~egyptian-streets | Bookmarks (387)

  At the end of Shakira’s 2006 tour, after more than an hour of witnessing her performance, the audience falls into a stillness as the intro of the iconic Egyptian song, Enta Omri (You Are My Life, 1965) by Umm Kulthum begins to play. The stage is cloaked in darkness, but two things continue to move: the notes of the electric guitar and Shakira’s...

The Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US-based Axiom Space, a global leader in commercial space infrastructure, to enhance cooperation in space research, technology, and human spaceflight on Friday, 23 May. The agreement, signed in May, outlines plans for joint initiatives in scientific research, technology development, Earth observation, and microgravity experimentation. It also opens the door to future...

Egypt and Morocco have agreed to launch a joint coordination and follow-up committee aimed at strengthening economic, trade, and investment ties between the two countries on Thursday, 29 May. The announcement came during the visit of Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Badr Abdel Aty, to the Kingdom of Morocco, where he held a series of high-level meetings with Moroccan officials and business...

If you have never encountered torshi (pickled vegetables) before, imagine opening a jar to a sharp burst of vinegar, chili, garlic, and spice, followed by the satisfying crunch of brined vegetables like carrots, eggplants, turnips, and cauliflower. The taste is bold and layered, sour at its core, with spicy and savory notes that dance across the tongue. Torshi is Egypt’s beloved form of pickled...

In a move aimed at boosting  the health tourism sector, Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1688 of 2025 has established the National Council for Health Tourism, spearheaded by Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population in Egypt. This initiative aims to unify efforts across various stakeholders, including healthcare experts and representatives from health insurance companies, to enhance Egypt’s...

On Thursday 29 May, Israeli ministers approved the establishment of 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, which marks the largest expansion of settlements in decades. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz announced this move, stating it reinforces Israel’s strategic grip on the area and prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state, which they argue could threaten national security....

  Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping mall, has announced a strategic partnership with Ennismore, the world’s fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, to bring the globally acclaimed 25hours Hotel to Egypt for the first time, according to a statement shared with Egyptian Streets. While the announcement confirms the hotel’s upcoming arrival, no official opening date has been disclosed. Set to open at Junction, Majid Al...

Egypt’s bird conservation efforts have come a long way, demonstrating remarkable progress since the early 2000s in protecting migratory species that traverse its critical flyways. In the 2025 migratory season alone, the Galala Bird Observatory observed, identified, and documented an astounding 354,571 migratory birds in Egypt, spanning 34 species, including 90 percent of the global population of Steppe Eagles and over half of the...

  Leading Egyptian buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) service and digital finance platform, Valu, announced on Wednesday, 28 May, that it will begin trading on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX) on 22 June, giving investors a chance to own shares in the company. Valu is being listed on the stock market after EFG Holding’s shareholders agreed to use some of their saved profits to give current investors...

Egypt is set to roll out a new Investment Guarantee Mechanism in June 2025, in collaboration with the European Union, aiming to provide guarantees worth EUR 1.8 billion (EGP 101 billion).  Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, announced this initiative during the Egyptian-Swedish Business Forum on Tuesday 27 May. The mechanism is designed to attract private capital and channel impactful...

President Donald Trump’s administration has instructed U.S. diplomatic missions abroad to suspend the scheduling of new visa appointments for student and exchange visitor applicants on 28 May, as the State Department prepares to expand its review of foreign students’ social media accounts. In a diplomatic cable sent to U.S. diplomatic missions, U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio stated that “effective immediately, and in preparation for expanded...

Egypt’s four-time World Champion and former World No. 1, Ali Farag, has announced on Wednesday 28 May his immediate retirement from professional squash, a decision that has sent ripples through the sports community.  Farag, who was ranked No. 2 in the  Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Rankings at the time of his retirement, made this announcement shortly after competing in his fifth World Championship...

Egypt will mark the start of Eid Al-Adha, one of Islam’s most sacred holidays, on Friday, 6 June, Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta announced on Tuesday evening. The announcement comes after the official sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhul-Hijja, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. As a result, Wednesday, 28 May will be the first day of the month, and...

