
Iranian 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.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.

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 ReadAhmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, has condemned Israel's decision to appoint an ambassador to "Somaliland," calling it a dangerous escalation that threatens Somaliaโs sovereignty and territorial integrity. Aboul Gheit stated that this move violates international law and the UN Charter, lacking legal basis or effect. The Arab League's spokesperson affirmed the organization's rejection of any diplomatic dealings or recognition of "Somaliland" outside the Federal Republic of Somalia, consistent with its commitment to Somalia's national unity. The Secretary-General warned that such provocative actions could destabilize regional security in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa, potentially impacting international navigation and global trade. The Arab League has sent messages to UN Secretary-General Antรณnio Guterres and other international officials to mobilize a global stance against this move and mitigate its repercussions on regional stability and international law.

Ireland's Ambassador to Egypt, Aidan O'Hara, emphasized the deep and long-standing relationship between Egypt and Ireland, noting over 50 years of official ties and even longer human connections. In an interview, Ambassador O'Hara highlighted the strong relationship, including positive personal rapport between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, his Irish counterpart, and the Irish Prime Minister, reinforced by President Sisi's December 2022 visit to Ireland. The two nations share common stances on global issues such as nuclear non-proliferation and peace in the Middle East, with cooperation extending to developments in Sudan, Libya, and Gaza. Ambassador O'Hara mentioned that President El Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors. He praised Egypt's infrastructure development, which has boosted tourism, and noted an increase in Irish investments, particularly in the food sector. Ireland is also interested in expanding investments in higher education, through collaborations with the British University in Egypt and Pharos University, as well as in technology and aircraft leasing. Egypt now exports fruits and vegetables to Ireland, and the strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union is expected to further Irish investments. The diplomat also recalled historical Irish figures who contributed to Egypt, such as Harper, who founded a charity hospital in 1909, and Officer Jerr Anderson, whose artifact collection became a museum. Ire
Must ReadJihad Azour, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund IMF, stated that Egypt implemented early and decisive measures to bolster its economy and reduce vulnerability to external shocks stemming from the Iran conflict. Speaking at the launch of the IMF's April 2026 Regional Economic Outlook, Azour described Egypt's policy response to the conflict's spillovers as "notable." He emphasized that exchange rate flexibility was crucial in enabling the economy to withstand global volatility, and recent policy actions have enhanced resilience to external pressures. Azour noted that the Iran conflict has impacted the region through increased commodity prices, supply chain disruptions, higher fuel costs, and financial market instability. He also observed that governments are increasingly applying lessons from past crises, such as the Ukraine war, by providing more targeted fiscal support to vulnerable households instead of broad subsidies. Azour concluded that Egypt's handling of the initial shock has boosted investor confidence, leading to renewed foreign capital inflows into its domestic markets.