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Egypt, Turkey will hold joint naval drills for the first time in 13 years

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Egypt, Turkey will hold joint naval drills for the first time in 13 years

Ankara, Turkey — Turkey and Egypt will hold joint naval drills for the first time in 13 years, the Turkish Defense Ministry said Thursday, as ties between the two regional powers continue to warm.

The exercises — dubbed Friendship Sea — will take place in the eastern Mediterranean between Sept. 22-26. They will include Turkish frigates, fast attack vessels, a submarine and F-16 fighter jets, alongside Egyptian naval units, the ministry said.

RELATED NEWS : Spain, Egypt sign sustainable development alliance for 2025–2030

The two navies’ top commanders are expected to attend a high-level observer day on Sept. 25, it added, underscoring the importance of the exercise after more than a decade of strained ties.

Relations between Egypt and Turkey — a longtime backer of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood group — soured a decade ago following Egypt’s 2023 military coup that ousted President Mohammed Morsi, who hailed from the Brotherhood, during mass protests against his divisive rule. Egypt also outlawed the group as a terrorist organization.

Ties between Ankara and Cairo were also strained over their diverging policies on Libya and the eastern Mediterranean.

The two countries agreed to repair relations and reappoint ambassadors in 2023, and there have been several visits between Turkish and Egyptian leaders and officials since then.

Both countries have also taken a firm stance against Israel’s military operations in Gaza, working together for a ceasefire.

SOURCE : AP NEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Spain, Egypt sign sustainable development alliance for 2025–2030

Shasi Kumar
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Spain, Egypt sign sustainable development alliance for 2025–2030

Cairo, Egypt – Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and Egypt’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat signed in Cairo on Wednesday the Spain–Egypt Sustainable Development Alliance 2025–2030.

The agreement, setting out a roadmap for bilateral cooperation in areas ranging from economic growth and climate change to water management and gender equality, was signed during the state visit of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain to Egypt.

RELATED NEWS : Egyptian President El-Sisi greets King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at Ittihadiya Palace

It marks another milestone in bilateral relations just six months after the two countries upgraded ties to a “strategic partnership” during President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to Madrid in February.

Albares described the accord as “a decisive step toward the future,” saying it not only consolidates current commitments but also charts a joint path to address future challenges.
He emphasized that the alliance could serve as an international model of cooperation.

Egypt has become a priority country for Spanish cooperation, with funding from the Spanish Agency for International Development rising from €2.6 million in 2022 to €4.8 million in 2024, according to the statement issued about the new agreement.

According to the Spanish foreign minister, the Spain–Egypt alliance will focus on three major transitions — social, environmental, and economic — in line with Spain’s 2024–2027 Master Plan and the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Areas of cooperation include strengthening public services, job creation, rural development, climate adaptation, water management, biodiversity protection, and advancing women’s rights and participation, he added.

The initiative forms part of Spain’s new framework for “strategic alliances” under its Law on Sustainable Development Cooperation and Global Solidarity. Such alliances aim to address shared priorities — from social cohesion to sustainable production — while reinforcing human rights, multilateralism, and democracy.

Spain signed its first Sustainable Development Alliance with Uruguay in July, followed by today’s agreement with Egypt. Preparations are already underway for a similar pact with Panama.

SOURCE : SIS EGYPT |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

US court blocks immediate deportation of Guatemalan children from US

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US court blocks immediate deportation of Guatemalan children from US

Los Angeles, USA – A U.S. federal judge on Thursday blocked the Trump administration’s plan to immediately deport hundreds of unaccompanied Guatemalan minors, dealing a major setback to the White House’s immigration agenda.

The ruling by District Judge Timothy J. Kelly, a Trump appointee in Washington, D.C., prevents the deportation of 327 Guatemalan children currently in U.S. custody who are eligible for reunification with relatives.

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The case came to a head on August 31, when U.S. immigration authorities attempted to deport 76 minors on a flight to Guatemala. The deportation was halted after a temporary restraining order, which Judge Kelly has now extended with a preliminary injunction.

Kelly sharply criticized the government’s actions, writing that officials acted in “bad faith” and rejected the administration’s argument that deportations were necessary to reunite children with their parents. “There is no evidence before the Court that the parents of these children sought their return,” Kelly noted, adding that the government’s justification “crumbled like a house of cards.”

