Egypt

‘Friendship test’ videos have returned to social media platforms in Egypt at the start of the school year, showing participants pouring boiling water or tea over their hands to test how long they can tolerate the pain. Medical bodies warn that the practice can cause burns requiring specialist treatment, while Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta says that harming oneself in this way is religiously forbidden.

Doctors at the National Liver Institute of Menoufia University discovered a mass containing a malformed embryonic formation inside the stomach of an 18-month-old girl after she presented with gastrointestinal bleeding. The mass was surgically removed in a multidisciplinary procedure, and the girl’s condition stabilised as she was placed under medical observation.

Egypt and South Africa will meet in a friendly on Sunday evening, 4 October 2026, at Cairo International Stadium during the international break. The match will be broadcast on On Sport 1, with tickets available from 20 Egyptian pounds, in another test for both teams after the start of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns.

The 34th Arab Music Festival, scheduled to take place in Egypt from 20 to 30 October 2026, is facing a series of withdrawals involving Ramy Sabry, Assi El Hallani, Marwa Nagy and a number of other artists. The crisis coincided with Reda El Wakil reversing his decision to resign as head of the Cairo Opera House, while the list of participants still includes about 70 artists.

The Kom el Shoqafa Catacombs in Alexandria extend across three rock-cut levels reached by a spiral staircase more than 10 metres deep. The site dates to the second century AD and is distinguished by its blend of Egyptian and Roman architecture and art. A groundwater-lowering project opened its lowest level to visitors in 2019.

“What Was Not Told About Beni Mazar”, shown as part of “The Full Story”, revisits a crime committed in Minya in 2005 that remains without a confirmed killer. Through its scripted additions and limited psychological horror, the series raises questions about separating fact from fiction and the rights of those who still bear the effects of the crime.

Chinese restaurants in Cairo’s Abbassia district have become spaces bringing together recipes from eastern China, hospitality customs and the stories of their owners, including former Al-Azhar students and others who chose to settle and work in Egypt, benefiting from the district’s proximity to Islamic Missions City and the diversity of its customers.

Egypt’s selection committee has chosen Abu Bakr Shawky’s film “The Stories” to compete for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film at the 99th edition, following a vote covering 36 films. The film led both rounds of voting, as the Academy prepares to announce the preliminary list in December.

Egyptian authorities announced the discovery of a residential complex, grain stores, ovens and royal inscriptions inside an ancient fortress at Tel el-Abqain in Beheira Governorate. The finds shed light on provisioning, beliefs and daily life among soldiers who served in a defensive line established to secure the western frontier of ancient Egypt.

Hossam Hassan announced Egypt’s squad for the matches against Angola and South Sudan in the opening of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as well as a friendly against South Africa. The squad includes Mohamed Salah and Hamza Abdelkarim, while injuries ruled out Mohamed El Shenawy, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet and Yasser Ibrahim.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed maritime security and regional developments during a meeting in Cairo on Tuesday. The talks covered bilateral relations and conditions in Palestine, Yemen and Sudan, with both sides stressing the need to intensify coordination and support political solutions.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry condemned the continued attacks on Saudi Arabia, describing them as a violation of international law and a threat to regional security. The position came as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Cairo for talks with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on regional developments and bilateral relations.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry condemned the continuing attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying they threaten regional stability and security. The position came as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Cairo for talks with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on regional developments and bilateral relations.

Israel’s ambassador to Ethiopia announced his country’s support for Addis Ababa’s efforts to secure access to the Red Sea, while two Egyptian military experts warned of the move’s implications for regional security. The experts linked the initiative to possible political and security arrangements involving Somaliland, stressing Cairo’s opposition to using the access point for military purposes.

The “100 Years of Singing” project revisits milestones in the history of Arabic song, featuring performances by Ali El Haggar and orchestral arrangements by Omar Khairat. Two music critics say the project’s value lies in exploring lesser-known works and names and recording contemporary versions that can reach new generations beyond concert venues.

Running the engine and air conditioning inside a parked, enclosed car can cause carbon monoxide to build up or refrigerant gas to leak, putting passengers at risk of suffocation and loss of consciousness. The deaths of a family of three inside a car in Cairo in late August have renewed attention on the dangers of sleeping in vehicles while the engine is running.

Mimi Gamal has joined the cast of “Ninja Sisters-in-Law,” which brings Menna Shalaby and Hana El Zahed together for the first time as co-stars in a film. The team is preparing to begin filming in the coming period. The film is a social comedy about two sisters-in-law living in the same family home.

Bassem Samra has officially joined the cast of ‘Ashmawy’, which is scheduled to air on MBC channels during the 2027 Ramadan season, alongside Mohamed Ramadan. The series consists of 30 episodes and will be directed by Peter Mimi in his first television collaboration with Ramadan. Details of Samra’s character and the nature of its relationship with the other characters have not yet been announced.

The funeral of Yasmine Saif Allah Abu al-Naga, the only daughter of actress Naglaa Fathi, proceeded from Omar ibn Abdul Aziz Mosque to the family cemetery in Heliopolis. Her parents, family members and artists attended the funeral after her father announced that she had died following a heart attack.

Yara El-Sokkary will co-star with Ahmed El Awady in the series “Sultan El Deeb,” scheduled to air during the Ramadan 2027 drama season, marking their third collaboration. Filming will begin soon, with Lojain Khalifa and Basant Abu Basha joining the cast. Mahmoud Hamdan is writing the series, while Mohamed Abdel Salam is directing it.

Radio Cinema in central Cairo hosted “The Esteemed Nour El-Sherif” exhibition to mark the 11th anniversary of the actor’s death. It featured posters, filming equipment, costumes, scripts and items linked to his work, as part of a project that includes an upcoming documentary about him.

Egyptian broadcaster Amal El-Hanawy has been chosen by the ON network to host the new season of “The Last Word,” following her work on “Cairo News.” The program will continue to cover political and economic issues as well as local and regional affairs, while the network has yet to announce the final launch date.

Cairo’s El Hikma Theatre at El Sawy Culturewheel will host three concerts as part of the “Umm Kulthum Returns Anew” project on September 2 and 3. The concerts will feature puppet and musical performances of “This Is My Night” and “You Are My Life,” as part of a project running since 2006.

Mohamed Ramadan is returning to the 2027 Ramadan drama season with a popular series produced by Sadeq Al-Sabah and directed by Peter Mimi, starring Reem Mustafa and Dorra, after a three-year absence from Ramadan seasons.