Vintage phone collector Hassan al-Tourky may be one of the few people in the modern age of microchips and video calls, not walking around with a mobile phone in his pocket. In the busy Attaba market in downtown Cairo, al-Tourky's collection includes a 1933 piece used by Egypt's late King Farouq with his image on it, and others once owned by Charlie Chaplin, Thomas Hudson and Egyptian and foreign celebrities.

No mobile phones allowed: Meet Egypt's vintage phone collector and avid user

In a rare challenge to President Abdelfattah Elsisi and his government, small protests broke out in several cities across Egypt. The Egyptian authorities sought to prevent the second round of protests on 27 September by shutting down large parts of downtown Cairo and carrying out mass arrests.

Second round of protests in Egypt against President Abdelfattah Elsisi

At the Pyramids of Giza, just a handful of tourists walks among the ancient wonders. Twelve people showed up to admire Luxor's towering colonnades the day it reopened this month. At Egypt's Red Sea resorts, visitor numbers are well below previous years.

With tourists slow to return, Egypt's resorts and ancient sites face tough winter

Saudi Arabian-led coalition fighter jets early on Sunday attacked barracks and military sites of the armed Houthi movement in Yemen's capital Sanaa, Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya reported.

The coalition also destroyed four Houthi drones at Al-Delmi air base north of Sanaa, Al-Arabiya said, citing local sources.

There was no immediate official confirmation from the coalition, which launched air strikes on two sites in Sanaa a day earlier.

Those strikes followed a Houthi claim it had attacked an "important target" in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Thursday using a ballistic missile and drones.

The coalition did not confirm an attack on Riyadh but said it had intercepted and destroyed ballistic missiles and explosive drones launched towards the kingdom on Thursday.

Bombings in Sanaa city have been relatively rare since September 2019, when Saudi Arabia launched indirect talks with the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which it has been at war with since 2015.

The conflict has killed 100,000 people and led to what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The Houthis took over the Yemeni capital Sanaa and most other cities in 2014 after ousting the Saudi-backed government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The Western-backed coalition that Saudi Arabia leads intervened to try to restore Hadi to power.

Saudi Arabian-led coalition fighter jets early on Sunday attacked barracks and military sites of the armed Houthi movement in Yemen's capital Sanaa, Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya reported.

Saudi Arabian-led coalition fighter jets early on Sunday attacked barracks and military sites of the armed Houthi movement in Yemen's capital Sanaa, Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya reported. The coalition also destroyed four Houthi drones at Al-Delmi air base north of Sanaa, Al-Arabiya said, citing local sources. There was no immediate official confirmation from the coalition, which launched air strikes on two sites in Sanaa a day earlier. Those strikes followed a Houthi claim it had attacked an "important target" in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Thursday using a ballistic missile and drones. The coalition did not confirm an attack on Riyadh but said it had intercepted and destroyed ballistic missiles and explosive drones launched towards the kingdom on Thursday. Bombings in Sanaa city have been relatively rare since September 2019, when Saudi Arabia launched indirect talks with the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which it has been at war with since 2015. The conflict has killed 100,000 people and led to what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The Houthis took over the Yemeni capital Sanaa and most other cities in 2014 after ousting the Saudi-backed government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The Western-backed coalition that Saudi Arabia leads intervened to try to restore Hadi to power.

Saudi coalition attack Houthi military sites in Yemen's Sanaa: Al-Arabiya

On February 25, the Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak died at the age of 91 after suffering from an illness. Mubarak served as the Egyptian President for nearly 30 years before resigning as a result of 2011 Egyptian mass protests.

Mubarak dies at 91: Military funeral in Cairo

Egypt lowered fuel prices on Friday, the oil ministry said, following several rounds of price hikes as part of an austerity programme that has triggered discontent.&nbsp;

The move comes a week after rare protests broke out in Cairo and other cities across Egypt calling for the removal of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-leader-shrugs-off-call-for-fresh-protests-252444">Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.</a>

The country's pricing committee "decided to lower the prices of the three types of gasoline products on the domestic market by 25 piastres (0.015 US cents) a litre", the ministry said in a statement Thursday.

The price of 80-octane gas was cut to 6.5 Egyptian pounds, 92-octane to 7.75 pounds and 95-octane was lowered to 8.75 pounds.

The decision comes "in light of the decline in the price of Brent crude oil in the international market between July and September and the depreciation of the dollar against the (Egyptian) pound," it said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/muslim-brotherhood-sidelined-in-egypt-protests-analysts-253099/amp">Egypt </a>has raised fuel prices several times as part of subsidy cuts under ambitious but tough economic reforms since general-turned-president Sisi took office in 2014.

The austerity policies, including subsidy cuts on essentials such as fuel as well as the devaluation of the local currency, are tied to a $12-billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

Egypt received the final tranche of the three-year IMF loan in August.

Since Egypt's agreement with the IMF in 2016, living costs have soared, hitting poor and middle-class Egyptians.&nbsp;

Sisi regularly calls on Egyptians to endure the economic hardship promising future prosperity.

Last month's protests broke out in defiance of a ban on demonstrations after an exiled Egyptian businessman accused Sisi and the military of rampant corruption.

Egypt lowered fuel prices on Friday, the oil ministry said, following several rounds of price hikes as part of an austerity programme that has triggered discontent.

Egypt lowered fuel prices on Friday, the oil ministry said, following several rounds of price hikes as part of an austerity programme that has triggered discontent. The move comes a week after rare protests broke out in Cairo and other cities across Egypt calling for the removal of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The country's pricing committee "decided to lower the prices of the three types of gasoline products on the domestic market by 25 piastres (0.015 US cents) a litre", the ministry said in a statement Thursday. The price of 80-octane gas was cut to 6.5 Egyptian pounds, 92-octane to 7.75 pounds and 95-octane was lowered to 8.75 pounds. The decision comes "in light of the decline in the price of Brent crude oil in the international market between July and September and the depreciation of the dollar against the (Egyptian) pound," it said. Egypt has raised fuel prices several times as part of subsidy cuts under ambitious but tough economic reforms since general-turned-president Sisi took office in 2014. The austerity policies, including subsidy cuts on essentials such as fuel as well as the devaluation of the local currency, are tied to a $12-billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund. Egypt received the final tranche of the three-year IMF loan in August. Since Egypt's agreement with the IMF in 2016, living costs have soared, hitting poor and middle-class Egyptians. Sisi regularly calls on Egyptians to endure the economic hardship promising future prosperity. Last month's protests broke out in defiance of a ban on demonstrations after an exiled Egyptian businessman accused Sisi and the military of rampant corruption.

Egypt lowers fuel prices after protests

Egyptian President Fattah al-Sisi on Friday dismissed a call for a second weekend of protests as "no reason for concern", with hundreds already arrested in an intensifying crackdown on a rare show of discontent on the streets.

Last week's open defiance of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi triggered by viral videos from exiled Egyptian businessman Mohamed Aly has surprised observers in a country where opposition of all stripes has been severely curtailed.

Elected president in 2014 after pushing predecessor Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood from power the previous year, Sisi is seen by many as one of the most authoritarian figures in the Middle East. &nbsp;

Construction magnate Aly has called for a "million-man march" to take place Friday and a "people's revolution" to unseat the uncompromising head of state.

But after he arrived home from the UN General Assembly in New York, Sisi on Friday insisted there was no cause for alarm.

"There are no reasons for concern. Egypt is a strong country thanks to Egyptians," he told reporters with a smile.

"The case does not deserve all" this attention, Sisi said. "It is an attempt to create an image that is absolutely not real."

Road blocks prevented traffic from entering Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday morning, AFP journalists said, although it was still possible to move into the area on foot.

Aly accuses Sisi of building lavish palaces while taxpayers grapple with the impact of austerity under an IMF loan programme totalling $12 billion.

In recent days, security has been visibly stepped up, especially in Tahrir Square the epicenter of the 2011 popular revolt that toppled long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

That iconic location was key to last week's demonstrations, which broke out after a football match with protesters chanting "leave, Sisi!" and accusing him of heading a "military regime".

Alongside beefing up their presence on the streets, the security forces have also detained people they suspect of being key influencers of unrest journalists, human rights activists, and lawyers.

'Wrong place, wrong time'

Human Rights Watch said Friday that nearly 2,000 people had been arrested over the past week, in what could be the biggest crackdown since 2013.

"Lawyers for detainees have posted on their social media pages several accounts of security forces arbitrarily arresting many people merely for being in the 'wrong place at the wrong time' or possessing critical content on their phones," the rights group said.

The attorney general's office said "not more than 1,000 protesters" had been questioned by prosecutors.

It said prosecutors had orders to "inspect the social media accounts and pages of those detained."

Analysts said they expected any further protests to meet a tough response as Sisi seeks to preserve his security credentials.

"Sisi has made it clear he intends to stay in power for quite some time and protests will not change that calculus for him," said H.A Hellyer, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.

The president "appears convinced that any protests that go beyond a certain point would be destructive not only to his presidency but the state more generally," he told AFP.

HRW called on Egypt's Western allies to suspend their military assistance until the government ceases its "gross violations of international law".

