President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Sunday that the victory of 6 October 1973 represents not only a remarkable military victory in Egyptian military history but also "a unique demonstration of the nation s will." "Egypt is celebrating today one of the greatest and most glorious days in its history,” he said. “On that day the Egyptians crossed the line between despair and hope and between the past and the future." El-Sisi was speaking during a televised speech aired on Sunday, an annual public holiday in celebration of the event. In his short speech, the president said that the younger generations need to know what happened during that period in 1973 and how the people stood behind their armed forces. He also referenced a new type of war that he said targets the trust between citizens and national institutions. "That kind of war aims to destroy the trust between the citizen and his national institutions and to portray the state as the enemy," he said. Winning this new kind of war depends on the confidence of the citizens, the Egyptian president said. El-Sisi also saluted late president Anwar Sadat for his leadership during the war. "On the anniversary of the October victory, we present a respectful salute to the hero and martyr President Anwar Sadat who held responsibility even mountains don’t hold. Egypt and its people trusted him as a patriotic and strategic genius who put his nation and his people s interest above any other consideration," El-Sisi said. The October War, also known as the Arab-Israeli War, was fought by a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria against Israel from 6 to 25 October in 1973. The first day of the war saw Egyptian forces launch a successful operation to cross the Suez Canal.

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Governor Tarek Amer said deposits in Egypt s banking system totalled around EGP 4 trillion, 44 percent of which was used in the domestic market. He stated at a CBE press conference on Thursday that Egypt had succeeded in restoring confidence in its economy through improvements in the CBE policy and its performance, adding that with investment flows, foreign reserves increased and the banking system became more stable with the elimination of the black market.

Egypt s President Abdel-Fattah El Sisi has said that the country will continue fighting terrorism and all those who stand by it, during a meeting on Tuesday with top state officials. The meeting included Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Defence Mohamed Zaki, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Interior Mahmoud Tawfik, the chief of General Intelligence Abbas Kamel, and the head of the Administrative Control Authority Sherif Seif El Din. "The president directed to continue exerting maximum efforts to pursue terrorist elements, and intensify security and military efforts in this context, affirming Egypt will continue to confront terrorism and those who finance, support and stand behind it with full force and decisiveness," a presidential statement read. The president said that the Egyptian people are fully aware of the challenges facing the country and appreciate the sacrifices made by the martyrs of the armed forces and the police for the sake of the homeland s security and stability. The meeting also looked at efforts to target criminal activities and extremist outposts all over the state with determination for its full eradication. The president also urged relevant bodies to intensify supply controls within markets to combat price hikes and deal firmly with monopolistic practices, in order to ensure the stability and availability of all goods and supplies at reasonable prices to alleviate the financial burdens of citizens, especially those with low incomes and the needy.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi approved Monday law No. 153/2019 amending some provisions of medical profession law No. 415/1945 after it had been passed by the parliament. The new law included amendments to articles 2 and 3 of the previous law. Under the introduced amendments, those holding a bachelors degree in medicine and surgery from an Egyptian university after a six-year study period are required to spend a one-year mandatory training to be eligible for registration in the health ministrys relevant register. However, the mandatory training period is one year longer for those who got their degrees after a five-year study. Also eligible for registration are the graduates holding a foreign qualification equivalent to the degree granted any Egyptian faculty of medicine. According to Article (3), graduates must pass the national medical practice test initial registration, which is valid for five years to be renewed for similar periods. Based on the amendments to Article (2), graduates undergoing mandatory training will be entitled to a monthly training payment equal to 80 percent of the total pay received by resident doctors. Moreover, amendments to Article (3) will apply to graduates of 2018-2019 academic year onward. The law has been published in the official gazette.

