Egypt’s judiciary is investigating accidental death of Italian tourist: Italian FM
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday that an Italian tourist died after being hospitalized following a collision between two cruise ships on Sunday evening in the Nile River, south of Luxor, Egypt. “The Egyptian judiciary is currently conducting an investigation to determine who is responsible, and at this time, we can only mourn the loss of this woman,” the minister added. Cruise ship collisionThe General Authority for River Transport announced on Sunday that the accident occurred while the cruise ship “Opera” was traveling from Aswan to Luxor. After passing through the Esna Lock by two kilometers, it was blindsided by a sharp maneuver from the ship “Beau Rivage,” which was traveling in the opposite direction from Luxor to Aswan. The River Transport Authority statement indicated that the license of the “Beau Rivage” driver was withdrawn and suspended, with the incident being referred to the competent prosecution for investigation.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 23, 2025 10:56 UTC
Gold rises to highest level in half a century globally
The global price of gold surged to a level not seen in 46 years, particularly since 1979, with an ounce reaching US$ 4,413. In the local market, the price of a gram of 21-karat gold jumped by LE 80 to reach LE 5,865, while 24-karat gold reached LE 6,702, 18-karat gold at LE 5,027, and a gold sovereign coin is at LE 46,920. Gold broke the $4,000 per ounce barrier for the first time in its history, amid expectations of its largest annual gains since 1979. Gold jewelry expert, Amir Rizk, explained that the local market is currently unstable and advised citizens to refrain from buying or selling until after the New Year’s holiday to restore stability. The Vice President of the General Division for Gold and Jewelry, Lotfy Mounib said that the global gold price index witnessed a significant increase on Monday, coinciding with the opening of gold markets, reaching a new record high.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 23, 2025 08:26 UTC
Up to 10% price increase in mobile phone prices in January 2026
The head of the Communications and Mobile Division at the Federation of Chambers of Commerce Mohamed Talaat, announced Monday that there is now a greater global demand for RAM used in mobile phones, leading to a shortage in supply. This shortage is driving up RAM prices and consequently increasing phone prices at the start of the year, Talaat added during a phone interview with the talk show “Hadith al-Qahira” (Cairo Talk). He explained that there is a shortage of RAM worldwide, and confirmed that one of the mobile companies informed the division that it would increase prices at the beginning of the new year by five percent. Talaat pointed out that this is a global increase in RAM prices. “All phones with low prices will increase by five percent, and phones with high prices will increase by 10 percent,” he explained.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 23, 2025 08:12 UTC
Repatriation of 14 Egyptians who died in boat sinking off Crete underway
The Egyptian Embassy in Greece announced that, in cooperation with Greek authorities, it has expedited the repatriation of the bodies of 14 Egyptians who died in the migrant boat sinking south of Crete. The embassy noted that this process usually takes 14 days, especially given its overlap with the Christmas and New Year holidays. This comes as part of the embassy’s ongoing efforts to address the aftermath of the migrant boat sinking south of Crete, and its commitment to the families of the victims to expedite all necessary procedures to return the deceased back to their homeland. The embassy added that the repatriation of all bodies will begin gradually starting on Tuesday, December 23. Families of the victims are being notified of the arrival times of the bodies.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 23, 2025 08:02 UTC
$1.8 billion Egypt-Saudi grid is set to transform energy security across regional power markets
The Egyptian government announced that the electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia has entered its final stage, paving the way for the launch of the first phase, RT reported on Sunday. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met with Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, on Sunday, to review the implementation status of the Egyptian-Saudi electricity interconnection project and the latest developments in its various aspects, in preparation for its launch. Massive interconnection projectThe Egyptian-Saudi electricity interconnection project is the largest interconnection project in the Middle East, with a total cost of approximately $1.8 billion. The Egyptian-Saudi project is seen as the nucleus of a broader regional interconnection linking Africa, Asia, and Europe, while supporting renewable energy goals in both countries. It includes three main substations: Badr, east of Cairo; Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; and Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Source:Egypt Independent
December 22, 2025 23:00 UTC
Egypt signs EGP 500m deal with Titan to build three waste treatment facilities in Sharqeya