"World leaders should recognize that providing security and military assistance to abusive forces won't bring stability to Egypt, and that what's needed instead is a government that respects the rights and freedoms of the Egyptian people," said it is Middle East and North Africa director, Sarah Leah Whitson.

In August 2013, just over a month after Sisi toppled Morsi, police dispersed two camps full of supporters of the Islamist leader in Cairo, killing about 800 people in clashes, according to official figures.

The government named the Muslim Brotherhood a "terrorist organization" later that year, but the crackdown on opposition has extended to secular organizations and human rights activists.

On Thursday, Aly posted a one-minute missive which included extracts from previous videos and footage from riots in 2011 and later, juxtaposed against declarations by Sisi.

But while the exiled critic's videos have gained huge traction shared millions of times online they have provoked fervent counter-attacks from the president's backers, using the hashtags #longliveSisi and #theywantchaos.

For those supporters, Sisi's six years at the helm including five as president have shown him to be a bulwark against the insecurity and political disintegration unleashed by the Arab Spring elsewhere, notably in Libya and Syria.

Egyptian President Fattah al-Sisi on Friday dismissed a call for a second weekend of protests as "no reason for concern", with hundreds already arrested in an intensifying crackdown on a rare show of discontent on the streets.

Egyptian President Fattah al-Sisi on Friday dismissed a call for a second weekend of protests as "no reason for concern", with hundreds already arrested in an intensifying crackdown on a rare show of discontent on the streets. Last week's open defiance of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi triggered by viral videos from exiled Egyptian businessman Mohamed Aly has surprised observers in a country where opposition of all stripes has been severely curtailed. Elected president in 2014 after pushing predecessor Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood from power the previous year, Sisi is seen by many as one of the most authoritarian figures in the Middle East. Construction magnate Aly has called for a "million-man march" to take place Friday and a "people's revolution" to unseat the uncompromising head of state. But after he arrived home from the UN General Assembly in New York, Sisi on Friday insisted there was no cause for alarm. "There are no reasons for concern. Egypt is a strong country thanks to Egyptians," he told reporters with a smile. "The case does not deserve all" this attention, Sisi said. "It is an attempt to create an image that is absolutely not real." Road blocks prevented traffic from entering Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday morning, AFP journalists said, although it was still possible to move into the area on foot. Aly accuses Sisi of building lavish palaces while taxpayers grapple with the impact of austerity under an IMF loan programme totalling $12 billion. In recent days, security has been visibly stepped up, especially in Tahrir Square the epicenter of the 2011 popular revolt that toppled long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak. That iconic location was key to last week's demonstrations, which broke out after a football match with protesters chanting "leave, Sisi!" and accusing him of heading a "military regime". Alongside beefing up their presence on the streets, the security forces have also detained people they suspect of being key influencers of unrest journalists, human rights activists, and lawyers. 'Wrong place, wrong time' Human Rights Watch said Friday that nearly 2,000 people had been arrested over the past week, in what could be the biggest crackdown since 2013. "Lawyers for detainees have posted on their social media pages several accounts of security forces arbitrarily arresting many people merely for being in the 'wrong place at the wrong time' or possessing critical content on their phones," the rights group said. The attorney general's office said "not more than 1,000 protesters" had been questioned by prosecutors. It said prosecutors had orders to "inspect the social media accounts and pages of those detained." Analysts said they expected any further protests to meet a tough response as Sisi seeks to preserve his security credentials. "Sisi has made it clear he intends to stay in power for quite some time and protests will not change that calculus for him," said H.A Hellyer, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London. The president "appears convinced that any protests that go beyond a certain point would be destructive not only to his presidency but the state more generally," he told AFP. HRW called on Egypt's Western allies to suspend their military assistance until the government ceases its "gross violations of international law". "World leaders should recognize that providing security and military assistance to abusive forces won't bring stability to Egypt, and that what's needed instead is a government that respects the rights and freedoms of the Egyptian people," said it is Middle East and North Africa director, Sarah Leah Whitson. In August 2013, just over a month after Sisi toppled Morsi, police dispersed two camps full of supporters of the Islamist leader in Cairo, killing about 800 people in clashes, according to official figures. The government named the Muslim Brotherhood a "terrorist organization" later that year, but the crackdown on opposition has extended to secular organizations and human rights activists. On Thursday, Aly posted a one-minute missive which included extracts from previous videos and footage from riots in 2011 and later, juxtaposed against declarations by Sisi. But while the exiled critic's videos have gained huge traction shared millions of times online they have provoked fervent counter-attacks from the president's backers, using the hashtags #longliveSisi and #theywantchaos. For those supporters, Sisi's six years at the helm including five as president have shown him to be a bulwark against the insecurity and political disintegration unleashed by the Arab Spring elsewhere, notably in Libya and Syria.

Egypt leader shrugs off call for fresh protests

Abdulmalik Abdulaziz, a Uighur student, was arrested and handcuffed by Egyptian police and when they removed his blindfold he was surprised to see Chinese officials questioning him in custody.

Abdulmalik Abdulaziz, a Uighur student, was arrested and handcuffed by Egyptian police and when they removed his blindfold he was surprised to see Chinese officials questioning him in custody. He was picked up in broad daylight with friends, and taken to a Cairo police station where Chinese officials grilled him about what he was doing in Egypt. The three officials spoke to him in Chinese, addressing him using his Chinese name, not his Uighur one. "They never said their names or mentioned who they were exactly," said Abdulaziz, 27, who spoke to AFP helping to uncover new details of the 2017 arrests of over 90 Uighurs from the mostly Muslim Turkic minority. Abdulaziz, like most swept up in the three-day crackdown in the first week of July 2017, was an Islamic theology student at Al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world's most prestigious educational institution. "Egyptian policemen said 'the Chinese government says that you are terrorists'. But we responded that we are only Al-Azhar students," said Abdulaziz. AFP is using pseudonyms to protect the identities of those Uighurs interviewed. China is one of Egypt's biggest investors, pouring money into massive infrastructure projects such as the construction of a new administrative capital east of Cairo. Trade between the two countries reached a record high of $13.8 billion last year. Just three weeks before the raid, Egypt and China signed a security memorandum focusing on "combatting terrorism". After a few days of questioning in Police Station 2 in Nasr City, an upmarket suburb of Cairo, Abdulaziz was sent to Tora, one of Egypt's most notorious jails. Released after 60 days in detention, he escaped, seeking asylum in Turkey, a hub of Uighur immigration, in October 2017. 'Same tactics' Shams Eddin Ahmed, 26, was arrested outside the Moussa Ibn Naseer mosque on 4 July 2017 in Nasr City. His father in Xinjiang, a region in northwest China, also disappeared that month. Many Uighurs refer to Xinjiang as East Turkestan, including those AFP interviewed, but for Beijing, it has troubling connotations of independence and activism. "I still don't know if he's dead or alive," he recounted. Unmarked black vans pulled up as afternoon prayers ended and around five policemen arrested several Uighur worshippers. Ahmed was also transferred to Tora, the stifling carceral complex which houses many of Egypt's high-profile political prisoners. "I felt so afraid when I got there. It was extremely dark... I thought to myself how will we ever get out of here?" he said. "I was afraid that they would hand us over to the Chinese authorities," added Ahmed. The Uighurs were split into two groups of 45 to 50 men each and languished in large cells for weeks. Two weeks before their release, the Uighurs and other Chinese Muslims of different ethnic ancestry were divided into three groups and given colour codes. Red, green or yellow determined if they would be deported, released or further questioned. Ahmed said Egyptian prison guards handcuffed, blindfolded and then hauled many of the group into vans heading to Cairo police stations. During 11 days in police custody, he claims three Chinese officials questioned him specifically about his father. "Where is he and how does he send you money?" he told AFP. Ahmed was in the green group, meaning he was eventually released. He fled to Istanbul in early October 2017. Abdulweli Ayup, a Norway-based Uighur linguist who has researched the community in Egypt, confirmed hearing similar accounts from other detainees. "It's the same practice and tactic implemented in internment camps in China. I don't believe it's a coincidence," he said, adding Chinese authorities use the same three colour codes for detained Uighurs. 'Muslim brothers' Human rights groups say more than one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities are held in a network of internment camps in China where they endure political indoctrination. Beijing says the "vocational education centres" are necessary to counter religious extremism. Germany-based independent researcher Adrian Zenz, who has mapped out camps in Xinjiang, said: "China's new push to redefine human rights in terms of economic development... suits many of these nations." "A country giving the Chinese significant leeway can in return expect significant favours," he added, referring to the Egyptian-Chinese security cooperation. Egypt's interior ministry and the Chinese embassy in Cairo did not respond to AFP's repeated requests for comment. "Those found to be overstaying contrary to the law, including Chinese citizens among other nationalities, are expelled", said Ahmed Hafez, Egypt's foreign ministry spokesman, when asked about the deportation of Uighurs in 2017. He did not answer AFP's questions on the 60-day detention of the group that had been picked up by police. Darren Byler, an anthropologist at Washington University, noted "similar attempts by Chinese officials in Thailand and elsewhere" to extradite diaspora Uighurs. "The autonomy with which Chinese authorities were permitted to act in Egypt is unprecedented," he told AFP. Ayup, the linguist, explains the devastating effect of the 2017 raids that reduced a thriving community of around 6,000 people to about 50 families. "For Uighurs, it's a nightmare that your Muslim brother would invite Chinese officials to interrogate you. They have lost their belief and have become paranoid in the diaspora," he said. Abdulaziz considers himself fortunate, but the fate of other Uighurs expelled by Egypt preys on his mind. "It has been years since we heard anything about those deported and our families. We just don't know."

