Egypt

Horses prove smarter than expected in complex game

Discover /

 A new study by scientists from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in England has revealed that horses are more cognitively advanced than previously thought, challenging long-held beliefs about equine intelligence. According to the discovery, these animals possess a surprising level of cognitive ability and are capable of complex problem-solving and strategic thinking. The research, published in the Applied Animal Behaviour Science journal, involved a series of reward-based tasks that demonstrated 20 horses’ ability to think, plan and adapt strategies. Initially, horses were rewarded for touching a card with their nose. But when a light was introduced and treats were only given for touching the card when the light was off, the animals continued to touch the card regardless of the light’s status. The critical turning point came when researchers introduced a penalty for incorrect responses: a 10-second timeout. Surprisingly, the horses rapidly adapted their behavior, touching the card only when the light was off to avoid the penalty. The study’s lead researcher, Louise Evans, observed the surprising response when a penalty was introduced during the tasks. “We were expecting horses’ performance to improve when we introduced the time-out but were surprised by how immediate and significant the improvement was,” Evans said, according to the Independent. She added that this rapid adaptation suggests that the horses understood the rules all along, debunking the notion that they could only respond to immediate stimuli. The Independent added that Carrie Ijichi, a senior lecturer in equine science at NTU, emphasized the significance of the findings. “Horses are not natural geniuses; they are thought of as mediocre. But this study shows they’re not average and are, in fact, more cognitively advanced than we give them credit for,” she said. The research team believes these findings have significant implications for horse welfare and training, suggesting that horses may be capable of understanding and responding to more sophisticated training methods. “This teaches us that we shouldn’t make assumptions about animal intelligence or sentience based on whether they are ‘built’ just like us,” Ijichi added.

Horses prove smarter than expected in complex game Read More »

Egyptian president calls for international efforts to end Gaza war

Africa /

 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi called Thursday for international efforts to push for an agreement that would end Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip. The move came during a phone call he received from his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, according to a statement from the Egyptian Presidency. The statement said that El-Sisi, during his conversation with Macron, highlighted Egypt’s “intensive communications” with all parties to halt the escalation in the region and avoid slipping into “a new cycle of uncalculated conflict,” which “threatens to spark a full-scale regional confrontation.” He stressed the importance of international efforts to press forward towards a cease-fire agreement in Gaza, as the continuation of the war in the region is the “main driver” of the current escalation. According to the statement, the two presidents agreed to intensify efforts and coordination in the coming period to ensure the security and stability of the region and to prevent the expansion of the conflict, which threatens the welfare of the region’s people. In a related context, El-Sisi held a phone call with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in which he reviewed the latest Egyptian efforts to end the war in Gaza and the exchange of detainees, according to a second statement from the Egyptian Presidency. He emphasized the “priority of delivering humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, alleviating their suffering and advancing a political process based on the two-state solution.” El-Sisi also expressed Cairo’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations and increase trade between the two countries. The region is currently gripped by fears of war, particularly amid threats of military retaliation by Lebanon’s Hezbollah group following the assassination of its top commander, Fuad Shukr, in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut on July 30 and Iran’s threats to retaliate after the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in the capital Tehran on July 31, an attack attributed to Tel Aviv. The escalation comes against the backdrop of an Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip which has killed nearly 39,700 people since last October following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. Tel Aviv is continuing the war, ignoring the UN Security Council’s resolution to immediately cease hostilities, as well as the International Court of Justice’s orders to take measures to prevent acts of genocide and to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Egyptian president calls for international efforts to end Gaza war Read More »

Egyptian pound falls against foreign currencies

Business /

The Egyptian pound is declining against foreign currencies, nearing 50 per U.S. dollar following recent hikes in metro fares and fuel prices. On Tuesday, the currency was valued at 49.16 per U.S. dollar, according to the Central Bank of Egypt. After fluctuating between 47 and 48 per dollar in June and July, the pound has lost approximately 60% of its value since its initial public offering in March, falling to around 30 per dollar. This new exchange rate comes a week after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed its third review of Egypt’s financial situation, authorizing the release of $820 million as part of an $8 billion bailout package. This loan aims to support Egypt’s struggling economy, which faces challenges such as a foreign currency shortage, soaring inflation, and unrest in the Red Sea due to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The IMF noted last week that while inflation remains high, it is decreasing, and a flexible exchange rate is central to the country’s economic strategy. Egyptians are dealing with significant inflation, with the oil ministry recently announcing a 10% increase in fuel prices. The last fuel price hike occurred in March, attributed to rising costs due to Red Sea attacks and the currency’s depreciation. The Houthis have targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, impacting global trade routes. Oil, natural gas, and grain passing through these sea lanes are crucial to the Suez Canal, which handles 12% of world trade. Additionally, Cairo Metro fares increased last week, now ranging from 2 to 5 Egyptian pounds, as reported by the National Tunnels Authority. This fare increase aligns with Egypt’s agreement with the IMF to double its bailout, which now totals $8 billion. The price adjustments are part of the conditions set by the IMF for continued financial aid.