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb has called for the maximum penalty against those responsible for the death of five-year-old girl Janna, who was reportedly tortured to death by her grandmother in Daqahliya governorate. El-Tayyeb has also vowed to pay the medical bills for Janna s sister, Amani, who suffered similar abuse. The grand imam also promised to pay for her psychological rehabilitation and school fees. Janna died on Saturday at Sherbeen hospital in Daqahliya governorate after suffering physical abuse at the hands of her maternal grandmother, who is currently in police custody on charges of torture, according to the National Council For Childhood and Motherhood. The victim s exact cause of death has not yet been determined. The grandmother, who had been awarded custody of Janna and her six-year-old sister, Amani, following their parents’ divorce, is accused of inflicting burns on both girls. The victim was admitted to Sherbeen General Hospital, where hospital staff contacted police after discovering that the child had multiple scars and injuries on her body, including burns in the genital area. According to the National Council For Childhood and Motherhood, Janna also suffered from gangrene infections in different parts of the body. On Saturday, the victim s father made a formal accusation before the prosecution alleging that his children were tortured by their mother and grandmother and were molested by their three uncles. Meanwhile, member of parliament Reda El-Beltagy has called on the concerned authorities to take all the necessary measures to protect children from this kind of abuse. "This child did not enjoy her life except when she was in her mother s womb, she suffered since her birth," El-Baltagy said. MP Khaled Hanafy, a member of the constitutional and legislative affairs committee, said that there is a need to amend the 1996 child law to add tougher penalties against anyone "who wants to harm a child, even if it is their father." The National Council for Childhood and Motherhood has urged Facebook users not to circulate images of Janna and Amani out of respect for their privacy, and has called on citizens who witness abuse to report it to the council s child abuse hotline (16000).

Saudi Arabia supports the efforts exerted by Egypt in its war on terrorism in North Sinai, the country s foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. On Friday, Egypt’s Armed Forces said that it destroyed dozens of terrorist hideouts and killed 118 terrorists in north and central Sinai as part of its operations to eliminate terrorism nationwide. The Armed Forces said that 10 army personnel, including an officer and nine soldiers, were killed and injured during these operations. Egypt s MENA state news agency reported that an official source at the Saudi foreign ministry said that the kingdom offered condolences to the families of the victims, the government and the brotherly Egyptian people; and wished the wounded a speedy recovery. The Egyptian army and police have been battling an entrenched Islamist insurgency for several years in North Sinai, with hundreds of security forces killed in terrorist attacks. The Egyptian army has killed and arrested hundreds of extremists in the last four years using ground troops and airstrikes.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York. President El-Sisi congratulated Zelensky on taking the office, expressing appreciation for the stable bilateral relations between the two countries, and the recent growth of those relations, especially in the economic, trade and tourism sectors. Ukraine ranks second in terms of tourist arrivals to Egypt, and Egypt comes first as Ukraine s trading partner in Africa and the Middle East. According to presidential spokesperson Bassam Rady, the Ukrainian president hailed the close ties between the two countries, stressing his country s intention to move forward in efforts to develop bilateral relations with Egypt in various forms.

