Some 39,000 Egyptian pilgrims have so far arrived in the holy city of Mecca to perform the Hajj annual pilgrimage, an official told state news agency MENA. All Egyptian pilgrims are in good condition, head of the Hajj delegation Amr Lotfy said, adding that members of a medical delegation sent by Egyptian authorities will be available at all hotels where Egyptians are staying. More than 70,000 million Egyptians are expected to go on this year s Hajj pilgrimage, due to take place from 9 to 14 August, Egyptian officials have said. All capable Muslims are required to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, once in their lifetime. Saudi authorities said more than 2.37 million Muslims from around the world took part in last year s hajj.

Egypt s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi thanked the Egyptian people for the achievements achieved over the past five years during the inauguration of the seventh edition of the National Youth Conference on Tuesday. In his opening speech, the Egyptian president said that the youth conferences Egypt hold regularly have given a huge amount of positivity and hope. The seventh edition of the National Youth Conference kicked off in the New administrative capital for the first time under the auspices of the president. The first session of the two-day event began with a short documentary featuring Egyptian youths who gave beaten the odds and achieved success nationally and internationally, including Farrah El-Dibany, the first Egyptian and Arab mezzo-soprano in Opera De Paris, and Mariam Azab, who won Egypt s first gold media in Equestrianism at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi in March 2019. The first session also included three speakers representing successful young Egyptians like Sherif El-Abd, the second Egyptian to climb Mount Everest. During the second, delegates discussed various issues including economic reforms, transportation and housing. Participants drew a comparison between the economic situation before 2014 and following the reforms that started in 2016. El-Sisi said he would have called for early presidential elections had the Egyptian people rejected the economic reforms first phase in November 2016. "I told the cabinet [ministers] to prepare and tender their resignations the next day in case the people showed discontent with the first phase of the economic reforms in November 2016," he said. "Also, I would have called for early presidential elections." In November 2016, Egypt floated its currency among other measures taken as part of a $12 billion loan deal with the IMF, which is now close to being concluded. On Ethiopia s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which has raised fear that Egypt s Nile water share could decrease, El-Sisi said the country is up for more negotiations. "Currently we are implementing a plan for water treatment to fulfill the country s water needs," El-Sisi said.

Egypt s social solidarity ministry revealed on Tuesday that an Egyptian pilgrim has passed away upon arrival in Mecca, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported. Khaled El-Gharbawy, 66, from Daqahliya governorate was travelling to Mecca to perform the hajj pilgrimage. According the Ministry of Social Solidarity, Gharbawy, who was accompanied by his wife, suffered from kidney failure and liver fibrosis. His family has requested that he be buried in Mecca, and his wife is continuing with her pilgrimage. The pilgrimage to Mecca, or hajj, is one of the five pillars of Islam, and is a religious duty for all Muslims to perform at least once in their lives if they can afford it. The hajj season is expected to start on 9 August 2019 according to the Islamic lunar calendar. The death of pilgrims from heat exhaustion, fatigue and other natural causes is a regular occurrence during the hajj.

Grand Imam of Al Azhar Ahmed El-Tayyeb has mourned the death of Saudi Prince Bandar bin Abdel Aziz, who passed away Sunday night. Tayyeb also extended condolences to Saudi King Salman bin Abdel Aziz, Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman and the Saudi people.

President Abdel-Fattah El Sisi has directed the government to keep up efforts necessary for completing the establishment of fourth-generation cities as part of a national urban development strategic plan. This came during the president s meeting on Saturday with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development Assem El-Gazzar. The plan seeks to increase populated areas, minimize overcrowding in cities and old governortes and deal with the steady growth in population, the president noted during the meeting. El-Sisi asserted the need to follow high standards of quality and state-of-the-art technologies for all the smart cities under-construction nationwide, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said. During the meeting, El-Sisi was given an overview of the urban infrastructure of the new cities being established at the national level, including the New Administrative Capital, New El-Alamein City, New Mansoura City, East Port Said and New Bir El-Abed City in North Sinai, Rady added. The meeting also took up the latest developments in the road and utility projects in progress nationwide, the executive procedures for rationalizing water consumption and a national project for improving unsafe squatter areas, the spokesman noted. Moreover, Minister El-Gazzar posted the president on the results of his recent visit to Beijing, during which he signed an agreement to receive the second tranche of a $3 billion loan, arranged by several Chinese banks, to fund the establishment of the central business zone in the New Administrative Capital.