Egypt’s Acting Minister of Environment Manal Awad and Sharqeya Governor Hazem Al-Ashmouny on Monday witnessed the signing of a contract between Sharqeya and Gaia Titan, the green energy arm of Titan Cement, to establish and operate three municipal solid waste treatment facilities in the governorate, according to an official statement. The agreement covers the construction and operation of facilities in Al-Ghar (Zagazig district), Al-Khattara (Husseiniya district), and Geeta (Belbeis district). It also includes the operation of two sanitary landfill sites for residual waste in Belbeis and Al-Khattara. Awad said the project will process at least 3,000 tonnes of waste per day across Sharqeya and ensure the environmentally safe disposal of residual waste, with total investments reaching up to EGP 500m. Gaia Titan Managing Director Essam Abdel Nabi said the 15-year contract aims to treat more than one million tonnes of municipal solid waste annually and produce around 200,000 tonnes of alternative fuel.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 22, 2025 19:06 UTC
Egypt opens doors to investment with competitive advantages, investor-friendly climate: Finance Minister
Egypt is opening its doors to increased investment inflows, supported by strong competitive advantages and an enabling, attractive business environment, Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk said. He noted that Egypt’s fiscal and economic priorities place greater emphasis on the private sector’s role in investing for the future, in a way that serves both economic growth and citizens’ interests. The Minister also highlighted improvements in the banking sector’s net foreign assets and growth in foreign exchange reserves, reflecting increased financial stability. He noted that the 73% increase in private investment during the last fiscal year demonstrates the private sector’s ability to lead Egypt’s economic growth. He also announced that, in coordination with the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, a major package of customs facilitation measures will soon be unveiled to boost foreign trade and significantly reduce customs clearance times.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 22, 2025 19:06 UTC
Egyptian medical convoy arrives in Sudan to support healthcare sector amid facility damage
Egypt has deployed a specialised medical convoy of 13 senior consultants to Port Sudan to provide free surgical treatment and bolster healthcare services, the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development announced. The mission, which is operating from Dec. 20 to Dec. 27, includes specialists in neurosurgery, general surgery, spinal surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, thyroid surgery, and vascular surgery. It involves high-level institutional coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates and the Ministry of Health and Population. Nour expressed appreciation for the support from the Egyptian leadership, government, and people, noting the historical and brotherly ties between the two nations. The Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development said the mission aims to alleviate the burden on citizens, bridge gaps in specialised medical disciplines, and support efforts to localise treatment within the state.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 22, 2025 19:01 UTC
Egypt’s Prime Minister orders faster health insurance rollout and new mining investment push
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has ordered the acceleration of Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance (UHI) system across all regions, targeting the inclusion of five provinces in its second phase, the cabinet said in a statement on Monday. The second phase will cover the provinces of Minya, Matrouh, Damietta, Kafr El-Sheikh, and North Sinai, with Alexandria also under consideration for inclusion. Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar presented a detailed plan for the second phase, which is expected to serve 13 million beneficiaries. Of these units, 516 are scheduled for implementation under the second phase of the Decent Life initiative. Yasser Ramadan, Chairman of the Egyptian General Authority for Mineral Resources, reported that the Golden Triangle region contains approximately 95 mineral occurrences, representing about 7.6% of Egypt’s total mineral wealth.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 22, 2025 18:54 UTC
Gaza death toll rises amid mounting warnings over humanitarian conditions
The ministry said the overall death toll since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, had reached 70,937, with 171,192 people wounded. Gaza’s civil defence said the remains of Palestinians killed during more than two years of fighting are increasingly being discovered across the territory as destruction spreads. It was the second such discovery at the site in two days, after remains were found there on Sunday. Doctors Without Borders said on Monday that new Israeli procedures for registering international organisations working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank could seriously disrupt humanitarian operations. Separately, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said it has faced a coordinated disinformation campaign for more than two years aimed at dismantling the agency, describing the effort as unprecedented.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 22, 2025 18:52 UTC
Main Development Company signs EGP 1bn deal for West Qantara industrial site
