French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle transits Suez Canal en route to Red Sea
via Egypt Today2 min read
The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has transited the Suez Canal as part of a southbound convoy, heading towards the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. This movement is part of a multinational initiative aimed at restoring navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Suez Canal Authority and French Ambassador to Cairo Eric Chevallier monitored the passage. France is working to accelerate a Franco-British initiative, launched in April, to reopen navigation through the strategic chokepoint. The French Ministry of the Armed Forces stated that the Charles de Gaulle and its escort vessels would transit the Suez Canal on May 6, 2026, to expedite the initiative's implementation and reassure maritime trade stakeholders. The deployment is described as a "defensive posture" by French armed forces since the start of the war in Iran, with France emphasizing it is not a party to the conflict and remains committed to international law.
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Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that the regional Quartet, comprising Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, serves as a consultative platform to enhance Middle East security and reduce escalations. Speaking after the Quartet's fourth ministerial meeting in Cairo, Abdelatty emphasized the mechanism addresses regional crises through political and peaceful solutions, not targeting any specific country. The summit included Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Discussions mirrored those held during the G7 Summit with U.S. President Donald Trump and G7 leaders, where there was consensus that the Palestinian cause is central to the regional conflict. Ministers agreed that sustainable regional security requires granting the Palestinian people their legitimate rights and establishing an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Cairo summit marked the first joint statement from the Quartet, calling for an immediate halt to illegal actions in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, an Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories, and the implementation of the second phase of the Trump peace plan. The Quartet also focused on supporting U.S.-Iran negotiations in Switzerland to secure a final agreement within 60 days. President Sisi praised Pakistan and Qatar'
The Egyptian archaeological mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities has uncovered new sections of the Ancient Qasr Temple at the Old Qasr site in Al-Qasr Village in the Bahariya Oasis. This discovery includes remains of a sandstone chamber, inscribed stone blocks bearing the names of King Psamtik I, and various artifacts. The temple, dating back to the 26th Dynasty, saw construction initiated under King Psamtik I and completed by Kings Wahibre and Ahmose II. Key findings include the temple’s main hypostyle hall with 16 sandstone columns, chambers, shrines, and hieroglyphic scenes with names of deities like Amun-Ra. A stone stela from King Amenhotep II's 18th Dynasty reign confirms the Bahariya Oasis's connection to the Egyptian state since the New Kingdom period, with additional artifacts from King Ramesses II indicating earlier activity. Previous excavations revealed the temple's name, “Ib-Set,” a statue of the god Thoth, a bronze statue of Osiris, and a shrine for the local governor Pa-di-Iza. Evidence also suggests continued use of the site during the Greek and Roman periods, including ostraca, Coptic and Latin texts, and installations for wine and oil production. The Old Qasr site served as the region’s ancient capital during the Late Period.
The Egyptian Fan Zone in the New Capital will host a large event for the FIFA World Cup clash between Egypt and New Zealand. The event, scheduled for Sunday, June 21, 2026, will feature live match screenings, entertainment, and sports analysis. To facilitate attendance, the Cairo Monorail will offer free transportation for QR code holders from Al Mostathmereen Station to the venue between 8:00 PM on June 21 and 8:00 AM on June 22. The program includes a live screening of the Belgium vs. Iran match, a performance by Disco Misr, and the ON Studio live analysis show broadcast from the Fan Zone, culminating in the live viewing of the Egypt vs. New Zealand match. The event aims to combine live sports, music, and interactive media coverage, positioning the Fan Zone as a key destination for major sporting events.