Section: Egypt
Deadly Russian rocket system spotted in Ukraine for first time
International monitors say they have spotted a new kind of Russian weapons system in rebel-held Ukraine this week, possible evidence of Moscow’s continued interest in Ukraine even as it focuses on Syria. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which is monitoring a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, reported that its monitors...
Merkel has ‘good chance’ of winning Nobel Peace Prize
German Chancellor Angela Merkel could win this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, the influential Bild newspaper said Friday, as the leader is lauded worldwide for her courage in opening her country’s doors to refugees fleeing war and persecution. “Chancellor Angela Merkel has a good chance of winning the Nobel Peace Prize,” said...
Egypt GCI ranking of 116th is first improvement since 2011
Egypt’s Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) ranking improved compared to last year to come in at 116 of the 140 countries included in the index’s 2015-2016 report. In previous GCI rankings, Egypt came in at: 119 out of 144 countries in the 2014-2015 report; 118 out of 148 countries in the 2013-2014 report; and 107 out of 144 countries...
Obama, Putin discuss Syria; essential difference over Assad remains
Russia and the United States agreed on Monday to look for a diplomatic end to the Syrian civil war but clashed over the central question of whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should retain power.During a 90-minute meeting, U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed that their armed forces should hold talks to...
Obama previews ‘blunt’ tone for his 7th UN address
With progress fighting ISIS moving slowly, and Russian fighters entrenched in Eastern Ukraine, President Barack Obama returns to the United Nations General Assembly this week anxious to shore up international support for US plans to counter various global crises. Diplomatic wins — including the Iran nuclear deal and a thaw in US-Cuba ties— have...
Ukraine and Russia strike deal on winter gas supplies
Ukraine and Russia have finalized an agreement providing Kyiv with gas supplies for the upcoming winter. A full agreement involving the European Commission is due to be signed shortly. The deal between Russia and Ukraine provides Kyiv with gas supplies for the winter according to European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic, who brokered the...
Ukraine and West condemn rebel ban on foreign aid groups
Ukraine and some of its Western allies condemned on Friday a decision by pro-Russian separatists to ban most foreign aid organizations from parts of rebel-held territory, saying the move violated the Minsk peace agreement. On Thursday, rebel officials of the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) said they had refused accreditation to 10...
Putin, Obama to meet as Syria diplomatic drive quickens
US President Barack Obama accepted an invitation to meet Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, as a drive to revive efforts to resolve the Syrian conflict kicked into higher gear. The announcement that Putin and Obama will hold talks at the United Nations in New York on Monday came as the Russian leader insisted supporting Syrian President Bashar...
Russia starts drone surveillance missions in Syria
Russia has begun drone surveillance missions in Syria, US defence officials said Monday. The move marks Moscow’s first military air operations there since undertaking a rapid buildup at a Syrian air base. US officials said the drone operations appear to based out of the air base near the western port city of Latakia, where last week a...
Wheat reserves sufficient until March 2016
By Waleed Samir The strategic reserves of domestic and imported wheat, for the production of subsidised bread, are sufficient until next March, Minister of Supply Khaled Hanafy said Saturday. Hanafy added that the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) contracted to purchase 230,000 tonnes of wheat from Russia, France and Ukraine. The...
