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Egypt Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Expert warns GERD's damage to Egypt's water share is at 90 billion cubic meters
Professor of Geology and Water Resources at Cairo University Abbas Sharaky warned that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has clearly harmed Egypt's share of Nile River water over the past five years, during which Ethiopia filled the reservoir of the dam. Sharaky explained in a post on his Facebook page: 'The damage is clear, with approximately 90 billion cubic meters being held back over five years, including 60 billion cubic meters stored in the lake, in addition to the loss of approximately 20-30 billion cubic meters due to evaporation and seepage into the ground.' He noted that Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has reiterated Egypt's right to legitimately defend itself and its water interests if any harm occurs. 'What is meant here is that in the event of serious harm to citizens, the government cannot prevent it from reaching them, and this does not mean, as some understand, that Egypt has not been harmed by the GERD so far,' he explained. The state has been able to provide sufficient quantities of water thanks to the High Dam and some measures and projects that cost the general budget more than LE 500 billion during the years of filling the GERD, the expert said. Sharaky pointed out that these projects include agricultural wastewater treatment plants, limiting the area for rice cultivation, developing field irrigation, lining canals, replacing agricultural varieties with water-saving ones, and a 100,000-acre greenhouse project, among others. He added that Egypt has always emphasized that it is not against development in any country, especially the Nile headwaters, provided it does not harm others. Sharaky explained that there is clear cooperation with Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Tanzania on various projects, most notably the construction of the Julius Nyerere Dam in Tanzania. Hope for an agreement The expert explained that the door is still open to reach a binding legal agreement that sets rules for the recurrent filling and operation of the GERD – especially after the completion of the initial five-year filling, which was a major point of contention in previous negotiations over the filling period, and it is preferable for this agreement to be reached before the official opening. In response to Ethiopia's statements regarding the opening of the GERD in September and Egypt's invitation to attend the ceremony, Sharaky said that Egypt can only attend the opening if an agreement is reached. 'Anything other than that, the invitation to attend constitutes a disdain and provocation to Egypt and Sudan, and the Foreign Minister described it as absurd. Egypt also strongly rejects any future Ethiopian announcement to construct additional dams on the Nile River through unilateral decisions.'
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Nissan Navara Stealth returns more aggressive than ever before
Still based on the double cab LE, the Stealth makeover has been executed with more polish than the original. The Nissan Navara, in its current internally named D23 guise, has been around for 11 years, which, apart from the Mahindra Pik Up, makes it the oldest bakkie currently on-sale in South Africa. Contrived future outlook A late arrival in 2017 followed by a facelift four years later, which saw it adopt its current look in addition to production moving from Thailand to the Rosslyn Plant outside Pretoria aside, the Navara has been a consistent top five segment seller despite often struggling to breach 500 units ALSO READ: Nissan hits six with Stealth This, combined with the ongoing speculation of Nissan possibly vacating Rosslyn as part of its radical cost cutting measures announced earlier this year, has seemingly made little impact on Navara sales completely faltering to less than 100 units similar to its alliance sibling, the new Mitsubishi Triton. Known to be replaced later this year by a completely new generation based on the Triton, the future of the D23, in South Africa at least, appears unlikely to head the same route. Sports bar comes with an integrated Stealth badge. Image: Charl Bosch Seemingly set to follow the same approach as South America, where the Frontier name is used, the Navara will benefit from a second facelift and remain in production as part of an apparent dual-model roll-out similar to what was used with the NP300 Hardbody. A decision probably made as a means of keeping costs down while assuring the future of Rosslyn, the introduction of the Australian-developed Pro-4X Warrior earlier this year has seen a further bolstering of the range with the arrival of the revived special edition Stealth. No longer flying underneath the radar A nameplate first used on the NP200 a decade ago and then on the pre-facelift Navara in 2019, the Stealth's return sees it slot-in below the standard Pro-4X and above the derivative it is based on, the LE, with the sole option being either rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive. Stealth comes into its own off-road. Image: Nissan While similar to the previous Stealth by being an appearance package, the local launch last week was anything but ordinary as the majority of the selected route was off-road ranging from a conventional gravel road, to a proper rock-laden trek around the ADA Off-Road Training and Outdoor Centre on the outskirts of Hartebeestpoort. Stealth additions Externally, the Stealth's additions over the LE include a restyled black grille and bumper, the latter complete with an integrated nudge bar, standard side-steps, a Stealth-badged sports bar and 17-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in Dunlop Grandtrek all-terrain tyres. Stealth can be had in three colours. All-terrain tyres are standard. Image: Charl Bosch Continuing the darkened theme as per the Stealth name are black mirror caps and roof rails, black door handles and black Stealth badges at the base of the front doors and on the tailgate. A choice of