A statement’s by Egypt foreign ministry Tuesday condemned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statements about Egypt at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), describing them as a "desperate attempt to divert attention away from his regime’s deteriorating popularity and his latest domestic and international defeats." In his speech before the UNGA on Tuesday, Erdogan renewed his previous call to launch an investigation into the death of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, who died of a heart attack last June. Ministry spokesperson Ayman Hafez said that Erdogan’s baseless allegations pretend to defend justice while in reality they express hatred of the Egyptian people, who have nothing but respect for the Turkish nation. Hafez said that Erdogan’s statements "were ironic in the light of his sponsorship of terrorism in the region and his continued violations against the rights of the Turkish people on flimsy pretexts." The spokesperson condemned Erdogan’s remarks, enumerating points to show that Erdogan’s allegations were absurd. "As the violations committed by the Turkish president’s regime are not hidden anymore," the statement noted them as follows: 1. There are more than 75,000 political prisoners in Turkey who include civilian and military persons. This is why Turkey is witnessing a surge in building prisons. 2. Scores of its prisoners have died under dubious circumstances, torture, and illness as a result of maltreatment inside Turkish prisons. 3. More than 130,000 government employees were arbitrarily dismissed. 4. Thousands of academics were fired and more than 3,000 universities, schools, and educational institutions were closed. 5. Turkey has become one of the leading nations in the world oppressing and jailing journalists and media workers, according to international reports. 6. Scores of Turks has fled their country due to ongoing oppressive campaigns The foreign ministry charged that Erdogan sponsors terrorism in various countries in the region, such as Syria, saying the Turkish president turned Turkey into a haven for extremist and outlawed terrorist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood. Hafez said Erdogan’s regime has provided the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood with political support and media platforms that the group used to promote their destructive ideas in Egypt and the whole region. Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan both gave speeches before the 74th United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met with US President Donald Trump in New York on Monday, ahead of the UN General Assembly which takes place this week. El-Sisi said that his meetings with Trump reflect the significant understanding between the two countries, adding that this was his second meeting with the US president in two months. Speaking to the press at the meeting, El-Sisi said that the region will remain in a state of instability as long as political Islam seeks to rule, and added that public opinion in Egypt rejected political Islam when it ruled for a year. "And public opinion does not accept for political Islam to rule in Egypt again," said El-Sisi. Trump said that El-Sisi "is a great leader" who had managed to restore control and stability in Egypt after chaos. Trump said his administration is seeking to boost cooperation, coordination and strategic consultation with Cairo in the coming period in light of Egypts pivotal role in the Middle East, according to a statement by El-Sisi’s spokesman Bassam Rady. According to the statement, El-Sisi asserted that Egypt is keen to promote and cement the partnership relations with Washington, pointing to the importance of this partnership in boosting peace and stability in the region. Egypt looks forward to more coordination and consultation with the US on all regional issues, El-Sisi said. He also underlined the importance of continuing cooperation between Cairo and Washington to combat terrorist organisations. Trump hailed Egypts successful counter-terror efforts, asserting that Egypt is a key partner in the fight against terrorism. The meeting between El-Sisi and Trump tackled also economic cooperation. Trade council dinner El-Sisi also attended a dinner banquet on Monday hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), a non-partisan, US-based organization that works to expand international trade by facilitating mutually beneficial relationships between its business members and government leaders worldwide. According to Radys statement, El-Sisi said his repeated meetings with the council members reflect the distinguished spirit of cooperation between Egypt and the US and showed Egypt’s keenness on promoting its economic and trade relationship with the American business community. El-Sisi spoke about positive developments in economic relations, highlighting the huge and diverse investment potentials created by the mega-projects that Egypt is currently implementing, especially in the Suez Canal region, Rady said. He said that the area features a number of mega-industrial and logistics areas offering promising investment opportunities for American companies wishing to benefit from Egypt’s strategic geographical location as a hub for production and re-exporting goods to different countries of the world, the spokesman added. The president said that the qualitative shift that Egypt has witnessed lately in various development sectors reflects the strong resolve of its government and people to achieve sustainable development. The BCIU members expressed their happiness with the meeting and said that their conversation offers a good opportunity to further foster bilateral friendship and cooperation. They also said that they are looking forward to exploring the promising investment opportunities in Egypt, most particularly in the sectors of transport, health, energy, e-commerce, information technology, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurship, the spokesman said. They lauded the attractive business climate in Egypt and the economic reforms and friendly business measures that Egypt has adopted, and the great efforts exerted by the government to push the national development process forward, Rady also said. He added that talks between the two sides covered the American companies’ future investment plans in the Egyptian market and the importance of maintaining efforts aimed at boosting investments and the trade exchange to push economic relations to new heights.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi reaffirmed keenness on maintaining contacts with the American business community to bolster direct and candid dialogue over joint investment prospects in the country. This was expressed during a dinner banquet held in his honor in New York City by the American Chamber of Commerce in the presence of its first vice president and the chairman of the Egypt-US Business Council along with a large group of heads and senior representatives of leading US companies, presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said. They discussed identifying and resolving problems and obstacles that might face US investors in the Egyptian market. The presiden expressed his appreciation of the role played by the chamber and the business council in fostering Egyptian-US economic and trade relations, Rady added. He said that president El-Sisi had the opportunity to exchange views with the American companies’ CEOs and senior executives, praising the strategic ties between both countries and asserting the two sides’ keenness on further strengthening them. According to the spokesman, the president spoke about Egypt’s successful economic reform program that has been implemented in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, noting that the significant positive results that have been accomplished so far are mainly attributed to the strong will and determination of the Egyptian people and asserting that the march of comprehensive reforms will continue with the aim of achieving sustainable development and improving living standards and the quality of life for all Egyptians. The president pointed out that Egypt is looking forward to more contributions from the US companies in its development process and their wider engagement in its mega national projects, Rady said. For their part, the CEOs of the American companies lauded the great strides made by Egypt in quest for comprehensive development and the achievements it has accomplished in overcoming many economic challenges, voicing appreciations of the efforts exerted by president Sisi to consolidate stability and development in his country and the entire Middle East region, the spokesman further said. They also applauded the measures adopted by the Egyptian government to create a more attractive environment for business and investments in all domains, the statement said.

