A 6.3 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale struck Greece and Crete on Wednesday morning, Reuters reported in a breaking news alert.

The seismic activity was also perceptible to residents in Egypt.

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CAIRO, May 11 (MENA) – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership is an important platform and a valuable opportunity for building global friendships and promoting peace amid current global challenges.

During his meeting with 150 youth leaders from 80 countries at the cabinet headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, Madbouly described the fellowship as a successful model of South-South cooperation.

Madbouly added that the fellowship has brought together over 600 participants from 90 countries since its launch in 2019, transforming from an African initiative into a global platform.

The Premier reiterated Egypt’s founding role in the United Nations and its support for developing countries. He called for fairer international representation and more inclusive global development frameworks.

Madbouly discussed regional challenges, including instability in Gaza, Sudan, and Libya, which directly affect Egypt’s economy and security. He highlighted the impact on the Suez Canal due to Red Sea disruptions, resulting in a 70% drop in revenues.

He noted that Egypt currently hosts over 10 million migrants and refugees, providing basic services despite economic strain.

The PM also reviewed economic reforms that reduced unemployment from 13.5% in 2014 to 6.5%, while the population increased by 18 million. He credited these outcomes to Egypt’s Vision 2030, which focuses on infrastructure, job creation, and attracting foreign investment.

Additionally, Madbouly invited the young leaders to explore Egypt’s development journey and emphasized their role as future decision-makers.

He concluded by affirming Egypt’s history as a nation of builders, committed to peace and progress. (MENA)

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Egypt has praised constructive diplomatic efforts and contacts aimed at reaching a peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis, welcoming a Russian proposal to hold direct talks with Ukraine on May 15.

Egypt also lauded Ukraine’s indication of its willingness to respond positively to this proposal.

A statement issued Monday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates, emphasized that the willingness of the parties involved in the conflict to engage in direct negotiations represents a critical and essential step toward achieving a resolution to the protracted Ukrainian crisis.

“Such a development could mark the beginning of a new phase that enables dialogue and addresses the concerns of the parties, ultimately leading to sustainable peace that restores security and stability across the European continent,” the statement read.

Egypt reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, expressing its support for all initiatives and efforts aimed at ending the crisis.

The ministry highlighted that Egypt has previously participated in Arab and African initiatives, as well as the “Friends of Peace” group, all of which have called for a settlement to the Ukrainian conflict.

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Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said that the government’s initiative to convert vehicles to operate on natural gas is a top priority, in line with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s directives to expand the conversion and replacement of cars with gas-powered alternatives. This move is part of the state’s efforts to promote the use of clean and renewable energy sources and to meet critical environmental standards.

The statement was made during a meeting on Monday to follow up on the government’s efforts in this area. The meeting was attended by Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt Essam Omar, and other officials from the relevant ministries.

Madbouly noted that the initiative offers significant savings and financial returns for participants. He instructed that a set of incentives be developed to encourage citizens to convert their vehicles to run on natural gas. He also stressed the importance of expanding gas fueling services at existing stations, suggesting that procedures be streamlined to facilitate private sector involvement in constructing and operating these stations, in alignment with the government’s broader partnership approach with the private sector.

Cabinet spokesperson Mohamed al-Homsany said that the meeting reviewed the projected outcomes of the initiative’s first phase, which aims to convert approximately 220,000 vehicles between 2025 and 2028, starting with 50,000 vehicles in 2025–2026. The expected gas consumption and annual financial savings were presented, with estimates indicating that users could save at least EGP 2,270 per month by switching from gasoline to natural gas.

The meeting also outlined the application process for those interested in joining the initiative. Applications will be submitted through a dedicated digital platform. Once an application is submitted, the vehicle will undergo a technical inspection to ensure its eligibility, followed by approval and contract signing. The state will subsidize part of the conversion cost, while the remaining amount will be paid by the citizen in equal, interest-free installments.

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CAIRO, May 11 (MENA) – Head of European Union Delegation to Egypt Angelina Eichhorst reaffirmed that Egypt is a close friend and partner of the EU.

Speaking at a reception held on Sunday to mark the 75th anniversary of Europe Day, Eichhorst said that Egypt holds a special place for the EU, adding, “We are not only celebrating historic ties but also our dynamic current relationship.”

She praised the deep-rooted and multifaceted historical relations between Egypt and the European Union, highlighting the EU’s progress over the past 75 years, particularly in advancing women’s leadership across key roles.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar praised the longstanding and evolving relationship between Egypt and the EU, which was elevated in 2024 to the level of a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership.

He also commended the economic cooperation between both sides, reflected in the success of the Egypt–EU Investment Conference held in Cairo in 2024.