three colours round the exterior off; white, Infinite Black and the same Techno Grey as on the Pro-4X. Bar extended leather trim on the doors and armrests, the Stealth's interior has not changed from the LE – a departure from the original that received orange seats inserts as well as stitch work on the doors, steering wheel, gear lever and the seats themselves. Unlike the previous Stealth, no big changes have taken place inside. Image: Charl Bosch Similar in execution to Ford's first and second attempts with the previous generation Ranger FX4, the Stealth is more discreetly styled than before, and arguably, more rugged looking than its predecessor. Underneath Introduced as part of the facelift four years, the five-link coil rear suspension and dampers from the rest of the Navara range has been carried over unchanged. Devised specifically for South Africa's road conditions, and described as pothole-proof by company executives, the setup comprises a quicker rebound recovery without compromising on-road or off-road comfort. Launch route involved extensive off-road driving. Image: Nissan A design the Triton-based model won't employ, as it will revert to a traditional leaf-spring setup, the suspension and the lower-profile all-terrain tyres, made for a surprising combination, especially off-road. Composed and comfortable, the Stealth displayed none of the usual rear-end liveliness that comes with an empty loadbid. Moreover, the suspension didn't 'hit through' on the truly rocky sections of the route that involved a slow descent down a cliffside into the valley below. Still not ideal What's more, the Stealth still felt pliant on-road and again, comparable to the Ranger's ride of not being jarring or brittle with a sudden surface change. In fact, the main gripes are familiar ones involving the interior. The area the Navara's age is most prominent, the lack of height adjustment allowing the driver's seat to drop all the way down results in a too high driving position While the steering wheel can be adjusted for rake and reach, the way the seating position is setup still makes for a feel comparable to a forward control truck as one sits 'above' the wheel rather than behind it. Likely to be rectified with the incoming facelift, the dashboard looks dated and is riddled with a less-than-impressive and fussy eight-inch touchscreen infotainment display, as well as a fuzzy and low-quality reverse camera. Spec As for specifications, the Stealth remains unchanged from the LE as it comes standard with push-button start and keyless entry, folding electric mirrors, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, a multi-function steering wheel and type-A USB ports. Leather seats have replaced the fabric ones that come standard on the LE. Image: Charl Bosch Safety and driver assistance features include cruise control, rear parking sensors, six airbags, Hill Start Assist, Trailer Sway Control, Automatic Emergency Braking and Hill Descent Control on the four-wheel-drive models. Tried-and-tested diesel Residing up front, the stalwart YD25DDTI 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine prevails as one of the biggest highlights. Brought in to replace the newer twin-turbo 2.3-litre YS23DDT when production started at Rosslyn, the unit develops an unchanged 140kW/450Nm delivered to the mentioned drive wheels through a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Stealth took the easy and difficult sections of the route in its stride without struggling. Image: Nissan As with the rest of the Navara range, the four-wheel-drive Stealth is equipped as standard with a locking rear differential and a low-range transfer case. Despite the 'box still being lethargic and prone to taking its time when shifting down, the engine has more than sufficient pull, and although not the most refined or quiet, gives off a satisfying wastegate chirp when lifting off of the accelerator. Livelier and more responsive than the admittedly hardcore off-road-focused Pro-4X Warrior, the Stealth also didn't feel as nervous on-road, again due to its not having the same lift-kit, in addition to being quieter around the firewall. Conclusion A sub-segment of the local bakkie market that has become hugely popular in recent years, the return of the Nissan Navara Stealth again shows the significance of buyers being prepared to fork out extra for being different and standing out, in spite of there being no power or torque gains. Stealth can be had either with two-wheel-drive or part-time four-wheel-drive. Image: Charl Bosch Priced at a premium of R35 000 over the LE, the Stealth represents relatively good value, especially as the two-wheel-drive comes in under R700 000 and the 4×4 well below R800 000. That being said, it is still the oldest legacy brand bakkie available today, and while sales are likely to be pushed up a bit, its displacing of the Mahindra Pik Up as the country's fourth best-seller, will still leave it as a left-field option Price As with the rest of the Navara range, the Stealth's price tag includes a six-year/150 000 km warranty and a six-year/90 000 km service plan. Navara Stealth 2.5 DDTI AT – R695 200 Navara Stealth 2.5 DDTI 4×4 AT – R779 200 NOW READ: Nissan Navara has lost ground on Ford Ranger, Amarok and Hilux
Egypt Independent
20-07-2025
- Health
- Egypt Independent
Saudia Arabia's ‘Sleeping Prince' passes away after being in coma for 20 years