Prominent Egyptian actor and leading cinema figure Farouk El-Fishawy died early on Thursday at the age of 67 after a struggle with cancer disease. El-Fishawy reportedly entered hospital earlier this week after his condition has suddenly deteriorated. He entered a deep coma due to liver complications on Wednesday. The Egyptian actor revealed in October 2018, during the opening of the Alexandria Mediterranean Film Festival’s 34th edition, that he has cancer without revealing further information. After being honored, he said that his doctor informed him of this news, adding that he will strongly battle the disease. “I will treat the disease as if it is a headache and next year I will be here again at the very same festival,” Fishawy told the attendees. The funeral service will take place Thursday at Mostafa Mahmoud mosque in Cairo following noon prayers. El-Fishawy’s last work was his participation in the successful Egyptian play “King Lear” alongside veteran actor Yehia El-Fakharani. He performed on theatre stage after 18-year break; his last play was in 2001. The famed actor starred in over 130 movies since the beginning of his cinema career in a1976. He was considered one of the charming actors in the Egyptian film industry. He also starred, co-starred and appeared in 80 TV series and 15 plays and theatre acts. The late actor was married to famed actress Somaya El-Alfy. His son Ahmed El-Fishawy is one of the current working prominent actors Egyptian cinema. The National Theater Festival announced it will honour El-Fishawy during its 12th edition scheduled to be held August 17.

Egypt has condemned Israel s "escalation" in Jerusalem after it moved in earlier this week to demolish a cluster of Palestinian homes near a military barrier in the occupied West Bank. Egypt warned against "the dangers of these actions on the efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace," the foreign ministry said in a statement late on Wednesday. Security forces moved in to Sur Baher, on the edge of East Jerusalem, to tear down buildings which it said were built illegally too close to the separation barrier. However, residents say they had been given building permits by the Palestinian. The move has triggered a flurry of international criticism. Egypt expressed "rejection of any actions that would change the status quo in Jerusalem in contravention of the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy and other international and humanitarian agreements," the statement added. It stressed on "Egypt s firm stance in supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people," and said it will continue to work to resume peace process negotiations based on a two-state solution.

US President Donald Trump has sent a meassage on Tuesday to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, greeting him on the 67th anniversary of the 23 July Revolution of 1952, and expressing his country s aspiration to strengthen its partnership with Egypt. "For decades, the United States and Egypt have enjoyed a strong partnership, rooted in our shared hope for a more peaceful, secure, and successful region. The United States values our close cooperation on counterterrorism and security, and seeks to deepen our partnership on inclusive economic growth and greater educational and cultural ties," said President Trump in message posted by the US embassy on Egyptian state website.

Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Younes El-Masry met on Sunday with the British ambassador to Egypt to discuss the sudden decision by British Airways to suspend flights to Cairo for seven days, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Minister El-Masry expressed his dismay to Ambassador Geoffrey Adams over the unilateral decision by British Airways to suspend flights to Cairo without informing Egyptian authorities beforehand. Ambassador Adams apologised to the civil aviation minister for not giving prior notification to Egyptian authorities before implementing the decision to suspend flights. Adams added that the decision to suspend flights was in no way related to the security measures at Egypt’s airports, especially in light of the recent security upgrades made at all Egyptian airports. On Saturday, British Airways announced the temporary suspension of its flights to the Egyptian capital Cairo for seven days, citing security concerns, without giving details about what had prompted the move. Minister El-Masry and Ambassador Adams agreed to continue joint efforts to resolve the issue as soon as possible, and also agreed to continue to cooperate in order to ensure the safety of passengers, according to the statement.