'Nightmare' as Egypt aided China to detain Uighurs

Nineteen people died and 30 were injured in an explosion resulting from a car crash in central Cairo, Egypt's health ministry said early on Monday.

There was no official statement indicating that the explosion was an&nbsp; 
attack.

The blast happened when a car driving against traffic on Cairo's Nile corniche road collided with three other cars, the interior ministry said in a separate statement.

It triggered a blaze that forced the partial evacuation of the nearby National Cancer Institute, the health ministry said.

Egypt's public prosecutor is investigating the incident, sources said.

Nineteen people died and 30 were injured in an explosion resulting from a car crash in central Cairo, Egypt's health ministry said early on Monday. There was no official statement indicating that the explosion was an attack.

Nineteen people died and 30 were injured in an explosion resulting from a car crash in central Cairo, Egypt's health ministry said early on Monday. There was no official statement indicating that the explosion was an attack. The blast happened when a car driving against traffic on Cairo's Nile corniche road collided with three other cars, the interior ministry said in a separate statement. It triggered a blaze that forced the partial evacuation of the nearby National Cancer Institute, the health ministry said. Egypt's public prosecutor is investigating the incident, sources said.

At least 19 killed in car explosion in central Cairo

A midnight explosion following a car crash outside a hospital in central Cairo has left 20 people dead and 47 injured, the health and interior ministries said on Monday.

The intensity of the blast at the city's main cancer hospital raised fears of an attack, but officials said it was the result of a car accident.

Reuters video of the aftermath showed considerable damage to the front of the hospital, with an entrance wrecked and rubble-strewn over the pavement. Victims' belongings were scattered among the debris.

The blast occurred when a car driving against traffic on Cairo's Nile corniche road collided with three other cars, the interior ministry said in a statement.

It triggered a blaze that forced the partial evacuation of the National Cancer Institute, the health ministry said.

One local resident, who gave her name as Salwa, said bodies had been fused together by the explosion and it was hard to believe it was the result of a car crash.

"There was a sound of an extremely loud blast. It was no way two cars crashing. The car must have been rigged with explosives," she told Reuters Television.

Another witness, who declined to give his name, said the car's driver ran away before it exploded.

Later in the morning, investigators scoured the scene amid a heavy police presence.

Egypt's public prosecutor is investigating the incident, sources told Reuters.

Egyptian security forces are waging a counterinsurgency campaign against Islamist militants, some with links to Islamic State, that is focused in the north of the Sinai Peninsula.

Attacks outside Sinai have become relatively rare, although there have been several security incidents in recent months in Giza, across the Nile from central Cairo.

In May, an explosion targeting a tourist bus injured at least 12 people, mostly South African tourists, near the Giza pyramids. In December, three Vietnamese tourists and an Egyptian guide were killed, and at least 10 others injured when a roadside bomb hit their tour bus near the pyramids.

A midnight explosion following a car crash outside a hospital in central Cairo has left 20 people dead and 47 injured, the health and interior ministries said on Monday.

A midnight explosion following a car crash outside a hospital in central Cairo has left 20 people dead and 47 injured, the health and interior ministries said on Monday. The intensity of the blast at the city's main cancer hospital raised fears of an attack, but officials said it was the result of a car accident. Reuters video of the aftermath showed considerable damage to the front of the hospital, with an entrance wrecked and rubble-strewn over the pavement. Victims' belongings were scattered among the debris. The blast occurred when a car driving against traffic on Cairo's Nile corniche road collided with three other cars, the interior ministry said in a statement. It triggered a blaze that forced the partial evacuation of the National Cancer Institute, the health ministry said. One local resident, who gave her name as Salwa, said bodies had been fused together by the explosion and it was hard to believe it was the result of a car crash. "There was a sound of an extremely loud blast. It was no way two cars crashing. The car must have been rigged with explosives," she told Reuters Television. Another witness, who declined to give his name, said the car's driver ran away before it exploded. Later in the morning, investigators scoured the scene amid a heavy police presence. Egypt's public prosecutor is investigating the incident, sources told Reuters. Egyptian security forces are waging a counterinsurgency campaign against Islamist militants, some with links to Islamic State, that is focused in the north of the Sinai Peninsula. Attacks outside Sinai have become relatively rare, although there have been several security incidents in recent months in Giza, across the Nile from central Cairo. In May, an explosion targeting a tourist bus injured at least 12 people, mostly South African tourists, near the Giza pyramids. In December, three Vietnamese tourists and an Egyptian guide were killed, and at least 10 others injured when a roadside bomb hit their tour bus near the pyramids.

20 dead, 47 injured in car explosion in Cairo: Egypt Health Ministry

British Airways and Lufthansa abruptly suspended flights to Cairo from Saturday(July 20) over security concerns but giving no details about what may have prompted the move.

British Airways and Lufthansa suspends flights to Cairo

Egypt opened two ancient pyramids south of the capital Cairo and unveiled a collection of newly found sarcophagi, some containing well-preserved mummies. Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani told reporters the Bent Pyramid of King Sneferu, the first pharaoh of Egypt's 4th dynasty, and a nearby pyramid would be reopened to visitors for the first time since 1965.

Egypt opens two ancient pyramids, unveils new finds

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-to-slash-fuel-subsidies-as-imf-programme-set-to-end-208285">Egypt's arrears to foreign oil </a>companies declined to $900 million at the end of June from $1.2 billion a year ago, the petroleum minister said on Thursday, adding that the remaining amount would be paid soon.

The Egyptian government had told the International Monetary Fund in a letter in January it intended to "eliminate" arrears by the end of June.

Arrears to foreign oil companies accumulated after the 2011 uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak and reached $6.3 billion in the 2011/2012 fiscal year.

They have steadily declined since 2014 as Egypt sought to become a regional energy hub. Egypt owed foreign oil firms $2.4 billion in June 2017, falling to $1.048 million in December.

"The foreign companies' arrears dropped at end of June to $900 million, down from $1.2 billion a year earlier," Petroleum Minister Tarek el-Molla told Reuters.

"We will settle that soon, God willing," he added, without giving a specific date.

Molla, who said total monthly payments by Egypt to foreign oil companies now stood at $700 million, had earlier said the government expected to settle the arrears by the end of 2019.

Egypt raised domestic fuel prices by 16 per cent to 30 per cent last week under an IMF-backed economic reform plan reached in 2016 to cut fuel subsidies that have strained the budget for decades.

Cairo has been trying to eliminate its arrears as it seeks to attract more foreign investment to its energy industry, which has drawn more interest after several major gas discoveries.

(Reporting by Ahmed Ismail; Writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Edmund Blair and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

Egypt's arrears to foreign oil companies declined to $900 million at the end of June from $1.2 billion a year ago, the petroleum minister said on Thursday, adding that the remaining amount would be paid soon.

Egypt's arrears to foreign oil companies declined to $900 million at the end of June from $1.2 billion a year ago, the petroleum minister said on Thursday, adding that the remaining amount would be paid soon. The Egyptian government had told the International Monetary Fund in a letter in January it intended to "eliminate" arrears by the end of June. Arrears to foreign oil companies accumulated after the 2011 uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak and reached $6.3 billion in the 2011/2012 fiscal year. They have steadily declined since 2014 as Egypt sought to become a regional energy hub. Egypt owed foreign oil firms $2.4 billion in June 2017, falling to $1.048 million in December. "The foreign companies' arrears dropped at end of June to $900 million, down from $1.2 billion a year earlier," Petroleum Minister Tarek el-Molla told Reuters. "We will settle that soon, God willing," he added, without giving a specific date. Molla, who said total monthly payments by Egypt to foreign oil companies now stood at $700 million, had earlier said the government expected to settle the arrears by the end of 2019. Egypt raised domestic fuel prices by 16 per cent to 30 per cent last week under an IMF-backed economic reform plan reached in 2016 to cut fuel subsidies that have strained the budget for decades. Cairo has been trying to eliminate its arrears as it seeks to attract more foreign investment to its energy industry, which has drawn more interest after several major gas discoveries. (Reporting by Ahmed Ismail; Writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Edmund Blair and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

Egypt's arrears to foreign oil firms fall to 900 million dollar at end of June: Petroleum Minister

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypts-former-president-mohamed-mursi-dies-report-228094">Egypt</a> has asked international police agency Interpol to track down a 3,000-year-old Tutankhamun artifact that was sold in London for $6 million despite fierce opposition from Cairo, government officials said.

Christie's auction house sold the 28.5-centimetre&nbsp;relic for $5,970,000 to an unknown buyer in early July at one of its most controversial auctions in years.

But less than a week after the sale, Egypt's National Committee for Antiquities Repatriation (NCAR) said after an urgent meeting that national prosecutors had asked Interpol "to issue a circular to trace" such artifacts over alleged missing paperwork.