The minister highlighted the continued coordination between the two parties in addressing regional crises, particularly in Sudan. (MENA)

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Egyptian media host Ibrahim Fayek revealed details into coach Jose Riveiro’s salary at Al-Ahly Sporting Club and the date of his arrival in Cairo for the official signing.

Source within Ahly previously confirmed that: “There is a preliminary agreement between the club’s management and the Spanish coach for him to take over as team manager, succeeding Swiss coach Marcel Koller.”

“Ahly has finalized all agreements with Jose Riveiro, the former Orlando Pirates coach.”

He added, “The coach will arrive with his entire staff and five assistants. The coach and his entire assistant staff will receive US$ 1.5 million per year.”

“The coach will arrive in Egypt tomorrow (Tuesday) and will hold a meeting with Captain Mahmoud al-Khatib. The contract will be for two years, with the third year subject to agreement between both parties,” he concluded.

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The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority in Egypt, Osama Rabie, on Monday announced that a study is now underway into providing a 15 percent reduction in transit fees for some companies for a specific period.

During an interview with Ahmed Moussa’s TV show “Ala Massoulity” (On My Responsibility) on the privately-owned satellite channel Sada al- Balad, Rabie explained that this study aims to encourage more ships to use the Suez Canal.

Rabie anticipates the decision to be formally announced in the coming days following Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s approval.

He assured that the Suez Canal Authority is constantly working to achieve maximum economic benefit and enhance confidence in the global waterway.

The transit of any number of ships through the Suez Canal will be a boon for the Egyptian state, he said.

He added that 30 ships currently transit the canal daily for a global French shipping agency, indicating that the canal continues to operate despite regional tensions.

Rabie explained that international shipping companies are awaiting a return to calm in the Red Sea region so that ships can resume normal transit through the Suez Canal.

Jordan has requested the Suez Canal Company to manufacture a large launch for it, he said, noting that work on implementing this project is currently underway.

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CAIRO, May 10 (MENA) – Egypt condoled with the government and people of Democratic Republic of the Congo over the deaths from floods that hit the African country and left hundreds dead and wounded.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Saturday expressed Egypt’s solidarity with Congo in that difficult situation, wishing a speedy recovery to the wounded. (MENA)

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CAIRO, May 12 (MENA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Egyptians Expatriates Badr Abdelatty had two phone calls with his Omani and Iranian counterparts; Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and Abbas Araghchi.

During the phone calls, Abdelatty discussed regional developments, in particular the fourth round of negotiations between the US and Iran concerning the Iranian nuclear file, which was hosted in Muscat on Sunday.

The Egyptian top diplomat was briefed on updates of the talks between the two sides.

He praised the commitment of both the US and Iranian sides to maintaining the diplomatic path. Abdelatyy also praised Oman’s mediation efforts.

Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for initiatives aimed at reaching peaceful solutions through dialogue and diplomatic channels.

The Foreign Minister expressed hope that these negotiations would lead to narrowing of gap and contribute to de-escalation, reduce tensions in the region and support regional security and stability.

Meanwhile, Abdelatty exchanged views with US President’s Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff regarding the US-Iran negotiations as well as developments in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine. (MENA)

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CAIRO, May 10 (MENA) – Egypt welcomed the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan announced Saturday following US mediation.

In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt described the agreement as a positive step toward stability in South Asia.

Cairo expressed hope that both sides would commit to the deal, build mutual trust, and work toward peace and prosperity for their peoples.

Egypt reiterated the importance of peaceful conflict resolution and called for continued dialogue to settle international disputes.

The statement added that Cairo values the role of the United States and urged Washington to push for a Gaza ceasefire to end the suffering of Palestinians. (MENA)

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The Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives, Hanafy al-Gebaly, said that the discussion on the Old Rent Law remains open, with community dialogue session ongoing until a comprehensive legislative vision is formulated – one that ensures justice and social peace between all involved parties without bias.

Gebaly added, in a statement delivered during the plenary session on Sunday, that the Egyptian public is following with increasing interest the discussions under the parliament’s dome regarding the exceptional rental laws, known in the media as “old rent,” given the extreme specificity of this issue and the social and economic entanglements that have accumulated over decades.

He added, “While the House of Representatives recognizes the sensitivity of this issue, it is dealing with it with its constitutional responsibilities towards the nation and its citizens alike.”

The head of the Old Rent Owners Coalition, Mostafa Abdel-Rahman Attia, announced his rejection of the government’s draft law amending the Old Rent Law, in regards to rent increases and the duration of the rental agreement.

During a hearing by the House’s Housing Committee, Attia proposed that the minimum rent be set at LE 2,000 for low-income areas, LE 4,000 for middle-income areas, and LE 8,000 for upscale areas.

He also called for a three-year legalization period, after which the rental agreement would be liberalized.