An EgyptAir source said on Saturday the national carrier will allot larger models of its aircrafts for flights operating on the Cairo-London route to accommodate the increasing demand for tickets after British Airways suspended flights to Cairo for a week. The source told Ahram Online that EgyptAir will continue to operate two flights to London daily. Ahram Online also learned that a British inspection team had checked security at Cairo airport last week and that the results were "positive." "The team praised security [measures] at the airport," the source added. British Airways abruptly suspended flights to Cairo for a week from Saturday over security concerns, giving no details about what had prompted the move. "We constantly review our security arrangements at all our airports around the world, and have suspended flights to Cairo for seven days as a precaution to allow for further assessment," it said in a statement. The airline added that it would never operate an aircraft unless it was safe to do so. When asked by Reuters for more details about why flights had been suspended and what security arrangements the airline was reviewing, a spokeswoman responded: "We never discuss matters of security."

Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Mohamed Farid met Wednesday with his Sudanese counterpart Hashim Abdel-Mutallab Ahmed Babikir and his accompanying delegation in Cairo. The meeting, which brought together several commanders of the Egyptian and Sudanese armies, took up means of boosting military cooperation in various domains including joint training and knowledge transfer. It also tackled border security and combating terrorism. Farid and Babikir chaired the final session of the 6th meeting of the Egyptian-Sudanese Joint Military Committee, during which several issues of mutual concern were discussed. Stressing the common visions both sides adopt towards regional security challenges, Farid said he is looking forward to furthering military and security cooperation in light the robust strategic ties binding both countries. Babikir lauded the historical ties between both African states, hailing Egypt s intensified efforts, under its current presidency of the African Union (AU), to promote development across the whole continent.

Egypt, France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States called on Tuesday for an immediate end of hostilities in Libya s Tripoli and the return to the UN-mediated political process. In a joint press statement, the governments of Egypt, France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States reiterated their deep concern about ongoing hostilities in Tripoli, called for an immediate de-escalation and halt to the current fighting, and urged the prompt return to the UN-mediated political process. "Persistent violence has claimed nearly 1,100 lives, displaced more than 100,000, and fueled a growing humanitarian emergency, " the joint statement read. It added that the ongoing confrontation threatened to destabilize Libya’s energy sector and " exacerbated the tragedy of human migration in the Mediterranean." The countries signed the statement expressed their deep concern about the ongoing attempts by the terrorist groups to exploit the security vacuum in the country. "We call on all parties to the Tripoli conflict to dissociate themselves from all such terrorists and individuals designated by the UN Sanctions Committee, and renew our commitment to see those responsible for further instability held accountable." The statement read. The six countries declared their full support to the leadership of UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salamé and to his efforts to stabilize the situation in Tripoli and to create the conditions necessary for the resumption of the UN political process. "We need to re-energize UN mediation, which aims to promote a transitional government representing all Libyans, prepare for credible parliamentary and presidential elections, enable a fair allocation of resources, and advance the reunification of the Central Bank of Libya and other Libyan sovereign institutions," The statement read. The statement called on all UN member states to fully respect their obligations towards Libya’s peace and stability, to prevent destabilizing arms shipments, and to safeguard Libya s oil resources in accordance with Security Council resolutions "Finally, we remind all Libyan parties and institutions of their responsibility to protect civilians, safeguard civilian infrastructure, and facilitate access to humanitarian supplies. " The statement concluded.