"The committee expresses its deep discontent of the unprofessional behavior of the sale of Egyptian antiquities without providing the ownership documents and the evidence that proves its legal export from Egypt," the NCAR said in a statement.

The committee headed by Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany and attended by his predecessor Zahi Hawass as well as officials from various ministries also called upon Britain to "prohibit the export of the sold artifacts" until the Egyptian authorities were shown the documents.

It suggested the issue could have an impact on cultural relations, by referencing "the ongoing cooperation between both countries in the field of archaeology, especially that there are 18 British archaeological missions are working in Egypt".

The NCAR added it had hired a British law firm to file a "civil lawsuit" although no further details were given.&nbsp;

'Stolen from Karnak'&nbsp;

The London sale of the head of "Boy King" Tutankhamun angered Egyptian officials at the time and sparked a protest outside Christie's by about a dozen people who held up signs reading "stop trading in smuggled antiquities".

Hawass told AFP that the piece appeared to have been "stolen" in the 1970s from the Karnak Temple complex just north of Luxor and the Egyptian foreign ministry asked the UK Foreign Office and the UN cultural body UNESCO to step in and halt the sale.

But such interventions are rare and made only when there is clear evidence of the item's legitimate acquisition by the seller being in dispute.

Christie's argued that Egypt had never before expressed the same level of concern about an item whose existence has been "well known and exhibited publicly" for many years.

"The object is not, and has not been, the subject of an investigation," Christie's said in a statement to AFP.

The auction house has published a chronology of how the relic changed hands between European art dealers over the past 50 years and told AFP that it would "not sell any work where there isn't the clear title of ownership".

Egypt has asked international police agency Interpol to track down a 3,000-year-old Tutankhamun artifact that was sold in London for $6 million despite fierce opposition from Cairo, government officials said.

Egypt has asked international police agency Interpol to track down a 3,000-year-old Tutankhamun artifact that was sold in London for $6 million despite fierce opposition from Cairo, government officials said. Christie's auction house sold the 28.5-centimetre relic for $5,970,000 to an unknown buyer in early July at one of its most controversial auctions in years. But less than a week after the sale, Egypt's National Committee for Antiquities Repatriation (NCAR) said after an urgent meeting that national prosecutors had asked Interpol "to issue a circular to trace" such artifacts over alleged missing paperwork. "The committee expresses its deep discontent of the unprofessional behavior of the sale of Egyptian antiquities without providing the ownership documents and the evidence that proves its legal export from Egypt," the NCAR said in a statement. The committee headed by Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany and attended by his predecessor Zahi Hawass as well as officials from various ministries also called upon Britain to "prohibit the export of the sold artifacts" until the Egyptian authorities were shown the documents. It suggested the issue could have an impact on cultural relations, by referencing "the ongoing cooperation between both countries in the field of archaeology, especially that there are 18 British archaeological missions are working in Egypt". The NCAR added it had hired a British law firm to file a "civil lawsuit" although no further details were given. 'Stolen from Karnak' The London sale of the head of "Boy King" Tutankhamun angered Egyptian officials at the time and sparked a protest outside Christie's by about a dozen people who held up signs reading "stop trading in smuggled antiquities". Hawass told AFP that the piece appeared to have been "stolen" in the 1970s from the Karnak Temple complex just north of Luxor and the Egyptian foreign ministry asked the UK Foreign Office and the UN cultural body UNESCO to step in and halt the sale. But such interventions are rare and made only when there is clear evidence of the item's legitimate acquisition by the seller being in dispute. Christie's argued that Egypt had never before expressed the same level of concern about an item whose existence has been "well known and exhibited publicly" for many years. "The object is not, and has not been, the subject of an investigation," Christie's said in a statement to AFP. The auction house has published a chronology of how the relic changed hands between European art dealers over the past 50 years and told AFP that it would "not sell any work where there isn't the clear title of ownership".

Egypt asks Interpol to trace Tutankhamun mask over ownership docs

Egypt's parliament has approved constitutional amendments that would allow President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to stay in power until 2030. Sisi is due to stand down in 2022, when his second four-year term ends.

Egypt constitutional changes could mean Sisi rule until 2030

Hosts Egypt were handed a favourable draw for the 2019 Africa Cup on Nations finals on Friday (April 12), but continental powerhouses Morocco, Ivory Coast and South Africa were placed together in a tough group.

Hosts Egypt handed favourable draw for Africa Cup of Nations

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Tuesday against growing hatred of Muslims, less than a month after a deadly attack on mosques in New Zealand killed at least 50 people.

His remarks came during a speech at Egypt's Al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world's foremost religious institution, where he met Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb.&nbsp;

"Around the world, we are seeing ever-rising anti-Muslim hatred, anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia," the UN secretary general said.&nbsp;

He cited the March 15 New Zealand mosque attacks by a white supremacist as well as a 2018 synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh that killed 11 people and is believed to be the deadliest against Jews in US history.&nbsp;

Guterres warned of a surge in hate speech he said was "entering the mainstream, spreading like wildfire through social media".&nbsp;

"We see it spreading in liberal democracies and as well as in authoritarian states."

Guterres is on a two-day trip to Egypt, Following his visit to Al-Azhar, he was scheduled to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.&nbsp;

On Sunday, he attended an Arab League summit in Tunisia.&nbsp;

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Tuesday against growing hatred of Muslims, less than a month after a deadly attack on mosques in New Zealand killed at least 50 people.

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned Tuesday against growing hatred of Muslims, less than a month after a deadly attack on mosques in New Zealand killed at least 50 people. His remarks came during a speech at Egypt's Al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world's foremost religious institution, where he met Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb. "Around the world, we are seeing ever-rising anti-Muslim hatred, anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia," the UN secretary general said. He cited the March 15 New Zealand mosque attacks by a white supremacist as well as a 2018 synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh that killed 11 people and is believed to be the deadliest against Jews in US history. Guterres warned of a surge in hate speech he said was "entering the mainstream, spreading like wildfire through social media". "We see it spreading in liberal democracies and as well as in authoritarian states." Guterres is on a two-day trip to Egypt, Following his visit to Al-Azhar, he was scheduled to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. On Sunday, he attended an Arab League summit in Tunisia.

UN chief Antonio Guterres warns against rising anti-Muslim hatred

An Egyptian police officer was wounded and seven suspected militants were killed Thursday in a firefight and raid in the capital Cairo, the interior ministry said.

Militants "opened fire" on security forces at a checkpoint on the southern part of the city's ring road, leaving one officer wounded and three attackers dead, the ministry said.

"The militants driving a pick-up truck disguised in electricians' work clothes were planning a hostile act planting a bomb in Giza," the statement said.&nbsp;

An explosive device, guns and electric cables were found in the truck, the ministry said.

Checkpoints had been set up in response to intelligence that militants "had been planning a series of attacks with the aim of sowing chaos".

Traffic was clear along the southern Giza Ring Road on Thursday morning, an AFP photographer said.

Four other suspected militants were killed in a raid on an apartment in the southern outskirts of Cairo, where bomb-making material and weapons were found, the interior ministry said.

The government said those killed in both incidents were part of the militant Hasm group, an armed affiliate of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

Authorities led a crackdown on Brotherhood members after the military overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, jailing many supporters on terror charges.

The Hasm group emerged in 2016 and has in the past claimed responsibility for several attacks including those against judges and police officers.

Egypt has been battling an insurgency since President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power in 2014.

A military offensive launched last February against the Islamic State group in the Sinai Peninsula has killed more than 550 suspected jihadists and around 50 soldiers, according to official figures.

An Egyptian police officer was wounded and seven suspected militants were killed Thursday in a firefight and raid in the capital Cairo, the interior ministry said.

An Egyptian police officer was wounded and seven suspected militants were killed Thursday in a firefight and raid in the capital Cairo, the interior ministry said. Militants "opened fire" on security forces at a checkpoint on the southern part of the city's ring road, leaving one officer wounded and three attackers dead, the ministry said. "The militants driving a pick-up truck disguised in electricians' work clothes were planning a hostile act planting a bomb in Giza," the statement said. An explosive device, guns and electric cables were found in the truck, the ministry said. Checkpoints had been set up in response to intelligence that militants "had been planning a series of attacks with the aim of sowing chaos". Traffic was clear along the southern Giza Ring Road on Thursday morning, an AFP photographer said. Four other suspected militants were killed in a raid on an apartment in the southern outskirts of Cairo, where bomb-making material and weapons were found, the interior ministry said. The government said those killed in both incidents were part of the militant Hasm group, an armed affiliate of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Authorities led a crackdown on Brotherhood members after the military overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, jailing many supporters on terror charges. The Hasm group emerged in 2016 and has in the past claimed responsibility for several attacks including those against judges and police officers. Egypt has been battling an insurgency since President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power in 2014. A military offensive launched last February against the Islamic State group in the Sinai Peninsula has killed more than 550 suspected jihadists and around 50 soldiers, according to official figures.

Seven militants dead after firefight, raid in Egypt's capital: Interior ministry

Dozens killed and injured in crash and fire at Cairo train station

At least 20 people were killed and 43 injured when a locomotive smashed through the buffers at the main train station in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Wednesday, the health minister said.

