The decision comes in response to requests from tribal leaders and aims to recognize their role in combating terrorism and promoting stability in the region.

Russian grain exporters are facing challenges in their wheat trade with Egypt due to Western sanctions and the establishment of a new importing agency.

The decision comes amid growing tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia and follows a recent agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia to end a bitter dispute.

Both ministers emphasized the importance of achieving a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid to the affected population.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi addressed Middle East conflicts and trade agreements at the D-8 summit in Cairo.

The incident, attributed to exhaustion and a recent illness, caused a brief interruption in the briefing.

An Egyptian court has upheld a one-year prison sentence against former presidential candidate Ahmed Tantawy and his campaign manager.

Egypt, as the current chair of the D-8, is emphasizing the significant economic potential of the group, which represents a massive market with a combined GDP of around $5 trillion.  

Egypt condemned Israel’s settlement expansion in the Golan Heights as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and international law, reflecting Israel’s lack of commitment to peace.

Egypt calls for political dialogue to restore Palestinian rights and establish peace highlighting the need for humanitarian access to Gaza.

The Secrets of the Pyramids: Legacy, Tourism, and Preservation The ancient pyramids of Egypt, built for kings, their sons, and grandsons, continue to protect their mysteries. Surrounding these monumental tombs are smaller pyramids for queens and other family members, where they too were mummified and laid to rest. Two temples are also located around the pyramids, likely used for funeral ceremonies and rituals. In ancient Egypt, belief in resurrection after death prevailed. Pharaohs were mummified, buried with treasures to ensure their protection and immortality. The secret of the mummification process, which prevented the bodies of kings from decaying for centuries, remains a mystery to this day. The famous 17th-century traveler, Evliya Çelebi, also mentioned the Egyptian pyramids in his travelogue, highlighting their enduring significance. A Pillar of Egypt’s Economy Last year, Egypt welcomed 14.9 million tourists, with a significant portion of its tourism revenue coming from visitors to the pyramids. The pyramids attract millions of tourists annually, making a vital contribution to the country’s economy. Visitors to the Giza Necropolis can explore the pyramids between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM. However, the Great Pyramid of Giza (Khufu’s pyramid) is closed to visitors from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Ticket offices remain open until 4:00 PM, with entry fees set at 540 Egyptian pounds for general admission and 270 pounds for international student cardholders. To enter the pyramids’ interiors, the fee is 900 pounds for general entry and 450 pounds for students. Payments are only accepted via bank card, and children under 6 years old can visit for free. While photography is allowed outside the pyramids, no photos are permitted inside. Camel and Horse Cart Tours At the entrance to the pyramid complex, visitors can enjoy camel and horse-drawn carriage rides. Horse cart rides cost 500 Egyptian pounds per hour, offering the best views of the pyramids from various angles. Symbolic camel tours, often associated with the pyramids, cost 1,000 Egyptian pounds per hour, while a short photo opportunity on a camel is priced at 300 pounds. A Monumental Construction The Great Pyramid of Khufu, part of the 4th Dynasty of Pharaohs, was built with massive limestone blocks, each weighing thousands of kilograms. Construction of the pyramid, made from an estimated 2.3 million stone blocks, is believed to have taken 20 years, with 800 tons of stone laid each day. The king’s burial chamber inside the pyramid was made of granite stones, believed to have been transported by boat from Aswan via the Nile River. The second largest pyramid, that of Khafre, is thought to have been built by Khufu’s son, Khafre, and remains a remarkable testament to the architectural and engineering prowess of ancient Egypt.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visited Ireland to discuss the ongoing crisis in Gaza and strengthen bilateral ties with the country.  

A six-story residential building in central Cairo collapsed, resulting in the deaths of eight people and injuries to three others.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, during his historic visit to Norway, discussed Gaza conflict resolution, bilateral cooperation, and green energy initiatives with Norwegian leaders.

