In a poignant gesture of appreciation and national recognition, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended on Thursday the wedding ceremony of Amira, daughter of Brigadier General Mohamed Saad Mustafa Ayad, who was killed in the line of duty on November 28, 2014 while serving his country and the Egyptian Armed Forces.

PM: Presidential directives prioritise local manufacturing, export growth

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reiterated on Thursday that the government is working to implement President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives to deepen local manufacturing, localise technology, attract domestic and foreign investment, strengthen national industry, expand the production base and boost exports, while improving the business climate and strengthening partnerships with the private sector.

Madbouly made the remarks while chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting at the government headquarters in the New Capital, where he stressed that the government was pressing ahead with implementing the president’s mandates and the recommendations and outcomes of the Egypt Forum 2026.

Egypt, Bahrain seek to expand economic partnership, boost mutual investments

Egypt’s Minister of Finance, Ahmed Kouchouk, has stressed the importance of expanding the Egyptian-Bahraini economic partnership, boosting mutual investments and increasing trade exchange.

He also emphasised the significant opportunities available to deepen co-operation and achieve greater economic integration for the benefit of both countries.

Kouchouk made the remarks during the third meeting of the Egyptian-Bahraini Governmental Committee for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Co-operation, held in the New Capital and co-chaired by Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy.

Developing countries’ external debt hits record $9.4 trillion

Low- and middle-income countries are borrowing more and paying more for new debt, with external debt surging 5.5 per cent to a record $9.4 trillion in 2025, the World Bank (WB) said on Thursday.
The Washington-based lender said borrowing through ‌international bond markets had continued in 2026, raising critical questions about “whether the terms are sustainable and whether the capital raised is reaching the people and places that need it most.”

Bomb hoaxes hit 27 European flights

Hoax bomb threats hit at least 27 affected flights around Europe on Thursday from Ireland to Bulgaria, the ‌second wave this week, forcing some to make unplanned landings and prompting fighter jets to escort or intercept others.
While no country has attributed blame for the threats, they come as many European officials are accusing Russia of masterminding sabotage and “hybrid attacks” — often cheap, easily deniable and not expected to trigger an armed response.

Paraguay President Peña resigns

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña resigned on Thursday as calls for his removal swelled following the collapse of digital lender ueno that left millions of customers unable ‌to access their accounts.
“I do so with the stability of our country, social peace, and the need to preserve our democratic institutions in mind,” he said in a video recorded address on Thursday.