Transport Minister Hisham Arafat resigned after the incident, the cabinet said in a statement. State television said authorities had arrested the train driver. 
Footage circulating on social media from a security camera inside the Ramses station showed the train failing to stop as it arrived at platform six, smashing through the buffers and a metal end railing and exploding into a huge ball of fire.

Passengers carrying luggage ran for their lives as the fire spread, and several people were running covered in flames, witnesses said.

The health minister, Hala Zayed, said authorities had not been able to identify many of the 20 bodies recovered because they were too badly burned.

Witness Ibrahim Hussein said: "I saw a man pointing from the locomotive as it entered the platform, and screaming `There are no brakes! There are no brakes!`, before he jumped out of the locomotive. And I don`t know what happened to him."&nbsp;

Security sources said there was no indication that the crash was deliberate. The transport minister said the train`s diesel tank had exploded.

Egypt has one of the oldest and largest rail networks in the region and accidents causing casualties are common. A train collision in Alexandria killed more than 40 people in 2017.&nbsp;

Egyptians have long complained that successive governments have failed to enforce basic safety standards for the railways.

The fire sent smoke billowing above the station. Inside, the train`s charred engine could be seen tilted to one side next to a platform.

INVESTIGATION

Bystander Mina Ghaly added: "I was standing on the platform and I saw the train speed into the barrier ... Everyone started running but a lot of people died after the locomotive exploded.

"I saw at least nine corpses lying on the ground, charred."&nbsp;

Zayed said that as well as the 20 killed, 43 people were injured, 15 of whom had been released after treatment. State television earlier put the death toll at 25 and said 50 were injured.

Ahmed Youssef, a doctor at Al Helal hospital, close to the station, said more than 20 injured had been admitted, most of them in serious condition.&nbsp;

Witness Ahmed Abdeltawab said the platform had been crowded with passengers waiting for another train and people fled in flames.&nbsp;

"The fire overwhelmed them and they ran while they were on fire until they fell metres from the incident," he said. "The scene was terrifying."

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, announced from the station that the incident would be investigated and anyone found responsible would be held to account.&nbsp;

Student Ali Ramadan said he had suffered burns and injured his foot when he ran into a concrete bench on the platform.&nbsp;

"I don`t know when these train accidents will end ... They told us they got millions of dollars` worth of new locomotives and trains, and people are still dying because of train accidents," he said.

The Transport Ministry briefly suspended all arrivals and departures at the station before reopening all platforms except the one where the crash happened.

At least 20 people were killed and 43 injured when a locomotive smashed through the buffers at the main train station in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Wednesday, the health minister said.

At least 20 people were killed and 43 injured when a locomotive smashed through the buffers at the main train station in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Wednesday, the health minister said. Transport Minister Hisham Arafat resigned after the incident, the cabinet said in a statement. State television said authorities had arrested the train driver. Footage circulating on social media from a security camera inside the Ramses station showed the train failing to stop as it arrived at platform six, smashing through the buffers and a metal end railing and exploding into a huge ball of fire. Passengers carrying luggage ran for their lives as the fire spread, and several people were running covered in flames, witnesses said. The health minister, Hala Zayed, said authorities had not been able to identify many of the 20 bodies recovered because they were too badly burned. Witness Ibrahim Hussein said: "I saw a man pointing from the locomotive as it entered the platform, and screaming `There are no brakes! There are no brakes!`, before he jumped out of the locomotive. And I don`t know what happened to him." Security sources said there was no indication that the crash was deliberate. The transport minister said the train`s diesel tank had exploded. Egypt has one of the oldest and largest rail networks in the region and accidents causing casualties are common. A train collision in Alexandria killed more than 40 people in 2017. Egyptians have long complained that successive governments have failed to enforce basic safety standards for the railways. The fire sent smoke billowing above the station. Inside, the train`s charred engine could be seen tilted to one side next to a platform. INVESTIGATION Bystander Mina Ghaly added: "I was standing on the platform and I saw the train speed into the barrier ... Everyone started running but a lot of people died after the locomotive exploded. "I saw at least nine corpses lying on the ground, charred." Zayed said that as well as the 20 killed, 43 people were injured, 15 of whom had been released after treatment. State television earlier put the death toll at 25 and said 50 were injured. Ahmed Youssef, a doctor at Al Helal hospital, close to the station, said more than 20 injured had been admitted, most of them in serious condition. Witness Ahmed Abdeltawab said the platform had been crowded with passengers waiting for another train and people fled in flames. "The fire overwhelmed them and they ran while they were on fire until they fell metres from the incident," he said. "The scene was terrifying." Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, announced from the station that the incident would be investigated and anyone found responsible would be held to account. Student Ali Ramadan said he had suffered burns and injured his foot when he ran into a concrete bench on the platform. "I don`t know when these train accidents will end ... They told us they got millions of dollars` worth of new locomotives and trains, and people are still dying because of train accidents," he said. The Transport Ministry briefly suspended all arrivals and departures at the station before reopening all platforms except the one where the crash happened.

At least 20 killed, 43 injured in crash and fire at Cairo train station

The death toll from a suicide bombing in the Egyptian capital rose to three on Tuesday after an officer who was gravely injured in the attack succumbed to his wounds, a security official told EFE.&nbsp;

The third policeman died hours after a suspect being chased by the police blew himself up in Cairo's al-Darb al-Ahmar neighbourhood, near al-Azhar mosque, late on Monday.

According to the Interior Ministry, the blast left another two members of the security forces injured.

The authorities identified the suicide bomber as foreign national Hassan Abdullah, 37, but gave no further details about his nationality.

Police had previously identified the man as the perpetrator of an attempted bombing last Friday at al-Istiqama mosque in the western part of Cairo, just as worshippers were leaving following noon prayers, the ministry said in a statement.

Egypt's state television aired footage of police chasing the suicide bomber, who was riding a bike. The assailant detonated his explosive device once he was detained by police.&nbsp;

Following the attack, police forces cordoned off the area to search for other possible explosive devices planted around the scene.

No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion so far.

On Jan. 5, a police officer died as he tried to deactivate a bomb discovered near a Christian church in Cairo just two days ahead of the Coptic Christmas.

That incident came a week after the deaths of three Vietnamese tourists and their Egyptian guide when a bomb went off a tour bus en route to the Giza Pyramids on the outskirts of the capital.

The Giza blast was Egypt's first attack against tourists using explosives since late 2015, when a bomb blew a Russian airliner out of the skies above Sinai, killing all 224 people aboard.

Egypt responded to the Giza incident with raids near Cairo and in Sinai that resulted in the deaths of 40 suspected extremists.

This nation of nearly 100,000 people has been under a state of emergency since April 2017, following a series of terrorist attacks against Coptic Christian churches in the Nile delta.

The Egyptian affiliate of Islamic State has claimed responsibility for most of the terrorist activity in the country during the last five years.

The death toll from a suicide bombing in the Egyptian capital rose to three on Tuesday after an officer who was gravely injured in the attack succumbed to his wounds, a security official told EFE.

The death toll from a suicide bombing in the Egyptian capital rose to three on Tuesday after an officer who was gravely injured in the attack succumbed to his wounds, a security official told EFE. The third policeman died hours after a suspect being chased by the police blew himself up in Cairo's al-Darb al-Ahmar neighbourhood, near al-Azhar mosque, late on Monday. According to the Interior Ministry, the blast left another two members of the security forces injured. The authorities identified the suicide bomber as foreign national Hassan Abdullah, 37, but gave no further details about his nationality. Police had previously identified the man as the perpetrator of an attempted bombing last Friday at al-Istiqama mosque in the western part of Cairo, just as worshippers were leaving following noon prayers, the ministry said in a statement. Egypt's state television aired footage of police chasing the suicide bomber, who was riding a bike. The assailant detonated his explosive device once he was detained by police. Following the attack, police forces cordoned off the area to search for other possible explosive devices planted around the scene. No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion so far. On Jan. 5, a police officer died as he tried to deactivate a bomb discovered near a Christian church in Cairo just two days ahead of the Coptic Christmas. That incident came a week after the deaths of three Vietnamese tourists and their Egyptian guide when a bomb went off a tour bus en route to the Giza Pyramids on the outskirts of the capital. The Giza blast was Egypt's first attack against tourists using explosives since late 2015, when a bomb blew a Russian airliner out of the skies above Sinai, killing all 224 people aboard. Egypt responded to the Giza incident with raids near Cairo and in Sinai that resulted in the deaths of 40 suspected extremists. This nation of nearly 100,000 people has been under a state of emergency since April 2017, following a series of terrorist attacks against Coptic Christian churches in the Nile delta. The Egyptian affiliate of Islamic State has claimed responsibility for most of the terrorist activity in the country during the last five years.

At least 3 policemen killed in Cairo suicide bomb attack

EgyptAir has resumed air freight service to New York after a three-year halt following the downing of a Russian airliner over the Sinai Peninsula in an Islamist bomb attack, a source at the flagship carrier said on Thursday.

"<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-israel-officially-quit-unesco-187809&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwivq9zi1_TfAhUPfCsKHariAWEQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ryCrvUzdakUknCxnmwWAh">(The United States)</a> was apprehensive after the incident, and this may be normal for it, but security procedures and precautions are greater now. It saw there is no (more) need for it (suspension of air freight)," the source told Reuters.

