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CBS News
26 minutes ago
- General
- CBS News
Pilot killed in Beverly plane crash identified by his family as Geoffrey Andrews
The pilot killed in a small plane crash in Beverly, Massachusetts on Thursday has been identified by his family. Geoffrey Andrews was piloting the plane when it crashed shortly after takeoff Thursday on Sam Fonzo Drive in an industrial park near Beverly Regional Airport. A second man in the plane was injured. He has not been identified. Police said it appears Andrews was attempting to take off when the plane crashed. The FAA said the plane had just left Beverly and was heading to Ticonderoga Municipal Airport, which is about 100 miles north of Albany, New York. "We thank the investigators who we trust will conduct a thorough investigation into what caused this catastrophic loss of life. We also pray for his passenger in the plane and are sending his loved ones strength through this difficult time," said Andrews' family in a statement. His family said Andrews was a staff scientist at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and graduated from Lehigh University and got his doctorate from Purdue University. They said he loved to fly and was working to become a certified flight instructor. Andrews is survived by his wife, Gentry, who is expecting their first child in October. "Beyond his love for flight, Geoffrey was a charismatic, beautiful soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and always had a kind word for others. He was so excited about the upcoming birth of their baby," said his family in a statement.


Daily News Egypt
27 minutes ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
MSMEDA injects EGP 17.4bn into 900k women-led enterprises over past decade: CEO
Bassel Rahmy, CEO of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), announced that the agency has allocated EGP 17.4bn over the past 10 years to support women-led micro and small enterprises across Egypt. This funding has empowered around 900,000 projects and contributed to the creation of approximately 1.2 million job opportunities. Rahmy highlighted that 54% of the total funding—equivalent to EGP 9.4 billion—was channelled into projects located in Upper Egypt, border governorates, and other underserved areas most in need of development. He emphasised the agency's determination to double this financing in the coming period, in line with government efforts to enhance women's economic participation and unlock their potential as drivers of national growth. The announcement was made during the 'Women in SMEs' Conference, organised by the Women Entrepreneurs Club under the patronage of MSMEDA. The event gathered representatives from leading financial institutions, entrepreneurship support organisations, ambassadors, and distinguished female leaders from across various economic sectors. In his remarks, Rahmy reiterated MSMEDA's commitment to working in close coordination with government bodies, civil society organisations, and development partners to further empower women economically. He stressed the importance of supporting women not only in launching new enterprises, but also in expanding and developing existing ones across industrial and service-based sectors. This approach, he noted, aims to cultivate a new generation of pioneering women entrepreneurs who can contribute meaningfully to Egypt's economic transformation. Rahmy also underlined the significance of the agency's participation in such conferences, as they serve as platforms to exchange expertise, share successful models, and align with international best practices—particularly in relation to the SME sector and women's empowerment. These efforts, he said, are central to Egypt's development agenda and are fully aligned with Egypt Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. During the event, Rahmy presented the full range of services MSMEDA offers to support entrepreneurs, including both financial and non-financial assistance. He noted the agency's ongoing efforts to expand the accessibility of its services across the country, especially for women and young people, by leveraging digital transformation tools and platforms. Mona Mourad, Founder and CEO of the Women Entrepreneurs Club, affirmed the Club's commitment to enhancing the capabilities of Egyptian women and enabling them to take the lead in medium and large-scale enterprises. She pointed to the conference's collaboration with the American University in Cairo's Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Alcatel-Lucent as a prime example of how public-private-academic partnerships can accelerate women's leadership in digital transformation and institutional growth. Mourad commended MSMEDA for its pivotal role in building the capacities of women across various economic activities, particularly by supporting productive, sustainable projects. She added that the agency's presence at the event reflects the growing synergy between state institutions and development actors, both local and international, in creating a thriving ecosystem for female entrepreneurship. In recognition of their success, Rahmy honoured several women who have built notable businesses with MSMEDA's support. Among them was Yasmin El-Sweifi, who owns a thriving restaurant chain in Cairo; Mona Sami, who founded a business producing educational and interactive toys; and Sherine Saleh, who established a manufacturing project for medical and cosmetic supplies. Their achievements, Rahmy said, are a testament to the transformative impact of targeted support and inclusive development policies.


