Egypt decided to open the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip for four days starting from Wednesday, the Palestinian embassy in Cairo said in a statement Tuesday.

&quot;The Egyptian authorities decided to open Rafah border crossing for four days, starting from Wednesday and ending on Saturday, for the travel and return of Palestinian citizens in both directions,&quot; the statement said.

Some 160 Palestinians, who were stranded in Cairo&#39;s airport for nearly two weeks after being denied entry to the Gaza Strip, are being allowed to return to the enclave.&nbsp;

The group was stranded in Cairo airport for 13 days after Egypt suddenly closed the border crossing. Egypt had previously said it would temporarily open the Rafah crossing on February 7 for three days, but closed it two days later, on February 9.

The Palestinian embassy in Cairo confirmed the opening of Gaza&#39;s main gateway to the outside world.

Thousands of Gaza residents are on travel lists, most of them medical patients, students and holders of residency permits of other countries. Only a few thousand will make it out in the time allotted.

Egypt has kept Rafah largely sealed off since 2013, after the ouster of Egypt&#39;s elected Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.&nbsp;

The two officials said today the Rafah crossing point will operate starting tomorrow for four days on a humanitarian basis

Egypt decided to open the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip for four days starting from Wednesday, the Palestinian embassy in Cairo said in a statement Tuesday. "The Egyptian authorities decided to open Rafah border crossing for four days, starting from Wednesday and ending on Saturday, for the travel and return of Palestinian citizens in both directions," the statement said. Some 160 Palestinians, who were stranded in Cairo's airport for nearly two weeks after being denied entry to the Gaza Strip, are being allowed to return to the enclave. The group was stranded in Cairo airport for 13 days after Egypt suddenly closed the border crossing. Egypt had previously said it would temporarily open the Rafah crossing on February 7 for three days, but closed it two days later, on February 9. The Palestinian embassy in Cairo confirmed the opening of Gaza's main gateway to the outside world. Thousands of Gaza residents are on travel lists, most of them medical patients, students and holders of residency permits of other countries. Only a few thousand will make it out in the time allotted. Egypt has kept Rafah largely sealed off since 2013, after the ouster of Egypt's elected Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.

Egypt opens border gate to Gaza Strip for four days

Egyptian security forces killed 12 Islamist militants in gun battles and arrested 92 suspects, while airstrikes destroyed dozens of militant targets in Sinai, the army said in a statement carried on state television on Monday.

Based on army statements, around 28 militants have been killed since Friday in the latest offensive to crush insurgents blamed for a string of attacks. The latest statement said airstrikes had hit at least 60 militant targets.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is seeking re-election in March, ordered the armed forces in November to defeat militants within three months after an attack on a mosque killed more than 300 people, the deadliest such incident in the Arab world&#39;s most populous country.

The insurgency poses the greatest challenge to the government in a country that is both the most populous in the Arab World and a main regional ally of the United States.

Sisi was elected for his first term in 2014 after the army ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi following mass protests against his rule.

Around 28 militants have been killed since Friday in the latest offensive to crush insurgents blamed for a string of attacks.

Egyptian security forces killed 12 Islamist militants in gun battles and arrested 92 suspects, while airstrikes destroyed dozens of militant targets in Sinai, the army said in a statement carried on state television on Monday. Based on army statements, around 28 militants have been killed since Friday in the latest offensive to crush insurgents blamed for a string of attacks. The latest statement said airstrikes had hit at least 60 militant targets. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is seeking re-election in March, ordered the armed forces in November to defeat militants within three months after an attack on a mosque killed more than 300 people, the deadliest such incident in the Arab world's most populous country. The insurgency poses the greatest challenge to the government in a country that is both the most populous in the Arab World and a main regional ally of the United States. Sisi was elected for his first term in 2014 after the army ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi following mass protests against his rule.

Egyptian forces hit militants in Sinai

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Monday the United States supports Egypt&#39;s fight against Islamic State but reiterated that it advocated free and fair elections in the Arab country.

Speaking at a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart, Tillerson also said that Washington remained committed to achieving a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, despite President Donald Trump&#39;s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

Tillerson arrived in Egypt at the start of a regional tour amid heightened tensions between Israel and Syria after an Israeli F-16 aircraft was shot down. It also follows a major security operation by the Egyptian military to crush Islamist militants who have killed hundreds of people since 2013.

&quot;We agreed we would continue our close cooperation on counterterrorism measures,&quot; Tillerson said.

&quot;The Egyptian people should be confident that the US commitment to continue to support Egypt in fight against terrorism and bringing security to Egyptian people is steadfast.&quot;

The Egyptian military campaign comes ahead of presidential election in March, in which President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seeking a second term in office.

Asked about the Tillerson said the United States supports a credible, transparent election in Egypt and Libya.

&quot;We have always advocated for free and fair elections, transparent elections not just in Egypt but in any country,&quot; Tillerson said.

&quot;The US is always going to advocate for electoral process that respects rights of citizens,&quot; he told journalists, adding that the United States was also keen to continue supporting Egypt in its economic recovery. 
&nbsp;

Tillerson also said that Washington remained committed to achieving a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, despite President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Monday the United States supports Egypt's fight against Islamic State but reiterated that it advocated free and fair elections in the Arab country. Speaking at a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart, Tillerson also said that Washington remained committed to achieving a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, despite President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Tillerson arrived in Egypt at the start of a regional tour amid heightened tensions between Israel and Syria after an Israeli F-16 aircraft was shot down. It also follows a major security operation by the Egyptian military to crush Islamist militants who have killed hundreds of people since 2013. "We agreed we would continue our close cooperation on counterterrorism measures," Tillerson said. "The Egyptian people should be confident that the US commitment to continue to support Egypt in fight against terrorism and bringing security to Egyptian people is steadfast." The Egyptian military campaign comes ahead of presidential election in March, in which President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seeking a second term in office. Asked about the Tillerson said the United States supports a credible, transparent election in Egypt and Libya. "We have always advocated for free and fair elections, transparent elections not just in Egypt but in any country," Tillerson said. "The US is always going to advocate for electoral process that respects rights of citizens," he told journalists, adding that the United States was also keen to continue supporting Egypt in its economic recovery.

US Secretary of State says Washington backs Egypt in fight against terrorism

As part of its latest security operation, Egypt&#39;s military has reported destroying close to dozens of targets, killing over a dozen of militants and detaining more than 30 suspects in the northern Sinai Peninsula.&nbsp;

According to Egyptian Army spokesman Tamer el-Rifaai vehicles, weapons caches, communications centres and illegal opium fields were targeted in the sweep.

The operation was launched on Friday and targets terrorist agents and organisations.&nbsp;

Egyptian army and police forces have been actively deployed to cover areas like north and central Sinai, the Nile Delta, the Western Desert and the border with Libya.

Militant attacks in Egypt escalated dramatically after President Mohammed Morsi was ousted in the year 2013.&nbsp;

Militant attacks in Egypt escalated dramatically after President Mohammed Morsi was ousted in 2013

As part of its latest security operation, Egypt's military has reported destroying close to dozens of targets, killing over a dozen of militants and detaining more than 30 suspects in the northern Sinai Peninsula. According to Egyptian Army spokesman Tamer el-Rifaai vehicles, weapons caches, communications centres and illegal opium fields were targeted in the sweep. The operation was launched on Friday and targets terrorist agents and organisations. Egyptian army and police forces have been actively deployed to cover areas like north and central Sinai, the Nile Delta, the Western Desert and the border with Libya. Militant attacks in Egypt escalated dramatically after President Mohammed Morsi was ousted in the year 2013.

Egypt: Army reports successes in Sinai operation against militants

Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan has been charged with rape, a judicial source said, following claims by two women that he assaulted them in French hotel rooms in 2009 and 2012.

Ramadan, who was arrested by French police on Wednesday, was charged on Friday with connected charges of rape and rape of a vulnerable person, the source said.

The accused is a Swiss citizen whose grandfather founded Egypt&#39;s Muslim Brotherhood movement.

After two days of questioning by investigators, the 55-year-old Oxford professor was brought before three magistrates who have been assigned to the case, suggesting that he is facing an extensive investigation, judicial sources said.

&quot;If there are other victims in France or elsewhere, they now know that the justice system will respond to what has happened to them,&quot; said Jonas Haddad, lawyer for feminist activist Henda Ayari, the first woman to accuse Ramadan.

Women who have testified anonymously during three months of preliminary investigations might now also file rape complaints, one of the sources said.

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The claims against the prominent scholar, which emerged in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal in the United States, have divided many Muslims, with his legions of fans, as well as his lawyers, saying he is the victim of a smear campaign.

But critics have long suggested that despite Ramadan&#39;s moderate tone as a familiar face on television programmes, he preaches a more radical line when addressing Muslims in Arabic.

Ramadan is the most high-profile figure to be held in France over the sexual assault and harassment claims that have rippled around the world as a result of the &quot;Me Too&quot; campaign.

The married father of four has denied the accusations from the two women.

&#39;Humiliations&#39; 
The first was made by Ayari, a feminist activist who previously practised a conservative strain of Islam. She had described being raped in a book published in 2016, without naming her attacker.

But in October, she said she had decided to name Ramadan publicly as the alleged perpetrator as a result of the &quot;Me Too&quot; campaign, using the French hashtag &quot;Balance Ton Porc&quot; (Expose your pig).

She said Ramadan raped her in his hotel room, telling Le Parisien newspaper: &quot;He choked me so hard that I thought I was going to die.&quot;

She lodged a rape complaint against Ramadan on October 20.

Several days later an unidentified disabled woman, a Muslim convert, also accused the academic of raping her in a hotel room in the southeastern city of Lyon in 2009.

Vanity Fair magazine, which met the woman, said her lawsuit against Ramadan described &quot;blows to the face and body, forced sodomy, rape with an object and various humiliations, including being dragged by the hair to the bathtub and urinated on&quot;.

During three hours of testimony in Paris on Thursday, the woman -- using the pseudonym &quot;Christelle&quot; -- recounted her allegations to the judge in Ramadan&#39;s presence.

She also revealed that Ramadan had a small scar on his groin that would not have been noticed except in the case of close contact, a source said.

Rejecting her testimony, the scholar refused to sign the official summary of the account, sources close to the case said.

&quot;Both sides maintained their positions,&quot; one of the sources said.

&#39;Campaign of lies&#39; 
During three months of investigations since the allegations emerged, police have interviewed dozens of people close to both Ramadan and the two women, and examined email and social media exchanges between them.

In November, Oxford University said Ramadan was taking a leave of absence from his post as professor of contemporary Islamic studies, &quot;by mutual agreement&quot;.

He has also denied allegations in Swiss media of sexual misconduct against teenage girls in the 1980s and 1990s, denouncing them as &quot;a campaign of lies launched by my adversaries&quot;.

Lawyers for Ramadan have accused Ayari of slander and suggested the women colluded to try to disgrace him.&nbsp;

As part of his defence, he has presented investigators with Facebook conversations in which a woman identified as Ayari allegedly made explicit advances towards him in 2014, two years after the alleged rape.

The accusations have sparked heated online debate between supporters of Ramadan, who commands a following of more than two million fans on Facebook, and his opponents.

Despite his leave of absence from Oxford, Ramadan continues to head the Islamic Institute for Ethical Training in France.