The first shipment of Egypt’s delayed 430,000-ton Russian wheat purchase has begun loading, marking a significant step in securing the country’s wheat supply.

Egypt and Denmark signed a strategic partnership declaration, focusing on regional stability and mutual cooperation in political, economic, and cultural matters during President al-Sisi’s visit to Copenhagen.

Egypt is set to privatize up to four military-owned companies as part of its broader economic reform plan.

On Monday, Egypt hosted an international conference in Cairo to garner humanitarian support for Gaza, which has been devastated by over a year of conflict between Hamas and Israel. The event was attended by numerous senior regional and Western officials, as well as UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and other top UN representatives, according to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry. The conference was convened amid a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly in the northern regions, which have been nearly cut off from the rest of the Strip for almost two months. Discussions at the conference focused on the political, security, and humanitarian challenges in Gaza, with a particular emphasis on supporting the operations of UNRWA, the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees. On Sunday, UNRWA announced it would suspend aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing, Gaza’s main cargo entry point, due to the threat of armed groups looting aid convoys. The agency cited the breakdown of law and order in Gaza, which it attributed to Israel’s policies. This move by UNRWA could exacerbate Gaza’s already dire humanitarian situation, as a second cold and rainy winter approaches. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain in overcrowded and unsanitary tent camps, heavily dependent on international aid. Experts have warned of the potential for famine in Gaza’s northern regions, which have been almost entirely isolated by Israeli forces since early October. In response, Israel’s military body responsible for coordinating humanitarian aid to Gaza stated on X (formerly Twitter) that it would continue to work with the international community to increase aid deliveries through Kerem Shalom and other crossings. It also claimed that in November, UNRWA coordinated less than 10% of the aid that entered Gaza.

Central bank data reveals a $1.12 billion decline in Egypt’s net foreign assets in October, ending the month at $9.21 billion compared to $10.33 billion in September.

Hamas representatives are traveling to Cairo for talks on a potential ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza.

A tourist boat capsized in the Red Sea, leaving 17 people missing and 28 rescued.

IMF Highlights Progress in Egypt’s Reforms, Assesses Global Economic Challenges The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reiterated its support for Egypt’s reform program, noting significant progress despite ongoing economic difficulties exacerbated by regional tensions. Speaking in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack praised Egypt’s commitment to key reforms designed to ensure macroeconomic stability. The IMF recently completed a mission to Egypt, making headway in discussions for the fourth review of the country’s 46-month loan program, which was approved in 2022 and expanded to $8 billion earlier this year. The program aims to address Egypt’s severe economic challenges, including high inflation and foreign currency shortages. Completing the review could unlock an additional $1.2 billion in financing for the country. Limited Economic Impact of Spain’s Floods The IMF also addressed the economic effects of the recent devastating floods in Spain, offering condolences to those impacted. While the floods caused significant damage in some areas, Kozack noted that the broader economic impact has been limited. Key infrastructure sectors such as transport and industry saw only minor disruptions. A more detailed assessment will be provided in the IMF’s World Economic Outlook update in January. Argentina’s Stabilization Efforts Show Progress The IMF also pointed to signs of economic stabilization in Argentina, following a challenging year of contraction. As the country works on restructuring its $44 billion loan with the IMF, Kozack reported progress in Argentina’s stabilization program, including reduced inflation, fiscal surpluses, stronger reserve coverage, and early signs of recovery in economic activity and real wages. The IMF pledged continued support to help Argentina maintain these gains and address remaining challenges. These updates underscore the IMF’s ongoing efforts to assist member countries in tackling complex economic issues and implementing reforms necessary for long-term stability.

The mother of a jailed British-Egyptian activist, Alaa Abdel Fattah, is on a hunger strike to pressure the UK government to secure his release from an Egyptian prison.
 

Egypt is negotiating long-term LNG deals with foreign companies to reduce reliance on the volatile spot market and address declining domestic gas production.