Egypt s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi directed concerned authorities to ensure the provision of state-of-the-art-services in the New Administrative Capital (NAC). This came during a meeting chaired by the president on Monday evening with the Head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority Maj. Gen. Ihab Al-Far and Presidential Adviser for Urban Planning Amir Sayed Ahmed Hassan. EL-Sisi also stressed the need to complete NAC projects on time, stressing the high standard of living, better services and job opportunities the new capital will provide. The meeting discussed the latest progress on the construction projects in the new capital, especially in the government district, to which the premises of several ministries and state bodies will be relocated, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said. Al-Far briefed the president on the progress on a project to improve the road and bridge networks in the Cairo Heliopolis (Masr El Gedida) district, as part of an integrated modernization plan that covers all the suburbs, the spokesman added. Several executive directors representing the companies undertaking the construction process in the new capital were also present at the meeting. Last week, Egypt has opened a new international airport on a one-month trial basis to service the city. In 2015, Egypt started the mega-construction of NAC, 45km east of Cairo as part of the government s plan to reduce pressure on an overpopulated, 20-million strong capital, expand urban areas, and develop the infrastructure for a nation of 98.9 million citizens. The new capital, which is being built over 714 square kilometres by tens of thousands of workers, will be home to a government housing district, 29 ministries and other state institutions – including the cabinet and parliament buildings – and 20 residential neighbourhoods that can accommodate 6.5 million people

Egypt has participated in a 2-day meetings of a liaison strategy group of the anti-Daesh Global Coalition, which wrapped up on Sunday in Washington. During the meetings, head of the delegation Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez, stressed the need to exert further efforts to combat Daesh terrorism and extremist ideologies. Hafez emphasised the necessity to combat all forms of terrorism after the field victories over Daesh. He reiterated that terrorism can only be defeated through adopting an international approach for an all-out confrontation of terrorist groups and face the extremist thoughts of Daesh and all terrorist activities. Hafez praised the initiative launched by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to renew religious discourse, the role played by Al-Azhar and Dar al Iftaa to counter terrorism.

Egypt s parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal told MPs in a plenary session on Sunday morning that the new NGO law was not drafted by the government as a response to foreign pressure. "Legislations in Egypt comes only out of national interests and never as an echo of foreign voices," said Abdel-Aal, adding that "when parliament passed its own version of the NGO law in November 2016, Egypt was facing many challenges, particularly in security, but now Egypt has become a strong state, and never accept that its legislation comes under foreign pressure."

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has appointed counselor Said Maree Mohamed Gad as the new president of the Supreme Constitutional Court. The official gazette published presidential decree No.332 of 2019 concerning the appointment of counselor Gad as president of the Constitutional Court with the rank of minister. The decree is due to be effective from 14 July 2019.

Karim Darwish, the head of the Egyptian parliament s foreign affairs committee, told reporters on Wednesday that the committee will hold two meetings tomorrow to discuss relations between Egypt on one hand and France and Canada on the other. Darwish said the first meeting will be held with a French parliamentary delegation. The meeting will be attended by Jacques Maire, vice president of the French National Assembly s foreign affairs committee.