Shorouk al-Islam Abdel-Basset, representing owners of residential units subject to the Old Rent Law, demanded a gag order on the law until it is officially approved in the Official Gazette.

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The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in Egypt announced the results of nationwide studies into complaints received from citizens regarding octane, along with additional measures approved by the ministry to ensure the product’s compliance with standard specifications.

In a statement, the ministry confirmed the detection of some non-compliant samples at gas stations.

The ministry decided to disburse an amount equal to the approved invoice value to replace the fuel pump, with a maximum of LE 2,000, to those who filed complaints via the hotline 16528 or the government complaints system website.

Citizens will be contacted successively by the ministry, the ministry added.

The statement explained that compensation will only be provided if the complaint was filed between May 4-10, and the complaint relates to the same period.

Documents proving the complainant’s ownership of the vehicle be submitted, along with a certified invoice proving the replacement of the vehicle’s fuel pump.

A total of 870 complaints were recorded nationwide between May 4-9, regarding the quality of octane products offered in local markets. Up to 807 samples were analyzed from various governorates by teams from the Ministries of Petroleum, and Supply, as well as neutral analysis companies.

It found that 802 samples met specifications and only five failed.

The ministry said added that some necessary measures have been added regarding locally produced octane.

These include not releasing any product from refineries for consumption until samples have been analyzed in two different laboratories and the results verified, instead of requiring analysis in a single laboratory.

 

Issues not widespread

The Ministry’s official spokesperson, Moataz Atef, said that the Ministry of Petroleum has received several complaints regarding octane quality via its hotline.

He noted that most of the complaints came from a single geographic area, and that gasoline fraud is not widespread but is instead limited to a number of cases in certain areas.

The head of the Automobile and Spare Parts Dealers Association Osama Abul-Magd, noted that the automotive sector was not affected by the adulterated octane scandal, but that spare parts sales were.

He referred to an increase in the import of fuel pumps, with sales up 15 percent over the past week.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

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The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) expects a significant drop in temperatures in the north of the country, including Greater Cairo and northern Upper Egypt, ranging between seven degrees and eight degrees.

Hot weather will continue in southern Upper Egypt. The weather will be more moderate during the day, with moderate to cool conditions at night.

There will also be a light morning fog and very low chances of rain, with relatively stable weather conditions.

The weather will be mild to hot during the day in Greater Cairo, Lower Egypt, and the North Coast, with clear to partly cloudy skies and a noticeable drop in temperatures compared to Sunday due to an air mass arriving from Eastern Europe.

The weather will be hot during the day in northern Upper Egypt and very hot in southern Upper Egypt, with moderate conditions at night and mostly clear skies.

Expected temperatures on Monday:

• Alexandria: 26C
• Cairo: 32C
• Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh: 35C
• Luxor and Aswan: 42C

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

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The first high-level military dialogue meeting between Turkey and Egypt was held in the Turkish capital, Ankara.

The Turkish General Staff said in a statement that Chief of Staff Metin Gurak received his Egyptian counterpart, Ahmed Fathi Ibrahim Khalifa, with a military ceremony on Thursday, where they then held a closed meeting.

Following the closed meeting, the first high-level military dialogue meeting between Turkey and Egypt, planned to be held annually between the chiefs of staff of both countries, was held at the Turkish General Staff headquarters.

According to Turkish sources, the meeting addressed military cooperation relations and cooperation between Egypt and Turkey in the fields of training and defense industries.

Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler later received the Egyptian Chief of Staff and his accompanying delegation, the Pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported.

The first visit by a high-ranking Egyptian military official to Turkey since 2013 was by former Egyptian Chief of Staff Osama Askar, who was later appointed advisor to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Relations between the two countries had been strained in 2013 following the fall of the Muslim Brotherhood regime in Egypt, but both countries have fully normalized relations almost a decade after.

Askar’s visit to Ankara preceded Sisi’s visit to Turkey on September 4, 2024, which witnessed the first meeting of the Strategic Council for Relations between the two countries.

The Council was revived during Erdogan’s visit to Cairo on February 14 of the same year, which was his first visit to Egypt after 12 years.

During the visit, both sides affirmed their desire to increase military cooperation in many areas during the coming period, including cooperation in the defense industries and joint production.

 

Defense Cooperation and Training

Askar conducted an inspection tour of several defense industry companies in Ankara and Istanbul, including Baykar.

He viewed several combat drones of various models, including Hürjet, an advanced training and light attack aircraft developed by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), the KIZILELMA drone, designed for air combat purposes and produced by Baykar, in addition to Bayraktar TB2 drone and T129 helicopter, developed by TUSAŞ in cooperation with the Italian company AgustaWestland.

The Turkish Defense Ministry announced early May that Turkish and Egyptian Special Forces conducted joint training exercises in the capital, Ankara, from April 21-29.

