Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met in Alamein with Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity, in the presence of senior Egyptian and Libyan officials.

Presidential spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy said President Sisi welcomed the visit, stressing the historic bonds binding Egypt and Libya and Egypt’s consistent support for Libya’s stability and unity. 

The talks focused on expanding co-operation in electricity, energy, infrastructure, reconstruction and boosting trade and investment.

Egypt, Libya agree to advance strategic partnership in energy, infrastructure

Egypt’s Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli underscored on Thursday the importance of establishing a clear timeline for Egyptian-Libyan co-operation in natural gas, petroleum exploration and refining, electricity interconnection, and fertiliser production.

Madbouli’s remarks came as he received Head of the Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdel Hamid Dbeibah at the Government Headquarters in New Alamein City. Senior ministers and officials from both sides were present at the meeting.

CBE leads landmark African financial stability initiative

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has announced the publication of the inaugural African Financial Stability Report, prepared under its chairmanship of the Financial Stability Report Working Group of the African Financial Stability Committee (AFSC).

The report marks the first continent-wide assessment of financial stability and aims to strengthen co-operation among African central banks on macroprudential policy.

The AFSC was established in 2024 following a proposal by CBE Governor Hassan Abdallah to the Association of African Central Banks.

Greek firefighters battle deadly wildfires on Crete

Greek firefighters were battling deadly wildfires on the island of Crete for a second day on Thursday, as wildfires continue to spread across Europe following days of devastating blazes in Spain and France.

On Wednesday, three ‌Greek firefighters died battling blazes during high winds on Crete and on the mainland, and two more were lightly injured.

Two firefighters died after becoming trapped in the Crete fire near the village of Krya Vrysi in the centre of the island while they were driving between fire fronts. Another died in a separate fire ⁠in the Peloponnese region.

Japan earthquake death toll feared to hit 23

Up to 23 people were feared dead today after a major earthquake in Japan, with four bodies now pulled out from the tangled wreckage of a shopping mall ripped apart by a suspected massive gas explosion.

The Kumamoto disaster management office’s latest tally put fatalities at 17 and those without vital signs at six, with five more in critical condition two days after the 7.1-magnitude tremor.

US military hits dozens of Iran’s IRGC targets

The US military said it struck dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard targets in Iran, including military command centres and drone facilities, in a two-hour operation launched after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at US forces in the Middle East.

The operation began ‌at 00:00 GMT and ended at 02:00 GMT on Thursday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.