A bomb spirited aboard the Russian airliner brought it down in Sinai in October 2015, killing all 224 on board. The attack prompted Russia to halt all flights to Egypt and Britain to cease flights to Sinai.

EgyptAir resumed taking freight on its commercial flights to New York on Wednesday, the source said. There would be one freight-bearing flight each day of the week with a capacity of 10-15 tonnes of cargo per flight.

He said EgyptAir also had preliminary plans to start freight service to Washington DC.

EgyptAir had continued US-bound flights carrying passenger luggage throughout the suspension of freight service.

Sources told Reuters last year that US authorities had suspended cargo transports due to a lack of confidence in security measures at Cairo airport.

EgyptAir has resumed air freight service to New York after a three-year halt following the downing of a Russian airliner over the Sinai Peninsula in an Islamist bomb attack, a source at the flagship carrier said on Thursday.

EgyptAir has resumed air freight service to New York after a three-year halt following the downing of a Russian airliner over the Sinai Peninsula in an Islamist bomb attack, a source at the flagship carrier said on Thursday. "(The United States) was apprehensive after the incident, and this may be normal for it, but security procedures and precautions are greater now. It saw there is no (more) need for it (suspension of air freight)," the source told Reuters. A bomb spirited aboard the Russian airliner brought it down in Sinai in October 2015, killing all 224 on board. The attack prompted Russia to halt all flights to Egypt and Britain to cease flights to Sinai. EgyptAir resumed taking freight on its commercial flights to New York on Wednesday, the source said. There would be one freight-bearing flight each day of the week with a capacity of 10-15 tonnes of cargo per flight. He said EgyptAir also had preliminary plans to start freight service to Washington DC. EgyptAir had continued US-bound flights carrying passenger luggage throughout the suspension of freight service. Sources told Reuters last year that US authorities had suspended cargo transports due to a lack of confidence in security measures at Cairo airport.

Egypt resumes air freight service to United States after 2015 halt

An Egyptian police officer was killed on Saturday while attempting to defuse a bomb found near a church in an eastern Cairo suburb, state television reported, less than two days before Egypt's Christians celebrate the Coptic Christmas.

The device was one of two found inside a bag on a nearby rooftop, three security sources and state media reported.

Two policemen and an onlooker were also injured when the device exploded, the security sources said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Egyptian security forces have for years battled Islamist insurgents who have attacked Coptic Christians, tourists and security personnel.

An Egyptian police officer was killed on Saturday while attempting to defuse a bomb found near a church in an eastern Cairo suburb, state television reported, less than two days before Egypt's Christians celebrate the Coptic Christmas.

An Egyptian police officer was killed on Saturday while attempting to defuse a bomb found near a church in an eastern Cairo suburb, state television reported, less than two days before Egypt's Christians celebrate the Coptic Christmas. The device was one of two found inside a bag on a nearby rooftop, three security sources and state media reported. Two policemen and an onlooker were also injured when the device exploded, the security sources said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Egyptian security forces have for years battled Islamist insurgents who have attacked Coptic Christians, tourists and security personnel.

Security tight near Cairo church after explosives expert killed defusing bomb

According to reports, South Sudan officials have communicated its military chief's death during a visit to Egypt. General James Ajongo was reported to have been suffering from a "short illness" and passed away on Friday.&nbsp

Ajongo took over as South Sudan's military chief almost a year ago after ex-chief Paul Malong was fired and put under house arrest.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the untimely death of Gen. James Ajongo Mawut, SPLA army’s chief of defence force,” government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth said.

As per reports, a regional bloc seeks to put to an end to the five-year civil war in the country. A new round of peace talks is expected in May&nbsp

Military chief's death is likely to mount pressure on South Sudan President Salva Kiir to take measures with respect to his fragile coalition in power.

South Sudan, which obtained independence from Sudan in 2011 and is the world’s youngest nation, has been mired in civil war since 2013 when Kiir fired his deputy Riek Machar.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp

Military chief's death is likely to mount pressure on South Sudan President Salva Kiir

According to reports, South Sudan officials have communicated its military chief's death during a visit to Egypt. General James Ajongo was reported to have been suffering from a "short illness" and passed away on Friday. Ajongo took over as South Sudan's military chief almost a year ago after ex-chief Paul Malong was fired and put under house arrest. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the untimely death of Gen. James Ajongo Mawut, SPLA army’s chief of defence force,” government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth said. As per reports, a regional bloc seeks to put to an end to the five-year civil war in the country. A new round of peace talks is expected in May Military chief's death is likely to mount pressure on South Sudan President Salva Kiir to take measures with respect to his fragile coalition in power. South Sudan, which obtained independence from Sudan in 2011 and is the world’s youngest nation, has been mired in civil war since 2013 when Kiir fired his deputy Riek Machar. (With inputs from Reuters)

South Sudan says military chief has died in Egypt 

A masked gunman shot dead two Christian brothers at their alcohol shop south of Cairo on Monday, security sources said.

The incident took place just days after attacks on a Coptic church and another Christian-owned shop also south of the Egyptian capital that killed more than 10 people, as security forces brace for attacks against the Arab world&#39;s largest Christian minority ahead of Orthodox Christmas celebrations.

The gunman used a rifle in the attack, shooting at the shop from outside after pulling up on a motorcycle, two security sources said. The attacker fled the scene afterwards.

An image on social media showed the body of what purported to be one of the victims, covered in blood from the waist down.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Islamic State claimed Friday&#39;s attack on a Coptic church in Helwan, east of Giza on Cairo&#39;s outskirts and on the opposite side of the Nile river.

Egypt&#39;s large Christian minority has increasingly been targeted in recent years by Islamist militants including Islamic State, which is waging an insurgency in the north of the remote Sinai Peninsula.

Sale and consumption of alcohol in Egypt is legal, and it is sold in specialist shops or licensed premises. Some Islamists say it should be banned because it is forbidden by Islam.

A masked gunman shot dead two Christian brothers at their alcohol shop south of Cairo on Monday, security sources said. The incident took place just days after attacks on a Coptic church and another Christian-owned shop also south of the Egyptian capital that killed more than 10 people, as security forces brace for attacks against the Arab world's largest Christian minority ahead of Orthodox Christmas celebrations. The gunman used a rifle in the attack, shooting at the shop from outside after pulling up on a motorcycle, two security sources said. The attacker fled the scene afterwards. An image on social media showed the body of what purported to be one of the victims, covered in blood from the waist down. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Islamic State claimed Friday's attack on a Coptic church in Helwan, east of Giza on Cairo's outskirts and on the opposite side of the Nile river. Egypt's large Christian minority has increasingly been targeted in recent years by Islamist militants including Islamic State, which is waging an insurgency in the north of the remote Sinai Peninsula. Sale and consumption of alcohol in Egypt is legal, and it is sold in specialist shops or licensed premises. Some Islamists say it should be banned because it is forbidden by Islam.

Gunman kills two Christians at their alcohol store south of Cairo: Security sources

After the Indian cricketer took to Twitter, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/shikhar-dhawan-slams-airline-for-not-allowing-his-family-onboard-28076">slamming Emirates airline&nbsp;for causing inconvenience to his family</a>, the airlines issued an official statement.

Emirates stated that all passengers must adhere to the travelling regulations of the countries in which the airline operates.

The statement noted that passengers must carry relevant documents while travelling abroad.&nbsp;

&quot;Since 1 June 2015, according to South African regulations, anyone travelling to the country with a minor under 18 needs to prove parenthood or guardianship - while adults travelling alone with their children need to show that they have the consent of their non-travelling partner,&quot; Emirates noted in an official response.

&quot;Like all airlines, we must comply with the laws of every country in which we operate and this is a shared responsibility with passengers, who are required to hold valid travel documents for all countries on their itinerary,&quot; the statement further read.

The 32-year-old opening batsman tweeted and complained that his wife and child were not allowed aboard at the Dubai airport.&nbsp;

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We&#39;re sorry to hear this, Shikhar. We&#39;d like to find out more on a private message. Please include your booking reference or e-ticket numbers starting in 176. <a href="https://t.co/67ooSY3Pnf">https://t.co/67ooSY3Pnf</a>
&mdash; Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmiratesSupport/status/946665505276026880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Absolutely unprofessional from @emirates. Was on my way 2 SA with my fam &amp; was told that my wife and kids can&#39;t board the flight from Dubai to SA. Was asked to produce birth certificates &amp; other documents for my kids at the airport which we obviously didn&#39;t have at that moment,&quot; he tweeted.&nbsp;

Dhawan was travelling to South Africa along with his family for Team India&#39;s 56-day tour of South Africa.

India will play a series of three Tests, six ODIs and three T20s against South Africa.&nbsp;

The first Test match will be played on January 5 in Cape Town.

