captain to leave the area.“The captain contacted me at about 0200 hours (2300 GMT) and I then asked him to move away to 24 nautical miles (off Turkey’s shores) and to remain in international waters,” Aristidou said.He added that the Turkish ships approached the vessel again at 4 am and threatened to tow the boat and arrest everyone on board if they did not leave.
Source:Egypt Today
August 17, 2018 11:26 UTC
Samir Salma, the revolutionary Palestinian artist dies at 74 in Paris
Samir Salama - Wikipedia/Palestine. CAIRO – 17 August 2018. Samir Salma, the revolutionary Palestinian artist died on Thursday, at the age of 74 in Paris, France. He also advocated his candidacy at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University.Throughout his career, the Palestinian painter played an important role in the establishment of the PLO's Department of Fine Arts and Unified Media.In 1972, he moved to Beirut where he joined the PLO's Information Service department. His paintings were destroyed by the bombing of the Israeli Air Force during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982.
Source:Egypt Today
August 17, 2018 11:26 UTC
13th Sheikh Zayed Book Award to stop receiving nominations Oct. 1
File - Sheikh Zayed Book Award logoCAIRO – 16 August 2018: Sheikh Zayed Book Award will stop receiving nominations for its 13th edition on October 1.The award, which started accepting nominations on May 10, consists of nine categories: Sheikh Zayed Award for the Best Contribution to the Development of the Country, Children’s Literature, Literature, Young Author, Translation, Art Criticism, Arabic Culture in Non-Arab Language, and Publishing and Cultural Technologies.The award is not granted to works that have previously won international or Arab awards. Egyptian author Ahmed al-Qarmalawi was one of the winners of the 12th edition of the international Sheikh Zayed Book Award.Born in Cairo in 1978, Qarmalawi graduated from the Faculty of Construction Engineering at the American University in Cairo (AUC), and later went on to receive a master's degree from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. His first novel, "Abbas First" was published in 2013.He received the Sheikh Zayed Book Award under the Young Author category for his novel "Summer Rains" (Amtar Sayfiyyah) which was published by Cairo's Maktabat al-Dar al-Arabiyah lil-Kitab in 2017.Aside from writing, Qarmalawi's hobbies also include oil, charcoal, and pastel painting as well as playing oud. Other winners of the award include Syrian novelist Khalil Sweileh, winner of the Literature Award for the novel "Remorse Test" (Ikhtibar al-Nadam), published in Beirut, 2017 by Nofal- Hachette Antoine. This book explores
Source:Egypt Today
August 17, 2018 11:03 UTC
Exclusive: Fuad Masum talks ties with Egypt, challenges facing Iraq after IS loss
Iraqi President Fuad Masum -- REUTERSET: Why has the new government not formed yet after parliamentary elections were held in May? ET: Did the states participating in the Iraq Reconstruction Conference held in Kuwait uphold their commitments? ET: How can joint cooperation between Egypt and Iraq in combating terrorism be boosted? Nourhan MagdiCAIRO – 17 August 2018: Egypt and Iraq have had mutual cooperation in different aspects, atop of which is combating terrorism. President of Iraq Fuad Masum said during an exclusive interview with.
Source:Egypt Today
August 17, 2018 10:07 UTC
Turkey's lira weakens more than 6% on threat of more U.S. sanctions
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, attends a funeral ceremony for police officer Hasim Usta who was killed in Saturday's blasts, in Istanbul, Turkey, December 12, 2016. "Similarly, there has been no improvement in relations with the U.S. and additional sanctions may be on the horizon. "At 0937 GMT the currency stood at 6.2499 to the dollar, nearly 7 percent weaker.U.S. It was also helped by Qatar's pledge to invest $15 billion in Turkey.However, deep concerns remain about the potential for damage to the broader economy. Turkey is dependent on imports, priced in hard currency, for almost all of its energy needs.For years Turkish firms have borrowed in dollars and lira to take advantage of lower interest rates.
Source:Egypt Today
August 17, 2018 10:07 UTC
Karim Abdel Aziz to start shooting 'Nadi el-Regal el-Seri' in Sept.
Karim Abdel Aziz – Egypt Today. The careful search for other actors/actresses is still ongoing.Halfawy is currently deciding on the décor, costumes and studios to film his project. The director is taking all the time he needs in order to pick the right choices from the wide range of options available in the film industry.“Nadi el-Regal el-Seri” (Men’s Secret Club) brings Abdel Aziz back to the cinematic spot light after a 4-year hiatus. The star’s last film was “The Blue Elephant” which gained great success at the time and caused great controversy in Egypt.“The Blue Elephant” was a 2014 film production, starring Khaled el-Sawi, Nelly Karim, Lebleba, Sherine Reda, Mohamed Mamdouh and others. It is written by Ahmad Mourad and directed by famed director Marwan Hamed.
Source:Egypt Today
August 17, 2018 10:07 UTC
Yemeni government, Houthis invited to UN's Sept 6 peace talks
Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour looks on as he is surrounded by security after his meeting with Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Cairo, Egypt August 14, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El GhanyGENEVA - 17 August 2018: The United Nations has invited the Yemeni government and the Houthi movement that controls most of the north to peace talks in Geneva on Sept. 6, a U.N. spokeswoman said on Friday.U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths is trying to negotiate an end to the three-year conflict, which has killed more than 10,000 people and pushed Yemen to the verge of starvation. "I can confirm the office of Special Envoy has sent invitations to the government of Yemen and to Ansarullah," U.N. spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci told a Geneva news briefing.
