US President Joe Biden's administration is preparing a federal military sale to Egypt, the State Department said in a release notifying Congress on Thursday.
The department said Egypt's government had requested the purchase of more than 5,000 TOW missiles, support equipment and spare parts, as well as tools for the necessary tests. Egypt has also asked the US for technical and logistical support.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-Nato ally that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East,” the State Department release read.
The sale is expected to amount to $691 million.
The executive branch is required to notify US Congress before any significant foreign military sale.
“The proposed sale will enhance Egypt’s capability to strengthen its homeland defence by replenishing its stocks,” the release said.
“The missiles will be used for counter-terrorism and border security against armoured threats and fortified positions.”
US military sales and aid to Egypt have been mired in debate recently due to concerns in Washington over the country's human rights record.
The Biden administration announced a $2.2 billion sale of C-130 Super Hercules planes to Egypt in January, but Republican Rand Paul as well as Democrats tried to block the sale in the Senate.
The administration also blocked $130m in military aid to Egypt in February.
A State Department fact sheet in April said US policy is to “promote a stable, prosperous Egypt, where the government protects the basic rights of its citizens and meets the current and future needs of its large and growing population”.
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'Gehraiyaan'
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Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
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Rating: 3.5/5
How Voiss turns words to speech
The device has a screen reader or software that monitors what happens on the screen
The screen reader sends the text to the speech synthesiser
This converts to audio whatever it receives from screen reader, so the person can hear what is happening on the screen
A VOISS computer costs between $200 and $250 depending on memory card capacity that ranges from 32GB to 128GB
The speech synthesisers VOISS develops are free
Subsequent computer versions will include improvements such as wireless keyboards
Arabic voice in affordable talking computer to be added next year to English, Portuguese, and Spanish synthesiser
Partnerships planned during Expo 2020 Dubai to add more languages
At least 2.2 billion people globally have a vision impairment or blindness
More than 90 per cent live in developing countries
The Long-term aim of VOISS to reach the technology to people in poor countries with workshops that teach them to build their own device