Ayari was placed under police protection in November after receiving death threats. 
&nbsp;

Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan has been charged with rape, a judicial source said, following claims by two women that he assaulted them in French hotel rooms in 2009 and 2012. Ramadan, who was arrested by French police on Wednesday, was charged on Friday with connected charges of rape and rape of a vulnerable person, the source said. The accused is a Swiss citizen whose grandfather founded Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood movement. After two days of questioning by investigators, the 55-year-old Oxford professor was brought before three magistrates who have been assigned to the case, suggesting that he is facing an extensive investigation, judicial sources said. "If there are other victims in France or elsewhere, they now know that the justice system will respond to what has happened to them," said Jonas Haddad, lawyer for feminist activist Henda Ayari, the first woman to accuse Ramadan. Women who have testified anonymously during three months of preliminary investigations might now also file rape complaints, one of the sources said. The claims against the prominent scholar, which emerged in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal in the United States, have divided many Muslims, with his legions of fans, as well as his lawyers, saying he is the victim of a smear campaign. But critics have long suggested that despite Ramadan's moderate tone as a familiar face on television programmes, he preaches a more radical line when addressing Muslims in Arabic × The claims against the prominent scholar, which emerged in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal in the United States, have divided many Muslims, with his legions of fans, as well as his lawyers, saying he is the victim of a smear campaign. But critics have long suggested that despite Ramadan's moderate tone as a familiar face on television programmes, he preaches a more radical line when addressing Muslims in Arabic. Ramadan is the most high-profile figure to be held in France over the sexual assault and harassment claims that have rippled around the world as a result of the "Me Too" campaign. The married father of four has denied the accusations from the two women. 'Humiliations' The first was made by Ayari, a feminist activist who previously practised a conservative strain of Islam. She had described being raped in a book published in 2016, without naming her attacker. But in October, she said she had decided to name Ramadan publicly as the alleged perpetrator as a result of the "Me Too" campaign, using the French hashtag "Balance Ton Porc" (Expose your pig). She said Ramadan raped her in his hotel room, telling Le Parisien newspaper: "He choked me so hard that I thought I was going to die." She lodged a rape complaint against Ramadan on October 20. Several days later an unidentified disabled woman, a Muslim convert, also accused the academic of raping her in a hotel room in the southeastern city of Lyon in 2009. Vanity Fair magazine, which met the woman, said her lawsuit against Ramadan described "blows to the face and body, forced sodomy, rape with an object and various humiliations, including being dragged by the hair to the bathtub and urinated on". During three hours of testimony in Paris on Thursday, the woman -- using the pseudonym "Christelle" -- recounted her allegations to the judge in Ramadan's presence. She also revealed that Ramadan had a small scar on his groin that would not have been noticed except in the case of close contact, a source said. Rejecting her testimony, the scholar refused to sign the official summary of the account, sources close to the case said. "Both sides maintained their positions," one of the sources said. 'Campaign of lies' During three months of investigations since the allegations emerged, police have interviewed dozens of people close to both Ramadan and the two women, and examined email and social media exchanges between them. In November, Oxford University said Ramadan was taking a leave of absence from his post as professor of contemporary Islamic studies, "by mutual agreement". He has also denied allegations in Swiss media of sexual misconduct against teenage girls in the 1980s and 1990s, denouncing them as "a campaign of lies launched by my adversaries". Lawyers for Ramadan have accused Ayari of slander and suggested the women colluded to try to disgrace him. As part of his defence, he has presented investigators with Facebook conversations in which a woman identified as Ayari allegedly made explicit advances towards him in 2014, two years after the alleged rape. The accusations have sparked heated online debate between supporters of Ramadan, who commands a following of more than two million fans on Facebook, and his opponents. Despite his leave of absence from Oxford, Ramadan continues to head the Islamic Institute for Ethical Training in France. Ayari was placed under police protection in November after receiving death threats.

Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan charged with rape: Legal source

Egypt&#39;s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi delivered a stern warning on Wednesday to anyone looking to challenge his rule, a day after opposition leaders called for a boycott of the March 26-28 presidential election.

&quot;Be warned. What happened seven or eight years ago, will not happen again in Egypt,&quot; Sisi said, a reference to mass protests in 2011 that unseated long-term ruler Hosni Mubarak and ushered in years of political and economic turbulence.

&quot;What didn&#39;t work then, will not work now. No ... it looks like you don&#39;t know me well,&quot; he said at the inauguration of the north African country&#39;s mammoth Zohr gas field.&nbsp;

More than 150 politicians and activists called on Tuesday for voters to boycott the March election in which Sisi and a supporter-turned-challenger are the only contenders after a string of other candidates withdrew citing repression.

Those calling for a boycott included lawyer Hamdeen Sabahy, who ran against Sisi in 2014&#39;s presidential election, and Hesham Genena, the former head of Egypt&#39;s anti-corruption watchdog who had been campaigning for ex-military chief of staff Sami Anan.

Anan was arrested on January 23 and halted his presidential bid after the army accused him of breaking the law by running for office without permission.

Sisi said he could ask Egyptians to take to the streets and give him a &quot;mandate&quot; in the face of what he described as &quot;villains&quot;. He did not specify who or what he meant.&nbsp;

&quot;Listen, whoever wants to mess with Egypt and ruin it, has to do away with me first,&quot; said Sisi, who was elected in 2014, a year after he led the army to overthrow Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi delivered a stern warning on Wednesday to anyone looking to challenge his rule

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi delivered a stern warning on Wednesday to anyone looking to challenge his rule, a day after opposition leaders called for a boycott of the March 26-28 presidential election. "Be warned. What happened seven or eight years ago, will not happen again in Egypt," Sisi said, a reference to mass protests in 2011 that unseated long-term ruler Hosni Mubarak and ushered in years of political and economic turbulence. "What didn't work then, will not work now. No ... it looks like you don't know me well," he said at the inauguration of the north African country's mammoth Zohr gas field. More than 150 politicians and activists called on Tuesday for voters to boycott the March election in which Sisi and a supporter-turned-challenger are the only contenders after a string of other candidates withdrew citing repression. Those calling for a boycott included lawyer Hamdeen Sabahy, who ran against Sisi in 2014's presidential election, and Hesham Genena, the former head of Egypt's anti-corruption watchdog who had been campaigning for ex-military chief of staff Sami Anan. Anan was arrested on January 23 and halted his presidential bid after the army accused him of breaking the law by running for office without permission. Sisi said he could ask Egyptians to take to the streets and give him a "mandate" in the face of what he described as "villains". He did not specify who or what he meant. "Listen, whoever wants to mess with Egypt and ruin it, has to do away with me first," said Sisi, who was elected in 2014, a year after he led the army to overthrow Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.

Egypt's Sisi warns opponents as calls to boycott election build

Egypt has hanged four men convicted by a military court of killing three military students in a bombing in 2015, security sources said on Tuesday.

It was the second reported multiple execution of convicted Islamist militants in a week. A week ago Egypt hanged 15 men accused of deadly attacks in the Sinai peninsula, believed to be the largest number of people executed in a single day since President Abdel Fateh al-Sisi took power.

The latest executions were carried out in the Borg al-Arab prison, west of the coastal city of Alexandria, after the military appeals court rejected appeals by the defendants, the sources said.

The four were hanged for their role in a bombing in the Nile Delta town of Kafr al-Sheikh that took place during violence that followed the ouster of President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood. Sisi, then the military chief, removed Mursi in mid-2013 after mass protests against Mursi&#39;s rule.

The court also sentenced three others in absentia to death, and jailed eight others, including Salah al-Feki, head of the Muslim Brotherhood&#39;s administrative office in Kafr al-Sheikh.

Authorities banned the Brotherhood and declared it a terrorist organisation after Mursi was deposed, arresting thousands of its members and supporters.

Since then, Egypt has faced a growing insurgency from Islamic State fighters in the Sinai Peninsula.

The latest executions were carried out in the Borg al-Arab prison, west of the coastal city of Alexandria, after the military appeals court rejected appeals by the defendants, the sources said

Egypt has hanged four men convicted by a military court of killing three military students in a bombing in 2015, security sources said on Tuesday. It was the second reported multiple execution of convicted Islamist militants in a week. A week ago Egypt hanged 15 men accused of deadly attacks in the Sinai peninsula, believed to be the largest number of people executed in a single day since President Abdel Fateh al-Sisi took power. The latest executions were carried out in the Borg al-Arab prison, west of the coastal city of Alexandria, after the military appeals court rejected appeals by the defendants, the sources said. The four were hanged for their role in a bombing in the Nile Delta town of Kafr al-Sheikh that took place during violence that followed the ouster of President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood. Sisi, then the military chief, removed Mursi in mid-2013 after mass protests against Mursi's rule. The court also sentenced three others in absentia to death, and jailed eight others, including Salah al-Feki, head of the Muslim Brotherhood's administrative office in Kafr al-Sheikh. Authorities banned the Brotherhood and declared it a terrorist organisation after Mursi was deposed, arresting thousands of its members and supporters. Since then, Egypt has faced a growing insurgency from Islamic State fighters in the Sinai Peninsula.

Egypt hangs four convicted of 2015 bomb attack

A Cairo criminal court sentenced former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and 19 others to three years in prison on Saturday, and fined him 2 million Egyptian pounds ($112,700) on charges of insulting the judiciary.

Others tried by the court in the same case including leading Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah and lawmaker and television presenter Tawfik Okasha were instead given fines ranging from 30,000 to 1 million Egyptian pounds.

The verdicts can still be appealed.

Morsi, democratically elected after Egypt&#39;s 2011 revolution, was overthrown in mid-2013 by then-general Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, now the president, following mass protests against his rule.

He was immediately arrested and is now serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted of inciting the killing of protesters during demonstrations in 2012 and a 25-year sentence for spying for Qatar.

Morsi, democratically elected after Egypt's 2011 revolution, was overthrown in mid-2013

A Cairo criminal court sentenced former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and 19 others to three years in prison on Saturday, and fined him 2 million Egyptian pounds ($112,700) on charges of insulting the judiciary. Others tried by the court in the same case including leading Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah and lawmaker and television presenter Tawfik Okasha were instead given fines ranging from 30,000 to 1 million Egyptian pounds. The verdicts can still be appealed. Morsi, democratically elected after Egypt's 2011 revolution, was overthrown in mid-2013 by then-general Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, now the president, following mass protests against his rule. He was immediately arrested and is now serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted of inciting the killing of protesters during demonstrations in 2012 and a 25-year sentence for spying for Qatar.

Egypt sentences ex-President Morsi, 19 others to three years in jail

Egypt hanged 15 men convicted of attacks that killed security forces in the Sinai Peninsula, security sources said on Tuesday, in what appears to be the largest number of executions on a single day since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took office in 2014.

The hangings took place at two prisons in the north of the country early on Tuesday, the sources said.

A military court issued the sentences and interior ministry officials carried out the executions simultaneously at Borj al-Arab and Wadi al-Natroun prisons, the sources said.

Most of the militants were from Sinai region and were accused of &quot;joining militant groups and taking part in carrying out, planning and assisting in killing a number of army and police personnel in Sinai,&quot; the sources said.

Islamic State&#39;s Sinai branch has waged attacks against security forces in a years-long insurgency in North Sinai, and in the past year expanded targets to include Christians and other civilians.

An attack on a mosque last month which killed more than 300 people, the deadliest in Egypt&#39;s modern history, was widely attributed to Islamic State, but the group did not claim responsibility for it.

In 2015, six people were executed for killing two soldiers during a raid in Qalyubiah province, north of Cairo.

The sources said the hangings took place at two prisons in the north of the country early on Tuesday

Egypt hanged 15 men convicted of attacks that killed security forces in the Sinai Peninsula, security sources said on Tuesday, in what appears to be the largest number of executions on a single day since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took office in 2014. The hangings took place at two prisons in the north of the country early on Tuesday, the sources said. A military court issued the sentences and interior ministry officials carried out the executions simultaneously at Borj al-Arab and Wadi al-Natroun prisons, the sources said. Most of the militants were from Sinai region and were accused of "joining militant groups and taking part in carrying out, planning and assisting in killing a number of army and police personnel in Sinai," the sources said. Islamic State's Sinai branch has waged attacks against security forces in a years-long insurgency in North Sinai, and in the past year expanded targets to include Christians and other civilians. An attack on a mosque last month which killed more than 300 people, the deadliest in Egypt's modern history, was widely attributed to Islamic State, but the group did not claim responsibility for it. In 2015, six people were executed for killing two soldiers during a raid in Qalyubiah province, north of Cairo.