As Gaza marks twelve weeks under a near-total blockade imposed by Israel after the breakdown of early 2025 ceasefire extension talks, the humanitarian crisis has reached a dire threshold, with international aid organizations warning of an impending famine and the collapse of vital services. Food, water, and medical supplies have all but disappeared, leaving Gaza’s 2.1 million residents, half of them children, on the...

At least 54 Palestinians were killed overnight in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, including dozens sheltering inside a UN-run school in Gaza City, according to hospital officials. The strike hit Fahmi Al-Jargawi School, where hundreds had sought refuge from intensified Israeli attacks on Beit Lahia. Civil Defence teams recovered bodies,  many of them children, from classrooms engulfed in flames. At least 35 people were killed...

The Egyptian mission headed by Abdel Ghaffar Wagdy, director general of Luxor antiquities unveiled three tombs dating back to the New Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.) on Monday in the Dra’ Abu el-Naga area on Luxor’s West Bank.  The tombs were identified through inscriptions that reveal the names and titles of their owners: Amun-Em-Ipet, Baki, and an individual designated as “S.” Minister of Tourism and Antiquities...

Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk announced on Monday that Egypt has recorded its highest primary budget surplus at 3.1 percent of GDP for the period from July to April 2025.  During a high-level ministerial session at the “Egypt-U.S. Policy Leaders Forum 2025,” on Monday, Kouchouk highlighted the alignment of various economic policy reforms aimed at ensuring the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy.  Kouchouk emphasized that...

  Egypt has announced the launch of the ‘Memory of the City‘ mobile app on Monday, 26 May, a new digital platform that invites users to explore Cairo’s heritage through interactive maps and stories. Designed to spotlight the city’s architectural gems, historic streets, and cultural landmarks, the app was launched during a ceremony at the Egyptian Opera House’s Small Hall, with Minister of Culture...

The Raml Tram in Alexandria, one of the oldest electrified tram networks in the world, is set for a much-anticipated rehabilitation that promises to blend modern efficiency with its rich historical legacy.  Started operating in 1863, the tram has long been a vital mode of transport for locals, carrying around 80,000 passengers daily across its scenic 32-kilometer route along the Mediterranean coastline.  However, years...

​In recent years, Egypt’s celebration scene has witnessed the emergence of an unexpected yet wildly popular trend: dancers donning giant gorilla costumes to entertain guests at various events, from birthday parties to weddings. This phenomenon has captivated audiences and sparked curiosity about its origins and cultural significance.​ ​The emergence of gorilla costume dancers in Egyptian celebrations can be traced back to the viral success...

As you prepare to say “I do,” thoughts of your honeymoon likely fill you with excitement. But with so many options, how do you choose the perfect spot that fits both your dreams and your budget? Whether you’re seeking an affordable adventure, a comfortable mid-range experience, or an all-out luxurious escape, this guide has something for every newlywed couple. From the budget-friendly charm of...

Egypt’s Talaat Moustafa Group Holding (TMG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a major mixed-use project in Iraq, marking a significant step in its regional expansion. The agreement, signed on Sunday, 25 May, covers a 14 million square metre (sqm) site in South-West Baghdad and is expected to include around 46,000 residential and commercial units. The project is set to mirror...

In an era where nations increasingly recognize the power of soft diplomacy – a strategy where nations use cultural influence, attraction, and persuasion rather than coercion or force to achieve foreign policy goals – Egypt is strategically leveraging its sporting assets to enhance its international standing, foster stronger global relations, and contribute to its long-term developmental goals.  By capitalizing on its rich sports culture,...

  The first phrase many Egyptian girls hear when they get their period is ‘mabrouk, kibirti’ which is translated to ‘congratulations, you are a woman.’ Yet, beneath the surface of this moment lies a gap in reproductive knowledge, one that keeps many women from truly understanding, let alone connecting with, their bodies. While pregnancy is often seen as one of the most intense experiences...