The US military strategists are planning to spend an additional $200 million on operations against the Isis and other extremist groups operating in North Africa. The focus on North Africa is part of a broader $7.5 billion package to fight Islamic State in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, outlined few days ago by Defense Secretary Ash […]
Tag: Egypt
Egypt: Authorities Move to Close Anti-Torture Right Organization
An Egyptian prominent rights group fighting against human right abuses in police stations and prisons Wednesday denounced authorities’ clampdown as the group received orders to close its head office in Cairo. Aida Seif el-Dawla, one of the founders of Nadeem Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence, said two policemen turned up at the […]
Egypt: Cairo Cancels Israeli Prime Minister’s Visit over Security Cooperation Disclosure
Egypt has cancelled a historic meeting between President al-Sisi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz opened the lid over the security cooperation between the two countries. Cairo’s decision followed comments made by Yuval Steinitz earlier this month concerning security cooperation between Egypt and Israel. Steinitz reportedly indicated that President […]
Egypt: Sisi hails transition to democratic rule, critics denounce freedoms restrictions
In his first address to the Egyptian parliament Saturday, President Abdel Fattah Sisi hailed the projects achieved by his government and affirmed that the transition to democratic rule was completed, acknowledging however that terrorism continues to be a challenge. “From this place, under parliament’s dome, the Egyptian people declare to the entire world that they […]
Egypt: 24% drop in Russian tourists’ arrival
The number of Russian tourists’ arrival in Egypt has dropped by 23.9% in 2015 compared with 2014 figures. “A total of 2.4 million Russian tourists visited Egypt in 2015, down from 3.1 million in 2014,” an official from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism indicated Friday. “The sharp decrease is a direct fallout of the downing […]
Libya: IS in Libya biggest concern for U.S
Europe and the United States continue to consider a military intervention in Libya to neutralize the threat posed by the Islamic State (IS) group but the lack of a unity government is delaying their plans. Nevertheless, Washington has not ruled out intervening if the need arises and its envoy to the coalition against ISIS Brett […]
Egypt, Russia to Boost Trade, Industrial Cooperation
Egypt and Russia have signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding meant to boost trade and industrial cooperation between the two countries. The accords were signed at the end of the tenth Russian-Egyptian intergovernmental commission session on trade, economic and scientific cooperation held in Cairo. Some of the major agreements provide for the establishment of […]
Egypt: Cartoonist Islam Gaweesh arrested for criticizing regime
Egyptian popular cartoonist Islam Gaweesh has been arrested Sunday for publishing cartoons deemed critical of the regime. According to his lawyer Mahmoud Othman, the cartoonist was arrested in Cairo at his office at “Egypt News Network” headquarters, owner of the al-Warka paper. His laptop and other computers were seized. The interior ministry which accused him […]
Egypt: Import Duties on Luxury Goods Increased to Promote Local Products
A new presidential decree coming into effect this February 1 will increase import duties on luxury goods from 10% to 40% as the government tries to boost its foreign reserves and ensure that they are spent on essential products while hoping to contribute to an increase in demand of local products. Ahmed Shiha, head of […]
Egypt: Minor Arrested for Plotting to Overthrow Regime
Egyptian authorities charged on Thursday a 16-year old boy for plotting to overthrow the government. Omar al-Brashi, a first year high school student was arrested while he was sitting for an exam at his high school in the northern port city of Damietta. He has been charged with international espionage, affiliation to a prohibited group […]