Egypt hangs 15 militants for killing security forces in Sinai: Security sources

Two masked gunmen opened fire on a cafe south of the Egypt capital, killing three people and wounding around five, security officials said on Sunday.&nbsp;

The attack took place at night in a village called Al-ayat which is about 50 kilometres away from Cairo.&nbsp;

The reason behind the attack remains unclear, however, it is being said that it was a criminal incident and not terrorism.&nbsp;

According to the state newspaper, two gunmen on motorcycles barged into the cafe and opened fire before leaving.&nbsp;

Security officials are currently investigating the matter and are on a lookout for the attackers.&nbsp;

The reason behind the attack remains unclear, however, it is being said that it was a criminal incident and not terrorism

Two masked gunmen opened fire on a cafe south of the Egypt capital, killing three people and wounding around five, security officials said on Sunday. The attack took place at night in a village called Al-ayat which is about 50 kilometres away from Cairo. The reason behind the attack remains unclear, however, it is being said that it was a criminal incident and not terrorism. According to the state newspaper, two gunmen on motorcycles barged into the cafe and opened fire before leaving. Security officials are currently investigating the matter and are on a lookout for the attackers.

Gunmen open fire at cafe in Egyptian capital, three dead

Shaimaa Ahmed -- also known as Shyma -- a 25-year-old Egyptian singer was recently arrested for posting a &quot;provocating&quot; video online.

On Tuesday, an Egyptian court found Shaimaa guilty of publishing an indecent music video online and reportedly sentenced her to two years in jail.&nbsp;

Shaimaa is seen eating a banana in the video, and is seen in her underwear in portions of the video.&nbsp;

The video has sparked an outcry in Egypt.

The video&#39;s director was reportedly also sentenced in absentia to two years in jail.

Shaimaa had apologised earlier saying she did not know the video would create such an outcry.&nbsp;

Similar incidents have reportedly taken place earlier as well with the Egyptian government clamping down on three belly dancers for &quot;spreading debauchery&quot;.

Another woman faces trial for saying that drinking water from the river Nile may make people ill.&nbsp;

Shaimaa Ahmed, also known as Shyma, was reportedly jailed for two years

Shaimaa Ahmed -- also known as Shyma -- a 25-year-old Egyptian singer was recently arrested for posting a "provocating" video online. On Tuesday, an Egyptian court found Shaimaa guilty of publishing an indecent music video online and reportedly sentenced her to two years in jail. Shaimaa is seen eating a banana in the video, and is seen in her underwear in portions of the video. The video has sparked an outcry in Egypt. The video's director was reportedly also sentenced in absentia to two years in jail. Shaimaa had apologised earlier saying she did not know the video would create such an outcry. Similar incidents have reportedly taken place earlier as well with the Egyptian government clamping down on three belly dancers for "spreading debauchery". Another woman faces trial for saying that drinking water from the river Nile may make people ill.

Egypt jails singer for banana video

Turkey on Monday began a day of mourning for 305 people killed in the Sinai mosque massacre despite strained ties with Egypt.

The Turkish prime minister&#39;s office also condemned the &quot;heinous terror attack&quot; at the North Sinai Rawda mosque which no group has yet claimed.

Flags are being flown at half-mast in government buildings inside and outside Turkey until sunset.

Ties between Turkey and Egypt have been tense since the Egyptian military ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.&nbsp;

Erdogan denounced the move and called Morsi&#39;s ouster a &quot;coup&quot;.

Morsi&#39;s Muslim Brotherhood is outlawed in Egypt but members of the group have sought refuge in Turkey.

Last week, Egypt&#39;s public prosecutor ordered 29 people to be detained for 15 days pending a probe into claims they spied for Turkey and joined a &quot;terrorist&quot; group.

Turkish officials were quick to offer condolences and support following the assault, including Erdogan who put the blame on Islamic State for the &quot;treacherous attack&quot;.

&quot;Daesh (Islamic State) terror is inhuman, it has once again shown its un-Islamic face. Turkey stands with its Egyptian brothers and sisters,&quot; Erdogan said on Saturday.

It is not known why the mosque was targeted but it is assumed in Egypt that it happened because Sufi Muslims worshipped at the mosque.

Up to 30 militants in camouflage flying the black banner of the Islamic State extremist group surrounded the mosque and killed worshippers during weekly Friday prayers, Egyptian authorities said.

Flags are being flown at half-mast in government buildings inside and outside Turkey until sunset

Turkey on Monday began a day of mourning for 305 people killed in the Sinai mosque massacre despite strained ties with Egypt. The Turkish prime minister's office also condemned the "heinous terror attack" at the North Sinai Rawda mosque which no group has yet claimed. Flags are being flown at half-mast in government buildings inside and outside Turkey until sunset. Ties between Turkey and Egypt have been tense since the Egyptian military ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan denounced the move and called Morsi's ouster a "coup". Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood is outlawed in Egypt but members of the group have sought refuge in Turkey. Last week, Egypt's public prosecutor ordered 29 people to be detained for 15 days pending a probe into claims they spied for Turkey and joined a "terrorist" group. Turkish officials were quick to offer condolences and support following the assault, including Erdogan who put the blame on Islamic State for the "treacherous attack". "Daesh (Islamic State) terror is inhuman, it has once again shown its un-Islamic face. Turkey stands with its Egyptian brothers and sisters," Erdogan said on Saturday. It is not known why the mosque was targeted but it is assumed in Egypt that it happened because Sufi Muslims worshipped at the mosque. Up to 30 militants in camouflage flying the black banner of the Islamic State extremist group surrounded the mosque and killed worshippers during weekly Friday prayers, Egyptian authorities said.

Turkey mourns Egypt mosque attack victims

The young Egyptian imam who survived the Sinai mosque massacre that killed 305 people vowed Sunday from his hospital bed to go back and resume the sermon he never finished.

Mohammed Abdel Fattah, 26, was delivering the Friday sermon at the North Sinai Rawda mosque when blasts erupted.

&quot;I was only two minutes into my sermon when I heard two explosions outside the mosque, and then I saw worshippers running in horror,&quot; he said.

&quot;Then people entered the mosque and began firing at everyone who was still standing,&quot; the preacher said from his hospital bed in the Nile Delta town of Al-Husayniya.

Abdel Fattah -- who has been imam for two years at the Rawda mosque frequented by Sufis -- said his sermon on that tragic day was about &quot;Mohammed, the prophet of humanity&quot;.

The imam fell from the raised minbar, or pulpit when the attack broke out and was trampled by worshippers who tried to flee the carnage.

And when he hit the ground, people stepped over him, before the bodies of those shot by the attackers piled on top of him, pinning him down and preventing him from lifting his head to see what was going on.

&quot;As soon as the shooting started I fell. I didn&#39;t see or feel anything except for the two or three bloodied bodies that fell on top of me,&quot; he said.

Among the first casualties was 62-year-old Fathy Ismail, the mosque&#39;s muezzin who called the faithful to prayer.

Authorities said up to 30 militants in camouflage clothing and flying the black banner of the Islamic State group surrounded the mosque and opened fire on the faithful during the main weekly prayers.

Abdel Fattah suffered bruising, but his health appears to be improving and he hopes to be back on his feet to continue the sermon that was brutally interrupted.

&quot;If my health allows it, I will return next Friday week (to Rawda mosque) and finish my sermon,&quot; he said.

A frame bearing Koranic verses hangs above his hospital bed.

The imam said it was a gift he received from a visiting delegation of Coptic Christians the day after Friday&#39;s attack.

The attack is thought to have been carried out by the jihadist Islamic State group because the mosque is associated with followers of the mystical Sufi branch of Sunni Islam.

IS has branded Sufis heretics for seeking the intercession of saints.

&quot;About a year ago, we heard rumours concerning threats against people who organise celebrations for the birth of Prophet Mohammed,&quot; Abdel Fattah said on Sunday.

The imam declined to say whether he, himself, belonged to the Sufi community.

&quot;I am a servant of God and his Prophet,&quot; he said when asked about his faith.

Five members of his family were by his bedside, including his 65-year-old father Abdel Fattah Mahmoud, a retired sheikh from Cairo&#39;s Al-Azhar, Egypt&#39;s highest institution of Sunni Islam.

Mahmoud said he had tried to persuade his son from going to work in North Sinai, a restive region, but then he recalled a Koranic verse that says no one will die unless it is God&#39;s will.

Egypt&#39;s North Sinai-based IS branch has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers, as well as civilians accused of working with the authorities, since the July 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

&quot;Not only is Sufism under threat, but all of Islam and the whole of the Arab region is under threat,&quot; said Mahmoud.

His son&#39;s survival &quot;is a blessed miracle&quot;, he added.

Mohammed Abdel Fattah, 26, was delivering the Friday sermon at the North Sinai Rawda mosque when it was attacked

The young Egyptian imam who survived the Sinai mosque massacre that killed 305 people vowed Sunday from his hospital bed to go back and resume the sermon he never finished. Mohammed Abdel Fattah, 26, was delivering the Friday sermon at the North Sinai Rawda mosque when blasts erupted. "I was only two minutes into my sermon when I heard two explosions outside the mosque, and then I saw worshippers running in horror," he said. "Then people entered the mosque and began firing at everyone who was still standing," the preacher said from his hospital bed in the Nile Delta town of Al-Husayniya. Abdel Fattah -- who has been imam for two years at the Rawda mosque frequented by Sufis -- said his sermon on that tragic day was about "Mohammed, the prophet of humanity". The imam fell from the raised minbar, or pulpit when the attack broke out and was trampled by worshippers who tried to flee the carnage. And when he hit the ground, people stepped over him, before the bodies of those shot by the attackers piled on top of him, pinning him down and preventing him from lifting his head to see what was going on. "As soon as the shooting started I fell. I didn't see or feel anything except for the two or three bloodied bodies that fell on top of me," he said. Among the first casualties was 62-year-old Fathy Ismail, the mosque's muezzin who called the faithful to prayer. Authorities said up to 30 militants in camouflage clothing and flying the black banner of the Islamic State group surrounded the mosque and opened fire on the faithful during the main weekly prayers. Abdel Fattah suffered bruising, but his health appears to be improving and he hopes to be back on his feet to continue the sermon that was brutally interrupted. "If my health allows it, I will return next Friday week (to Rawda mosque) and finish my sermon," he said. A frame bearing Koranic verses hangs above his hospital bed. The imam said it was a gift he received from a visiting delegation of Coptic Christians the day after Friday's attack. The attack is thought to have been carried out by the jihadist Islamic State group because the mosque is associated with followers of the mystical Sufi branch of Sunni Islam. IS has branded Sufis heretics for seeking the intercession of saints. "About a year ago, we heard rumours concerning threats against people who organise celebrations for the birth of Prophet Mohammed," Abdel Fattah said on Sunday. The imam declined to say whether he, himself, belonged to the Sufi community. "I am a servant of God and his Prophet," he said when asked about his faith. Five members of his family were by his bedside, including his 65-year-old father Abdel Fattah Mahmoud, a retired sheikh from Cairo's Al-Azhar, Egypt's highest institution of Sunni Islam. Mahmoud said he had tried to persuade his son from going to work in North Sinai, a restive region, but then he recalled a Koranic verse that says no one will die unless it is God's will. Egypt's North Sinai-based IS branch has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers, as well as civilians accused of working with the authorities, since the July 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. "Not only is Sufism under threat, but all of Islam and the whole of the Arab region is under threat," said Mahmoud. His son's survival "is a blessed miracle", he added.

Egypt mosque massacre: Imam vows to return to finish sermon

An Egyptian court on Sunday sentenced 14 men convicted of being homosexuals to three years in jail each for &quot;abnormal&quot; sexual relations, a defence lawyer said.

Ishaq Wadie said the men were released on bail of 5,000 Egyptian pounds ($283, 230 euros) each until an appeals trial.

The trial of three other suspects was delayed over procedural reasons, the lawyer said.

Homosexuality is not expressly outlawed in Egypt, but gays have previously been charged with debauchery in the deeply conservative Muslim society.

In recent months, authorities have cracked down on people who practice so-called &quot;abnormal&quot; sexual relations, which in Egypt means homosexuality, or for inciting debauchery.

The stepped-up measures follow an outdoor 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 show, 10 directly linked with the event, according to judicial and security officials.

London-based rights watchdog Amnesty International said the number was more than 70 people, some of whom had been subjected to anal examinations.

