Every Lamha story related to Egypt, newest first.
Saudi Arabia and Egypt lead a ranking of the 10 most indebted Arab countries in 2025, according to Al Jazeera. Combined debt across the ten totals about $1.73 trillion. Debt-to-GDP ratios show that the burden differs between oil-producing economies and Arab oil importers.
A collision between two trains at Ayat in Egypt has drawn widespread criticism on social media and in local media, much of it aimed at Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir, according to BBC Arabic. Critics allege shortcomings in the running of the railway network, despite announced spending of billions of Egyptian pounds on its development. Al Jazeera reports that lawmakers are divided between calls to hold the minister accountable and replace the government, and demands to disclose how the development funds were spent and to investigate why train accidents keep recurring.
Assistant coach Basem Ali has left the new Egypt national team coaching staff, led by Ali Maher, about 24 hours after the football federation officially announced his appointment on Sunday. CNN Arabic reported that he announced his departure on Monday. Media figure Ibrahim Fayek said he had details on the reasons, but the available material includes neither those details nor an official statement explaining the exit.
The dollar has moved in both directions against the Egyptian pound in recent weeks, according to CNN Arabic. It topped 56 pounds in late October 2026, a record level, then eased by about 2 pounds before edging up slightly in the latest trading.
Ali Maher, Egypt's new head coach, has named a 26-player squad for the November qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, the first list he has picked since taking charge. Sky News Arabia reported that he also announced his coaching staff on Sunday, ahead of his first official match, against Malawi. CNN Arabic noted that a prominent star is missing from the squad.
A train running from Giza to Fayoum rammed into the rear of a Cairo-to-Aswan train on Sunday, 8 November 2026, between the Kafr Ammar and Al-Raqqa stations in Al-Ayyat, Giza governorate, according to Egypt's National Railways Authority. Egypt's Health Ministry reported seven dead and more than 100 injured. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi offered condolences to the victims' families and ordered medical care for the wounded, a swift investigation and accountability for anyone found negligent.
The Egyptian Football Association named Ali Maher as national team coach on Saturday and has begun intensive talks with him on selecting his assistant staff. Leaks reported by Al Jazeera say Mohamed Salah welcomed the decision and dropped his earlier refusal to join the squad, though the material includes no official confirmation.
The Egyptian Football Association announced on Saturday that it had ended Hossam Hassan's contract as head coach of the senior national team, along with that of his brother Ibrahim, the team manager, and named Ali Maher as his successor. The decision comes six days before Egypt face Malawi in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Hassan's daughter Yara responded with a brief message citing Quranic verses, RT Arabic reported.
Egypt's army announced on Thursday that it will begin the fourth phase of its large-scale campaign against illegal gold prospecting in the Eastern Desert on Saturday. It said its forces have not targeted civilians and are working to protect the country's borders. Media reports citing the military spokesman said two officers, the chief of staff of the southern region border guards and a battalion operations chief, were killed in clashes with armed elements linked to the prospecting.
Press reports say the Egyptian Football Association is moving to dismiss Hossam Hassan as head coach of the senior national team and appoint a replacement. The reports link the decision to recent problems surrounding the coach. Sources cited by Sky News Arabia also described a leaning within the federation toward his removal.
Egypt's House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a 2 million euro partnership agreement with the French Development Agency. The funding will support the second phase of a project to improve the teaching of French as a second foreign language in state schools.
Egyptian Football Association president Hani Abu Rida met national team captain Mohamed Salah in Turkey, the federation announced on its social media accounts on Monday. Reports said the two discussed ways to back the squad and create the right environment for the coaching staff and players ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, posted a humorous video of an Egyptian play's cast on his official Facebook page on Sunday. The play is scheduled to be staged as part of the seventh edition of Riyadh Season.
Egypt's Interior Ministry said on Thursday that it had shut down an advertising screen on a major road in Giza governorate after it was hacked and showed inappropriate footage. The ministry said the screen belongs to an advertising firm contracted with an international company, and media reports citing it say the breach targeted that company's website.
Egypt's parliament has approved sending military support to Saudi Arabia to help defend it against attacks by Yemen's Ansar Allah group. The group, for its part, has vowed imminent "qualitative" attacks on the kingdom.
Egypt's House of Representatives on Monday authorized President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to take the necessary steps to support Saudi Arabia and help defend its territory, in coordination between the two countries. Some lawmakers described the mission as defensive, while others abstained, citing a lack of information on risk assessments, according to CNN Arabic. The outlet's headline said the mandate concerns sending Egyptian forces to the kingdom.
Egypt's Al Ahly advanced to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, beating visiting Ugandan side Kitara 4-0 in the second leg in Cairo on Sunday. Al Jazeera reported that Morocco's FAR Rabat, runners-up in the last Champions League, also secured a place in the group stage.
Egypt unveiled a platform called "Chat EGYPT" at the Egypt Forum 2026. The AI-powered tool is designed to flag rumors and check circulating claims, linking content to official data sources in an effort to curb misinformation.
Egypt's House of Representatives has put off a decision on a request to authorize President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to take military measures in support of Saudi Arabia. Debate will resume next Monday, after two days of discussion ended without a final ruling, according to media reports.
The Egyptian Football Association said on Monday that it had received decisions from FIFA's disciplinary committee suspending national team coach Hossam Hassan and team manager Ibrahim Hassan for three matches each, and player Mostafa Abdel Raouf, known as Zico, for five. Al Jazeera linked the rulings to the controversy surrounding Egypt's match against Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. RT Arabic reported that the federation is preparing to appeal.
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