The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced on Wednesday that it has reached a staff-level agreement with Egypt for the fourth review under its Extended Fund Facility.
This agreement could pave the way for a $1.2 billion disbursement as part of the $8 billion, 46-month programme initiated in March.
Egypt has been grappling with soaring inflation and a severe foreign currency shortage, challenges further exacerbated by a sharp decline in Suez Canal revenues over the past year due to regional tensions.
As part of the agreement, Egypt’s government has committed to raising its tax-to-revenue ratio by 2% of its GDP over the next two years. The focus will be on removing tax exemptions rather than introducing new taxes.
The IMF highlighted that this fiscal adjustment would enable Egypt to allocate more resources for social spending, providing much-needed support to vulnerable groups amidst the ongoing economic challenges.
Brazilian authorities arrested a woman for allegedly poisoning a Christmas cake with arsenic, killing three and hospitalizing three in Rio Grande do Sul. Another New Year's incident in Piauí left three dead from rat poison-laced food. Both cases are under murder investigations.
In a solemn Christmas address, Pope Francis called for courage to end wars, heal divisions, and bring hope to a world plagued by conflict and crisis, urging nations to embrace reconciliation during the Holy Year.
Christmas celebrations across Europe brought communities together through religious events, historic milestones, and festive traditions. From Pope Francis inaugurating the 2025 Jubilee in the Vatican to the reopening of Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral, the holiday spirit was alive with hope and renewal.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed hope for Middle East peace and a brighter future, calling Christmas a time to focus on family, friendship, and unity.
Christmas events are celebrated in Syria's capital Damascus, just thirteen days after the defeat of President Bashar Al-Assad's regime.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the deployment of additional warplanes to reinforce American naval assets in the Middle East, the Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday. The move follows a renewed bombing campaign in Yemen and rising friction with Iran.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a cornerstone of American humanitarian outreach for over six decades, is being dismantled under the directive of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Ukraine is set to hold in-depth talks with a select group of foreign allies this Friday to discuss the formation of a military contingent that could serve as a security guarantee under a future ceasefire agreement.
Senior Trump administration officials are privately acknowledging that a Ukraine peace deal is unlikely in the coming months, despite early hopes of brokering a ceasefire by spring.
The speaker of the lower house of Ireland's parliament defeated a no confidence motion laid down by the main opposition parties as expected on Tuesday after maintaining the support of the coalition government.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
As the world shifts toward clean energy at an ever-accelerating pace, large economies are scrambling to secure reliable supply chains for rare earth minerals. These minerals, once seen as mere industrial components, have become a political tool in the global power struggle
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a cornerstone of American humanitarian outreach for over six decades, is being dismantled under the directive of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Ukraine is set to hold in-depth talks with a select group of foreign allies this Friday to discuss the formation of a military contingent that could serve as a security guarantee under a future ceasefire agreement.
Senior Trump administration officials are privately acknowledging that a Ukraine peace deal is unlikely in the coming months, despite early hopes of brokering a ceasefire by spring.
The speaker of the lower house of Ireland's parliament defeated a no confidence motion laid down by the main opposition parties as expected on Tuesday after maintaining the support of the coalition government.
Canada will retaliate if the U.S. imposes tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on Tuesday.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the deployment of additional warplanes to reinforce American naval assets in the Middle East, the Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday. The move follows a renewed bombing campaign in Yemen and rising friction with Iran.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a cornerstone of American humanitarian outreach for over six decades, is being dismantled under the directive of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Ukraine is set to hold in-depth talks with a select group of foreign allies this Friday to discuss the formation of a military contingent that could serve as a security guarantee under a future ceasefire agreement.
Senior Trump administration officials are privately acknowledging that a Ukraine peace deal is unlikely in the coming months, despite early hopes of brokering a ceasefire by spring.
The speaker of the lower house of Ireland's parliament defeated a no confidence motion laid down by the main opposition parties as expected on Tuesday after maintaining the support of the coalition government.
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