Tag: Egypt

Egypt arrests ex-presidential candidate Abul Fotouh: officials

CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) — Egyptian police arrested on Wednesday a leading government critic and party leader Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh along with five of his aides, security officials said. The reason for the arrest of Abul Fotouh, a candidate in the 2012 presidential election, was not immediately clear. It comes after the arrest of a party deputy leader and a call by Abul Fotouh and several other politicians for a boycott of next month’s election. President Abdel […]

Egypt opposition urges boycott of presidential election

CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) — Opposition parties and figures in Egypt called Tuesday for a boycott of the March presidential election in which incumbent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi looks set to romp to victory. Branding the poll a “charade”, the coalition of eight parties and 150 public figures announced a campaign under the slogan “Stay at home” ahead of voting on March 26-28. “No to participation in this charade,” said Hamdeen Sabbahi, a presidential candidate in 2012 and 2014. […]

Football boss says to stand for Egypt president

CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) – The head of Egypt’s legendary Zamalek football club, Mortada Mansour, said Saturday he would be standing in the presidential election in March. “I will be a candidate in the presidential election and I will start to collect sponsors,” he wrote on Facebook. He also confirmed his intention to run on a television show, saying he “had to gather about 25,000 signatures in 15 provinces in just 10 days”. The National Elections Authority […]

Egypt mosque attack death toll rises to 305, including 27 children: prosecution

CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) — The death toll from an attack on a mosque in Egypt’s Sinai rose to 305 including 27 children, the state prosecution said Saturday in a statement detailing the gruesome massacre. It said there were between 25 and 30 attackers with long hair and beards, dressed in camouflage and flying a black banner with the Muslim profession of faith on it, which could be a description of the Islamic State group’s flag. […]

PHL condoles with Egypt; condemns terror attack in northern Sinai

(Eagle News) — The Philippines on Friday expressed its condolences to Egypt following the deadly terrorist attack in a mosque that killed over 200 and wounded others. “We join the people and the government of Egypt and the rest of the world in mourning the loss of many innocent lives in the tragedy,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said. Cayetano also condemned the attack, which Ambassador Leslie Baja said took place at the Al-Rawdah […]

Attack on mosque in Egypt’s Sinai kills at least 235

By Samer Al-Atrush Agence France Presse Armed attackers on Friday killed at least 235 worshippers in a bomb and gun assault on a packed mosque in Egypt’s restive North Sinai province, in the country’s deadliest attack in recent memory. A bomb explosion ripped through the Rawda mosque frequented by Sufis roughly 40 kilometers west of the North Sinai capital of El-Arish before gunmen opened fire on those gathered for weekly Friday prayers, officials said. Witnesses […]

Egypt’s Sisi urges caution in Iran-Saudi crisis

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt (AFP) — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Wednesday his country does not support a military escalation in regional tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, adding the region already faces enough crises. Sisi spoke at a wide ranging press conference in the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh where he addressed  regional disputes and his country’s efforts to tackle jihadist attacks and economic reforms. His comments came as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned Saudi […]

Plane-sized ‘void’ discovered in Great Pyramid: scientists

by Mariette le Roux and Laurence Coustal Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — A passenger plane-sized “void” has been discovered in the middle of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, where it has lain secret and untouched for 4,500 years, scientists revealed on Thursday. The space is one of four cavities, along with the king and queen’s chambers and “Grand Gallery”, now known to exist inside the giant monument constructed under pharaoh Khufu of ancient Egypt. […]

‘World’s heaviest woman’ dies in Abu Dhabi hospital

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — An Egyptian believed to be the world’s heaviest woman died Monday of heart and kidney failure at an Abu Dhabi hospital, following months of treatment to help her lose weight and one day walk again. A team of more than 20 doctors had been caring for the bedridden Eman Ahmed Abd El Aty, 37, since her arrival at Burjeel Hospital in May. El Aty first sought treatment in […]

Egyptian students produce diesel from used car tires

CAIRO, EGYPT (Reuters) — A group of engineering students in Cairo have built a machine that produces alternative fuel from vehicle tires. The university students came across the idea when they were looking for a graduation project and learnt about the technology from a professor. One of the students, Mohamed Saeed Ali, said the technology is inexpensive and easy to operate. “The project consists of the container in which we put the shredded tires. We […]

Newborn babies in Cairo learn how to swim

CAIRO, Egypt (Reuters) — Egyptian parents are taking their new-born babies for a swim in novel classes being held in the capital, helping to promote physical education for babies while teaching parents how to handle their children in water. Held by instructor Mohamed Abdelmaksoud, the classes began in July after he received his certificate in Russia in 2014 and returned to Cairo to continue his career in his home country. A video he posted on […]

Egypt’s railway authority head resigns after fatal crash

CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) – The head of Egypt’s railway authority resigned Sunday after 41 people were killed in a train crash, the prime minister’s office said. A statement said that Transportation Minister Hisham Arafat had accepted the resignation of Medhat Shousha. Arafat “affirmed the investigations are ongoing to reveal the causes of the trains’ collision,” according to the statement. Egypt’s latest train disaster saw two trains collide on the Cairo-Alexandria mainline on Friday, leading to […]