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Middle East
4 days ago
- Business
- Middle East
OPEN// Egyptian PM, Chinese premier co-chair expanded session of talks
CAIRO, July 10 (MENA) - Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli has affirmed that Egypt and China share strong historical ties, clearly reflected in the strong relationship between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. These distinguished relations are also evident in the regular high-level meetings between ministers and senior officials from both countries, he added. Madbouli's remarks came as he co-chaired with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, an expanded session of talks on Thursday at the cabinet headquarters in Egypt's New Administrative Capital. The session included discussions on several matters of mutual concern and explored ways to strengthen cooperation in various fields. Egyptian attendees included Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania el Mashat, Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) Hossam Heiba, and Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands Affairs Ahmed Shahin. Chinese attendees included Minister of Finance Lan Fo'an, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, and Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang. Describing the Chinese premier's visit to Egypt as 'historic', Madbouli praised the meeting held earlier in the day between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, during which the Egyptian president reaffirmed Cairo's firm support for the "One China policy". The prime minister commended China's pivotal role in supporting Egypt's development efforts, particularly through the participation of numerous Chinese companies in key infrastructure projects in the country, such as the Central Business District in the New Administrative Capital, the New Alamein City Towers, the light rail transit (LRT) project, as well as the development of China's TEDA area in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). The TEDA area is a successful model of Egypt-China investment cooperation in SCZone, he said, expressing hope for increased Chinese investment in the TEDA. Madbouli also voiced aspiration that the visit would mark the start of a new stage of bilateral cooperation, particularly in localizing industry, and transferring Chinese technology to Egypt especially as regards solar energy project components, localizing electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, and seawater desalination. He highlighted President Sisi's directives to the Egyptian government to purchase part of EV production from the companies operating in Egypt. Given China's global leadership in EV manufacturing, the prime minister urged Chinese companies to establish operations in Egypt and take advantage of the incentives offered by the government. He further called on Chinese companies and institutions to boost their investments in Egypt, leveraging Egypt's memberships in free trade zones with Arab, African, and European countries. Madbouli also stressed the importance of addressing the trade imbalance between the two countries by expanding Egyptian exports to China. He noted that Egyptian products are of high quality and already reach markets in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Additionally, he expressed hope for accelerated work on phases 3 and 4 of the LRT project, and the completion of the Central Business District, particularly since Egyptian government institutions began moving to the New Administrative Capital in 2024. The prime minister expressed thanks to the Chinese side for signing an MoU on the debt-for-development swap program, which was inked on October 19, 2023 on the sidelines of the third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. Regarding regional issues, Madbouli praised China's supportive role for the Palestinian people's legitimate rights in regional and international forums, particularly at the United Nations and its Security Council. He also stressed the importance of Egypt-China coordination within the framework of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and in following up on the implementation of the outcomes of the forum's 9th conference, especially the 10 partnership actions unveiled by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the opening session of the latest FOCAC summit held in September 2024. He noted that Egypt had submitted a list of priority projects to benefit from $51 billion in financial packages allocated for these partnership actions. Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Qiang described Egypt as a nation with a rich civilization and one that is witnessing unprecedented modern development, noting that he personally witnessed the scale of development efforts made by Egyptians under the 'new republic'. He affirmed that Egypt is a powerful and influential country in its regional, Arab, and African environments. Li also pointed out that 2024 marked the 10th anniversary of the elevation of Egypt-China relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and that 2026 will mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He noted that during his visit, he had seen Egypt's strong desire to strengthen bilateral ties, stating that Beijing also places high priority on enhancing its relations with Egypt. He further reiterated China's interest in fostering investment cooperation with Egypt in various sectors, including renewable energy, industry, artificial intelligence, digital economy, as well as the financial sector. Li highlighted China's efforts to increase Egyptian exports' access to the Chinese market, noting that significant measures have already been taken in this regard. He also expressed hope for expanding cultural, humanitarian and media cooperation with Egypt. (MENA) I S N/M R E