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

After the Indian cricketer took to Twitter, slamming Emirates airline for causing inconvenience to his family, the airlines issued an official statement. Emirates stated that all passengers must adhere to the travelling regulations of the countries in which the airline operates. The statement noted that passengers must carry relevant documents while travelling abroad. "Since 1 June 2015, according to South African regulations, anyone travelling to the country with a minor under 18 needs to prove parenthood or guardianship - while adults travelling alone with their children need to show that they have the consent of their non-travelling partner," Emirates noted in an official response. "Like all airlines, we must comply with the laws of every country in which we operate and this is a shared responsibility with passengers, who are required to hold valid travel documents for all countries on their itinerary," the statement further read. The 32-year-old opening batsman tweeted and complained that his wife and child were not allowed aboard at the Dubai airport. We're sorry to hear this, Shikhar. We'd like to find out more on a private message. Please include your booking reference or e-ticket numbers starting in 176. https://t.co/67ooSY3Pnf — Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) December 29, 2017 × "Absolutely unprofessional from @emirates. Was on my way 2 SA with my fam & was told that my wife and kids can't board the flight from Dubai to SA. Was asked to produce birth certificates & other documents for my kids at the airport which we obviously didn't have at that moment," he tweeted. Dhawan was travelling to South Africa along with his family for Team India's 56-day tour of South Africa. India will play a series of three Tests, six ODIs and three T20s against South Africa. The first Test match will be played on January 5 in Cape Town. (With inputs from ANI)

WION Morning News brief, 30 December 2017

A Coptic church south of Cairo was attacked by a gunman who opened fire and wounded nearly five security guards on Friday.

The shooting began at around 10.30 am and carried out for nearly 15 minutes.&nbsp;

The gunman was shot dead by the policemen.

At least 10 people were killed, including the attacker, confirmed Egypt&#39;s Health Ministry.&nbsp;

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Terrorist attacks church near Cairo, shot dead: AFP <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Egypt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Egypt</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946679116660535296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;A picture of the alleged gunman&#39;s corpse published on the official Al-Ahram newspaper`s website showed a bearded man wearing a bulky ammunition vest sprawled on a street,&quot; noted AFP.&nbsp;

According to a Reuters report, &quot;the attacker had first fired at a shop 4 km (3 miles) away, killing two people, before proceeding to the Mar Mina church in the southern suburb of Helwan, where he opened fire and tried to throw an explosive device.&quot;

The Islamic State had previously claimed responsibility for multiple bombings and shootings over the past year.

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Egypt&#39;s Health Ministry spokesman says 10 people killed including a gunman in attack outside Cairo church: AP
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946702708563615744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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IS&#39;s affiliate in the country carried out multiple attacks in 2017, killing dozens of Christians.

An investigation has been launched into the incident.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The gunman had opened fire outside the church, wounding five security guards

A Coptic church south of Cairo was attacked by a gunman who opened fire and wounded nearly five security guards on Friday. The shooting began at around 10.30 am and carried out for nearly 15 minutes. The gunman was shot dead by the policemen. At least 10 people were killed, including the attacker, confirmed Egypt's Health Ministry. Terrorist attacks church near Cairo, shot dead: AFP #Egypt — ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2017 × "A picture of the alleged gunman's corpse published on the official Al-Ahram newspaper`s website showed a bearded man wearing a bulky ammunition vest sprawled on a street," noted AFP. According to a Reuters report, "the attacker had first fired at a shop 4 km (3 miles) away, killing two people, before proceeding to the Mar Mina church in the southern suburb of Helwan, where he opened fire and tried to throw an explosive device." The Islamic State had previously claimed responsibility for multiple bombings and shootings over the past year. Egypt's Health Ministry spokesman says 10 people killed including a gunman in attack outside Cairo church: AP — ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2017 × IS's affiliate in the country carried out multiple attacks in 2017, killing dozens of Christians. An investigation has been launched into the incident. (With inputs from agencies)

Cairo: Gunman attacks church, shot dead by police

Amnesty International on Thursday condemned a draft bill in the Egyptian parliament that would criminalise homosexuality, in what the rights group called an &quot;unprecedented homophobic crackdown&quot;.

The bill lays jail terms of between one and three years for first-time offenders, whether the act takes place in public or a private place. Repeat offenders would receive five years.

&quot;This deeply discriminatory bill would be a huge setback for human rights and another nail in the coffin for sexual rights in Egypt,&quot; said Najia Bounaim, North Africa campaigns director at Amnesty.

Amnesty said that &quot;for more than a month now the Egyptian authorities have waged a vicious crackdown targeting LGBTI people in the country.&quot;

Despite homosexuality not yet being illegal in the North African country, the number of arrests of suspects has been mounting.

The crackdown comes after an open-air concert in Cairo on September 22 by Lebanese band Mashrou&#39; Leila, when the flag representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community was raised.

Thirty-one people have been arrested since the concert, 10 directly linked with the event, according to judicial and security officials.

Amnesty said the number was more than 70 people, some of whom had been subjected to anal examinations.

On November 19, a Cairo court is to rule on 17 defendants held on charges of &quot;sexual debauchery&quot;, the official term often used in Egypt for homosexuality.

The bill lays jail terms of between one and three years for first-time offenders, whether the act takes place in public or private. Repeat offenders would get five years

Amnesty International on Thursday condemned a draft bill in the Egyptian parliament that would criminalise homosexuality, in what the rights group called an "unprecedented homophobic crackdown". The bill lays jail terms of between one and three years for first-time offenders, whether the act takes place in public or a private place. Repeat offenders would receive five years. "This deeply discriminatory bill would be a huge setback for human rights and another nail in the coffin for sexual rights in Egypt," said Najia Bounaim, North Africa campaigns director at Amnesty. Amnesty said that "for more than a month now the Egyptian authorities have waged a vicious crackdown targeting LGBTI people in the country." Despite homosexuality not yet being illegal in the North African country, the number of arrests of suspects has been mounting. The crackdown comes after an open-air concert in Cairo on September 22 by Lebanese band Mashrou' Leila, when the flag representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community was raised. Thirty-one people have been arrested since the concert, 10 directly linked with the event, according to judicial and security officials. Amnesty said the number was more than 70 people, some of whom had been subjected to anal examinations. On November 19, a Cairo court is to rule on 17 defendants held on charges of "sexual debauchery", the official term often used in Egypt for homosexuality.

Egypt bill looks to criminalise homosexuality

Archaeologists from Egypt and Germany have found a massive eight-meter statue submerged in ground water in a Cairo slum that they say probably depicts revered Pharaoh Ramses II, who ruled Egypt more than 3,000 years ago.

The discovery, hailed by the Antiquities Ministry as one of the most important ever, was made near the ruins of Ramses II&#39;s temple in the ancient city of Heliopolis, located in the eastern part of modern-day Cairo.

&quot;Last Tuesday they called me to announce the big discovery of a colossus of a king, most probably Ramses II, made out of quartzite,&quot; Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani told Reuters on Thursday at the site of the statue&#39;s unveiling.

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A statue workers say depicts Pharaoh Ramses II who ruled Egypt over 3,000 years was unearthed on Thursday in the Matariya area. (Reuters)
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The most powerful and celebrated ruler of ancient Egypt, the pharaoh also known as Ramses the Great was the third of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt and ruled from 1279 to 1213 BCE.

He led several military expeditions and expanded the Egyptian Empire to stretch from Syria in the east to Nubia in the south. His successors called him the &quot;Great Ancestor&quot;.

&quot;We found the bust of the statue and the lower part of the head and now we removed the head and we found the crown and the right ear and a fragment of the right eye,&quot; Anani said.

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The sun temple in Heliopolis was founded by Ramses II, lending weight to the likelihood the statue is of him, archaeologists say. (Reuters)
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On Thursday, archaeologists, officials, local residents, and members of the news media looked on as a massive forklift pulled the statue&#39;s head out of the water.

The joint Egyptian-German expedition also found the upper part of a life-sized limestone statue of Pharaoh Seti II, Ramses II&#39;s grandson, that is 80 centimeters long.

The sun temple in Heliopolis was founded by Ramses II, lending weight to the likelihood the statue is of him, archaeologists say.

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Egyptian workers prepare to lift parts of the statue. (Reuters)
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It was one of the largest temples in Egypt, almost double the size of Luxor&#39;s Karnak, but was destroyed in Greco-Roman times. Many of its obelisks were moved to Alexandria or to Europe and stones from the site were looted and used for building as Cairo developed.

Experts will now attempt to extract the remaining pieces of both statues before restoring them. If they are successful and the colossus is proven to depict Ramses II, it will be moved to the entrance of the Grand Egyptian Museum, set to open in 2018.

Creation site

The discovery was made in the working class area of Matariya, among unfinished buildings and mud roads.

Dietrich Raue, head of the expedition&#39;s German team, told Reuters that ancient Egyptians believed Heliopolis was the place where the sun god lives, meaning it was off-limits for any royal residences.

&quot;The sun god created the world in Heliopolis, in Matariya. That&#39;s what I always tell the people here when they say is there anything important. According to the pharaonic belief, the world was created in Matariya,&quot; Raue said.

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Matariya residents rest against what appears to be the head of the unearthed statue. (Reuters)
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&quot;That means everything had to be built here. Statues, temples, obelisks, everything. But ... the king never lived in Matariya, because it was the sun god living here.&quot;

The find could be a boon for Egypt&#39;s tourism industry, which has suffered many setbacks since the uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011 but remains a vital source of foreign currency. The number of tourists visiting Egypt slumped to 9.8 million in 2011 from more than 14.7 million in 2010.