On November 9, Amnesty condemned a draft bill in the Egyptian parliament that would criminalise homosexuality.

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.

Homosexuality is not expressly outlawed in Egypt, but gays have previously been charged with debauchery in the deeply conservative society

An Egyptian court on Sunday sentenced 14 men convicted of being homosexuals to three years in jail each for "abnormal" sexual relations, a defence lawyer said. Ishaq Wadie said the men were released on bail of 5,000 Egyptian pounds ($283, 230 euros) each until an appeals trial. The trial of three other suspects was delayed over procedural reasons, the lawyer said. Homosexuality is not expressly outlawed in Egypt, but gays have previously been charged with debauchery in the deeply conservative Muslim society. In recent months, authorities have cracked down on people who practice so-called "abnormal" sexual relations, which in Egypt means homosexuality, or for inciting debauchery. The stepped-up measures follow an outdoor 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 show, 10 directly linked with the event, according to judicial and security officials. London-based rights watchdog Amnesty International said the number was more than 70 people, some of whom had been subjected to anal examinations. On November 9, Amnesty condemned a draft bill in the Egyptian parliament that would criminalise homosexuality. 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.

Egypt jails 14 for homosexuality

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/several-injured-in-mosque-attack-in-egypt-25033">The death toll from an attack on a mosque in Egypt&#39;s Sinai </a>rose to 305 including 27 children, the state prosecution said Saturday in a statement detailing the gruesome massacre.

It said there were between 25 and 30 attackers with long hair and beards, dressed in camouflage and flying a black banner with the Muslim profession of faith on it, which could be a description of the Islamic State group&#39;s flag.&nbsp;

(Also Read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-army-launches-retaliatory-attack-on-terror-hideouts-guns-down-several-militants-25069"> Egypt army launches retaliatory attack on terror hideouts, guns down several militants</a>)

They surrounded the mosque and opened fire on the worshippers on Friday, it said.

The attackers had arrived in five all-terrain vehicles and later set fire to seven cars belonging to the worshippers.

The statement said witnesses recounted hearing gunshots and explosions before some of the assailants entered the mosque.

The state prosecution said there were between 25 and 30 attackers with long hair and beards, dressed in camouflage and flying a black banner with the Muslim profession of faith on it, which could be a description of the Islamic State group's flag

The death toll from an attack on a mosque in Egypt's Sinai rose to 305 including 27 children, the state prosecution said Saturday in a statement detailing the gruesome massacre. It said there were between 25 and 30 attackers with long hair and beards, dressed in camouflage and flying a black banner with the Muslim profession of faith on it, which could be a description of the Islamic State group's flag. (Also Read: Egypt army launches retaliatory attack on terror hideouts, guns down several militants) They surrounded the mosque and opened fire on the worshippers on Friday, it said. The attackers had arrived in five all-terrain vehicles and later set fire to seven cars belonging to the worshippers. The statement said witnesses recounted hearing gunshots and explosions before some of the assailants entered the mosque.

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

Condemning the terror attack in Egypt, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said attacks like these are a reminder that terrorism remains the biggest challenge.&nbsp;

Expressing her concern over terrorists attack, the Congress leader called for a&nbsp; sustained response from global communities for attacks like this. &nbsp;

The attack took place in Egypt near the provincial capital of El-Arish during weekly prayers in a mosque when attackers hit the mosque with bombs and fired at people. The death toll rose to 235 while over 125 injured.

Congress president voiced unanimity with the citizens of Egypt and said that it was a vicious act of terror against innocent Egyptians and said that terrorism is a crime against the innocent people of the world for where there can never be a justification.&nbsp;

&quot;This cowardly attack is a stark reminder that the persisting menace of terrorism remains a formidable challenge that calls for a concerted and sustained response from the global community,&quot; she said.

Hours after the killing of over 230 worshippers in a deadly attack at the mosque in Egypt&#39;s North Sinai, the country&#39;s air force has launched a retaliatory attack on terror hideouts in the surrounding.&nbsp;

The attack took place in Egypt near the provincial capital of El-Arish during weekly prayers in a mosque when attackers hit the mosque with bombs and fired at people

Condemning the terror attack in Egypt, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said attacks like these are a reminder that terrorism remains the biggest challenge. Expressing her concern over terrorists attack, the Congress leader called for a sustained response from global communities for attacks like this. The attack took place in Egypt near the provincial capital of El-Arish during weekly prayers in a mosque when attackers hit the mosque with bombs and fired at people. The death toll rose to 235 while over 125 injured. Congress president voiced unanimity with the citizens of Egypt and said that it was a vicious act of terror against innocent Egyptians and said that terrorism is a crime against the innocent people of the world for where there can never be a justification. "This cowardly attack is a stark reminder that the persisting menace of terrorism remains a formidable challenge that calls for a concerted and sustained response from the global community," she said. Hours after the killing of over 230 worshippers in a deadly attack at the mosque in Egypt's North Sinai, the country's air force has launched a retaliatory attack on terror hideouts in the surrounding.

Sonia Gandhi calls for response from global community after Egypt mosque attack

Hours after the killing of over 230 worshippers in a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/several-injured-in-mosque-attack-in-egypt-25033" target="_blank">deadly attack at the mosque in Egypt&#39;s North Sinai</a>, the country&#39;s air force has launched a retaliatory attack on terror hideouts in the surrounding.&nbsp;

The air force gunned down several militants and destroyed their vehicles.&nbsp;

The information was disclosed by the Army spokesperson Tamer el-Refai.

Several arms&nbsp;and ammunition depots of the militants were&nbsp;also targetted, he added.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-india-describe-egypt-mosque-attack-as-an-act-of-evil-and-a-heinous-act-of-terror-25060" target="_blank">attack took place in Egypt</a>&nbsp;near the provincial capital of El-Arish during weekly prayers in a mosque.&nbsp;According to state TV reports, the death toll rose to 235&nbsp;with over 125 injured.

Also Watch:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-egypt-mosque-attack-kills-235-and-injures-125-565#photo-29873" target="_blank">Egypt mosque attack kills 235 and injures 125</a>

Reports said&nbsp;attackers hit the mosque with bombs and fired at people.

Witnesses told AFP the assailants had surrounded the mosque with &quot;all-terrain vehicles&quot; then planted a bomb outside.The gunmen then mowed down the panicked worshippers as they attempted to flee and used the vehicles they had set alight to block routes to the mosque.

&nbsp;President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had pledged&nbsp;to respond with &quot;brutal force&quot;.&nbsp;

No organisation has claimed responsibility for the attack.

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The air force gunned down several militants and destroyed their vehicles.?The information was disclosed by the Army spokesperson Tamer el-Refai

Hours after the killing of over 230 worshippers in a deadly attack at the mosque in Egypt's North Sinai, the country's air force has launched a retaliatory attack on terror hideouts in the surrounding. The air force gunned down several militants and destroyed their vehicles. The information was disclosed by the Army spokesperson Tamer el-Refai. Several arms and ammunition depots of the militants were also targetted, he added. The attack took place in Egypt near the provincial capital of El-Arish during weekly prayers in a mosque. According to state TV reports, the death toll rose to 235 with over 125 injured. Also Watch: Egypt mosque attack kills 235 and injures 125 Reports said attackers hit the mosque with bombs and fired at people. Witnesses told AFP the assailants had surrounded the mosque with "all-terrain vehicles" then planted a bomb outside.The gunmen then mowed down the panicked worshippers as they attempted to flee and used the vehicles they had set alight to block routes to the mosque. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had pledged to respond with "brutal force". No organisation has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Egypt army launches retaliatory attack on terror hideouts, guns down several militants

Egypt mourned on Saturday as the death toll from a gun and bomb assault at a mosque rose to 305, including children, in the deadliest attack the country has witnessed.

The state prosecution said up to 30 militants in camouflage flying the Islamic State (IS) group&#39;s black banner had surrounded the mosque in North Sinai and proceeded to massacre the worshippers during weekly Friday prayers.

Twenty-seven children were among the dead, it said.

IS, which is conducting a deadly insurgency in the Sinai, has not claimed responsibility for the attack, but it is the main suspect as the mosque is associated with followers of the mystical Sufi branch of Sunni Islam whom it has branded heretics.

Also Read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/25114">&nbsp;Egypt mosque attack death toll rises to 305, including 27 children: prosecution</a>

Funerals for the victims were held overnight and many were buried unwashed in their bloodied clothes, according to the Islamic burial practices for martyrs, security and medical officials said.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi declared three days of mourning and vowed to &quot;respond with brutal force&quot; to the attack, among the deadliest in the world since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

&quot;The army and police will avenge our martyrs and return security and stability with force in the coming short period,&quot; he said in a televised speech.

Hours later Egyptian air force jets pursued the &quot;terrorists and discovered several vehicles used in the terrorist attack, killing those inside near the vicinity of the attack,&quot; an army spokesman said in a statement.

The state prosecutor&#39;s office said in a statement that 305 people were killed and 128 wounded in the assault on the mosque roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of the North Sinai capital of El-Arish.

It said the attackers, with long beards and hair often seen on jihadists, had arrived in five all-terrain vehicles to surround the mosque.

Witnesses said they heard gunshots and explosions before the assailants entered the mosque, according to the prosecution.

One of the wounded, Magdy Rizk, told AFP assailants wore masks and military uniforms, and that extremists had previously threatened people in the area.

Relatives visited victims in a hospital in the city of Ismailia near the Suez Canal where the wounded were taken for treatment, an AFP photographer reported.

World leaders voiced outrage. US President Donald Trump denounced on Twitter the &quot;horrible and cowardly terrorist attack on innocent and defenseless worshippers&quot;.

Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Cairo&#39;s Al-Azhar, Egypt&#39;s highest institution of Sunni Islam, condemned &quot;in the strongest terms this barbaric terrorist attack&quot;.

-IS targeting of Sufis&nbsp;

The Egypt branch of IS has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers, and also civilians accused of working with the authorities, in attacks in the north of the Sinai peninsula.

They have also targeted Sufis as well as Christians.

A tribal leader and head of a Bedouin militia that fights IS told AFP that the mosque is known as a place where Sufis gather.

IS views Sufis as heretics for seeking the intercession of saints.

The group has also killed more than 100 Christians in church bombings and shootings in Sinai and other parts of Egypt, forcing many to flee the peninsula.

The military has struggled to quell the jihadists who pledged allegiance to IS in November 2014.

The jihadists have since increasingly turned to civilian targets, attacking not only Christians and Sufis but also Bedouin Sinai inhabitants accused of working with the army.

The group also claimed the bombing of a Russian plane that killed all 224 people on board after takeoff from the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on October 31, 2015.

Aside from IS, Egypt also faces a threat from Al-Qaeda-aligned jihadists who operate out of neighboring Libya.

A group calling itself Ansar al-Islam -- Supporters of Islam in Arabic -- claimed an October ambush in Egypt&#39;s the Western Desert that killed at least 16 policemen.

The military later conducted air strikes on the attackers, killing their leader.