Egyptian security forces killed a terrorist from the Hasm group, which is affiliated with the terrorist-designated Muslim Brotherhood organisation, during a security raid against a hideout in Al-Matareya district in East Cairo, a Ministry of Interior statement said late Saturday. "The terrorist hideout was used as a weapons warehouse in preparation to be used in hostile attacks to disrupt the country s security and stability," the statement said. The statement added that two National Security officers were injured after the terrorist group opened fire as security forces approached. Security forces seized large amounts of firearms, ammunition, explosives, bombs, electric circuits, as well as a number of RPG launchers and projectiles. Egypt designated the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group in late 2013.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi asserted Egypt s support for Sudan s security, stability and its people s choices, adding that Egypt will offer all support to accelerate joint development projects such as the electricity grid and railways. El-Sisi s remarks came during his meeting with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in Cairo on Wednesday. According to a statement by presidency spokesman Bassam Rady, Hamdok expressed appreciation for Egypt s support for his country bilaterally, regionally and internationally. The Sudanese PM added that he is looking forward to benefiting from Egypt s expertise in development projects and economic reform in the current phase. Rady said that President El-Sisi congratulated Hamdok on his post and the formation of the new Sudanese government and highlighted the timeless ties that link the two Nile Valley peoples. The president praised Sudan s success in overcoming this critical phase in its history and voiced hope that the country would begin serious steps toward reaching the aspirations and hopes of the people for development. Egypt is keen on having Sudan restore its role in the region, the Arab world and Africa and continue to cooperate and coordinate with Egypt on all issues of mutual concern, President El-Sisi said. The Sudanese premier underlined the close ties between Egypt and Sudan and praised current efforts to promote bilateral cooperation. Hamdok reviewed the latest developments in his country and the efforts exerted in this respect. He expressed his country s appreciation for Egypt s pioneering role in the region and in Africa, particularly during its current chairmanship of the African Union. The two sides agreed to maintain coordination and intensive consultations on boosting cooperation and making the best use of available opportunities, particularly in the economic and trade domains, Rady said.

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok left for Cairo Wednesday on his first visit to an Arab country since assuming his post. Hamdok is leading a delegation of ministers and senior officials. He is to hold talks with Egyptian officials on ways of boosting bilateral relations and the latest developments in Sudan in light of challenges besetting the transitional government. Last month, Egypt s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly participated in a ceremony of a landmark power-sharing agreement between the main Sudanese opposition coalition and the military council. Madbouly took part in the signing ceremony on behalf of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the current chair of the African Union. The prime minister said Egypt is keen on supporting Sudan’s vision of the future of its nation, and said support would be provided in confidence in Sudan’s capabilities in resolving all conflicts and overcoming all challenges.

Egypt s national airline EgyptAir said on Tuesday that it is offering discounts of up to 50 percent for business class seats on most of its international flights from the capital Cairo. The discounts are effective as of Tuesday and will be in place for a limited period, EgyptAir said in a statement. The discounted flights feature Super Diamond Full Flat Bed seats on the Boeing Dreamliner 787-9 aircraft and Full Flat Bed on both the Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A330-300, the airline said. On Monday, EgypAir said it had extended its codeshare agreement with Chicago-based United Airlines, allowing its customers in the US to book flights to the states of Boston, San Francesco, Los Angeles and Chicago through Washington D.C. EgyptAir launched direct flights to Washington D.C. in June that operate three times a week.

Egypt s Minister of Tourism Rania Al-Mashat held several meetings with tourism ministers in countries partaking in the 23rd session of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly, held between September 9-13 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The meetings brought Minister Al-Mashat with her counterparts in the Maldives, Portugal, Spain, Russia, the Philippines, China, Ecuador, Valenzuela, Paraguay, Kenya, Morocco and Saudi Arabia, according to a statement released Sunday by the Tourism Ministry. AL-Mashat also met with the Iraqi delegation participating in the session, the ministry added. The meetings discussed several issues of mutual concern at the tourism level, including the impacts of recent global economic changes on such a vital sector. They also tackled means of boosting cooperation among the UNWTO state members and the experience of each state in upgrading its tourism sector. In addition, the ministers reviewed a raft of issues that were on the session s agenda, atop of which were "innovation and sustainable development in tourism" and artificial intelligence. Commending the positive developments in Egypt s tourism sector, the ministers congratulated Minister Al-Mashat on Egypt s winning of the UNWTO s prize for the best promo video in the Middle East.