A bomb attack that brought down a Russian plane carrying 224 people from a Red Sea resort in October 2015 further hit arrivals, which dropped to 1.2 million in the first quarter of 2016 from 2.2 million a year earlier.

(Reuters)

The expedition also found the upper part of a 80 centimetres long limestone statue of Pharaoh Seti II, Ramses II's grandson

Archaeologists from Egypt and Germany have found a massive eight-meter statue submerged in ground water in a Cairo slum that they say probably depicts revered Pharaoh Ramses II, who ruled Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. The discovery, hailed by the Antiquities Ministry as one of the most important ever, was made near the ruins of Ramses II's temple in the ancient city of Heliopolis, located in the eastern part of modern-day Cairo. "Last Tuesday they called me to announce the big discovery of a colossus of a king, most probably Ramses II, made out of quartzite," Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani told Reuters on Thursday at the site of the statue's unveiling. A statue workers say depicts Pharaoh Ramses II who ruled Egypt over 3,000 years was unearthed on Thursday in the Matariya area. (Reuters) × The most powerful and celebrated ruler of ancient Egypt, the pharaoh also known as Ramses the Great was the third of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt and ruled from 1279 to 1213 BCE. He led several military expeditions and expanded the Egyptian Empire to stretch from Syria in the east to Nubia in the south. His successors called him the "Great Ancestor". "We found the bust of the statue and the lower part of the head and now we removed the head and we found the crown and the right ear and a fragment of the right eye," Anani said. The sun temple in Heliopolis was founded by Ramses II, lending weight to the likelihood the statue is of him, archaeologists say. (Reuters) × On Thursday, archaeologists, officials, local residents, and members of the news media looked on as a massive forklift pulled the statue's head out of the water. The joint Egyptian-German expedition also found the upper part of a life-sized limestone statue of Pharaoh Seti II, Ramses II's grandson, that is 80 centimeters long. The sun temple in Heliopolis was founded by Ramses II, lending weight to the likelihood the statue is of him, archaeologists say. Egyptian workers prepare to lift parts of the statue. (Reuters) × It was one of the largest temples in Egypt, almost double the size of Luxor's Karnak, but was destroyed in Greco-Roman times. Many of its obelisks were moved to Alexandria or to Europe and stones from the site were looted and used for building as Cairo developed. Experts will now attempt to extract the remaining pieces of both statues before restoring them. If they are successful and the colossus is proven to depict Ramses II, it will be moved to the entrance of the Grand Egyptian Museum, set to open in 2018. Creation site The discovery was made in the working class area of Matariya, among unfinished buildings and mud roads. Dietrich Raue, head of the expedition's German team, told Reuters that ancient Egyptians believed Heliopolis was the place where the sun god lives, meaning it was off-limits for any royal residences. "The sun god created the world in Heliopolis, in Matariya. That's what I always tell the people here when they say is there anything important. According to the pharaonic belief, the world was created in Matariya," Raue said. Matariya residents rest against what appears to be the head of the unearthed statue. (Reuters) × "That means everything had to be built here. Statues, temples, obelisks, everything. But ... the king never lived in Matariya, because it was the sun god living here." The find could be a boon for Egypt's tourism industry, which has suffered many setbacks since the uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011 but remains a vital source of foreign currency. The number of tourists visiting Egypt slumped to 9.8 million in 2011 from more than 14.7 million in 2010. A bomb attack that brought down a Russian plane carrying 224 people from a Red Sea resort in October 2015 further hit arrivals, which dropped to 1.2 million in the first quarter of 2016 from 2.2 million a year earlier. (Reuters)

Egyptian-German archaeologists may have found  statue of Ramses II

National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) is a new addition to the list of Egypt&rsquo;s museums.&nbsp;

As part of the International Campaign for the Establishment of the Nubia Museum in Aswan and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, UNESCO has paired with the Egyptian government on the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Cairo.&nbsp;

Recently inaugurated in the ancient Fustat city, location of the original city of Cairo, NMEC will become the first museum devoted entirely to&nbsp;Egyptian civilization. Though it was conceptualised much earlier, the museum was put on hold because of the 2011 revolution.&nbsp;

The expansive Museum is spread across 25-acres and is home to more than 50,000 artefacts. The premises also includes the ancient Ain Basira natural lake.&nbsp;

It promises to offer a narrative that will give the viewers an entry into the the roots and origin of one of the world&rsquo;s first civilisations. The NMEC will showcase Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to the present day, using a multidisciplinary approach that highlights the country&rsquo;s tangible and intangible heritage.&nbsp;

Historically, Egypt has influenced several world cultures, providing building blocks for Greek and Roman culture, and, through them, influenced all of the Western tradition, as per Khan academy.&nbsp;

NMEC has been designed by Egyptian architect El Ghazzali Kosseiba. The exhibition spaces are being designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. For those who are looking to explore the museum, it is right behind the famous Amr Ibn El Aas Mosque. Entry and photography is free for everyone until the end of February, after which entry will be set at EGP 30 for Egyptians and EGP 60 for foreigners, according to the Museum&rsquo;s Facebook page.&nbsp;

These are some pictures from the Museum:&nbsp;

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National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (Facebook)
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National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (Facebook)
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National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (Facebook)
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National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (Facebook)
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National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (Facebook)
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National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (Facebook)
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(WION)

The museum is house to more than 50,000 artefacts and the ancient natural lake of Ain Basira

National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) is a new addition to the list of Egypt’s museums. As part of the International Campaign for the Establishment of the Nubia Museum in Aswan and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, UNESCO has paired with the Egyptian government on the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Cairo. Recently inaugurated in the ancient Fustat city, location of the original city of Cairo, NMEC will become the first museum devoted entirely to Egyptian civilization. Though it was conceptualised much earlier, the museum was put on hold because of the 2011 revolution. The expansive Museum is spread across 25-acres and is home to more than 50,000 artefacts. The premises also includes the ancient Ain Basira natural lake. It promises to offer a narrative that will give the viewers an entry into the the roots and origin of one of the world’s first civilisations. The NMEC will showcase Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to the present day, using a multidisciplinary approach that highlights the country’s tangible and intangible heritage. Historically, Egypt has influenced several world cultures, providing building blocks for Greek and Roman culture, and, through them, influenced all of the Western tradition, as per Khan academy. NMEC has been designed by Egyptian architect El Ghazzali Kosseiba. The exhibition spaces are being designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. For those who are looking to explore the museum, it is right behind the famous Amr Ibn El Aas Mosque. Entry and photography is free for everyone until the end of February, after which entry will be set at EGP 30 for Egyptians and EGP 60 for foreigners, according to the Museum’s Facebook page. These are some pictures from the Museum: National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (Facebook) × National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (Facebook) × National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (Facebook) × National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (Facebook) × National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (Facebook) × National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (Facebook) × (WION)

Inside the newly opened National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation

At least 25&nbsp;people were killed and over 30 injured&nbsp;during&nbsp;Sunday mass inside a Cairo church today.&nbsp;

The explosion took place at St Mark&#39;s Cathedral, main Coptic Christian cathedral, in central Cairo, according to a statement by the Ministry of Health, PTI reported.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.&nbsp;

A bomb was lobbed into a chapel near the cathedral&#39;s outer wall, PTI reported. According to officials, most of the dead are women and children.&nbsp;

The toll is likely to rise, officials said.&nbsp;

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BREAKING VIDEO inside <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/church?src=hash">#church</a> after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BOMB?src=hash">#BOMB</a> blast <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Egypt?src=hash">#Egypt</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cairo?src=hash">#Cairo</a>&rsquo;s main coptic <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Christian?src=hash">#Christian</a> cathedral Saint Marcs <a href="https://t.co/s3vhBr8R7v">pic.twitter.com/s3vhBr8R7v</a>
&mdash; Europe 2424 (@europe2424) <a href="https://twitter.com/europe2424/status/807891740380303360">December 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The attack came two days after six policemen were killed in an attack elsewhere in Cairo.

St Peter&#39;s Church is beside St Mark&#39;s Cathedral, which is the seat of Egypt&#39;s Orthodox Christian church and is home to the office of its spiritual leader, Pope Tawadros II.&nbsp;

The presidency has declared national mourning after the attack.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The incident came two days after six policemen were killed in an attack in Cairo on Friday

At least 25 people were killed and over 30 injured during Sunday mass inside a Cairo church today. The explosion took place at St Mark's Cathedral, main Coptic Christian cathedral, in central Cairo, according to a statement by the Ministry of Health, PTI reported. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. A bomb was lobbed into a chapel near the cathedral's outer wall, PTI reported. According to officials, most of the dead are women and children. The toll is likely to rise, officials said. BREAKING VIDEO inside #church after #BOMB blast #Egypt at #Cairo’s main coptic #Christian cathedral Saint Marcs pic.twitter.com/s3vhBr8R7v — Europe 2424 (@europe2424) December 11, 2016 × The attack came two days after six policemen were killed in an attack elsewhere in Cairo. St Peter's Church is beside St Mark's Cathedral, which is the seat of Egypt's Orthodox Christian church and is home to the office of its spiritual leader, Pope Tawadros II. The presidency has declared national mourning after the attack. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Egypt bomb blast: 25 killed, 30 injured at main Coptic cathedral in Cairo

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