Egypt News
With kidnapped soldiers released, Egyptian officials optimistic about Sinai future - (1 days ago)
Egyptian authorities have voiced optimism over the future of turmoil-hit Sinai in the wake of the release of seven soldiers who were held in captivity for almost a week.Unpleasant scenarios were outlined after Egyptian security personnel (a conscript of the armed forces and six police personnel) were kidnapped last Thursday.In contrast to gloomy expectations, however, the hostages were freed,
Egyptian soldiers' kidnapping was unplanned: Anonymous source - (1 days ago)
The abduction of seven Egyptian security personnel last week in the Sinai Peninsula was an unplanned act by aggrieved local Sinai residents, a high-ranking government official was quoted as saying by Ahram's Arabic-language website on Wednesday.Seven security personnel were held captive by kidnappers for almost a week before being abruptly released on Wednesday as preparations for an intensive
Egypt's army released false information to confuse soldiers' kidnappers - (1 days ago)
A senior military source has said that the Egyptian army used a diversion strategy to secure the release of seven kidnapped Egyptian soldiers on Wednesday."The armed forces executed a diversion strategy by sending out mixed information through news agencies," the source told Ahram Arabic news website."We mobilised some troops to a location 70 kilometres away from where the real operation was
We know the identity of soldiers' kidnappers: Egyptian army - (1 days ago)
Egyptian authorities have announced that they know the identities of the kidnappers of seven soldiers freed on Wednesday.At a press conference held jointly by the presidential office, the armed forces and the police, a presidential spokesperson, Ihab Fahmy, said that the soldiers’ release came without any negotiations with the militants who kidnapped them, and with the cooperation of all
Egypt political forces hail soldiers's return; Opposition raises concerns - (1 days ago)
The release on Wednesday of seven soldiers kidnapped in the Sinai Peninsula last week was hailed as a victory for Egypt's military/security apparatus by parties and figures across the country's political spectrum."The successful release of the kidnapped personnel confirms our confidence in the presidency, the Egyptian military establishment and security forces," Mohamed Saad El-Katatni, head of
Egypt's president appeals to Egypt opposition for unity - (2 days ago)
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi appealed Wednesday to the opposition for unity, in the face of criticism he is failing the revolution that brought him to power almost a year ago."To all those who love Egypt, to the opposition, those who love this country and care for its interests, let's proceed together... help each other, love each other more... and move forward," said Morsi.The Islamist
Egypt's president thankful for peaceful end to Sinai hostage crisis - (2 days ago)
President Mohamed Morsi has praised all those who helped secure the release of seven hostages in the Sinai Peninsula.He was talking at a press conference at Al-Maza military airport in Cairo shortly after the former hostages arrived on Wednesday morning.A member of the armed forces, four port security officers and two state security officers were released early on Wednesday after being held by
Egyptian detained Christian teacher released on bail - (2 days ago)
The Associated PressAn Egyptian Christian teacher detained over charges of insulting Islam has been released on bail on Tuesday, her lawyer said.A history and geography teacher in the southern city of Luxor, 24-year-old Dimiana Abdul-Nour paid L.E. 20,000 (almost $3,000 dollars) to be freed pending further investigation, the lawyer, Badawi Abu-Shanab said. The decision comes four days after a
International Association of judges rallies behind Nation's Judiciary - (2 days ago)
At an international conference focusing on the independence of Egypt's Judiciary on Monday, the president of the International Association of Judges announced a new committee to investigate the feud between the judiciary and the government in Egypt.Gerhard Reissner explained that the association plans to present a comprehensive report on the matter to the United Nations, after hearing from all
Egyptian authorities deny killing gunman in Sinai - (2 days ago)
Egyptian security sources denied killing a gunman in an airstrike in northern Sinai, saying that the security forces mistakenly fired on a funeral during a sweep search for the security personnel who were kidnapped on Thursday.A state-owned news channel has reported earlier that a gunman was killed during the military operation conducted to free the seven kidnapped security officers.The security
Egyptian President receives Sinai hostages in Cairo - (2 days ago)
Seven Egyptian security personnel, who were released by kidnappers in the Sinai Peninsula on Wednesday morning, have landed at Al-Maza military airport in Cairo.Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi, Defence Minister Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi and Chief of Staff Sedky Sobhy were at the airport to receive them.A press conference by the armed forces will be held shortly.The seven security personnel – a