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Elderly denied DRT transport over missing smartphone app issue
A social media post about an elderly woman allegedly being denied access to Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) services for not owning a smartphone has triggered a wave of criticism online, raising concerns over digital exclusion and the push for a fully cashless public transport system. User @BurhanPlays shared the incident on X, stating: '@askrapidkl I took a DRT van to the LRT earlier today. An elderly woman wasn't allowed to board because she didn't have a smartphone. 'She had her IC but the driver didn't let her on because she didn't book through the app. Please create a system that's easier for the elderly and the poor.' The post sparked a flood of responses, with many condemning the current 'no app, no ride' policy as discriminatory. 'That's why I hate public transport operators enforcing no-app-no-ride policies. Public transportation should be accessible to everyone. Why does everything have to go through an app first?' said user @suzuki1412. User @ApamGulaMelaka quoted the original post, calling the practice a form of 'cashless discrimination.' 'NGOs and OKU advocates warn: pushing the QR/cashless system without solving accessibility and financial inclusion will leave the most vulnerable behind. 'We can't abandon those who rely on cash. @GobindSinghDeo, make payments universally accessible!' urging the Digital Minister to resolve the issue. The sentiment was echoed by user @janggut34544893, who added: 'Even government agencies are going 100% cashless. If you're sick and your phone runs out of battery, clinics will leave you hanging just because you can't pay RM1 online.' Similarly, user @eimrawn criticised the state-run Bas Selangorku initiative, which is supposed to be free: 'It's ridiculous to ask people to download an app and scan just to board a supposedly free bus.' While some users supported the shift towards a digital and cashless society, they stressed that such transitions must include proper consideration for those who may be left behind. 'Every time we push for digital banking or payments, inclusion is forgotten,' said @Tiangletrik. 'And yet, ESG frameworks clearly emphasise inclusion.' User @jimbo7375373576 shared his personal experience: 'My 74-year-old mother simply couldn't adapt to cashless payments. 'Even basic things like paying property tax required help from us, as the municipal office refused to print bills or accept over-the-counter cash payments.'
Global News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Edmonton city council wraps infill hearing, introduces some changes
After hundreds of speakers and days of discussion, the debate on infill is over at Edmonton City Council for now. One day after the vote, mixed reaction is pouring in with some saying the changes don't go far enough. That includes Chris Davies. Davies has lived in the Crestwood neighbourhood for 37 years. But that comes to an end on Sunday, after selling his home. 'I suppose with what's happened with the LRT, all the noise and the development side, it helped make the decision a bit easier,' said Davies. 'There's a lot of frustration on this block, a lot of people are very concerned, and I hear it from other members of the community as well.' Across the street from his house, two eight-unit infill buildings are under construction. Throughout the day, residents hear loud construction noises and compressors running. Story continues below advertisement Davies was hoping city council might change some rules regarding infill Tuesday, but that didn't happen. 'The vote (Tuesday) was clearly an embarrassment, two of the councillors are not there to vote, one of them is running for mayor, that's ridiculous. Take responsibility for what you're doing. It's just an insult to communities and to taxpayers,' Davies said. 1:48 Public hearing on infill development in Edmonton comes to an end Councillors voted to maintain the current regulations, which allow infill properties to have a maximum of eight units. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The vote passed with a slim margin of 6 to 5. Those in favour were Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, Councillors Aaron Paquette, Erin Rutherford, Anne Stevenson, Karen Tang, and Jo-Anne Wright. Councillors Michael Janz, Andrew Knack, Karen Principe, Jennifer Rice and Ashley Salvador voted in opposition. Story continues below advertisement The two councillors absent were Sarah Hamilton and Tim Cartmell. They were both away on vacation. Council did add design regulations. New rules will increase side setbacks and limit projects in side yards to accommodate space for landings, stairwells, windows and paths. 'We are going to get tough on bad infill developers. We're gonna do more enforcement, and we are modifying the building envelope in making it smaller,' said Mayor Sohi. 'I think we are responding in the way that will help deal with real concerns and impact on the community.' 1:51 Tony Caterina weighs in on Edmonton's infill debate The Infill Development in Edmonton Association, IDEA, a group that advocates for high-quality infill, believes council's decision was fair. 'They struck a balance and made a compromise by making accommodations for the massing concerns that residents had, and combined that with the ability to maintain density,' said Sean Sedgwick, with IDEA. Story continues below advertisement However, Sedgwick is worried about what the reduction of building length could do for construction. 'It's not going to be easy for builders to respond to that, but we also realize that we live in a society and we have to respond to what people's concerns are,' Sedgwick said. City council will be revisiting the conversation on maximum units for infill lots. But that discussion won't come until public consultation is complete, with a deadline at the beginning of 2027.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Accelerated Valley Line West LRT construction on schedule: City of Edmonton
