RELIVE: Egypt v DR Congo (AFCON 2023)
 

File Photo: DR Congo’s forward #23 Simon Banza (R) fights for the ball with Egypt’s defender #24 Mohamed Abdelmonem (L) during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro. AFP

Egypt's clash against DR Congo was one of the most anticipated matches for Egyptians this year.

The Pharaohs, led by superstar Mohamed Salah, were tipped to end their title drought since 2010.

However, Rui Vitória's men were a shadow of themselves and were knocked out by the Leopards of DR Congo in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations, losing 8-7 on penalties.

This caused a huge upset, which led to Vitória's exit. This paved the way for Hossam Hassan to take over the national team.

Ancient Egyptian sarcophagus uncovered in Nile Delta en route for restoration
 

A 26th-dynasty sarcophagus uncovered in the Delta town of Banha is on its way to being restored at the Qalyoubia archaeological site after undergoing rescue excavation, Ahram Online reported in May.

The sarcophagus was unearthed during rescue excavations at the site for constructing the Benha University Hospital in Qalyoubia Governorate.

Explainer: What are Egypt's new residency regulations for foreigners?

As per a decree issued by Egypt’s prime minister in late August, all foreigners living in the country must apply for residency either for tourism or other purposes via the Ministry of Interior’s General Administration of Passports, Immigration, and Nationality.

To complete their applications, foreigners must pay fees in foreign currency, which can be done through public banks or approved currency exchange companies.

Foreigners in Egypt can apply for different types of residence permits, including the Special Residence Permit for those born in Egypt, which is valid for ten years, and the Ordinary Residence Permit, which is valid for five years.

Additionally, illegal residents must regularize their status by providing proof of an Egyptian host and paying a $1,000 fee.

Egypt extends grace period for unlawful foreign residents to legitimize their residency by 6 months

File Photo: A woman and her children have recently arrived from Sudan, and are registering with UNHCR Egypt as asylum-seekers. UNHCR
 

As part of Egypt’s efforts to handle the increased number of refugees and irregular migrants, which amounts to nine million, according to government estimates, the country has announced a grace period for illegal foreign residents to adjust their status.

The Egyptian government also issued new rules and procedures to regulate granting and renewing residency for foreigners in Egypt, including fees, and legalizing unlawful residents.

RELIVE: Egypt v France (Olympics football, semi-final)
 

Egypt's Mahmoud Saber, left, and France's Joris Chotard battle for the ball during the men's semifinal soccer match between France and Egypt, at Lyon Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics,, in Decines, France. AP

The U23 team reached the Olympic tournament semi-final for the first time in 60 years.

Egypt was just seven minutes away from reaching the final after Mahmoud Saber's 61st-minute opener.

However, hosts France scored a late equalizer before winning 3-1 to secure their spot in the final.

The young Pharaohs finished the tournament in fourth place after losing to Morocco in the bronze medal match.

Egypt on alert as Mediterranean water recedes amid reports of possible regional quake
 

As a renowned Dutch seismologist warned earlier in July about the possibility of a strong earthquake in the eastern Mediterranean basin, the Egyptian authorities placed six major governorates along the Mediterranean coast on high alert.

These governorates were Alexandria, Port Said, Dakahlia, Kafr El-Sheikh, Damietta, and Beheira.

The warning followed several magnitude 4+ earthquakes that struck several countries in the region, such as Turkey, Georgia, Iran, and Greece, over the past week.

A week of dynamic weather! Strong winds sweep across Egypt's mild days, cool nights
 

During one of the autumn weeks in October, Egypt experienced a mix of weather conditions: mild days, cool nights, and strong winds.

The speed of the strong winds ranged from 50 to 60 km/h.

Such conditions disrupted maritime navigation for some hours, with wave heights fluctuating between 2.5 and 3.5 metres in the Mediterranean and Red seas.

Egypt to shift to flexible dollar exchange rate aiming for EGP 39.6 by 2028: Cabinet

 

File Photo: A customer exchanges U.S. dollars to Egyptian pounds in a foreign exchange office in central Cairo, Egypt. Reuters

As Egypt shifted to a flexible exchange rate policy to adjust the pound’s value against the US dollar, a document released in January by the Egyptian cabinet's Information and Decision Support Centre (IDSC) revealed that the government aims to meet the 39.61 rate planned by 2028.

The document also noted that the government aims to reduce inflation to an average of 9.2 percent between 2024 and 2028 and five percent by 2030.

Israeli tanks move into Rafah despite Hamas ceasefire proposal approval
 

A tank with an Israel flag on it entering the Gazan side of the Rafah border crossing. AP

In one of Tel Aviv’s several provocative and brazen acts, Israeli tanks — supported by heavy airstrikes — entered the Palestinian city of Rafah in May. It took over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt for the first time since Israel pulled out its soldiers and settlers from the strip in 2005.

The Israeli move came despite Hamas' agreeing to the Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal.

‘New Cairo serial killer’ receives death sentence over murder of 3 women
 

In one of the most shocking cases, dubbed in Egyptian media as the “New Cairo serial killer," a Cairo criminal court sentenced a man to death in September for killing three women earlier this year.

The sentence can be appealed, however.