Egypt is known for its warm and sunny weather, but in 2013 snow fell in Egypt and the pyramids were covered in snow. Snowfall in Egypt is a rare occurrence and has not occurred since 2013. Climate change can result in unusual weather patterns and extreme weather events, including rare snowfall in regions that do not typically experience it. As the Earth’s average temperature continues to rise, we may see more instances of unusual weather patterns and extreme weather events, including unexpected snowfall. The snowfall in 2013 was so rare that the last recorded snowfall in Egypt before that was over 100 years ago.

Snow is rare in Egypt particularly near the pyramids because of its location in the Northern Hemisphere near the equator. The country has a hot desert climate with very little precipitation, and temperatures are generally warm to hot throughout the year. This means that the conditions required for snow, such as low temperatures and moist air, are not commonly present in Egypt. Additionally, the high-pressure system over the Sahara Desert inhibits the formation of clouds, reducing the likelihood of snow even further.

While snow can make for great photos such as of the pyramids in Egypt, it can also have dangerous impacts, especially in parts of the Middle East where snow is uncommon. The current situation faced by refugees, rural workers living in poverty, and urban dwellers highlights the severe consequences that short-term weather events can have on long-standing problems. The vulnerability of makeshift shelters during snowstorms would not be a concern if adequate housing had been provided to refugees over the past decade. Baghdad would not be so freezing if the government had taken action to repair the failing electricity network, and individuals would not be forced to burn household items in Lebanon if the country were not plagued by corruption and poor management.

Globally, the rise of extreme weather conditions such as storms, floods, snow, and drought, which the Middle East experienced in 2021, should serve as a wake-up call to address the ongoing climate crisis.

Although snow is a rare and exciting occurrence in the region, from Egypt to Iraq, it is important to remember that in areas surrounded by snowy mountains, people who were already struggling may now face even greater challenges. These individuals deserve all the support and assistance they can receive.

Spain and Morocco are progressing with the construction of a 40-kilometer tunnel that will join the two nations beneath the Strait of Gibraltar, as per La Razon from Spain.

Raquel Sanchez, Spain’s Minister of Transport, was expressing that the two countries will energize the investigations of the project, which has been in progress since 1979.

Sanchez stressed that this project is of great importance to not only Spain and Morocco, but also for the whole of Europe and Africa.

At a high-level meeting between Sanchez and Moroccan counterpart Nizar Baraka, the project was discussed and brought back to life. The two conferred during the meeting and the progress of the project was once again set in motion.

The Spanish-Moroccan joint declaration of 1979 is the origin of the plan for the tunnel.

Even though the World Bank, European Investment Bank, and African Development Fund provided ample funding for the project, it continually got stalled because of the diplomatic issues between the two countries.

Now that diplomatic ties have been strengthened, the project appears to have been revitalized.

In March 2022, Spain voiced its backing of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan in the Western Sahara situation, and the two countries have been trying to boost their collaboration since then.

Last week, the Prime Ministers of both countries convened in Rabat, where they agreed to 19 different bilateral cooperation accords.

If the tunnel project comes to fruition, it is anticipated that it will yield advantages to both sides, including more efficient utilization of storage and transport networks, in addition to decreasing the costs of transporting goods between the two nations and of traveling.

Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco’s Head of Government, stated that the project offers an opportunity to “construct the future”, a future he believes will be a “genuine revolution” in many ways between the two countries, according to La Razon.

Morocco has been functioning as a bridge between Europe and Africa, thereby enhancing their current relations. This has enabled European countries and investors to gain access to other African countries.

Though it is anticipated that the Strait of Gibraltar’s depth, wind, and wave patterns will prove to be challenging during the tunnel’s building phase, it remains to be seen how it will affect the cost and timeline of the project.

It was anticipated that the commencement of the project would take place in 2030 as of October 2022.

Despite this, investigations and experts agree that the tunnel is “possible”, and with ever-increasing relations between the two nations and the possibility of more trading, it could be one of the most expansive projects to come.

In addition, La Razon reported that the United Kingdom, which holds sovereignty over Gibraltar, has expressed a desire for a tunnel connecting the city to Morocco, due to the increased collaboration between the two nations.

The Moroccan government has aspirations to draw in more British sightseers and investors by way of this initiative, as well as uncover a fresh method for pushing its products, particularly agricultural goods, to the British market.

On Wednesday, Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, confirmed Algeria’s growing partnership with Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine’s first anniversary. According to Lavrov, Algeria stands out among the countries striving to join the BRICS group due to its numerous advantages. Over five countries, including Algeria, have submitted applications to become members of the organization, exceeding the current number of members. During recent meetings, the group determined a unified way to assess applications to join, and Algeria is “at the top” of the list of potential members, said Lavrov. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune indicated that Algeria could become a member of the BRICS group in 2022, given its ability to meet a significant portion of the organization’s requirements.