Construction workers are busy finishing up a stretch of the Valley Line West LRT at Stony Plain Road and 124 Street (CTV News Edmonton/Galen McDougall) The City of Edmonton says its accelerated road work plan is working. On Wednesday, the city and Marigold Infrastructure Partners (MIP) gave an update on the sped-up Valley Line West LRT work. The new plan including full intersection closures along the LRT route began in April and will run until November, with the goal of reducing the overall duration of traffic disruptions and getting LRT road work back on schedule. The city and Marigold said the full closure of Stony Plain Road at 124 Street reopened to traffic on June 11, one week ahead of schedule. Closures on Meadowlark Road and Stony Plain Road are both anticipated to end on schedule, they added. Meadowlark and 87 Avenue was partially closed to traffic May 1 and was expected to reopen Wednesday. Stony Plain Road and 156 Street was partially closed on April 21 and was expected to reopen on Thursday. Stony Plain Road and 142 Street was closed in mid-June and was expected to reopen in mid-August. According to the update, the intersection of 95 Avenue and 156 Street will partially close for nine weeks starting in late July; signage has been posted and more details on traffic impacts will be released later. The last phase will include work on Stony Plain Road and 149 Street. The city and Marigold said that work won't begin until work on Stony and 142 Street is finished. Construction on the Valley Line West began in 2022 and is expected to wrap up in 2028.
Calgary Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Leadership over lip service: Building a safer Calgary for everyone
Calgary is the best city in the world in which to live, work and raise a family. However, we are currently facing a public safety crisis we cannot afford to ignore. Article content Our downtown is plagued by crime, addiction and social disorder. Calgary just plummeted from fifth to 18th place in The Economist's rankings of the most liveable cities in the world. The rest of the world is noticing what many Calgarians already know: our city is no longer as safe or livable as it should be. And the investor uncertainty this creates is not to be overlooked. Article content Article content Article content The numbers speak volumes. Calgary Transit reported a 53 per cent increase in violent incidents on buses and LRT platforms in 2023 from 2019. The Calgary Police Service also reported that social disorder calls — such as weapon complaints, indecent acts and disturbances — rose by over 10 per cent last year. In the Plus-15 system and along key corridors like 8th Avenue South, many Calgarians say they no longer feel safe commuting to work or shopping at local businesses. Article content Article content These issues are not confined to our downtown. They extend to our suburbs, throughout our transit corridors and are in every neighbourhood. Our first responders and our transit operators are at risk, and morale is low. Article content This isn't about fearmongering or pointing fingers. It's about facts. It's about acknowledging the lived experiences of Calgarians — and expecting our elected officials to take action. Article content Over the last several months, I have talked to tens of thousands of Calgarians. They are pleading for a transparent city council that will listen, make our city more affordable, take care of essential services like water, sewer and roads, and make our city safe again. No one feels like this is what they are getting right now. Article content We can't have a thriving economy, a vibrant downtown or strong neighbourhoods if people don't feel safe. That starts with expanding our police presence, including reopening a downtown police station and increasing community patrols in high-risk areas like LRT stations and the Plus-15 network. Article content Enforcement alone won't fix what's broken. We must push for a modernized bylaw — like in Edmonton — that bans open drug use, aggressive panhandling, weapons displays and unauthorized encampments in public spaces. We must protect our parks, sidewalks and transit zones from being taken over by chaos. Article content For vulnerable Calgarians, we must partner with the province to expand access to addiction treatment, mental health care, and emergency support — getting people off the streets and into care. We don't achieve this by being combative with the provincial government — we do it by being collaborative. Article content None of this is radical. It's common sense. And Calgarians are begging their elected officials for it. Article content A new Downtown Safety Task Force — composed of community advocates, frontline workers, and business leaders — should be created with a clear mandate to drive real results. This task force won't just talk, it will act. It's time for less lip service and more public service. Article content We also need to address repeat violent offenders. Calgary cannot be expected to thrive while federal bail and sentencing rules allow dangerous, repeat offenders to roam freely. Municipal leaders must work together to convince Ottawa for bail and justice reform. Article content Article content What Calgary needs now is not more political theatre or infighting — which is precisely what they are getting from this current city council — it's action. Public safety must be a priority for politicians. Without safe streets, what kind of a legacy are we leaving for our children?