The ministry said in a statement on its Twitter account: “The training included combat in populated neighborhoods, sniper training, medical training, parachute jumping, helicopter assault and landing exercises, rope landings, medical evacuation, special reconnaissance operations, and specific missions.”

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The Egyptian Air Force and China’s National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) company held a ceremony at the Citadel of Salah al-Din.

The event commemorated the arrival of the first fighter jets produced by CATIC into the Egyptian Air Force fleet.

The ceremony included a guided tour of the military museum at the Citadel, highlighting Egypt’s military history.

Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Fouad Abdel-Gawad conveyed a message from Egypt’s top military leadership.

He also expressed optimism for expanding future collaboration to enhance combat readiness and keep pace with technological advancements in aviation.

For his part, CATIC’s CEO and the Chinese ambassador to Egypt both attended, reiterating the importance of military cooperation and shared goals in developing advanced capabilities.

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Comoros President Azali Assoumani and Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Toshiko Abe visited the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on Saturday 10/5/2025.

Assoumani commended the greatness of the Egyptian civilization and admired the archaeological artifacts on display in the museum as they narrated stories from the history enriching the humanitarian awareness.

The museum also received the Japanese minister, who met with Ahmed Ghoneim, the CEO of GEM, to boost joint cooperation with Egypt in the fields of culture, education and archaeology.

The meeting discussed horizons for future partnerships with a number of museums, universities and cultural institutions in Japan in order to exchange experiences and build human capabilities.

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Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Saturday 10/5/2025 affirmed the key role of a factory of the National Egyptian Railway Industries Company (NERIC) in localizing the vital railway industry which is deemed one the most important transport industries that are given a top priority by the state.

The railway industry serves state’s comprehensive sustainable development goals through effectively linking different spots by providing modern and sustainable transportation means that smooth the movement of people and goods transport, Madbouly said.

The premier made the remarks during a tour of the East Port Said Industrial Zone and his accompanying delegation to inspect NERIC factory.

During the tour, NERIC Managing Director Ahmed al-Mofty expounded progress of the project, the manufacturing stages of the factory as well as NERIC strategy to localize railway manufacturing in Egypt.

Mofty said that the first phase of the project covers a total area of 100,000 square meters, with a production capacity of 120 carriages annually.

Almost 80 percent of the project’s construction work has been finalized, while the project is expected to finalized by June 30, 2025, Mofty said, adding that all production equipment of the factory are set to be installed by July 2025.

The pilot operation of the factory will begin in July 2025 and the first metro vehicle is scheduled to be manufactured by August 2025, Mofty said, noting that the factory will release its first locally-manufactured train in July 2026

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The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) expects Sunday to be the peak of the intense heat wave sweeping the country, with Cairo reaching 40C and southern Upper Egypt 43C.

The weather will be moderate at night across most parts of the country.

The EMA expects occasional active winds, which may intermittently stir up sand and dust in exposed areas of Greater Cairo, Lower Egypt, the western coast, the Suez Canal cities, and northern Upper Egypt.

Monday will see temperatures drop by seven to eight degrees in the north of the country, including Greater Cairo and northern Upper Egypt.

Temperatures on Monday will reach 24-25C on the North Coast, 32-33C in Greater Cairo, and 34-36C in northern Upper Egypt.

 

Expected temperatures on Sunday:

• Alexandria: 32C
• Hurghada: 36C
• Sharm el-Sheikh: 38C
• Cairo: 40C
• Luxor and Aswan: 43C

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

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One person was killed and three others were injured in a massive fire that broke out inside a popular restaurant on Othman Ibn Affan Street in Heliopolis on late Saturday night, a security source confirmed.

Five fire engines, four ambulances, and dozens of civil defense personnel rushed to control the flames, which quickly spread from the restaurant to three residential floors above it and the facades of four adjacent shops.

The evacuation was hastily arranged – some residents were sleeping, while others were eating dinner when the smoke caught them off guard. One of them ran out barefoot, carrying a child in his arms.

An elderly woman collapsed after escaping the building with the help of neighbors.

Flames engulfed the entire restaurant and spread outside amid intense efforts by firefighters to contain the blaze.

The narrow location and dense urban area contributed to the delay in bringing the situation under control, but rescue efforts succeeded in preventing the fire from spreading further.

The popular restaurant, teeming with customers just hours before the incident, was reduced to a charred shell, with burnt wood and shattered remnants scattered along the street.

Once the fire was brought under control, investigators began collecting samples and documenting the scene, while neighboring shop owners watched their losses rise with the smoke.

The Public Prosecution appointed forensic experts to determine the cause of the fire and requested police investigations into the incident and its circumstances.

It also instructed Civil Defense to submit a report on the restaurant’s compliance with safety and fire prevention requirements and to summon the restaurant’s owner and employees for questioning.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

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