Russia and Algeria have a long-standing relationship that has continued despite Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. Despite Western sanctions on Russia, the Algerian government continues to procure weapons from Russia, attracting opposition from politicians. US senators have called for sanctions against Algeria’s government, and several members of the European Parliament have made similar appeals. Some European countries, such as Italy, have been looking to Algeria for energy sources due to the sanctions on Russian gas that have left Europe in an energy crisis.

Despite strained relations with Morocco, Algeria has been strengthening its ties with Russia. The two nations have been in a state of tension since the severance of diplomatic relations in 2021. A gathering of significant military figures from Algeria was recently convened to consider taking on Morocco in a direct confrontation, according to Algeria Part. The strained relations between the two nations have a long history, with Algeria’s support of the Polisario independence movement being the key issue. The Algerian government has long blamed Morocco for attempting to destabilize the nation, leading to the official cutting of ties after Algiers accused Morocco without proof of being responsible for the wildfires that occurred in northeast Algeria in August 2021.

This week marks twelve years since the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 which marked a historic turning point in the nation’s history, as the people took to the streets to demand change and an end to political and economic corruption. Twelve years after the revolution, Egyptians are reflecting on the achievements and challenges of the past decade.

The events of January 25, 2011 began as a peaceful demonstration, with protesters calling for the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who had ruled Egypt for 30 years. As the protests grew in size and intensity, they quickly spread to other cities across the country, eventually leading to the downfall of the Mubarak regime on February 11.

The revolution was driven by a variety of factors, including widespread poverty, high unemployment, political repression, and a lack of freedom of speech and assembly. The youth, in particular, played a significant role in the revolution, using social media and other digital tools to organize and mobilize the masses.

Despite the initial euphoria that accompanied Mubarak’s resignation, the past decade has been characterized by political turbulence and economic struggles. The nation has gone through multiple elections and changes in leadership, with some Egyptians expressing disappointment at the lack of meaningful progress on the key issues that drove the revolution.

One of the most significant challenges facing Egypt in the post-revolution period has been the struggle to create a more inclusive and democratic political system. The country has experienced a series of setbacks in this area, including the 2013 military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government, the widespread use of repression against opposition voices, and the restrictions placed on freedom of speech and assembly. Egypt has also lost its share of the Nile basin, some natural gas as well as strategic assets which have crippled the country’s prosperity.

Egypt has struggled steps to address economic issues, such as inflation and unemployment, and has instead had to rely on contributions from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Egypt has been hit particularly bad by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with Egypt being one of the largest wheat importers. As a result, a lot of Egypt’s identity has been lost as it seeks foreign assistance as it struggles to provide its citizens with basic services such as education and healthcare.

As Egyptians reflect on the twelfth anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, it is clear that the country still faces significant challenges in terms of political stability and economic development. However, many Egyptians remain optimistic about the future, and are committed to continuing the work of the revolution, to create a more just and equitable society for all.

The Egyptian Revolution of 2011 was a momentous event that continues to shape the country’s political and economic landscape. While there have been setbacks and challenges, the past decade has also seen positive developments, and many Egyptians remain hopeful that they can build a better future for their nation.

Japan has signed a $301 million agreement to finance the construction of Cairo Metro’s fourth line. The new line, which is set to be completed in 2025, will run from Cairo International Airport to the suburbs of New Cairo and will be a major transportation improvement for the city.

The Cairo Metro system is a vital part of the city’s transportation infrastructure, serving millions of passengers each day. The addition of a fourth line will not only improve transportation options for residents, but also boost economic growth and development in the city.

The financing agreement between Japan and Egypt was signed by Japan’s International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Egypt’s Ministry of Transportation. JICA will provide $301 million in official development assistance (ODA) loans to fund the construction of the new line.

The Cairo Metro’s fourth line will be a significant addition to the city’s transportation system, as it will connect Cairo International Airport with the suburbs of New Cairo. This will make it easier for travelers to get to and from the airport, as well as providing a convenient transportation option for residents living in the suburbs.

In addition to the funding from JICA, the Cairo Metro’s fourth line will also receive support from the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank. The construction of the new line is expected to create thousands of jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region.

Overall, the signing of the $301 million agreement between Japan and Egypt to finance the construction of Cairo Metro’s fourth line is a major milestone for the city’s transportation infrastructure. It will improve transportation options for residents and tourists, and boost economic development in the region.