~egyptian-streets | Bookmarks (339)

Egypt’s Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, convened on 16 March with the Minister of Social Solidarity, Maya Morsy, to examine a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of refugees and migrants in the nation.  The meeting reviewed the estimated total costs incurred by the state to support guests of various nationalities, including refugees and foreign residents. It also covered the services provided to them in...

Emirates National Bank of Dubai  (NBD) has been granted approval by the Central Bank of Egypt to start due diligence for acquiring Banque du Caire, a transaction potentially exceeding USD 1 billion (EGP 50 billion), as reported by two sources familiar with the matter to Asharq Business. One source, speaking anonymously to Asharq Business, revealed that “the government is pushing diligently to finalize this...

The Egyptian government issued a decision to classify plastic shopping bags as products subject to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, making manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, from production to post-consumer waste.  The decision, to be implemented under the Waste Management Law (Law No. 202 of 2020), would require producers to pay fees to government entities in exchange for the...

Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, better known as Kabonga,  made headlines on Thursday, when he set his jaw, gripped a thick rope between his teeth, and proceeded to pull a 279-ton train nearly 10 meters (33 feet) down the track.  The extraordinary feat earned him formal recognition from Guinness World Records in three categories: the heaviest rail pull using only his teeth, the heaviest locomotive...

A group of charity workers was killed in Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza, according to the UK-registered Al Khair Foundation in statements to the media on 15 March. The charity reported that eight people, including its volunteers and independent journalists documenting their work, were killed when their vehicles were targeted on Saturday. Hamas condemned the attack, calling it a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire...

After the death of a medical student at Menoufia University in northern Egypt from a brain hemorrhage following a difficult exam, the university announced the suspension of four faculty members. In an official statement on Thursday evening, 13 March, the university announced launching an investigation following complaints from fifth-year medical students regarding the difficulty of the otolaryngology exam and the death of their colleague,...

The Trump administration is reportedly planning broad travel restrictions for citizens from multiple countries as part of a new ban, according to sources and an internal memo reviewed by Reuters on 14 March. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, noted to Reuters that the list was not yet finalized and could be subject to changes, pending approval from the administration, including U.S. Secretary of State...

Giza Governor Adel El-Naggar has announced on March 13 the launch of the Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza, a five-star hotel set to be developed in partnership with the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). This USD 120 million five-star hotel will be located in El-Remaya Square in the Haram district, along the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, near the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is set...

Posing elegantly before the historic Muhammad Ali Mosque, Farida Fahmy, renowned Egyptian dancer and co-founder of the iconic Reda Troupe, is dressed in a traditional jellabiya, wrapped gracefully in a black melaya leff (wrapping sheet), a symbolic wrapping garment popularly worn by rural Egyptian women. This iconic photo endures as a cornerstone of Egypt’s cultural memory and heritage, capturing the essence of the ‘bint...

The clinking of glasses and the low murmur of conversation fill the air at Café Riche. Sunlight streams through the windows, casting a warm glow on wooden tables that have hosted generations of writers, artists, and revolutionaries.  This is where Naguib Mahfouz once sat, where political activists gathered and Egypt’s history lingers quietly in the worn-out chairs and framed photographs lining the walls. A...

Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently welcomed Trump’s apparent shift in tone regarding the Gaza plan, following his statement that Palestinians will not be expelled from Gaza, according to a statement on Thursday, 13 March. The ministry noted that Trump’s statement reflects his understanding of the importance of pursuing fair and lasting solutions for the Palestinian cause. It also called for building on Trump’s...

Hani Abu Rida, President of the Egyptian Football Association, formally requested that  Cairo be allowed to host some matches of the 2034 World Cup. Speaking at the extraordinary general assembly meeting of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday, 12 March, Abu Rida expressed his confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to successfully organize the World Cup.  This comes after the Federation Internationale de...

Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), also known as laughing hyenas, are native to sub-Saharan Africa and thrive in a variety of habitats, including savannas, semi-deserts, open woodlands, and mountainous forests up to 4,000 meters in altitude.  Known for their adaptability and long-distance travel capabilities, capable of traveling up to 27 kilometers in a single day, often following livestock migrations, the carnivores are notably absent from...

Revenge killing, or “blood feuds,” is a deeply ingrained phenomenon in Egypt, particularly in the rural areas of Upper Egypt. This practice is often viewed as a matter of honor and dignity, where families feel compelled to avenge the deaths of their members. The Cultural Context of Revenge Killing In Upper Egypt, the saying “Vendetta is better than shame” encapsulates the prevailing mindset surrounding...

The House of Representatives in Egypt has passed new labor law provisions aimed at supporting and protecting women in the workforce on Monday, 10 March. These provisions ensure equal treatment, fair pay, and special benefits for pregnant and breastfeeding women, while addressing workplace challenges. They also reflect Egypt’s push for gender equality and support for working mothers, balancing workplace rights with family needs. ​​Egypt...

Egypt’s annual inflation rate in urban areas has significantly decreased to 12.8 percent in February, down from 24 percent in January, marking the lowest level since March 2022.  This decline follows a peak of 38 percent in September 2023, driven largely by the devaluation of the Egyptian pound and subsequent currency liberalization. Official data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics highlights...

Once a modest player in the global market, Egypt’s chemical industry has rapidly grown, significantly contributing to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), and driving economic growth to the country.  The petrochemical sector accounts for about 3 percent of Egypt’s GDP and 12 percent of its industrial output, with an annual value of around USD 7 billion (EGP 354.76 billion), according to Arab Finance....

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed the fourth review of Egypt’s loan program, unlocking a disbursement of USD 1.2 billion (EGP 60.8 billion), according to Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk.  The announcement was made during the Finance Ministry’s annual iftar, but an official statement from the IMF is still awaited. IMF Executive Director for the Arab Group and Former Minister of Finance, Mohamed Maait,...

For older generations, Ramadan had a slower, simpler rhythm. Mornings began with Qur’an recitations playing from radios, while afternoons were spent preparing iftar, filling homes with the aroma of soup, sambousek, and stews.  As sunset neared, the streets fell silent until the maghrib call to prayer and the boom of the midfa’ el iftar (cannon blast), signaling the time to break the fast. Families...

Israel abruptly cut off Gaza’s electricity supply on Sunday March 9 to pressure Hamas into accepting new terms in the ceasefire agreement, even as it prepared for further negotiations on the truce with Palestinian resistance groups. The cut comes after Israel blocked all aid from entering Gaza earlier this month, attracting global condemnation. The first phase of the truce concluded on March 1, with...

  Playing the piano keyboard might seem as simple as pressing some keys, yet it is much grander than that—an intricate dance of rhythm, emotion, and skill. In his home studio, Lotfy Mohamed Lotfy, a 29-year-old pianist and experimental musician, pressed the long white and black piano keys with ease, producing a rich and complex tune. “I like listening to and playing intense and...

Hadayieq Company has announced that Egypt’s renowned Giza Zoo and Orman Garden will officially reopen to the public in September 2025 following an extensive redevelopment.  This announcement was made during the ITB Berlin tourism exhibition, held from 4-6 March, 2025, where the final design of the revitalization project was showcased. It was announced that the Giza Zoo and Orman Garden will be closed for...

The United Nations (UN) called on Syria’s interim government on March 9 2025 to take urgent action to protect civilians following a wave of deadly attacks on the Alawite community, a minority sect of Shia Islam. Reports from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) claim that more than 1,000 Alawites, including children, have been killed in the recent violence. The violence began...

European leaders have expressed support for an Arab-backed proposal to rebuild Gaza, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to resettle its population in Egypt and Jordan. In a joint statement on Saturday, 8 March , the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. described the proposal as a “realistic” path forward, stating that it offers “swift and sustainable improvement of the...