Egypt’s Rafah border crossing re-opens - (2 days ago)
Egypt's Rafah border crossing with Gaza was re-opened on Wednesday after Egyptian guards ended their five-day strike.The guards had been protesting the kidnapping of members of the security forces.Earlier on Wednesday, an armed forces spokesperson announced the seven kidnapped soldiers had been released and were on their way to Cairo, “thanks to the efforts of military intelligence in
UPDATED: Kidnapped Egyptian soldiers released, Rafah crossing open - (2 days ago)
After almost a week in captivity, seven soldiers held hostage by unidentified militants in Sinai have been released and are en route to Cairo confirmed Egyptian Armed Forces Spokesperson Ahmed Mohamed Ali, early Wednesday morning.The officers, who are being flown back to the capital, are free thanks to the efforts of military intelligence in cooperation with tribal sheikhs and residents of the
Egyptian troops in Sinai mistakenly fire on Bedouin funeral: AP - (2 days ago)
Egyptian troops and police mistakenly fired on a Bedouin funeral in the Sinai Peninsula on Tuesday, security officials said, in the opening salvo of a sweep searching for security personnel kidnapped by suspected militants.The incident illustrated the hazards of the military operations prompted by the kidnapping last week. A heavy handed attempt to free the captives risks bringing a backlash in
Britain asks EU to put Hezbollah armed wing on terror list - (2 days ago)
ReutersBritain said on Tuesday it had asked the European Union to put Hezbollah's military arm on its list of terrorist organisations, urging Europe to respond robustly to evidence of the Islamist group's involvement in an attack that killed five Israelis.Britain's request came after Bulgaria accused the Lebanese militant movement in February of carrying out a bomb attack on a bus in the Black
New Al-Azhar food poisoning incident 'premeditated': official - (2 days ago)
Deputy of Al-Azhar University in Tanta Ahmed Hosni has alleged that dinner served at one of the university's dormitories in Cairo had been intentionally 'poisoned,' but maintains that the dormitory's kitchen staff was not responsible."University kitchens use natural gas, not kerosene," Hosni told Al-Ahram's Arabic-language news website on Tuesday. "The kerosene found in the beans served to
Leading FJP figure calls for 'purge' of Egypt's 'Mubarak-era' judiciary - (2 days ago)
Egypt's currently judiciary was an integral part of the former Mubarak regime, aiding in the passage of authoritarian legislation, Waleed El-Hadad, leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), said on Tuesday."A large percentage of the judiciary must be purged," El-Hadad, head of the FJP's foreign affairs department, declared at the Doha Forum in Qatar.He went on to
Families of kidnapped soldiers join police at Rafah border protest - (2 days ago)
Since last Friday, Egyptian policemen stationed at Egypt's Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip have kept the border closed to protest last week's kidnapping of seven soldiers by unknown perpetrators in the Sinai Peninsula.Of the seven kidnapped soldiers, four had reportedly been stationed at the Rafah crossing."There are about 500 soldier and officers who decided to close the Rafah crossing
Egyptian army kills militant in air raid: TV - (2 days ago)
A militant was killed Tuesday in North Sinai in an air raid launched by the Egyptian army as part of an operation to liberate seven kidnapped soldiers, according to Nile News, a state-owned television channel.The televised report added that three other militants were arrested and eight cars seized.Seven Egyptian security personnel, including one member of the armed forces, four from port
After power cuts, Egypt govt calls on citizens to ration electricity - (2 days ago)
Egypt's electricity ministry on Tuesday apologised for a recent spate of nationwide power cuts, which the ministry attributed to ongoing fuel shortages.In an official statement, the ministry ascribed recent power outages to "fuel shortages that have made it difficult for allocated generators to keep up with mounting consumption."Egypt has around 220 electricity generators nationwide, which
Sinai crisis heightens tension between Egypt president, army chief: Sources - (2 days ago)
It used to be said with a great deal of caution, but is now being vocally pronounced by military sources: the president is trying to remove the defence minister who he appointed less than one year ago with the aim of ending resistance on several fronts, especially the management of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula – in terms of both security and investment.Military and intelligence sources are
Campaign to free kidnapped Egypt soldiers to be launched 'any minute': Spokesman - (2 days ago)
