Egypt Sees Another COVID-19 Spike

Egyptian security forces cordon off roads in Cairo during curfew hours due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP)
Egyptian security forces cordon off roads in Cairo during curfew hours due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP)
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Egypt Sees Another COVID-19 Spike

Egyptian security forces cordon off roads in Cairo during curfew hours due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP)
Egyptian security forces cordon off roads in Cairo during curfew hours due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP)

Egypt has seen an increase in the coronavirus cases recording 224 infections on Friday, prompting the authorities to reiterate the importance of adhering to precautionary measures to confront the pandemic.

The Egyptian government urged authorities to take precautions inside public facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and prepare for the second wave of the virus.

Adviser to the President on Health and Prevention Affairs Mohamed Awad Tag Eddin called on citizens to adhere to precautions, adding that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi urged Egyptians to follow the measures issued by the authorities.

Earlier, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly affirmed the government's readiness to confront the virus at any time.

The Ministry of Health announced that 100 patients were discharged from isolation hospitals after receiving necessary medical care, bringing the total of recovered cases to 100,106 so far.

The Ministry said it would continue to monitor the epidemiological situation of the virus and take all necessary preventive measures against any infectious diseases.

According to the Ministry, the total number of confirmed cases reached 108,754 since the outbreak in the country, including 6,343 deaths.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Development called on the governors to coordinate with the security authorities and impose fines on those not wearing the face mask in public transportation.

It also stressed that any facility that did not follow the precautionary measures would be shut down, highlighting the importance of regularly sterilizing buildings and facilities.

Earlier, the Egyptian government warned citizens it might resort to "difficult decisions" if they do not adhere to precautionary measures such as social distancing and protective masks.



US Targets Lebanon’s Hezbollah with New Sanctions

FILE - Hezbollah fighters shout slogans during the funeral procession of their top commander Fouad Shukur, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike on July 30, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)
FILE - Hezbollah fighters shout slogans during the funeral procession of their top commander Fouad Shukur, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike on July 30, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)
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US Targets Lebanon’s Hezbollah with New Sanctions

FILE - Hezbollah fighters shout slogans during the funeral procession of their top commander Fouad Shukur, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike on July 30, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)
FILE - Hezbollah fighters shout slogans during the funeral procession of their top commander Fouad Shukur, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike on July 30, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

The United States targeted two senior Hezbollah officials and two financial facilitators with new sanctions on Thursday for their role in coordinating financial transfers to the Lebanese group that is backed by Iran, the Treasury Department said.

The latest sanctions come as President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States was getting very close to securing a nuclear deal with Iran, and Tehran had "sort of" agreed to the terms.

Trump said Wednesday that he believed the moment was ripe for Lebanon to have a “future free from the grip of Hezbollah terrorists.”

The people targeted were based in Lebanon and Iran and worked to get money to Hezbollah from overseas donors, the department said in a statement.

Treasury said overseas donations make up a significant portion of the group's budget.

Thursday's action highlights Hezbollah's "extensive global reach through its network of terrorist donors and supporters, particularly in Tehran," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender.

"As part of our ongoing efforts to address Iran’s support for terrorism, Treasury will continue to intensify economic pressure on the key individuals in the Iranian regime and its proxies who enable these deadly activities."