The state prosecution said up to 30 militants in camouflage flying the Islamic State (IS) group's black banner had surrounded the mosque in North Sinai and proceeded to massacre the worshippers during weekly Friday prayers

Egypt mourned on Saturday as the death toll from a gun and bomb assault at a mosque rose to 305, including children, in the deadliest attack the country has witnessed. The state prosecution said up to 30 militants in camouflage flying the Islamic State (IS) group's black banner had surrounded the mosque in North Sinai and proceeded to massacre the worshippers during weekly Friday prayers. Twenty-seven children were among the dead, it said. IS, which is conducting a deadly insurgency in the Sinai, has not claimed responsibility for the attack, but it is the main suspect as the mosque is associated with followers of the mystical Sufi branch of Sunni Islam whom it has branded heretics. Also Read: Egypt mosque attack death toll rises to 305, including 27 children: prosecution Funerals for the victims were held overnight and many were buried unwashed in their bloodied clothes, according to the Islamic burial practices for martyrs, security and medical officials said. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi declared three days of mourning and vowed to "respond with brutal force" to the attack, among the deadliest in the world since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. "The army and police will avenge our martyrs and return security and stability with force in the coming short period," he said in a televised speech. Hours later Egyptian air force jets pursued the "terrorists and discovered several vehicles used in the terrorist attack, killing those inside near the vicinity of the attack," an army spokesman said in a statement. The state prosecutor's office said in a statement that 305 people were killed and 128 wounded in the assault on the mosque roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of the North Sinai capital of El-Arish. It said the attackers, with long beards and hair often seen on jihadists, had arrived in five all-terrain vehicles to surround the mosque. Witnesses said they heard gunshots and explosions before the assailants entered the mosque, according to the prosecution. One of the wounded, Magdy Rizk, told AFP assailants wore masks and military uniforms, and that extremists had previously threatened people in the area. Relatives visited victims in a hospital in the city of Ismailia near the Suez Canal where the wounded were taken for treatment, an AFP photographer reported. World leaders voiced outrage. US President Donald Trump denounced on Twitter the "horrible and cowardly terrorist attack on innocent and defenseless worshippers". Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Cairo's Al-Azhar, Egypt's highest institution of Sunni Islam, condemned "in the strongest terms this barbaric terrorist attack". -IS targeting of Sufis The Egypt branch of IS has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers, and also civilians accused of working with the authorities, in attacks in the north of the Sinai peninsula. They have also targeted Sufis as well as Christians. A tribal leader and head of a Bedouin militia that fights IS told AFP that the mosque is known as a place where Sufis gather. IS views Sufis as heretics for seeking the intercession of saints. The group has also killed more than 100 Christians in church bombings and shootings in Sinai and other parts of Egypt, forcing many to flee the peninsula. The military has struggled to quell the jihadists who pledged allegiance to IS in November 2014. The jihadists have since increasingly turned to civilian targets, attacking not only Christians and Sufis but also Bedouin Sinai inhabitants accused of working with the army. The group also claimed the bombing of a Russian plane that killed all 224 people on board after takeoff from the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on October 31, 2015. Aside from IS, Egypt also faces a threat from Al-Qaeda-aligned jihadists who operate out of neighboring Libya. A group calling itself Ansar al-Islam -- Supporters of Islam in Arabic -- claimed an October ambush in Egypt's the Western Desert that killed at least 16 policemen. The military later conducted air strikes on the attackers, killing their leader.

Egypt mourns 305 victims of Sinai mosque attack

Gunmen who attacked a mosque on Friday in Egypt&#39;s North Sinai brandished an Islamic State flag as they opened fire through doorways and windows, killing more than 300 worshippers, including two dozen children, officials said on Saturday.

No group has claimed responsibility, but Egyptian forces are battling a stubborn Islamic State affiliate in the region, one of the surviving branches of the militant group after it suffered defeats by US-backed forces in Iraq and Syria.

The assault on a mosque has stunned Egyptians, prompting President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi&#39;s government to tighten security at places of worship and key buildings, and call three days of mourning for the bloodiest attack in Egypt&#39;s modern history.&nbsp;

State news agency MENA said the death toll had risen to 305, including 27 children, and 128 people were injured.

Egypt`s public prosecutor&#39;s office, citing interviews with wounded survivors as part of its investigation, linked Islamic State militants, also known as Daesh, to the attack on the Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of El-Arish city.

&quot;The worshippers were taken by surprise by these elements,&quot; the prosecutor said in a statement. &quot;They numbered between 25 and 30, carrying the Daesh flag and took up positions in front of the mosque door and its 12 windows with automatic rifles.&quot;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-mourns-305-victims-of-sinai-mosque-attack-25126">Egypt mourns 305 victims of Sinai mosque attack</a>

The gunmen, some wearing masks and military-style uniforms, had arrived in jeeps, surrounded the mosque and opened fire inside, sending panicked worshippers scrambling over each other to escape the carnage.

Witnesses had said gunmen set off a bomb at the end of Friday prayers and then opened fire as people tried to flee, shooting at ambulances and setting fire to cars to block roads. Images on state media showed bloodied victims and bodies covered in blankets inside the mosque.

&quot;When the shooting began everyone was running, and everyone was bumping into one another,&quot; Magdy Rezk, a wounded survivor, said from his hospital bed. &quot;But I was able to make out masked men wearing military clothing.&quot;

Utmost Force

Striking a mosque would be a shift in tactics for the Sinai militants, who have previously attacked troops and police and more recently tried to spread their insurgency to the mainland by hitting Christian churches and pilgrims.

Local sources said some of the worshippers were Sufis, whom groups such as Islamic State consider targets because they revere saints and shrines, which for Islamists is tantamount to idolatry. Islamic State has targeted Sufi and Shi`ite Muslims in other countries like Iraq.

The jihadists in Egypt&#39;s Sinai have also attacked local tribes and their militias for working with the army and police.

Sisi, a former armed forces commander who supporters see as a bulwark against Islamist militants, promised the &quot;utmost force&quot; against those responsible for Friday`s attack. Security has been a key reason for his supporters to back him, and he is expected to run for re-election next year.

Egypt&#39;s military carried out air strikes and raids overnight to target hideouts and vehicles involved in the attack, the army said, without giving details on the number of militants.

&quot;What is happening is an attempt to stop us from our efforts in the fight against terrorism,&quot; Sisi said on Friday.

The Sinai attack came as Sisi&#39;s government looks to draw more foreign investment and finish an IMF reform programme to help revive an economy that struggled through instability after the 2011 uprising ousted long-standing leader Hosni Mubarak.

North Sinai, a mostly desert area stretching from the Suez Canal eastwards to the Gaza Strip and Israel, has long been a security headache for Egypt and is a strategic region for Cairo because of its sensitive borders.

Local militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, once allied to al Qaeda, split from it and declared allegiance to Islamic State in 2014. But attacks in the Sinai worsened after 2013 when Sisi led the overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood after mass protests against his rule.&nbsp;

Gunmen who attacked a mosque on Friday in Egypt's North Sinai brandished an Islamic State flag as they opened fire through doorways and windows, killing more than 300 worshippers, including two dozen children, officials said on Saturday

Gunmen who attacked a mosque on Friday in Egypt's North Sinai brandished an Islamic State flag as they opened fire through doorways and windows, killing more than 300 worshippers, including two dozen children, officials said on Saturday. No group has claimed responsibility, but Egyptian forces are battling a stubborn Islamic State affiliate in the region, one of the surviving branches of the militant group after it suffered defeats by US-backed forces in Iraq and Syria. The assault on a mosque has stunned Egyptians, prompting President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's government to tighten security at places of worship and key buildings, and call three days of mourning for the bloodiest attack in Egypt's modern history. State news agency MENA said the death toll had risen to 305, including 27 children, and 128 people were injured. Egypt`s public prosecutor's office, citing interviews with wounded survivors as part of its investigation, linked Islamic State militants, also known as Daesh, to the attack on the Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of El-Arish city. "The worshippers were taken by surprise by these elements," the prosecutor said in a statement. "They numbered between 25 and 30, carrying the Daesh flag and took up positions in front of the mosque door and its 12 windows with automatic rifles." Also read: Egypt mourns 305 victims of Sinai mosque attack The gunmen, some wearing masks and military-style uniforms, had arrived in jeeps, surrounded the mosque and opened fire inside, sending panicked worshippers scrambling over each other to escape the carnage. Witnesses had said gunmen set off a bomb at the end of Friday prayers and then opened fire as people tried to flee, shooting at ambulances and setting fire to cars to block roads. Images on state media showed bloodied victims and bodies covered in blankets inside the mosque. "When the shooting began everyone was running, and everyone was bumping into one another," Magdy Rezk, a wounded survivor, said from his hospital bed. "But I was able to make out masked men wearing military clothing." Utmost Force Striking a mosque would be a shift in tactics for the Sinai militants, who have previously attacked troops and police and more recently tried to spread their insurgency to the mainland by hitting Christian churches and pilgrims. Local sources said some of the worshippers were Sufis, whom groups such as Islamic State consider targets because they revere saints and shrines, which for Islamists is tantamount to idolatry. Islamic State has targeted Sufi and Shi`ite Muslims in other countries like Iraq. The jihadists in Egypt's Sinai have also attacked local tribes and their militias for working with the army and police. Sisi, a former armed forces commander who supporters see as a bulwark against Islamist militants, promised the "utmost force" against those responsible for Friday`s attack. Security has been a key reason for his supporters to back him, and he is expected to run for re-election next year. Egypt's military carried out air strikes and raids overnight to target hideouts and vehicles involved in the attack, the army said, without giving details on the number of militants. "What is happening is an attempt to stop us from our efforts in the fight against terrorism," Sisi said on Friday. The Sinai attack came as Sisi's government looks to draw more foreign investment and finish an IMF reform programme to help revive an economy that struggled through instability after the 2011 uprising ousted long-standing leader Hosni Mubarak. North Sinai, a mostly desert area stretching from the Suez Canal eastwards to the Gaza Strip and Israel, has long been a security headache for Egypt and is a strategic region for Cairo because of its sensitive borders. Local militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, once allied to al Qaeda, split from it and declared allegiance to Islamic State in 2014. But attacks in the Sinai worsened after 2013 when Sisi led the overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood after mass protests against his rule.

Egypt mosque attack: Gunmen carried Islamic State flag

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has declared a three-day mourning in the wake of the Egypt mosque terrorist attack.

Sisi conducted an emergency security meeting with Defense Minister Sedki Sobhai and the head of General Intelligence, Khalid Fawazy, to talk about the precise steps to be taken following the deadly Al-Rawaada mosque attack.

On Friday Morning, a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/several-injured-in-mosque-attack-in-egypt-25033">massive attack </a>in Al-Rawada mosque, in the town of Beur El Abes, located in North Sinai&rsquo;s Al-Arish took place killing 235 and over a 100 injured.

The improvised explosive device, targeted worshippers assembled for Friday prayers.

Sisi had met his security minister as authorities scrambled to rescue people trapped in the blast.

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President al-Sisi pledged to respond with &quot;brutal force&quot;. (ANI)
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&quot;The army and police will avenge our martyrs and return security and stability with force in the coming short period,&quot; the president said in a televised speech.

&nbsp;No organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.

A massive attack in Al-Rawada mosque, in the town of Beur El Abes, located in North Sinai?s Al-Arish took place killing 235 and over a 100 injured.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has declared a three-day mourning in the wake of the Egypt mosque terrorist attack. Sisi conducted an emergency security meeting with Defense Minister Sedki Sobhai and the head of General Intelligence, Khalid Fawazy, to talk about the precise steps to be taken following the deadly Al-Rawaada mosque attack. On Friday Morning, a massive attack in Al-Rawada mosque, in the town of Beur El Abes, located in North Sinai’s Al-Arish took place killing 235 and over a 100 injured. The improvised explosive device, targeted worshippers assembled for Friday prayers. Sisi had met his security minister as authorities scrambled to rescue people trapped in the blast. President al-Sisi pledged to respond with "brutal force". (ANI) × "The army and police will avenge our martyrs and return security and stability with force in the coming short period," the president said in a televised speech. No organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Egypt declares three-day mourning following terror attack

Egypt&nbsp;have finally found their Holy Grail, overcoming the disappointment of decades of heartbreaking failure to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990.

Qualifying had become an obsessive weight on the team, whose repeated failures in the World Cup came in stark contrast to their record-breaking achievements in the African Nations Cup, where they repeatedly won the continental championship.

Egypt&nbsp;reached the African playoffs for the last World Cup but a 6-1 hammering in Ghana proved yet another huge setback and when they were paired with the Ghanaians again in qualifying for the 2018 finals, more disappointment was anticipated.

But Ghana started the campaign poorly, including being beaten 2-0 in Alexandria, and&nbsp;Egypt&nbsp;was able to keep their noses in front in the group, even after losing in Uganda and producing unconvincing displays in their last two home matches.

Giddy celebrations followed after qualification was secured with one game to play, with Mohamed Salah tucking away a late penalty to beat Congo 2-1 at home and avoid having to go to Ghana in their last match to try and secure a World Cup place.

Liverpool&rsquo;s Salah was the talisman of the campaign, ending as the leading scorer in the African preliminaries with five goals.

