The body of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas was not among the four returned by Hamas from Gaza on Thursday, Israel’s military has said, accusing the Palestinian militant group of a “violation of utmost severity” of the precarious ceasefire deal. Hamas said it will investigate Israel’s claims, insisting that it intends to abide by the terms of the ceasefire deal reached with Israel. The Israeli military confirmed on Friday that two of the four bodies handed over were Shiri’s young sons Kfir and Ariel, along with another captive Oded Lifshitz. However, during the identification process, the military determined one of the bodies received was not that of Shiri Bibas, and did not match with other hostages. “This is an anonymous, unidentified body,” the military said in a statement. “We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all our hostages,” added the military. The revelation is the latest tragic twist for...

Donald Trump has renewed his statements about Washington’s control over the Gaza Strip, stating that his plan for Gaza is good, but he will not impose it and will only recommend it. Trump added in statements today: “I was surprised by the lack of welcome from Jordan and Egypt for the plan I put forward regarding Gaza, and we provide them with billions of dollars annually.” Trump reiterated his statements about Washington controlling the Strip, saying: “The United States will own Gaza according to my plan, there will be no Hamas, and we will start developing it.” Trump claimed that “if the residents of Gaza were given the choice, they would leave it,” and the former US President explained that the Strip has become an uninhabitable place. Regarding the hostage issue, Trump said: “Hamas is trying to release the hostages who are in good condition first.” He added: “A number...

Football fans eagerly anticipate the kickoff of the Liverpool vs. Manchester City match in the English Premier League, which will feature an all-Egyptian showdown between Mohamed Salah, the “Reds” star, and Omar Marmoush, the “Citizens” star. Salah and Marmoush will face off next Sunday in the Manchester City vs. Liverpool match, which is considered one of the most prominent dual encounters in the recent English Premier League, despite Pep Guardiola’s team entering it in a very critical situation after their elimination from the Champions League following a 6-3 aggregate loss to Real Madrid. The Spanish newspaper “Mundo Deportivo” highlighted the highly anticipated confrontation, stating that Salah and Marmoush are ambassadors of Egyptian football in the English Premier League. Salah has been dubbed the “Egyptian King” since becoming an idol of Liverpool fans. Salah and Marmoush share similar roles on the field Salah and Marmoush share similar roles on the field,...

The 8th edition of the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES 2025) has successfully concluded, solidifying its status as the definitive energy platform for Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Held under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and backed by the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, EGYPES 2025 served as the epicentre of strategic dialogue, industry collaboration, and investment-driving innovation. This year’s landmark edition set new records, bringing together Presidents, global Ministers, CEOs, and energy pioneers to shape the future of energy transformation, security, and regional economic growth. With 47,000+ attendees, 500+ exhibitors, and 11 international country pavilions from 120 nations, EGYPES 2025 showcased the latest advances in oil, gas, renewables, and digital transformation. Across seven high-impact conferences, 300+ expert speakers engaged 2,500 delegates, tackling the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. As a driving force for energy progress, EGYPES 2025 has reinforced...

Tehran, Iran AP  —  Iranian authorities have accused a British couple detained in the country since January of spying, state media reported Tuesday. Mizanonline.ir, a news website affiliated with the country’s judiciary, cited Asghar Jahangir, a spokesman for the judiciary as saying that the Revolutionary Guard’s intelligence forces incarcerated the couple, a man and a woman, while in the southern city of Kerman at the time. They are accused of spying and having links to intelligence agencies of “hostile countries” and collecting information from several Iranian provinces, according to Jahangir who didn’t provide further details. The report didn’t name the couple, however, a family statement released Saturday through the UK Foreign Office identified them as Craig and Lindsay Foreman, saying their situation was distressing and causing “significant concern.” A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign Office said Tuesday: “We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged...

CNN  —  The crash landing of Delta Air Lines flight 4819 in Toronto is some of the scariest video I’ve ever seen. While thankfully there were no fatalities, videos like that are the stuff that nightmares are made of. Monday’s crash landing doesn’t feel like an isolated incident, especially after last month’s collision of an American Airlines plane and a US Army helicopter that left 67 dead. It feels like the skies are becoming more dangerous. But sometimes feelings can be deceiving. A look at the statistics suggests that the skies are about as friendly as they’ve ever been. Take a look at January’s preliminary data from the National Transportation Safety Board. It appears that last month there was a record low number of airplane accidents nationwide, when combining private and commercial airline flights. Most of the 62 total airplane accidents were on private flights, and that total number was...

CNN  —  Pope Francis had a peaceful night in hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs, the Vatican said early Wednesday in its latest update on the 88-year-old pontiff’s health. Francis, who has been hospitalized since last week after being plagued by a string of lung-related medical struggles, was diagnosed following a CT scan on Tuesday with tests continuing to indicate “a complex picture” for one of the oldest popes in the church’s history, the Vatican said. The pope ate breakfast Wednesday, a day after he had received the Eucharist and “alternated rest with prayer and reading texts,” according to Vatican statements. A Vatican source told CNN Francis had been able to get out of his bed and sit in a chair in his hospital room. On Monday, the Vatican said Francis had a “polymicrobial infection” of his respiratory tract that will require his treatment in hospital to...

Under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES 2025) has officially opened today in Cairo, marking a historic moment for energy progress and diversification across Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. As the region’s most influential energy gathering, EGYPES 2025 brings together Presidents, global ministers, policymakers, global CEOs, and 47,000+ industry stakeholders to engage in transformative dialogue, strategic partnerships, and investment opportunities shaping the energy future. A Defining Moment for Regional Energy Cooperation Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt and HE Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus inaugurate the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES 2025) In a landmark show of unity, HE Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, joined HE President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at the Official Presidential Opening Ceremony, where pivotal gas agreements were signed,...

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty on Monday said Egypt is working on drawing up a comprehensive multi-phase plan for Gaza’s early recovery and reconstruction, ensuring Palestinians remain in their own homeland without being threatened of displacement. Abdelatty emphasized the necessity of intensifying the delivery of humanitarian assistance and beginning the early recovery and rebuilding projects in the war-devastated Gaza Strip. The top Egyptian diplomat made the remarks during a meeting with United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini, on the sidelines of the fourth meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. Abdelatty briefed Lazzarini on Egypt’s ongoing efforts to uphold the ceasefire agreement and the exchange of detainees in the Gaza Strip, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tamim Khallaf. He was keen to get posted by the UN official...

Seoul, South Korea CNN  —  China is not ready for war, according to a contentious report from a US think tank, which claims the main motivation for the ruling Communist Party’s expansive push for military modernization is to retain its grip on power – not fight an overseas foe. Beijing has pursued a head-turning military buildup under Chinese leader Xi Jinping, during which the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) – previously not even one of the strongest in Asia – has started to rival, or in some categories surpass, the US military in analysts’ estimations. Simulations by US defense experts have repeatedly shown the US – widely regarded as the world’s strongest military – having a tough time matching the PLA in a fight close to China’s shores, especially over the democratic island of Taiwan, which is claimed by Beijing. But a report released last month by the Washington-based RAND Corp....