UK’s Minister for the Middle East and North Africa and Minister of State for International Development Andrew Murrison arrived in Egypt on Sunday to discuss boosting ties between the two countries. According to a press release by the UK Embassy in Cairo, Murrison is set to meet Egyptian investment and international cooperation minister Sahar Nasr and other senior government officials. The minister will also meet Coptic Orthodox Church head Pope Tawadros II. “The UK is a strong partner of Egypt and its economic reform journey. In Cairo I look forward to my discussion with Minister of Investment Dr Sahar Nasr, and making practical progress in our ever-growing economic partnership,” Murrison said. British Ambassador to Egypt Sir Geoffrey Adams said that the UK is one of Egypt’s leading partners across a number of sectors including trade. "Dr Murrison’s visit highlights the UK’s plan to remain to be at the forefront of countries supporting Egypt’s development," the ambassador said. Egypt has been seeking to bolster economic ties with the UK, as well as maximising British investments in Egypt, which currently records $47.4 billion with nearly 1,816 British companies working in the Egyptian market according to statements last July.

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi appointed on Thursday chancellor Hamada El-Sawy as the new prosecutor-general. El-Sawi, who was president of the Cairo Court of Appeals, succeeds Nabil Sadek, in office since September 2015. Sadek became prosecutor-general after his predecessor Hisham Barakat had been killed in a car bombing in June 2015.

Egypt s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has issued four presidential decrees on Tuesday concerning four private unviersities in the country. He issued presidential decree No. 454 of 2019 to add the Faculty of Biotechnology to the Nile University. The president also approved decree No. 455 of 2016 to add the Faculty of Arts and Design to the British University in Egypt. President El-Sisi issued decree No. 456 of 2019 to add the faculties of physiotherapy, creative arts, and languages and translation to the Ahram Canadian University. The president also okayed decree No. 457 of 2019 to amend Nahda University Owners data, with a view to collecting 5 percent fee from the university s annual budget for the current fiscal year. The four decrees were published in the gazette on Tuesday.

Hot air balloons trips have resumed in Egypt s tourist hotspot Luxor after an 80-day suspension due to safety concerns, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported. According to Al-Ahram Arabic, a balloon made a trip on Tuesday over western Luxor carrying 19 tourists of different nationalities. Mohamed Hamdy Moussa, the head of a local hot air balloon operator, said the civil aviation authority had allowed the resumption of trips after operators took necessary measures to achieve better security and safety. The suspension in July came after a balloon drifted off course west of the ancient city. The pilot was able to land safely in the middle of the nearby desert, with no injuries reported. In January 2018, poor weather conditions caused a hot air balloon to crash near Luxor, killing a South African tourist and injuring several other people. A crash in February 2013 killed 19 people, mostly foreign tourists, after the balloon caught fire mid-air. Luxor, home to a myriad of ancient sites, is a major destination for tourists visiting the country. Early morning balloon rides over the city are a popular attraction.

Foreign minister Sameh Shoukry stressed Egypt s support of Sudan during his first meeting with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok as his country proceeds towards civilian rule, state-run MENA agency reported. Shoukry stressed the strong relationship between Cairo and Khartoum, MENA said. Shoukry earlier held a meeting with Sudan s first female foreign minister, Asma Mohamed Abdalla, during which he discussed boosting bilateral ties and issues of common interest. He is scheduled to meet the head of the Sudanese sovereign council Abdel-Fattah Al-Borhan. The Egyptian foreign minister travelled to Sudan in a visit “of special importance since it comes at the start of a new phase of cooperation between the two countries to face challenges and coordinate stances on regional and international issues of mutual concern following the changes in Sudan.” Egypt has repeatedly urged stability in the neighbouring country since protests erupted in December 2018, leading to the ouster of long-standing president Omar Al-Bashir in April.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Saturday that all projects meant to link the two banks of the Nile River in Upper Egypt will be finalized in mid-2020. Speaking at a press conference in Minya governorate, Madbouly said the government attaches great importance to sanitation projects across Egypt, adding that 80 villages in Minya will be provided with sanitation services soon. As per President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi s orders, a road axis would be established each 25 kilometers to link roads stretching along the east and west of the Nile River, he said. Madbouly pointed out that the government allocated EGP 150 million to upgrade internal roads in Minya. He noted that his visit to Minya was meant to listen to demands of citizens, adding that three hospitals will be opened in January in the Upper Egyptian governorate. A new free zone will be established in Minya soon, he said, adding that he issued directives to swiftly provide factories with water, electricity and sanitation services. The premier said that an industrial zone will be opened in Minya in early 2020.