He is among a growing contingent of English-based players in the side, including Ahmed Elmohamady of Aston Villa, Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal, Ahmed Hegazy from West Bromwich Albion and the promising Ramadan Sobhi of Stoke City.

Argentine-born coach Hector Cuper has managed a smooth transition from the aging generation he inherited into a much younger outfit but still relies on the veteran Essam El Hadary in goal.

El Hadary turns 45 in January and if he plays in Russia will set a new record for the tournament&#39;s oldest participant.

Egypt reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990

Egypt have finally found their Holy Grail, overcoming the disappointment of decades of heartbreaking failure to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990. Qualifying had become an obsessive weight on the team, whose repeated failures in the World Cup came in stark contrast to their record-breaking achievements in the African Nations Cup, where they repeatedly won the continental championship. Egypt reached the African playoffs for the last World Cup but a 6-1 hammering in Ghana proved yet another huge setback and when they were paired with the Ghanaians again in qualifying for the 2018 finals, more disappointment was anticipated. But Ghana started the campaign poorly, including being beaten 2-0 in Alexandria, and Egypt was able to keep their noses in front in the group, even after losing in Uganda and producing unconvincing displays in their last two home matches. Giddy celebrations followed after qualification was secured with one game to play, with Mohamed Salah tucking away a late penalty to beat Congo 2-1 at home and avoid having to go to Ghana in their last match to try and secure a World Cup place. Liverpool’s Salah was the talisman of the campaign, ending as the leading scorer in the African preliminaries with five goals. He is among a growing contingent of English-based players in the side, including Ahmed Elmohamady of Aston Villa, Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal, Ahmed Hegazy from West Bromwich Albion and the promising Ramadan Sobhi of Stoke City. Argentine-born coach Hector Cuper has managed a smooth transition from the aging generation he inherited into a much younger outfit but still relies on the veteran Essam El Hadary in goal. El Hadary turns 45 in January and if he plays in Russia will set a new record for the tournament's oldest participant.

World Cup football: Egypt finally discover Holy Grail

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

A passenger plane-sized &quot;void&quot; has been discovered in the middle of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, where it has lain secret and untouched for 4,500 years, scientists revealed on Thursday.

The space is one of four cavities, along with the king and queen&#39;s chambers and &quot;Grand Gallery&quot;, now known to exist inside the giant monument constructed under pharaoh Khufu of ancient Egypt.

&quot;It is big,&quot; said co-discoverer Mehdi Tayoubi of the ScanPyramids project, which has been exploring Khufu&#39;s pyramid since October 2015 with non-invasive technology using subatomic particle scans.

&quot;It&#39;s the size of a 200-seater airplane, in the heart of the pyramid,&quot; Tayoubi told AFP of the discovery, published in science journal Nature.

Towering over the Giza complex on Cairo&#39;s outskirts alongside smaller pyramids for kings Menkaure and Khafre and the Great Sphinx, the Khufu&#39;s pyramid is the oldest and only surviving construction among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and one of the largest buildings ever erected on Earth.

The cavity is the first major structure found inside the Great Pyramid since the 19th century, the research team said.

&quot;There have been many theories about the existence of secret chambers inside the pyramid,&quot; said Tayoubi. &quot;But none have predicted anything this big.&quot;

The exact shape and size of the void are fuzzy -- its purpose and possible contents a mystery.

But it is thought to be at least 30 metres (98 feet) long, and located above the &quot;Grand Gallery&quot; -- a sloped corridor almost 50 m long and 9 m high which links Khufu&#39;s burial chamber at the pyramid&#39;s centre to a tunnel leading outside.

Untouched for 4,500 years&nbsp;

The monument&nbsp;139 metres high today, and 230 metres wide was erected as a tomb for Khufu, also known as Cheops. To this day, nobody knows quite how it was built.

The void said co-author Kunihiro Morishima from the Nagoya University in Japan, &quot;was not known by anyone until now, from when the pyramid was built 4,500 years ago&quot;.

&quot;The big void is completely closed,&quot; he added, which means anything inside it would not have been &quot;touched by anyone after the pyramid (was) built&quot;.

The pharaohs of ancient Egypt built these monumental tombs for themselves, complete with sarcophagus to hold their embalmed mummies, and stocked with everything they could require for the afterlife -- food, clothing, and jewellery.

Khufu&#39;s pyramid was plundered long before it was visited by modern archaeologists, and no relics remain from any of the known chambers.

For this reason, the new cavity may be &quot;very exciting,&quot; said Morishima, though it is not known if it contains anything at all.

The team used a technique called &quot;cosmic-ray muon radiography&quot;, which allowed them to visualise &quot;known and potentially unknown&quot; voids in the pyramid without having to touch a single stone.

Muons are charged, heavy particles formed from the interactions of cosmic rays with atoms in the upper atmosphere.

Similar to X-rays which can penetrate the human body and allow bone imaging, these particles can follow a mostly straight line through several hundreds of metres of stone before decaying or being absorbed, the team said.

By recording the position and direction of each muon as it travels through the pyramid, muon detectors can distinguish cavities from stone.

High confidence&nbsp;

&quot;We will continue to conduct muon imaging for revealing the detail&quot; of the void, said Morishima including its dimensions and inclination, and whether it consists of a single, large cavity or a complex of several.

&quot;Our muon imaging technology can&#39;t confirm (whether) there are some artifacts or not,&quot; he added. Anything inside would be &quot;too small for muon imaging.&quot;

The team is already turning its attention to new technology for the next step possibly a miniature robot that can travel through tiny holes to examine the inside of the void without disturbing anything.

The discovery, named simply &quot;Big Void&quot;, has been confirmed using three different muon technologies and three independent analyses, verifying its existence with &quot;high confidence,&quot; the authors said.

&quot;While there is currently no information about the role of this void, these findings show how modern particle physics can shed new light on the world&#39;s archaeological heritage,&quot; the authors wrote in Nature.

'It's the size of a 200-seater airplane, in the heart of the pyramid,' co-discoverer Mehdi Tayoubi said

A passenger plane-sized "void" has been discovered in the middle of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, where it has lain secret and untouched for 4,500 years, scientists revealed on Thursday. The space is one of four cavities, along with the king and queen's chambers and "Grand Gallery", now known to exist inside the giant monument constructed under pharaoh Khufu of ancient Egypt. "It is big," said co-discoverer Mehdi Tayoubi of the ScanPyramids project, which has been exploring Khufu's pyramid since October 2015 with non-invasive technology using subatomic particle scans. "It's the size of a 200-seater airplane, in the heart of the pyramid," Tayoubi told AFP of the discovery, published in science journal Nature. Towering over the Giza complex on Cairo's outskirts alongside smaller pyramids for kings Menkaure and Khafre and the Great Sphinx, the Khufu's pyramid is the oldest and only surviving construction among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and one of the largest buildings ever erected on Earth. The cavity is the first major structure found inside the Great Pyramid since the 19th century, the research team said. "There have been many theories about the existence of secret chambers inside the pyramid," said Tayoubi. "But none have predicted anything this big." The exact shape and size of the void are fuzzy -- its purpose and possible contents a mystery. But it is thought to be at least 30 metres (98 feet) long, and located above the "Grand Gallery" -- a sloped corridor almost 50 m long and 9 m high which links Khufu's burial chamber at the pyramid's centre to a tunnel leading outside. Untouched for 4,500 years The monument 139 metres high today, and 230 metres wide was erected as a tomb for Khufu, also known as Cheops. To this day, nobody knows quite how it was built. The void said co-author Kunihiro Morishima from the Nagoya University in Japan, "was not known by anyone until now, from when the pyramid was built 4,500 years ago". "The big void is completely closed," he added, which means anything inside it would not have been "touched by anyone after the pyramid (was) built". The pharaohs of ancient Egypt built these monumental tombs for themselves, complete with sarcophagus to hold their embalmed mummies, and stocked with everything they could require for the afterlife -- food, clothing, and jewellery. Khufu's pyramid was plundered long before it was visited by modern archaeologists, and no relics remain from any of the known chambers. For this reason, the new cavity may be "very exciting," said Morishima, though it is not known if it contains anything at all. The team used a technique called "cosmic-ray muon radiography", which allowed them to visualise "known and potentially unknown" voids in the pyramid without having to touch a single stone. Muons are charged, heavy particles formed from the interactions of cosmic rays with atoms in the upper atmosphere. Similar to X-rays which can penetrate the human body and allow bone imaging, these particles can follow a mostly straight line through several hundreds of metres of stone before decaying or being absorbed, the team said. By recording the position and direction of each muon as it travels through the pyramid, muon detectors can distinguish cavities from stone. High confidence "We will continue to conduct muon imaging for revealing the detail" of the void, said Morishima including its dimensions and inclination, and whether it consists of a single, large cavity or a complex of several. "Our muon imaging technology can't confirm (whether) there are some artifacts or not," he added. Anything inside would be "too small for muon imaging." The team is already turning its attention to new technology for the next step possibly a miniature robot that can travel through tiny holes to examine the inside of the void without disturbing anything. The discovery, named simply "Big Void", has been confirmed using three different muon technologies and three independent analyses, verifying its existence with "high confidence," the authors said. "While there is currently no information about the role of this void, these findings show how modern particle physics can shed new light on the world's archaeological heritage," the authors wrote in Nature.

Plane-sized 'void' found in Great Pyramid: Scientists

An Egyptian lawmaker created a storm on social media after declaring&nbsp;that its a &quot;national duty&quot;&nbsp;to rape women &quot;who wear ripped jeans&quot;.&nbsp;

Lawyer Nabih al-Wahsh created a major controversy when&nbsp;he mentioned that women who&nbsp;wear revealing clothes in public &quot;invite&quot;&nbsp;men to harass them.&nbsp;

al-Wahsh appeared on TV the talk show called &#39;Infrad&#39;&nbsp;on satellite channel Al-Assema where he made the derogatory comment.&nbsp;

&quot;Are you happy when you see a girl walking down the street with half of her behind showing?&quot; Al-Wahsh, a prominent conservative said.

&ldquo;I say that when a girl walks about like that, it is a patriotic duty to sexually harass her and a national duty to rape her,&rdquo; he said, answering his own question.

The comment created a furore&nbsp;on social media in Egypt with several feminists slamming the lawyer&#39;s comment.&nbsp;

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According to Nabih al-Wahsh, a sick egyptian conservative, it is the national duty to rape women who wear ripped jeans... (1)
&mdash; Hobbit of Hogwarts?? (@magical_hobbit) <a href="https://twitter.com/magical_hobbit/status/925989327875858432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Keep Nabih Al-Wahsh away from all women.
&mdash; Moeez Siddiqui (@messofanego) <a href="https://twitter.com/messofanego/status/926022243066503168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Nabih al-Wahsh 
please never apply for a visa thankyou
&mdash; Robert Hawkins (@hawkinsdotbiz) <a href="https://twitter.com/hawkinsdotbiz/status/925841849843109889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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1 of a million reasons of why I am afraid to go back to Egypt: walking in the street with a ripped jeans! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HighLevelAnxiety?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HighLevelAnxiety</a> <a href="https://t.co/CR8JDiBfAc">https://t.co/CR8JDiBfAc</a>
&mdash; Wafaa Heikal (@WafHeikal) <a href="https://twitter.com/WafHeikal/status/925131973051351040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Egypt&rsquo;s National Council for Women has&nbsp;decided to file a&nbsp;complaint against al-Wahsh and the TV channel.&nbsp;

al-Wahsh had made a statement proclaiming that he made the comment in order for more stringent punishments for sexual harassment.&nbsp;

He said, &quot;Girls must respect themselves so others respect them. Protecting morals is more important than protecting borders.&quot;

During a debate in 2015, al-Wahsh had commented on&nbsp;how women should not be permitted to serve as judges, which also sparked a major controversy.&nbsp;

al-Wahsh appeared on TV the talk show called 'Infrad'?on satellite channel Al-Assema where he made the derogatory comment

An Egyptian lawmaker created a storm on social media after declaring that its a "national duty" to rape women "who wear ripped jeans". Lawyer Nabih al-Wahsh created a major controversy when he mentioned that women who wear revealing clothes in public "invite" men to harass them. al-Wahsh appeared on TV the talk show called 'Infrad' on satellite channel Al-Assema where he made the derogatory comment. "Are you happy when you see a girl walking down the street with half of her behind showing?" Al-Wahsh, a prominent conservative said. “I say that when a girl walks about like that, it is a patriotic duty to sexually harass her and a national duty to rape her,” he said, answering his own question. The comment created a furore on social media in Egypt with several feminists slamming the lawyer's comment. According to Nabih al-Wahsh, a sick egyptian conservative, it is the national duty to rape women who wear ripped jeans... (1) — Hobbit of Hogwarts?? (@magical_hobbit) November 2, 2017 × Keep Nabih Al-Wahsh away from all women. — Moeez Siddiqui (@messofanego) November 2, 2017 × Nabih al-Wahsh please never apply for a visa thankyou — Robert Hawkins (@hawkinsdotbiz) November 1, 2017 × 1 of a million reasons of why I am afraid to go back to Egypt: walking in the street with a ripped jeans! #HighLevelAnxiety https://t.co/CR8JDiBfAc — Wafaa Heikal (@WafHeikal) October 30, 2017 × Egypt’s National Council for Women has decided to file a complaint against al-Wahsh and the TV channel. al-Wahsh had made a statement proclaiming that he made the comment in order for more stringent punishments for sexual harassment. He said, "Girls must respect themselves so others respect them. Protecting morals is more important than protecting borders." During a debate in 2015, al-Wahsh had commented on how women should not be permitted to serve as judges, which also sparked a major controversy.