Source:Egypt Today
August 17, 2018 09:22 UTC
Masterpiece theater: Chinese make-up artist brings paintings to life
A combination picture shows makeup artist He Yuhong, also known as "Yuya", posing without her makeup and garments (L), and without her makeup (C) following her transformation (R) into the "Girl with a Pearl Earring", the 17th century oil painting by DutchCHONGQING, China (Reuters) - Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Cristiano Ronaldo are just a few of the famous faces that Chinese make-up artist He Yuhong can transform her features into, but now she’s turning to famous artworks.The 27-year-old has gone viral on Chinese social media for her videos of her make-up transformations, drawing a million followers on popular video and music platform TikTok.“It’s more difficult to do this kind of make-up, because it’s more like drawing,” said He, who is based in the southwestern city of Chongqing.“I need to draw other people’s faces onto my own, with a lot of details added, and I need to change my facial features.”He has even taken on characters from paintings, such as the “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by 17th-century Dutchman Johannes Vermeer.It took her more than six hours to recreate, carefully adding layers of foundation to her face to replicate shadows, and wearing a headscarf to match the one on the canvas.In May, He kicked off her video series, unexpectedly bringing to life Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” in a recreation that captured attention on social media.Before she became a blogger on the transformative use of make-up, she had her own studio, applying cosmetics in preparation for weddings and advertisement shoots.Now she estimates her monthly spend on make-up is up to 10,000 yuan ($1,452). She is backed by corporate sponsors.“I like to try new things,” He said, adding that characters from the “Lion King” and princesses in Disney animated films are next in her lineup for imitation.
Source:Egypt Today
August 17, 2018 05:37 UTC
Lahm to be figurehead if Germany host Euro 2024
Former Germany captain Philipp Lahm will head the organising committee if the German FA (DFB) host the European championships in 2024. Germany and Turkey are the two nations bidding with a decision to be announced on September 27. "From the beginning of my work as an ambassador for the European Championship 2024, it was my desire to take responsibility in the long term," said Lahm in a statement. "The new role as head of the tournament offers me a very interesting opportunity to do just that. "Together with the bidding team, I will do everything in the coming weeks to bring Euro 2024 to Germany.
Source:Egypt Today
August 17, 2018 02:15 UTC
Kehrer signs five-year deal to seal move to PSG
German defender Thilo Kehrer signs a five-year contract with French champions Paris Saint-Germain AFP/File / Christof STACHEYoung German defender Thilo Kehrer completed his move to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, signing a five-year contract, the French champions announced.The German club announced on Sunday that they had agreed to sell the 21-year-old to PSG for 37 million euros ($42.3 million).Kehrer was part of the Germany team which won the under-21 European championships last month and played 27 Bundesliga matches last year for Schalke.He becomes PSG's second signing of the summer after veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Source:Egypt Today
August 17, 2018 01:07 UTC
King Ramses II statue adorns 'Egypt Square" in Ecuador
Replica statue of ancient Egyptian King Ramses II - press photoCAIRO - 17 August 2018: Ecuador became the first Latin American country to open a public square in its capital Quito, bearing Egypt's name, and adorned with a replica statue of ancient Egyptian King Ramses II, Egypt’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday.Egypt gifted the statue to Ecuador in November 2016 and was erected two months later in a ceremony attended by top Ecuadorian officials. The square also features miniature models of the Giza Pyramids.The opening of the square reflects special relations between the two countries and Ecuador's appreciation of Egypt's culture and history, Egyptian ambassador in Ecuador Abdel Moneim Omar said.Egyptians officials had previously said the move will help attract tourists and promote Egypt's ancient history.
Source:Egypt Today
August 16, 2018 22:30 UTC
Italy launches investigation against Atlantia unit over bridge collapse
The collapsed Morandi Bridge is seen in the port city of Genoa, Italy August 16, 2018. REUTERS/Stefano RellandiniMILAN - 17 August 2018: The Italian government on Thursday launched an investigation into toll-road operator Autostrade per l'Italia following the collapse of a bridge in Genoa which claimed at least 38 lives.In a statement, the Ministry of Transport said it had given the company 15 days to show it had previously met all its contractual obligations to ensure the proper functioning of the bridge and avoid accidents.If the justifications provided by the company, a unit of infrastructure group Atlantia, were judged inadequate Rome would consider it a breach of the terms of the group's toll-road concession.A section of the bridge gave way on Tuesday in busy lunchtime traffic, plunging dozens of vehicles 50 metres below.The Transport Ministry said it wanted the Atlantia unit to immediately commit to rebuilding the bridge at its own expense and within a limited amount of time.It also called on the company to foot the bill for work to restore the buildings and areas damaged by the accident.Atlantia, controlled by the Benetton family, owns around 88 percent of Italy's biggest toll-road concessionary.
Source:Egypt Today
August 16, 2018 20:26 UTC
Ex-CIA boss says he will not be scared into silence by Trump
"I call it the rigged witch hunt, (it) is a sham," Trump told the newspaper in an interview on Wednesday. "It's something that had to be done," Trump added.The president has denied any collusion. 'REVOKE MY SECURITY CLEARANCE'Former U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, another critic whose clearance Trump said he might target, cautioned that Brennan was expressing "an informed opinion." "I don’t trust many of those people on that list," Trump told the Journal. U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro said Mueller should also investigate the issue now that Trump has tied it to the Russia probe.
Source:Egypt Today
August 16, 2018 20:26 UTC