Lawyers representing the children, aged 10 to 16, argued that the administration violated due process by ignoring their pending immigration cases and failing to respect legal protections for unaccompanied minors. Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, such children are entitled to a hearing before an immigration judge prior to removal.

According to government data, more than 2,000 unaccompanied minors were in U.S. custody in August, though the figures do not specify nationalities.

The Trump administration defended its plan as an effort to reunify children with families in Guatemala. But Kelly’s decision underscores judicial resistance to White House attempts to accelerate deportations, adding to a string of legal defeats for the president on immigration policy.

Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which oversees the care of unaccompanied minors, provided immediate comment. The White House is expected to appeal.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Trump leaves Britain with tech agreement, trade and Ukraine issues unresolved

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Trump leaves Britain with tech agreement, trade and Ukraine issues unresolved

Aylesbury, UK – United States President Donald Trump and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a landmark pact worth billions in technology investment on Thursday, even as disagreements over Palestine persisted.

On the final day of Trump’s second state visit to Britain, the two leaders, flanked by technology tycoons, unveiled record investments in the UK totaling £150 billion ($203 billion). Starmer hailed it as the “biggest investment package of its kind in British history,” while Trump called it proof of the “unmatched bond” between Washington and London.

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Yet beneath the celebratory mood, differences over the Middle East were on display. Britain has pledged to recognize a Palestinian state in September, unless Israel meets conditions including a ceasefire in Gaza and halting West Bank annexations. Starmer described Gaza’s situation as “intolerable” and urged aid delivery and the release of hostages. Trump countered: “I want it [the war] to end, but I want the hostages back. I don’t want them used as human shields, which is what Hamas is threatening to do.”

On Ukraine, however, the leaders found firmer common ground. Trump admitted disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, “He’s let me down.” Starmer pledged to “decisively increase the pressure on Putin” to reach a lasting peace.

Amid the politics, Trump also faced questions over the dismissal of former UK Ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson for ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The president denied knowing him, despite photographs suggesting otherwise, and deflected to Starmer.

The day began with Trump bidding farewell to King Charles III at Windsor Castle before heading to Chequers, where he and Starmer met executives and signed a memorandum of understanding to boost cooperation in artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, quantum computing, and 6G.

“This is a historic agreement,” Trump declared, insisting the U.S. and U.K. have “done more good for the planet than any other nation in history.” Starmer echoed the sentiment, saying: “Time and again, British and American men and women have stood side by side, turning history towards freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.”

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube 

Egyptian President El-Sisi greets King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at Ittihadiya Palace

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Egyptian President El-Sisi greets King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at Ittihadiya Palace

Cairo, Egypt – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and First Lady Entissar Amer El-Sisi formally welcomed King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace on Wednesday, marking the second day of the Spanish monarchs’ first state visit to Egypt.

The royal couple, accompanied by Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and senior officials, arrived in Cairo on Tuesday for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

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The welcoming ceremony featured national anthems and an honor guard, with Queen Letizia and Egypt’s First Lady standing side by side as the proceedings unfolded. Earlier in the day, King Felipe and Queen Letizia paid tribute at Cairo’s Unknown Soldier Monument, built in 1974 to honor the martyrs of the Yom Kippur War and later chosen as the final resting place of President Anwar Sadat.

Inside the palace, both sides exchanged greetings before holding separate meetings, followed by a joint bilateral session. The Spanish delegation included Foreign Minister Albares, Royal Household Chief Camilo Villarino, Ambassador to Egypt Álvaro Iranzo, and Secretary of State for Trade Amparo López Senovilla. Egypt was represented by President El-Sisi, Foreign Minister Abdr Abdelatt, and Minister of Investment and Trade Hassan Al-Khatib, among others.

Spanish Queen Letizia (L-front) and King Felipe VI (2nd-L) are welcomed by Egyptian President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi (2nd-R) and first lady Entissar Amer (R) during the reception to Spanish royal couple on their first official visit to Egypt, at Al-Ittihadiya palace in Cairo on 17 September 2025. EFE/JUANJO MARTIN

During the ceremony, King Felipe VI was awarded the Collar of the Nile, Egypt’s highest honor, while Queen Letizia received the Order of Al Kamal. In return, President El-Sisi was presented with the Collar of the Order of Isabel the Catholic, and Egypt’s First Lady was decorated with the Grand Cross of the same order.