'National duty' to rape women who wear ripped jeans: Egyptian lawmaker

Egypt has extended for a third time a nationwide state of emergency for three months, starting tomorrow, according to a presidential decree released today.

The emergency was first declared in April by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for three months after the attacks on two Churches in Tanta and Alexandria killed 46 people.

The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State.

It was extended in July for a further three months.

President Sisi renewed it for a third term starting tomorrow, local media reported.

According to the decision, the armed forces and police authorities are assigned to take necessary measures to combat terror risks, maintain security across the country, and protect public and private properties, the reports said.

The state of emergency allows authorities to make arrests without warrants and search people&#39;s homes.

Egypt has witnessed terrorist attacks since the January 2011 revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak.

The attacks, targeting police, military personnel and minorities, increased after the ouster of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in 2013 by the military following massive protests against his rule. 
Hundreds of police and army personnel have been killed since then.

The emergency was first declared in April by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for three months after the attacks on two Churches in Tanta and Alexandria killed 46 people

Egypt has extended for a third time a nationwide state of emergency for three months, starting tomorrow, according to a presidential decree released today. The emergency was first declared in April by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for three months after the attacks on two Churches in Tanta and Alexandria killed 46 people. The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State. It was extended in July for a further three months. President Sisi renewed it for a third term starting tomorrow, local media reported. According to the decision, the armed forces and police authorities are assigned to take necessary measures to combat terror risks, maintain security across the country, and protect public and private properties, the reports said. The state of emergency allows authorities to make arrests without warrants and search people's homes. Egypt has witnessed terrorist attacks since the January 2011 revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak. The attacks, targeting police, military personnel and minorities, increased after the ouster of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in 2013 by the military following massive protests against his rule. Hundreds of police and army personnel have been killed since then.

Egypt extends state of emergency for another three months

At least 18&nbsp;Egyptian policemen were killed and three injured on Monday in an attack claimed by Islamic State on a security convoy in the Sinai Peninsula, which is gripped by an insurgency.

Security and medical sources said the attack took place near Arish, the capital of North Sinai province, and two of those killed were officers. A brigadier general lost a leg in the blast.

Militants detonated an improvised explosive device and managed to destroy three armoured vehicles and a signal-jamming vehicle. The attack later turned into a gunfight and the militants also shot at ambulance workers, injuring four.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted by its news agency Amaq.

The Sunni militants are waging an insurgency in the rugged, thinly populated Sinai. They have killed hundreds of soldiers and police since 2013 when the military ousted&nbsp;Egypt&#39;s Islamist president Mohamed Mursi after mass protests against his rule.

At least 23&nbsp;Egyptian soldiers were killed when suicide car bombs tore through two military checkpoints in North Sinai in July, in one of the bloodiest assaults on security forces in years.

The Interior Ministry confirmed in a statement that the attack on Monday took place and that several policemen were killed or injured. It did not provide any casualty figures.

The attack was held near Arish, the capital of North Sinai province, according to security and medical forces

At least 18 Egyptian policemen were killed and three injured on Monday in an attack claimed by Islamic State on a security convoy in the Sinai Peninsula, which is gripped by an insurgency. Security and medical sources said the attack took place near Arish, the capital of North Sinai province, and two of those killed were officers. A brigadier general lost a leg in the blast. Militants detonated an improvised explosive device and managed to destroy three armoured vehicles and a signal-jamming vehicle. The attack later turned into a gunfight and the militants also shot at ambulance workers, injuring four. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted by its news agency Amaq. The Sunni militants are waging an insurgency in the rugged, thinly populated Sinai. They have killed hundreds of soldiers and police since 2013 when the military ousted Egypt's Islamist president Mohamed Mursi after mass protests against his rule. At least 23 Egyptian soldiers were killed when suicide car bombs tore through two military checkpoints in North Sinai in July, in one of the bloodiest assaults on security forces in years. The Interior Ministry confirmed in a statement that the attack on Monday took place and that several policemen were killed or injured. It did not provide any casualty figures.

Sinai blast kills 18 Egyptian policemen

Sarahah app, which has been trending all over the social media for a week now, derived its name from the Arabic word meaning &quot;honesty&quot;. The app was created by Saudi Arabian developer Zain al-Abidin Tawfiq a month before, but it became popular recently.

The &quot;honesty&quot; app has already earned great recognition in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, BBC reports.&nbsp;

The app enables people to leave a message on anyone&#39;s Saraha profile anonymously, also providing an option of tagging the sender&#39;s identity.&nbsp;

The person receiving the messages can either flag the messages, delete them, reply or favourite them. The messages are received in the person&#39;s inbox.&nbsp;

According to the creator, the constructive feedback received from anonymous sources will help the receiver in self-development.&nbsp;

However, it is quite certain that the app is encouraging cyberbullying by allowing people to respond under anonymity. &nbsp;Instances have shown people responding in an utter insensitive way without considering the consequences of the harsh messages.&nbsp;

Sarahah has become a useful platform for haters who do not hesitate in responding with severe comments.

The developers are planning to upgrade the app by enhancing the privacy setting of the app. The upgraded features will restrict the audience only to the people you share your profile with and also allowing only logged in profile to comment on your profile. The new feature will also let you block the sender of obscene messages.

Within a month Sarahah has surpassed the popularity of long going apps such as YouTube and Instagram by leading the App Store&#39;s number 1 spot.

&nbsp;

The app enables people to leave a message on anyone's Saraha profile anonymously, also providing an option of tagging the sender's identity.

Sarahah app, which has been trending all over the social media for a week now, derived its name from the Arabic word meaning "honesty". The app was created by Saudi Arabian developer Zain al-Abidin Tawfiq a month before, but it became popular recently. The "honesty" app has already earned great recognition in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, BBC reports. The app enables people to leave a message on anyone's Saraha profile anonymously, also providing an option of tagging the sender's identity. The person receiving the messages can either flag the messages, delete them, reply or favourite them. The messages are received in the person's inbox. According to the creator, the constructive feedback received from anonymous sources will help the receiver in self-development. However, it is quite certain that the app is encouraging cyberbullying by allowing people to respond under anonymity. Instances have shown people responding in an utter insensitive way without considering the consequences of the harsh messages. Sarahah has become a useful platform for haters who do not hesitate in responding with severe comments. The developers are planning to upgrade the app by enhancing the privacy setting of the app. The upgraded features will restrict the audience only to the people you share your profile with and also allowing only logged in profile to comment on your profile. The new feature will also let you block the sender of obscene messages. Within a month Sarahah has surpassed the popularity of long going apps such as YouTube and Instagram by leading the App Store's number 1 spot.

Sarahah: "Honesty" or "Cyberbullying" App?

The four Arab countries that have cut ties with Qatar said on Sunday they were ready for talks to tackle the dispute if Doha showed willingness to deal with their demands.

The foreign ministers of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates met in the Bahraini capital, Manama, to discuss the crisis that has raised tensions across the region.

The Saudi-led bloc cut ties with the Gulf state on June 5, accusing it of backing militant groups and cosying up to their arch-foe Iran, allegations Doha denies.

Diplomatic efforts led by Kuwait and backed by Western powers have failed to end the dispute, in which the four states have severed travel and communications with Qatar.

&quot;The four countries are ready for dialogue with Qatar with the condition that it announces its sincere willingness to stop funding terrorism and extremism and its commitment to not interfere in other countries&#39; foreign affairs and respond to the 13 demands,&quot; Bahrain&#39;s foreign minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa, told a joint news conference after the meeting.

They announced no new economic sanctions on the Gulf state.

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain previously issued a list of 13 demands for Qatar, which include curtailing its support for the Muslim Brotherhood, shutting down the Doha-based Al Jazeera channel, closing a Turkish military base and downgrading its relations with Gulf enemy Iran.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Qatar was not serious in tackling the countries&#39; demands.

&quot;We are ready to talk with Qatar on the implementation of the demands, on the implementation of the principles, if Qatar is serious, but it has been clear that it is not,&quot; he said.

The four countries have also listed &quot;six principles&quot; they want Qatar to adopt.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani dismissed Sunday&#39;s statement from the four countries and said sanctions were violating international laws.

&quot;There isn&#39;t a clear vision (from Manama&#39;s meeting), there is only a stubborn policy from the blockading countries and refusal to admit that these are illegal actions,&quot; Sheikh Mohammed told Al Jazeera TV channel.

Earlier on Sunday, al-Hayat newspaper said, citing unidentified Gulf sources, that the four countries &quot;are expected to impose sanctions that will gradually affect the Qatari economy.&quot;

Saudi Arabia has closed its land border with Qatar, while all four countries have cut air and sea links with Doha, demanding the gas-exporting country take several measures to show it was changing its policies.

Turkey and Iran have stepped in to provide fresh produce, poultry and dairy products to Qatar instead of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Oman providing alternative ports to those in the UAE.

The four Arab countries added 18 groups and individuals they say are linked to Qatar to their &quot;terrorist&quot; lists last week.

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have listed 'six principles' they want Qatar to adopt

The four Arab countries that have cut ties with Qatar said on Sunday they were ready for talks to tackle the dispute if Doha showed willingness to deal with their demands. The foreign ministers of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates met in the Bahraini capital, Manama, to discuss the crisis that has raised tensions across the region. The Saudi-led bloc cut ties with the Gulf state on June 5, accusing it of backing militant groups and cosying up to their arch-foe Iran, allegations Doha denies. Diplomatic efforts led by Kuwait and backed by Western powers have failed to end the dispute, in which the four states have severed travel and communications with Qatar. "The four countries are ready for dialogue with Qatar with the condition that it announces its sincere willingness to stop funding terrorism and extremism and its commitment to not interfere in other countries' foreign affairs and respond to the 13 demands," Bahrain's foreign minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa, told a joint news conference after the meeting. They announced no new economic sanctions on the Gulf state. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain previously issued a list of 13 demands for Qatar, which include curtailing its support for the Muslim Brotherhood, shutting down the Doha-based Al Jazeera channel, closing a Turkish military base and downgrading its relations with Gulf enemy Iran. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Qatar was not serious in tackling the countries' demands. "We are ready to talk with Qatar on the implementation of the demands, on the implementation of the principles, if Qatar is serious, but it has been clear that it is not," he said. The four countries have also listed "six principles" they want Qatar to adopt. Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani dismissed Sunday's statement from the four countries and said sanctions were violating international laws. "There isn't a clear vision (from Manama's meeting), there is only a stubborn policy from the blockading countries and refusal to admit that these are illegal actions," Sheikh Mohammed told Al Jazeera TV channel. Earlier on Sunday, al-Hayat newspaper said, citing unidentified Gulf sources, that the four countries "are expected to impose sanctions that will gradually affect the Qatari economy." Saudi Arabia has closed its land border with Qatar, while all four countries have cut air and sea links with Doha, demanding the gas-exporting country take several measures to show it was changing its policies. Turkey and Iran have stepped in to provide fresh produce, poultry and dairy products to Qatar instead of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Oman providing alternative ports to those in the UAE. The four Arab countries added 18 groups and individuals they say are linked to Qatar to their "terrorist" lists last week.