The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) signed a EGP 1bn usufruct contract on Monday with the Main Development Company (MDC) to develop pre-built factories in the West Qantara industrial zone. The project involves the development of a total area of 200,000 square metres to create ready-to-operate facilities for investors. Each phase will cover 100,000 square metres with an investment of EGP 500m and a delivery timeline of 18 months. He stated that the ready-to-use factories are designed to meet increasing demand in the West Qantara region for sectors including textiles, ready-made garments, food processing, agricultural manufacturing, and woven medical supplies. He added that the West Qantara industrial zone offers competitive advantages such as the availability of trained technical labour and access to diverse energy sources at competitive rates.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 22, 2025 18:05 UTC
Egypt discusses support for drugmakers, vaccine localisation, and biotech development
The meeting comes in line with directives from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to strengthen the localisation of medicines and medical supplies manufacturing and to increase investment in the pharmaceutical sector, according to the ministry. Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said discussions focused on preparing an actionable policy paper outlining the practical requirements for developing the pharmaceutical industry. Talks centred on enabling manufacturers, encouraging domestic investment, and introducing new investment packages targeting medicines, vaccines, and biotechnology industries. The minister stressed the importance of adopting practical and implementable steps, including studying the establishment of a specialised committee to support vaccine localisation and organising a dedicated conference to showcase investment incentives and localisation mechanisms. He also emphasised the need to strengthen public-private partnerships to accelerate sector development.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 22, 2025 17:55 UTC
Public Enterprises Minister explores investment, tourism cooperation with India
During the meeting, El-Shimy emphasised the depth and strength of Egyptian–Indian relations and their continued expansion across various sectors, particularly in economic, investment, and tourism cooperation. This milestone reflects the mutual confidence between both sides and underscores the growing attractiveness of Egypt’s tourism investment climate. The meeting addressed ways to strengthen joint cooperation and explore partnership opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sectors, as well as mechanisms to support serious international partnerships. These efforts aim to maximise the value of Egypt’s historic tourism assets and reinforce the country’s position on the global tourism map. El-Shimy added that the entry of the Taj brand into Egypt reflects increasing confidence among major international institutions in the Egyptian economy and the country’s tourism investment environment.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 22, 2025 17:49 UTC
Egypt’s digital exports reach $7.4bn over seven years: Communications Minister
Egypt’s digital exports reached $7.4bn over the past seven years, marking a 124% increase from $3.3bn in 2018, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat said, noting the sustained expansion of the communications and information technology (ICT) sector. Talaat reviewed the vision and key pillars of Egypt’s Digital Strategy, which is built on four main pillars: fostering digital innovation, enhancing digital services for citizens, driving GDP growth and exports, and creating jobs in the digital economy. He also noted the diversification of training delivery methods, including in-person training, online learning via digital platforms, and blended learning models. Talaat pointed to the MaharaTech platform, which offers specialised digital training content across a wide range of technological fields. He also highlighted progress in digital government services, noting that the Egypt Digital Services Platform now offers 210 government services, serves more than 10 million users, and processes around 2 million transactions each month.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 22, 2025 17:49 UTC
Agriculture Minister discusses boosting bilateral cooperation with Armenia
Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, met with Gevorg Papoyan, Minister of Economy of Armenia, and his accompanying delegation to explore ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries across a range of agricultural sectors. The meeting was attended by Mostafa El-Sayyad, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, and focused on mechanisms for enhancing joint agricultural investment, increasing private-sector engagement, and strengthening ties between business communities in both countries. Discussions also covered cooperation in key areas, including seed production, land reclamation, and the rationalisation of water use. The minister also noted the strong international reputation of Egyptian agricultural products, reaffirming Egypt’s readiness to meet Armenia’s needs for strategic commodities, as well as fruits and vegetables. In addition, both sides discussed enhancing cooperation in training and capacity-building programmes for agricultural technical staff through specialised research centres in Egypt and Armenia.
Source:Daily News Egypt
December 22, 2025 17:49 UTC