Egypt s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed on Monday the necessity of overcoming challenges facing the African continent through developing economic projects, calling on the international community to provide support for Africa. The call by the Egyptian president, who currently chairs the African Union (AU), came during the coordinating meeting today between the leaders of various African countries and major regional economic groups in Africa as part of the AU summit held in Niger (7-8 July). The 12th Summit of the AU kicked off in Niamey, Niger on Sunday, to launch the long-awaited-African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Monday s coordinating meeting was attended by leaders of African countries and heads of African economic blocs and groups, including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), among others. "The summit is an opportunity for developing economic and trade projects in our continent," the Egyptian president said, thanking president of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou as well as the head of the AU Commission Moussa Faki for organising a successful gathering in the West African nation. "The African Union is one of the major sovereign institutions that address multiple key issues, projects and future plans," President El-Sisi stressed. He added that the eight regional economic blocs in Africa play an indispensable role in upholding cohesion among African countries, making them the main pillars of boosting joint African action. The Egyptian president called for appreciation of the effective role played by these blocs, which he said possess varied capabilities that give impetus for regional integration across the continent. He added that the AU summit in Niger created an opportunity to enhance cohesion between the AU and the eight regional economic blocs, voicing support for investors showing eagerness to back Africa s economic and trade projects. "African countries have adopted a political strategic view and launched many initiatives to render further projects a success alongside creating more job opportunities for African youth, aiming to achieve higher dreams and aspirations," the Egyptian president said. El-Sisi stressed during Monday s coordinating meeting the necessity of tackling all challenges facing the continent. "Though the summit is due to conclude today, the ongoing cooperation and integration among African countries will never come to an end, thanks to potential projects and future plans of action that predict a promising future for the continent," the Egyptian president asserted. In his capacity as the president of the AU for 2019, President El-Sisi announced on Sunday that the AfCFTA has come into force to enhance the inter-African trade. El-Sisi affirmed during the summit s opening ceremony that the agreeement will reinforce African countries negotiating position on the international stage. Around 4,500 delegates and guests – including 32 heads of state and more than 100 ministers – attended the AU 12th summit in Niamey. Considered the largest trade bloc since the creation of the World Trade Organisation in 1994, the AfCFTA seeks to triple the volume of intra-African trade from 17 percent to 60 percent by 2022. The 55-nation trade bloc aims at reducing imports, improving productive and manufacturing capacities and supporting infrastructure projects in Africa.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi will chair a coordination summit in Niamey, Niger, on Monday. The summit will be attended by leaders and heads of African countries and blocs, including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), among others. The coordination summit will seek to develop AfCFTA-related frameworks and foundations for integration with tools for common action in the coming period. An extraordinary Summit of the African Union kicked off in Niamey, Niger on Sunday, launching the long-awaited-African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Egypt s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, who currently chairs the African Union (AU), said during the summit s opening ceremony that the AfCFTA will reinforce African countries negotiating position on the international stage. Around 4,500 delegates and guests – including 32 heads of state and more than 100 ministers – attended the AU 12th summit in Niamey. The agreement was formalised at the end of May when the agreement crossed the launch threshold, which required ratification by at least 22 countries. Considered the largest since the creation of the World Trade Organisation in 1994, the AfCFTA seeks to triple the volume of intra-African trade from 17 percent to 60 percent by 2022. The 55-nation trade block aims at reducing imports, improving productive and manufacturing capacities and supporting infrastructure projects in Africa. According to an AFP report, with Nigeria and Benin s signatures, 54 of the 55 AU member countries have now signed onto the deal, with Eritrea the only holdout.

Egypt s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is attending on Sunday the 12th Extraordinary Summit of the African Union in Niamey, Niger. Sisi arrived in Niger on Saturday to chair the Summit set to be held on Sunday and Monday. The summit is scheduled to witness the launch of African Continental Free Trade Area after completing the number of the required endorsements, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said. Rady said the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is one of Egypt s priorities in light of its chairmanship of the AU, as it will create the largest free trade area in the world and boost intra-African trade volumes. The AfCFTA seeks to triple the volume of intra-African trade from 17% to 60% by 2022. It also aims at reducing imports, improving productive and manufacturing capacities and supporting infrastructure projects in Africa. The agreement officially went into force on May 30.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met UN General Assembly (UNGA) President María Fernanda Espinosa at the presidential palace on Wednesday morning. In a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady, El-Sisi stressed Egypt s firm stance on adopting a comprehensive international approach to address the root causes of migration and refugees issues during the meeting. El-Sisi said that the approach to solving the migration and refugee problems should includes economic, developmental, political, cultural and humanitarian measures, with a focus on the development of source countries and not just focusing on security solutions. From her side, Espinosa applauded Egypt s pivotal role in the Middle East as cornerstone of security and stability in addition to its keenness on reaching political settlements for various crises in the region. The president of UNGA praised Egypt s active participation in various activies during the United Nations and International multilateral forums. Espinosa also highlighted Egypt s efforts defending the issues of African and developing countries, especially within the framework of its current chairmanship of the African Union (AU). Her visit comes more than a year after being elected president of the UNGA s 73rd session in June 2018; the fourth woman to hold the position and the first since 2006. Espinosa is scheduled to also meet Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II and other senior political and community leaders, according to the UN office in Egypt. Moreover, she is scheduled to deliver a lecture at Egypt s prestigious Cairo University entitled Multilateralism in a Changing World as part of an event hosted by the country s National Council of Women.