Saudi Prince Khaled bin Talal announced the death of his son, Prince Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal, 'the Sleeping Prince,' after nearly two decades in a coma following a horrific accident in London in 2005. Prince Khaled explained that the funeral prayer for his son will be held on Sunday at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, after the afternoon prayer. Prince Alwaleed was born in April 1990, and was considered an outstanding student at a military college before a tragic accident changed his life. In 2005, while studying at a military college in London, UK, he was involved in a serious car accident that left him in a coma for two decades. He remained under close medical supervision for nearly 20 years and never regained consciousness, despite brief bouts of limited movement that offered fleeting moments of hope. Throughout this period, his father strongly refused medical recommendations to remove him from life support, as his health condition was hopeless, expressing his firm belief that life and death were in God's hands alone. Prince Alwaleed's more than 20-year medical struggle ended with the announcement of his death on Saturday, bringing to an end a tragic story that deeply touched the hearts of many. How much did it cost to keep the Sleeping Prince in a coma? The sleeping prince spent more than two decades in a coma, with some moments of slight movement but no significant recovery, at a specialized center in Saudi Arabia. The cost of staying in an intensive care unit in a coma varies greatly, but is usually prohibitively expensive due to the nature of the intensive care required, the length of stay, the severity of the patient's condition, the treatments required, and other factors, in addition to the hospital's classification and quality. The cost of a single patient in intensive care in Saudi Arabia ranges between 10,000-20,000 riyals per day, according to previous statements by the former head of the intensive care department at King Fahd General Hospital in Jeddah, according to the Saudi newspaper Al-Watan. A rough estimate suggested that the cost of keeping the Sleeping Prince in a coma could reach more than seven million riyals annually, meaning that the average cost over 20 years is close to 150 million Saudi riyals (approximately two billion LE). Who is the Sleeping Prince Alwaleed bin Khalid bin Talal? 1- The Sleeping Prince, Alwaleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, was born in April 1990 and was an outstanding student at the Military College. 2- The Sleeping Prince is the eldest son of Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, one of the most prominent figures in the royal family, and the nephew of the famous businessman, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. 3- His father, Prince Khaled, was born in 1962 and is the third son of Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. 4- He was a student at a military college in 2005 when he was involved in a horrific car accident that put him in a permanent coma until his death on Saturday. 5- He earned the nickname 'The Sleeping Prince' due to his continued coma for more than 20 years. 6- His family refused to give in to his condition despite the passing years and the disconnection of his life support. 7- The Sleeping Prince has previously moved parts of his body. In 2019, Princess Reema bint Talal posted a video of the prince moving his head from right to left. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
Egypt Independent
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Awqaf Minister thanks President Sisi for supporting mosques, religious sites
Awqaf Minister Osama al-Azhari expressed gratitude to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for his keen interest in Al Al-Bayt mosques and general care for places of worship across Egypt, in line with the New Republic's standards. He made these remarks during the inauguration of the first phase of development at the Al-Arif Billah Sidi Ibrahim al-Desouki Mosque in Desouk, Kafr al-Sheikh, in northern Egypt. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Kafr al-Sheikh Governor Alaa Abdel Moaati, Egypt's Mufti Nazir Ayyad, Al-Azhar University President Dr. Salama Dawood, and other officials. This initiative is part of the Awqaf (Endowments) Ministry's plan to upgrade major mosques and religious sites, enhancing their cultural and service standards. The minister and his accompanying delegation performed Friday prayers at the mosque, where Imam Mohamed Soheil delivered a sermon titled 'Unity is Strength,' emphasizing community cohesion, unity, and love. The prayer was followed by a remembrance gathering and prayers for Egypt and the Arab and other Islamic nations, in an atmosphere of devotion and tranquility. Kafr El-Sheikh's Governor praised the visit, highlighting the state's ongoing support for religious sites. Dr. Dawood commended the Awqaf Ministry's leadership in caring for Ahl Al-Bayt mosques that are historically associated with or named after the family of the Prophet Muhammad. The first phase of the site's development, covering 5,000 square meters at a cost of six million LE, is now complete. It included the installation of granite and marble flooring, a central fountain, landscaping, parking facilities, visitor seating, and aesthetic protective fencing. The second phase will commence immediately to finalize the project. After the inauguration ceremony, the minister viewed a visual presentation of the development stages and encouraged sharing the documentary on the ministry's official channels, praising the efforts of those involved.
CairoScene
20-07-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
MSMEDA Injects LE 2.2 Billion Into Alexandria Projects Since 2014
Egypt's enterprise agency has channelled LE 2.2 billion into Alexandria since 2014, backing micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, training programmes, and infrastructure upgrades. Jul 20, 2025 Egypt's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA) has invested LE 2.2 billion in Alexandria since July 2014, supporting more than 51,000 projects and generating over 110,000 job opportunities. According to MSMEDA CEO Basel Rahmy, the funding included LE 102 million allocated to infrastructure, training programmes, and community development, resulting in 718,000 workdays across the governorate. The announcement came during a meeting with Alexandria Governor Ahmed Khaled to discuss strengthening industrial projects in areas such as Borg El Arab and Merghem. The agency also reviewed efforts to formalise unregistered businesses so they can benefit from new tax and regulatory incentives. These reforms include Law 6 of 2025, which introduced simplified tax rates starting at 0.4% of annual turnover, alongside exemptions from various duties to support MSME growth.