A military operation to free seven Egyptian security officers kidnapped last week in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula will be launched "any minute," Egyptian Interior Ministry spokesman Hani Abdul-Latif said at a Tuesday press conference, stressing that the abductees would not be harmed.The seven security personnel – including a member of the armed forces, four port security officers and two state
Subsidy reforms mix uneasily with Egyptian electoral politics - (2 days ago)
Minister for Internal Trade and Supply Bassem Ouda has quickly become a poster boy for the Muslim Brotherhood, of which he is a member, for his new campaign to reform subsidised food and bread distribution.According to the Muslim Brotherhood’s official newspaper, Freedom and Justice, "since he stepped in the ministry and he has set providing basic commodities to every citizen with high
Egypt court renews Mubarak detention for additional 30 days - (3 days ago)
An Egyptian court on Tuesday slapped former president Hosni Mubarak with another 30 days of detention for graft charges.Mubarak is accused of exploiting his position while president to amass wealth illegally.It is the third time for the ousted president's detention to be extended owing to illicit gains charges, the last time being on 8 May. He currently remains in detention at Cairo's Tora Prison
Egypt's rebel movement: Lawsuits show Brotherhood fear - (3 days ago)
All AfricaTamarod, a rebellion campaign whose aim is to collect 15 million signatures on a petition against President Mohamed Mursi, said on Tuesday that the lawsuits against it show that the Muslim Brotherhood fears it.Egypt's chief prosecutor has ordered the state security prosecution to begin an investigation in a lawsuit that accuses a satellite channel, some journalists and three Tamarod
Bahaa Taher blames military for stalling revolution - (3 days ago)
Ahram OnlineBahaa Taher has given his views on Egypt since the revolution during an event celebrating the launch of his new book, Ayama Al-Amal w Al-Heera (The Days of Hope and Confusion) at Diwan bookstore in Zamalek.The book brings together Taher's weekly columns written for Journalism magazine over the past two years.Taher recounted the course of Egypt's transitional period and the role of the
Egypt's army ready to move to free kidnapped soldiers - (3 days ago)
The Egyptian armed forces have intensified deployment of troops in Sinai on Tuesday in the areas of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid City, in preparation for an operation to free seven kidnapped soldiers, according to Ahram's Arabic website, which cited unnamed military sources.The report said that armoured vehicles are aiming to encircle the kidnappers and minimise their chances of escaping with the
Egypt working to free captured security personnel: PM - (3 days ago)
AFPEgypt was exerting "intense efforts" on Tuesday to secure the release of seven security personnel captured in the Sinai, the prime minister said, as witnesses spoke of increased military movements in the peninsula."There are intense efforts on all fronts for the return of the captured conscripts safely," Hisham Qandil said in a statement carried on the official MENA news agency.Tensions
Egypt tourist arrivals rise, not back to pre-revolt levels - (3 days ago)
ReutersThe number of tourists visiting Egypt rose in the first four months of 2012, the cabinet said on Tuesday, but analysts say the sector is still suffering from the aftermath of the country's 2011 uprising.The revolt that ousted President Hosni Mubarak sparked more than two years of protests, riots and political instability, denting Egypt's tourism sector - a major employer and source of
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BBC SportWhen it's put to him that he might be the most talented athlete in the world to hold a racquet, a bashful Ramy Ashour admits "that's pretty great".The 25-year-old Egyptian is more than just the current squash world number one - his elastic, unorthodox brilliance and charisma could be the key to squash breaking out beyond its four walls and regaining a place on the wider sporting
Ministers in Prime Minister Hisham Qandil's cabinet following the recent reshuffle (new appointees are in italics): 1. Minister of Agriculture Ahmed Mahmoud Ali El-Gizawi2. Minister of Antiquities Ahmed Eissa3. Minister of Aviation Wael Maadawi4. Minister of Communication Atef Helmy5. Minister of Culture
AP— April 15, 2013: Two bombs explode in the packed streets near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring more than 140.— January 17, 2011: A backpack bomb is placed along a Martin Luther King Day parade route in Spokane, Washington, meant to kill and injure participants in a civil rights march, but is found and disabled before it can explode. White
The convenient marriage between Iran and the Arab left would have been unthinkable only a few years ago, given the traditional ideological paradoxes between patriarchal Persian Shiism, on the one hand, and leftist orthodoxy on the other.Indeed, a casual viewer of Hizbullah's Al-Manar television, or the Iranian-funded Al-Mayadin TV, these days would probably think that the two Shia propaganda