Four Arab countries ready to talk with Qatar, with conditions

In a move that signals that the ongoing diplomatic standoff involving Qatar and other Arab states will only worsen, the four Arab states led by Saudi Arabia pledged new political, economic and legal steps against Qatar declaring the earlier set of 13 demands as void.

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE met in Cairo and discussed the new set of measures against Doha. They said that Qatar&#39;s refusal to comply with the initial set of 13 demands is proof that the gas-rich nation has links with terror groups.

However, the anti-Qatar coalition led by Saudi Arabia did not elaborate as to when the new measures will come into force.&nbsp;

The four Aarb states condemned Doha&#39;s response as &quot;negative&quot; and lacking in content, Reuters reported.

The United States has expressed concern that the ongoing dispute between Qatar and the Arab states could drag for months or possibly even intensify.&nbsp;

Speaking about the rift between Qatar on one side and Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt on the other, state department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said, &quot;We remain very concerned about that ongoing situation between Qatar and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries.&quot;

&quot;We&#39;ve become increasingly concerned that that dispute is at an impasse at this point. We believe that this could potentially drag on for weeks. It could drag on for months. It could possibly even intensify,&quot; she added.&nbsp;

According to a report, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson is planning to visit Kuwait which is acting as a mediator in the dispute. US defence secretary Jim Mattis had a phone conversation with his Qatari counterpart stressing the &quot;importance of de-escalating tensions&quot;, Reuters quoted the Pentagon as saying. &nbsp;

Mattis also reaffirmed America&#39;s startegic security partnership with Qatar. Qatar is one of the important allies of US in the fight against the Islamic State as it hosts the largest US air force base in the entire region from where anti-IS raids are launched. &nbsp;

The rift started last month in June when the four Arab states broke diplomatic ties with the gas-rch nation, which is also a close US-ally in West Asia, alleging that it has links with terror groups. 
&nbsp;

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE met in Cairo and discussed the new set of measures against Doha

In a move that signals that the ongoing diplomatic standoff involving Qatar and other Arab states will only worsen, the four Arab states led by Saudi Arabia pledged new political, economic and legal steps against Qatar declaring the earlier set of 13 demands as void. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE met in Cairo and discussed the new set of measures against Doha. They said that Qatar's refusal to comply with the initial set of 13 demands is proof that the gas-rich nation has links with terror groups. However, the anti-Qatar coalition led by Saudi Arabia did not elaborate as to when the new measures will come into force. The four Aarb states condemned Doha's response as "negative" and lacking in content, Reuters reported. The United States has expressed concern that the ongoing dispute between Qatar and the Arab states could drag for months or possibly even intensify. Speaking about the rift between Qatar on one side and Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt on the other, state department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said, "We remain very concerned about that ongoing situation between Qatar and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries." "We've become increasingly concerned that that dispute is at an impasse at this point. We believe that this could potentially drag on for weeks. It could drag on for months. It could possibly even intensify," she added. According to a report, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson is planning to visit Kuwait which is acting as a mediator in the dispute. US defence secretary Jim Mattis had a phone conversation with his Qatari counterpart stressing the "importance of de-escalating tensions", Reuters quoted the Pentagon as saying. Mattis also reaffirmed America's startegic security partnership with Qatar. Qatar is one of the important allies of US in the fight against the Islamic State as it hosts the largest US air force base in the entire region from where anti-IS raids are launched. The rift started last month in June when the four Arab states broke diplomatic ties with the gas-rch nation, which is also a close US-ally in West Asia, alleging that it has links with terror groups.

US fears rift involving Qatar & Arab states could intensify

Saudi Arabia and its allies said early Monday they had decided to extend by 48 hours the deadline for Qatar to accept their list of demands to lift a de facto blockade.

With the deadline expiring at midnight Sunday, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt agreed to give Doha an extension to respond positively to their demands.

The move came after a request by the Kuwaiti emir who is acting as mediator in the Gulf crisis, according to a joint statement issued by the official Saudi SPA news agency.

The Kuwaiti government had requested the extension following Qatar&#39;s announcement that it was due to hand over its response to the emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, on Monday.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt announced on June 5 they were severing ties with their Gulf neighbour, sparking the worst diplomatic crisis to hit the region in decades.

They accused Doha of supporting extremism and of being too close to regional arch-rival Iran, which Qatar has strongly denied.

On June 22 they presented a list of 13 demands and gave Doha 10 days to comply.

Riyadh&#39;s demands include ending Doha&#39;s support for the Muslim Brotherhood, the closure of Al-Jazeera television, a downgrade of diplomatic ties with Iran and the shutdown of a Turkish military base in the emirate.

The four countries indicated in their statement that they would study and evaluate Qatar&#39;s response before delivering their own reply to Kuwait.

Doha has so far indicated that it rejects the demands.

&quot;The list of demands is made to be rejected,&quot; Qatar&#39;s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said Saturday in Rome.

&quot;The state of Qatar... is rejecting it as a principle,&quot; he said, adding: &quot;We are willing to engage in providing the proper conditions for further dialogue.&quot;

On June 22, Qatar was?presented with a list of 13 demands and was given 10 days to comply

Saudi Arabia and its allies said early Monday they had decided to extend by 48 hours the deadline for Qatar to accept their list of demands to lift a de facto blockade. With the deadline expiring at midnight Sunday, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt agreed to give Doha an extension to respond positively to their demands. The move came after a request by the Kuwaiti emir who is acting as mediator in the Gulf crisis, according to a joint statement issued by the official Saudi SPA news agency. The Kuwaiti government had requested the extension following Qatar's announcement that it was due to hand over its response to the emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, on Monday. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt announced on June 5 they were severing ties with their Gulf neighbour, sparking the worst diplomatic crisis to hit the region in decades. They accused Doha of supporting extremism and of being too close to regional arch-rival Iran, which Qatar has strongly denied. On June 22 they presented a list of 13 demands and gave Doha 10 days to comply. Riyadh's demands include ending Doha's support for the Muslim Brotherhood, the closure of Al-Jazeera television, a downgrade of diplomatic ties with Iran and the shutdown of a Turkish military base in the emirate. The four countries indicated in their statement that they would study and evaluate Qatar's response before delivering their own reply to Kuwait. Doha has so far indicated that it rejects the demands. "The list of demands is made to be rejected," Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said Saturday in Rome. "The state of Qatar... is rejecting it as a principle," he said, adding: "We are willing to engage in providing the proper conditions for further dialogue."

Saudi Arabia and allies extend Qatar deadline by 48 hours

Four Arab states currently boycotting Qatar for allegedly supporting terorrism have sent the country a lot of 13 demands, according to one of the countres&#39; officials who spoke to Reuters.

The&nbsp;boycott, launched on June 5, entails each of the&nbsp;countries&nbsp;cutting economic, diplomatic and travel ties with Doha The four nations who made the list of demands include&nbsp;Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahain.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The list of demands

Reuters reports that the four nations demand that Qatar:

Close the TV station&nbsp;Al Jazeera.&nbsp;

Reduce&nbsp;their ties with Iran.

Close&nbsp;a Turkish military base in Qatar.&nbsp;

Declare that it is cutting off ties with terrorist, sectarian and ideological organisations like the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State, al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Jabhat Fateh al Sham.&nbsp;

Must also surrender anybody designated as a terorrist on its territory.

Must stop interfering in the four countries&#39; domestic and foreign affairs&nbsp;

Stop&nbsp;giving Qatari nationality to citizens of the four countries

Pay reparations to these countries for any damage or costs incurred over the past few years because of Qatari policies, he added

More, if Qatar does agree to meet this list of demands, the four countries will monitor compliance with monthly reports in the first year, then&nbsp;three-month reports in the following year, then annual reports in the next decade, said an official to Reuters without offering further clarification.

&nbsp;

Qatar&#39;s response

Qatar has denied that they are guilty of what the four Arab nations accuse them of: Funding terorrism, creating regional instability &nbsp;and warming up to revolutionary theocracy Iran.

Earlier this week the foreign minister said Qatar would not negotiate with the four states unless they first lifted their measures. Reuters was not able to reach him for comment.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

What if Qatar says no?

The countries give Doha 10 days to comply, failing which the list becomes &quot;void&quot;, the official said without elaborating. This suggests that the&nbsp;offer to end the dispute in return for meeting the thirteen demands may&nbsp;no longer be on the table.

&nbsp;

How are others responding?

Donald Trump has called Qatar a &quot;high level sponsor of terrorism&quot;, but also offered to mediate to help these parties resolve their differences. Days after Trump plainly said&nbsp;Qatar sponsors terrorism, the US sold them $12 billion in weapons.

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The US accuses Qatar of supporting terrorism and then turns around and sells F-15 fighters, and continues to use the Al Udeid Air Base. Clearly politics is all very well but nothing can halt the business of America. WION brings you this report (WION)
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Turkey has so far taken Qatar&#39;s side. It has launched ships carrying aid in the form of food to Qatar, and yesterday sent a small a small group soldiers and even armoured vehicles. Turkey&#39;s president Tayyip Erdogan met with Saudi Arabia&#39;s leaders in an effort to calm the regional tension.&nbsp;

The concessions are not just numerous but large, and if Qatar agrees their compliance will be monitored closely for ten years

Four Arab states currently boycotting Qatar for allegedly supporting terorrism have sent the country a lot of 13 demands, according to one of the countres' officials who spoke to Reuters. The boycott, launched on June 5, entails each of the countries cutting economic, diplomatic and travel ties with Doha The four nations who made the list of demands include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahain. The list of demands Reuters reports that the four nations demand that Qatar: Close the TV station Al Jazeera. Reduce their ties with Iran. Close a Turkish military base in Qatar. Declare that it is cutting off ties with terrorist, sectarian and ideological organisations like the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State, al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Jabhat Fateh al Sham. Must also surrender anybody designated as a terorrist on its territory. Must stop interfering in the four countries' domestic and foreign affairs Stop giving Qatari nationality to citizens of the four countries Pay reparations to these countries for any damage or costs incurred over the past few years because of Qatari policies, he added More, if Qatar does agree to meet this list of demands, the four countries will monitor compliance with monthly reports in the first year, then three-month reports in the following year, then annual reports in the next decade, said an official to Reuters without offering further clarification. Qatar's response Qatar has denied that they are guilty of what the four Arab nations accuse them of: Funding terorrism, creating regional instability and warming up to revolutionary theocracy Iran. Earlier this week the foreign minister said Qatar would not negotiate with the four states unless they first lifted their measures. Reuters was not able to reach him for comment. What if Qatar says no? The countries give Doha 10 days to comply, failing which the list becomes "void", the official said without elaborating. This suggests that the offer to end the dispute in return for meeting the thirteen demands may no longer be on the table. How are others responding? Donald Trump has called Qatar a "high level sponsor of terrorism", but also offered to mediate to help these parties resolve their differences. Days after Trump plainly said Qatar sponsors terrorism, the US sold them $12 billion in weapons. The US accuses Qatar of supporting terrorism and then turns around and sells F-15 fighters, and continues to use the Al Udeid Air Base. Clearly politics is all very well but nothing can halt the business of America. WION brings you this report (WION) × Turkey has so far taken Qatar's side. It has launched ships carrying aid in the form of food to Qatar, and yesterday sent a small a small group soldiers and even armoured vehicles. Turkey's president Tayyip Erdogan met with Saudi Arabia's leaders in an effort to calm the regional tension.

Arab states send Qatar 13 demands to end crisis, official says

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