The day’s program also included an official luncheon at the palace in honor of the Spanish royals. Later, King Felipe was scheduled to meet Hanafy El-Gabali, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Abdel Wahab Abdel Razek, President of the Senate.

This visit comes just months after El-Sisi’s trip to Madrid in February, where he and King Felipe VI signed a Strategic Partnership Declaration. It is the second meeting between the two leaders in 2025, underscoring the growing depth of Egypt–Spain relations.

The royal itinerary will conclude with cultural visits to the Valley of the Kings, the Luxor Museum, and Spanish-led archaeological projects, including the renowned Proyecto Djehuty, before their departure.

SOURCE : EFE. & DT |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube 

Russian troops return to bases after Zapad-2025 drills amid NATO tensions

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Russian troops return to bases after Zapad-2025 drills amid NATO tensions

Moscow, Russia – Russian troops who took part in the Zapad-2025 strategic exercises with Belarus, which triggered NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) alerts on its eastern flank, have returned to their permanent bases, the Russian Defense Ministry announced Wednesday.

“In these moments, the units of the Russian Armed Forces and the coalition grouping are proceeding back to their permanent deployment bases,” the ministry said in a statement.

The large-scale maneuvers, held from Friday to Tuesday, involved 100,000 troops across 41 military ranges, including four in Belarus, and were closely watched by NATO amid rising regional tensions.

Putin oversees final phase

Russian President Vladimir Putin, wearing a military uniform, personally oversaw the final phase of the drills at the Mulino training ground. He emphasized that the exercises incorporated lessons from Russia’s ongoing campaign in Ukraine.

“The goal of the Zapad maneuvers is the defense of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of the Union State of Russia and Belarus against any aggression,” Putin said, recalling he had also supervised the previous Zapad-2021 exercises.

The Kremlin highlighted that the drills simulated responses to external threats, reflecting “the experience received during the special military operation” in Ukraine.

Polish airspace violations

The exercises were overshadowed by tensions after Russian drones violated Polish airspace, an incident Warsaw denounced as an “act of aggression.”

NATO officials described the event as the largest concentration of airspace violations in recent years.

“This was not an isolated incident,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned on Friday. “It represented the largest concentration of violations of NATO airspace that we have seen.”

Poland, a frontline NATO member, said the incursions underscored the growing risks posed by Russia’s activities near the Alliance’s eastern border.

NATO launches “eastern sentinel”

In response to the heightened risks, Rutte announced the launch of a new initiative, “Eastern Sentinel,” designed to strengthen NATO’s eastern defenses.

According to the NATO chief, the operation will involve forces and assets from Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other member states.

“The aim is to ensure deterrence and rapid response capabilities along the Alliance’s most exposed flank,” Rutte said.

The Zapad drills have historically carried geopolitical weight. In 2021, Zapad-21 was held just six months before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Western analysts warned that the 2025 edition could also signal Moscow’s intent to maintain pressure on NATO members and Ukraine alike.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Landmark Burj Khalifa Glows in Tribute to PM Narendra Modi’s 75th Birthday

Shasi Kumar
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Landmark Burj Khalifa Glows in Tribute to PM Narendra Modi’s 75th Birthday

Dubai, UAE – Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, lit up in the Indian tricolour on Wednesday night to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday, dazzling crowds with vibrant greetings and imagery.

The skyscraper showcased photographs of Modi alongside celebratory messages such as “Happy Birthday”, “75 Years”, “Service is the Resolve”, and “India First the Inspiration”. The landmark’s stunning tribute highlighted both the milestone moment and the deep cultural ties between India and the United Arab Emirates.

RELATED NEWS : Saudi Fighter Jets Escort Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Aircraft to Riyadh

The spectacle drew attention from visitors and residents across Dubai, with many gathering near the Dubai Fountain to capture the display. For the Indian diaspora—the largest expatriate community in the UAE—the gesture carried special significance, reflecting the importance of India-UAE relations.

Prime Minister Modi, born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat’s small town of Vadnagar, has long emphasized strengthening India’s global partnerships. Under his leadership, New Delhi and Abu Dhabi have expanded cooperation in trade, energy, technology, and cultural exchange, most notably through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2022.

The Burj Khalifa display added to the global celebrations of Modi’s 75th birthday, which were marked by ceremonies across India and among Indian communities worldwide. Social media was flooded with greetings from leaders and citizens, further amplifying the occasion.

