
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty conveyed Egypt’s support for negotiations between the United States and Iran during discussions with foreign ministers from Türkiye, Bolivia, Azerbaijan, Syria, Rwanda, Comoros, and Portugal at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. He also met with US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos and High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Ángel Moratinos. Abdelatty expressed hope that the US-Iran talks would result in an agreement to end the war. These discussions occur amidst signs of de-escalation, including Tehran's announcement of the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and US President Donald Trump's statement that talks with Iran are expected this weekend and could lead to a deal soon.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.

Egypt has successfully recovered 13 smuggled antiquities from various periods of ancient Egyptian civilization, in cooperation with New York authorities. The Egyptian Consulate General in New York received the rare artifacts, which were illegally smuggled out of Egypt. A formal handover ceremony marked the occasion, highlighting the cooperation between the two countries. Egypt expressed appreciation to the relevant US authorities for their legal and professional efforts in facilitating the return of the artifacts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this recovery underscores the importance of international responsibility in combating the illegal trade of cultural property.
BreakingPresident Donald Trump announced on Friday, April 17, 2026, that the United States has banned Israel from bombing Lebanon. This declaration follows a 10-day ceasefire that Trump had previously announced, which temporarily halted Israeli strikes on Lebanon. Israel has been conducting strikes in Lebanon, including Beirut, since the US-Iran war began on February 28, a conflict currently under a two-week ceasefire. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, these Israeli strikes have resulted in approximately 2,200 deaths and over 7,000 injuries. Trump conveyed this decision on Truth Social, stating, "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!"

Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population announced that 10,556,000 primary school students have been screened as part of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's initiative for the early detection of anemia, obesity, and stunted growth. Launched on October 5, 2025, the initiative provides comprehensive medical screenings for all primary school students, including Egyptian nationals and non-Egyptian residents, across 29,000 public and private schools nationwide. The program measures weight, height, and hemoglobin levels to detect malnutrition. Students identified with health issues are referred to health insurance clinics for further examination and free treatment, with each student receiving a follow-up card for regular monitoring. More than 2,000 medical teams, trained in diagnostic protocols and infection control, are deployed, and screenings are conducted throughout the academic year to prevent overcrowding. Health education teams also raise awareness among students about wellness practices. The ministry has provided hotlines 105 and 106 for public inquiries, reaffirming its commitment to fostering a healthy generation.
Must ReadIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels on Friday. This decision is in accordance with the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, which took effect at midnight and will last for a 10-day period. Foreign Minister Araqchi stated that passage through the Strait must follow a pre-arranged and coordinated route announced by the Ports and Maritime Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He also noted that while Iran is committed to keeping the Strait open, new security and transit arrangements may be implemented. The announcement follows U.S. President Donald Trump's statement on Thursday regarding the ceasefire, during which he indicated he had spoken with both the Lebanese President and the Israeli Prime Minister. President Trump has instructed his Vice President and Secretary of State to coordinate with both sides to work towards a permanent resolution and plans to invite the Israeli Prime Minister and the Lebanese President to the White House for direct negotiations.