Daily News Egypt
27 minutes ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
The Role of Crisis Management Committees in Responding to Global Shocks: A Central Pillar for National Stability
As geopolitical tensions intensify and the world grapples with overlapping crises, the need for robust and agile crisis management frameworks has never been greater. These crises—whether political, economic, environmental, or military—often have profound repercussions that reverberate far beyond their points of origin, threatening national security, economic resilience, and social cohesion. Crisis management committees serve as a frontline defence, coordinating resources, streamlining decision-making, and ensuring institutional coherence in times of uncertainty. Their importance becomes especially pronounced during periods of regional or global escalation, when swift, informed action can mean the difference between containment and chaos. Forming such committees has become an essential component of statecraft, aimed at assessing risk, preparing for contingencies, and executing rapid-response strategies. These bodies are typically empowered with wide-ranging authority, allowing them to act without bureaucratic delay. While some are convened for specific emergencies and disbanded once the threat subsides, others operate permanently—continuously monitoring risk landscapes, developing response protocols, and running stress tests to gauge national readiness. Models of Crisis Committees: Proactive vs. Reactive Countries typically adopt a hybrid model, combining two core approaches: Proactive Committees: These focus on foresight, risk mapping, and preventive planning, aiming to avert crises before they emerge. Reactive Committees: These are mobilised to deal with fast-unfolding events, executing decisive actions to limit damage and restore stability. Global Best Practices Several international experiences underscore the value of institutionalised crisis management: Japan: The National Emergency Committee is globally respected for its meticulous disaster preparedness, particularly for natural events like earthquakes and tsunamis. During the 2011 earthquake, its rapid coordination and pre-existing plans helped contain the disaster's impact. United States: FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is one of the most powerful emergency response institutions in the world. With wide-ranging authority, it leads national efforts to respond to hurricanes, pandemics, and other large-scale emergencies. India: The National Disaster Management Authority, created in 2005, is a comprehensive body that manages both natural and man-made disasters. It focuses on long-term planning, stakeholder coordination, and swift response to protect vulnerable populations. Egypt's Experience: Pre-Emptive Strategy in Action Egypt has taken notable steps to institutionalise crisis response mechanisms, particularly in response to mounting regional instability. In a forward-looking move, the government recently established a Supreme Crisis Management Committee to monitor the potential fallout from the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Significantly, this committee has a proactive mandate, aiming to assess possible economic consequences before they materialise. Government officials have stressed that Egypt currently faces no direct threat to its domestic market or national security. Nonetheless, the committee—chaired by the Prime Minister—will meet regularly to evaluate developments, safeguard macroeconomic stability, and shield the country's ongoing reform programme from external shocks. It will also work in close coordination with advisory councils, sovereign entities, economic experts, and national security institutions, including the armed forces and police. By integrating both public and private sector input, the committee represents a whole-of-government approach to risk management. Egypt's Crisis Management Committee is poised to become a cornerstone of the country's national resilience architecture. In an increasingly unpredictable world, the ability to respond swiftly, strategically, and collectively is no longer optional—it is foundational. With foresight and coordinated action, such committees can transform crises from existential threats into manageable challenges. Mohamed Abdel Aal – Banking expert


Daily News Egypt
27 minutes ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's Finance Ministry Honours Talaat Moustafa Group for Tax System Support
Egypt's Ministry of Finance has honoured Talaat Moustafa Group, the National Bank of Egypt, and Banque Misr for their role in supporting the government's efforts to modernise the country's tax system. The recognition was presented at the 'Shukran' (Thank You) conference, an event organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Egyptian Tax Authority. The honours were linked to a recent package of tax incentives introduced by the ministry and were awarded for contributions to promoting transparency, partnership, and trust between the state and taxpayers. The conference was attended by senior state officials and executive leaders from the public and private sectors. Dr Tarek El-Naggar, Executive Vice President of the Financial Sector at Talaat Moustafa Group, accepted the certificate of appreciation on behalf of the group's CEO, Hisham Talaat Moustafa. In a speech at the ceremony, El-Naggar said the honour would serve as motivation to continue the group's support for the state's economic reform efforts. 'We are delighted to receive this honour, which reflects our deep commitment to our national responsibility concerning taxes—a duty we fulfill with the utmost dedication,' he stated. El-Naggar affirmed that the stability and clarity of tax policies are among the most prominent factors in attracting investment, stressing that both local and foreign investors consider the tax system a fundamental criterion when making investment decisions. He also commented on the relationship between the government and the private sector, stating it has undergone a significant positive transformation in recent years. He added that there is now a clear appreciation from the state for the developmental role played by investors, which fosters a climate of trust and encourages support for the national economy. To support this point, El-Naggar highlighted Egypt's improved ranking in a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which placed the country first in Africa and ninth globally for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). According to El-Naggar, the modernisation of the tax system was a significant contributor to this result.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal 26yo nominated for PFA Player of the Year
Declan Rice has been named in the top six for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award for 2025, following a strong campaign with Arsenal. Photo byThe PFA confirmed their top-six players for the Players' Player of the Year award on Friday, with Declan Rice joining Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, Chelsea's Cole Palmer, and Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah. Advertisement The winner of the award will be announced later this year, with the ceremony taking place at the Manchester Opera House on August 19th. Arsenal face Manchester United at Old Trafford on August 17th, so Rice may just want to stay on in Manchester if he plans to attend in person. Photo byRice has received plenty of recognition on all fronts for his performances throughout the 2024/25 campaign. The Arsenal fans named him their Player of the Season, the Football Writers' Association put him in their top-four picks for Footballer of the Year, and the Premier League nominated him in their top eight for Player of the Season. Advertisement Now the players have also recognised Rice's displays with their own nomination through the PFA. Photo byRice made 52 appearances for Arsenal this season, scoring nine goals and assisting a further 10 in all competitions. That included 11 direct goal contributions in the Premier League, breaking double figures for the second season running – a feat he never achieved at former club West Ham United. Salah is surely the favourite for the PFA award, having already won the Premier League's Player of the Season award and the FWA's Footballer of the Year award. But all parties are evidently in agreement that Rice was one of the other outstanding performers in English football in 2024/25.