SOURCE : PHOTO SOURCE ANI |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube 

EU eyes deeper India alliance despite concern over Moscow ties

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EU eyes deeper India alliance despite concern over Moscow ties

Brussels, Belgium — The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled plans to strengthen cooperation with India across key sectors including defence, technology, and trade, even as concerns linger in Europe over New Delhi’s close relationship with Moscow.

Talks between the two sides have gained momentum, with the European Union and India now in the final stages of negotiating a long-awaited free trade agreement. Officials on both sides expressed optimism that the landmark deal could be concluded by the end of the year, aiming to unlock new opportunities for businesses and enhance geopolitical cooperation.

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The push for closer ties reflects Europe’s recognition of India as a pivotal partner in global supply chains, digital transformation, and regional security. At the same time, it highlights Brussels’ pragmatic approach in balancing concerns over India’s stance on the Ukraine conflict with its strategic value as a counterweight to China in Asia.

EU SEES INDIA AS ECONOMIC, DIPLOMATIC PARTNER

For Brussels, that means planned trade agreements with Mexico, South American bloc Mercosur, India and Indonesia. India sees promise in the European Union, but also in China and Russia.

India has increased purchases of Russian oil since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In the past month Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in China, and its troops joined a Russian-led military exercise. On Friday, US officials called on G7 and EU states to impose tariffs on China and India over Russian oil purchases.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged the EU and India had “clear areas of disagreement” that were obstacles to deeper cooperation, but said the bloc did not want to push India into “Russia’s corner.”

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“The question is whether we leave this void to be filled by somebody else or we try to fill it ourselves,” she told a press conference.

In its document released on Wednesday setting out its vision, the Commission said the EU would further engage with India on curtailing Russia’s military and preventing circumvention of EU sanctions.

Despite tensions, the European Commission views India as a fellow upholder of the rules-based multilateral order, and hopes to benefit from its expected rise to become the world’s third largest economy in 2030, the document says.

The EU envisages the two sides negotiating agreements on investment protection and boosting air transport, collaborating on securing supply chains, on green hydrogen, on decarbonisation of heavy industry and on research and innovation.

They could also agree a defence and security partnership, as the EU already has with Japan and South Korea, and cooperate in projects in third countries, particularly in Africa and South Asia.

SOURCE : REUTERS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Saudi Fighter Jets Escort Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Aircraft to Riyadh

Ahmed Lamraoui
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Saudi Fighter Jets Escort Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Aircraft to Riyadh

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — September 17, 2025 — Saudi Royal Air Force fighter jets escorted the aircraft of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as it entered Saudi airspace on Wednesday, before accompanying it to a ceremonial landing at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

The rare military escort underscored the deepening strategic and brotherly ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, ahead of the Prime Minister’s official engagements in the Kingdom.

RELATED NEWS : Saudi Arabia, nuclear-armed Pakistan sign mutual defence pact

Sharif is scheduled to hold talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace, where an official reception will take place in his honor. Discussions are expected to cover bilateral trade, investment opportunities, energy cooperation, and regional security.

Saudi Arabia remains one of Pakistan’s closest allies and a vital economic partner, providing significant support through investments, oil supply arrangements, and development projects. Pakistan, in turn, has historically maintained strong military and defense cooperation with the Kingdom.

The Saudi Defence Ministry noted that the same protocol was extended earlier this year when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Kingdom, reflecting Riyadh’s practice of honoring key strategic partners with high-level ceremonial gestures.

Diplomatic observers say the escort for Sharif highlights Riyadh’s intent to reaffirm its partnership with Islamabad at a time of shifting regional dynamics.

SOURCE : SAUDI Gazette & DT |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube 

Saudi Arabia, nuclear-armed Pakistan sign mutual defence pact

Shasi Kumar
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Saudi Arabia, nuclear-armed Pakistan sign mutual defence pact

Dubai, UAE – Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have signed a formal mutual defense pact, Pakistani state television said on Wednesday, in a move that significantly strengthens a decades-long security partnership.

“This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” a statement from the Pakistani prime minister’s office said.

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Today when Pakistan Prime Minister enter Saudi Royal Air Force fighter jets escorted the aircraft of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as it entered Saudi airspace, accompanying it until landing at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The ceremonial escort underscored the close ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan ahead of the Prime Minister’s official engagements in the Kingdom.

SOURCE : REUTERS & DT |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube 

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