Egyptian pound falls against foreign currencies Read More »

Global wind energy plans fall short of reaching the 2030 target

Discover /

Countries aim to increase global wind energy capacity 2.4-fold by 2030, but national plans fall short of the UN’s COP28 commitment to triple global renewable energy capacity. London-based think tank Ember analyzed the 2030 wind energy targets of 70 countries and the EU, which account for 99% of the current installed wind capacity, to see if they align with the COP28 goal. The report found that while national targets would double global wind capacity by 2030, they are insufficient to meet the COP28 pledge. Current targets would expand wind energy capacity from 901 gigawatts at the end of 2022 to 2,157 gigawatts by 2030. Achieving the tripling goal requires an additional 585 gigawatts worldwide. Most of the expected increase will come from China, which is projected to triple its wind capacity by 2030 and account for over half of the global increase in wind capacity from 2024 to 2030. However, the U.S. and India face significant gaps between their current targets and the needed increase. Not all countries are falling short. Brazil needs to build 0.3 gigawatts of new wind capacity annually from 2024 to 2030 to meet its 2030 targets. Last year, Brazil set a record by adding 5.3 gigawatts of wind capacity, and the IEA predicts it will add an average of 2.4 gigawatts annually until 2030. Turkey has nearly achieved its goal of generating 12% of its electricity from wind by 2030 and has the potential to set higher targets. Ember Electric Analyst Katye Altieri noted, “Governments are not ambitious or proactive enough, especially in onshore wind capacity. Despite its role in providing cheap electricity and complementing solar energy, wind energy isn’t receiving adequate attention.” Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), emphasized that wind energy must be central to the clean energy transition. “Every gigawatt installed is a step towards a greener world. Targets play a crucial role in guiding our direction, but only real actions that meet these targets can effectively address climate change, drive clean industry, and ensure secure energy,” he said.

Global wind energy plans fall short of reaching the 2030 target Read More »

Africa hosts Astronomical Union General Assembly for first time

Africa /

The International Astronomical Union (IAU), celebrating its 105th anniversary, is holding its General Assembly in Africa for the first time this year. Cape Town, South Africa, is hosting the IAU’s 32nd General Assembly from August 6-15. The event, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, brings together over 2,000 scientists and researchers from 82 countries, including Turkey. The assembly features more than 200 sessions covering the latest developments in astronomy. Topics include innovations from the James Webb Space Telescope, new techniques for discovering planets, combating light pollution, and astronomy’s role in global development. This year’s assembly is notable as the first to be held in Africa in the IAU’s 105-year history. The IAU General Assembly, a major scientific meeting in astronomy, has been held every three years since 1919, except during World War II.

Africa hosts Astronomical Union General Assembly for first time Read More »

Joint efforts by Egypt and Turkey to address Gaza crisis

World /

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan discussed efforts to prevent the ongoing conflict in Gaza from escalating into a broader regional war during a joint news conference in Cairo on Monday. The ministers addressed strategies to ease regional tensions, particularly those resulting from the Israel-Hamas conflict. Badr Abdelatty condemned assassination tactics, violations of sovereignty, and the worsening of regional conflicts, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to prevent a full-scale regional war. Their discussion also covered the crises in Gaza, Libya, Sudan, the unrest in the Red Sea, and the issues in Yemen. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan noted that Turkey is closely monitoring Israel’s case at the International Court of Justice and plans to file its application on Wednesday. He highlighted Turkey’s stance that establishing a Palestinian state is crucial for peace in the Middle East and criticized Israel for undermining peace efforts. Both Egypt and Turkey are calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and have condemned recent fatalities, including the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Fidan also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, marking a significant step toward improving relations between Turkey and Egypt after years of diplomatic tension. Diplomatic relations between Ankara and Cairo had been strained for nearly a decade, primarily due to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s support for Egypt’s former Islamist leader, Mohammed Morsi, who was ousted by the military in 2013. In recent years, Turkey has adjusted its position to rebuild ties with el-Sissi’s administration.

Joint efforts by Egypt and Turkey to address Gaza crisis Read More »

Scroll to Top