ALAA ABDEL-FATTAH

CAIRO — (AP) — A U.S. charity has called on Egypt to release a well-known poet and songwriter who is on a hunger strike against his incarceration, now entering its sixth year. Pen America demanded Thursday that Egyptian authorities release Galal al-Behairy, who was first detained in March of 2018 and later handed a three-year sentence for spreading false news and insulting Egypt's military. Al-Behairy wrote the lyrics to the hit Egyptian pop song, “Balaha,” sung by exiled pop star Ramy Essam. ‘’I committed one crime, which is poetry,″ al-Behairy wrote in his letter, published across social media. The New York City-based organization also called for the release of all other detained Egyptian activists, writers and artists.

A U.S. charity has called on Egypt to release a well-known poet and songwriter who is on a hunger strike against his incarceration

Egyptian authorities have announced the release of 30 political activists from jail

Expectations had been low for major agreements to come out of the meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, but the recent floods in Pakistan and Nigeria boosted calls for urgent aid now. The geopolitical fallout from Russia's war in Ukraine and simmering U.S.-China tensions provided a difficult backdrop for the talks. Poor nations that have contributed least to the problem of greenhouse gas emissions are among the hardest hit. Negotiators in Sharm el-Sheikh were unable to reach an agreement on the issue and it will now be taken up again in Dubai, next year. Rather than declining, greenhouse gas emissions are still rising.

After two weeks of U.N. climate talks, negotiators agreed to one big decision, to create a fund to help developing countries suffering the impacts of climate change.

Alaa Abdel-Fattah's family said they saw him on Thursday.

CAIRO — (AP) — The family of imprisoned Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah said they were allowed into the prison and saw him on Thursday and that his condition has “deteriorated severely” following a dramatic hunger strike. Then earlier this week, Abdel-Fattah informed his family in handwritten notes that he first started drinking water again and then also ended the hunger strike. The first letter, confirming Abdel-Fattah had started drinking water again, was dated on Saturday, while the second letter, confirming he had ended his hunger strike was dated Monday. Since 2013, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s government has cracked down on dissidents and critics, jailing thousands, virtually banning protests and monitoring social media. But the ending of the hunger strike, which was a surprise to his family, also raised questions over whether Abdel-Fattah had been told something by authorities.

The family of imprisoned Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah says that they have seen him and that his condition has “deteriorated severely.”

The family of imprisoned Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah says that they have seen him and that his condition has “deteriorated severely.”.

"I've broken my strike. I'll explain everything on Thursday," says a letter in Abdel-Fattah's family handwriting, according to his family.

CAIRO — (AP) — The family of imprisoned Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah says they received a letter from him on Tuesday saying he has ended his hunger strike. The family said in a statement that Abdel-Fattah's mother, Laila Soueif, received a short note in her son’s handwriting via prison authorities. Fears had been mounting over Abdel-Fattah's life since he stopped intake of all food, then stopped drinking water on Nov. 6, escalating a months-long partial hunger strike to pressure for his release. The news comes a day after the renowned dissident announced the end of his water strike on Monday via a similar handwritten letter delivered to the family. Abdel-Fattah’s hunger strike has drawn attention to Egypt’s heavy suppression of speech and political activity.

The family of imprisoned Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah says they received a letter from him on Tuesday

The family of imprisoned Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah says they received a letter from him on Tuesday saying he’s called off his hunger strike.

His lawyers and U.K. government representatives, however, have not been allowed to visit him in prison.

A senior Egyptian diplomat has dismissed as “ludicrous” Monday reports that his country’s police have been conducting surveillance of participants at this year’s U.N. climate talks in Sharm el-Sheikh.

CAIRO — (AP) — Egypt’s imprisoned hunger-striking activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah has started drinking water again, his family said Monday, in the first communication from the prominent dissident in over a week amid fears for his life. Then, he stopped taking food altogether and later stopped drinking water to coincide with the start of the summit. Later Monday, an extract of Abdel-Fattah’s letter was posted on Facebook by a group lobbying for his release. Several human rights groups have accused Egypt of using the climate summit to whitewash the country’s poor human rights record. Human Rights Watch estimated in 2019 that as many as 60,000 political prisoners are incarcerated in Egyptian prisons.

CAIRO — (AP) — Egypt’s imprisoned hunger-striking activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah has started drinking water again, his family said Monday, in the first communication from the prominent dissident in over a week amid fears for his life. Earlier, he had stopped taking food but then also stopped drinking water to coincide with the start of the summit. Monday’s letter is the first proof of life the family received since he began refusing water eight days ago. Later Monday, an extract of Abdel-Fattah’s letter was posted on Facebook by a group lobbying for his release. Since 2013, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s government has cracked down on dissidents and critics, jailing thousands, virtually banning protests and monitoring social media.

The family of Egypt’s imprisoned hunger-striking activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah says he has started drinking water again

The family of Egypt’s imprisoned hunger-striking activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah says he has started drinking water again.

Hundreds of activists called on industrialized nations to pay for the impact of climate change and to speed up the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy on Saturday in the largest protest yet at the U.N. climate summit in Egypt.

President Joe Biden says “it's more urgent than ever” to increase commitments to fighting global warming.

CAIRO — (AP) — Egyptian prison authorities have intervened medically with imprisoned pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, who this week escalated his hunger strike and stopped drinking water, his family said Thursday, demanding his release. The nature of the medical intervention was not known, and it was not clear if he was moved to a prison hospital. Among them was Alaa al-Salmi, who died in late October after being on hunger strike for several weeks. His long imprisonment since 2011 became a symbol of Egypt’s sliding back to autocratic rule under President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. He had been on a partial hunger strike of 100 calories a day for the past six months.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry indicated no shift in position with regard to a jailed activist who is on a hunger and water strike.

Pressure has mounted on Egypt to free the prominent activist as the country hosts COP27, but his family could instead face new persecution.

CAIRO — (AP) — Egyptian prison authorities have intervened medically with jailed pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, who this week escalated a food and hunger strike demanding his release, coinciding with Egypt’s hosting of the U.N. climate summit, his mother said. Abdel-Fattah's mother, Leila Soueif, said she spoke to prison authorities by phone and asked them if her son was undergoing any medical procedure and they said he was. Soueif has been waiting outside the prison every day this week, asking for proof of life for her son. He had been on a partial hunger strike of 100 calories a day for the past six months. World leaders and activists have repeatedly called for Egyptian authorities to release the activist.

CAIRO — (AP) — The family of a prominent jailed Egyptian action on hunger and water strike said Thursday he has been hospitalized amid growing concerns about his health. Mona Seif, the sister of Alaa Abdel-Fattah, said Thursday that prison officials said "medical intervention" has been taken for him. Abdel-Fattah, 40, who is serving a five-year sentence on charges of disseminating false news, escalated his hunger strike earlier this week. He rose to fame during the 2011 pro-democracy uprisings that swept through the Middle East, toppling Egypt’s long-time President Hosni Mubarak. World leaders and activists have repeatedly called for Egyptian authorities to release the activist.

Family say Egyptian prison authorities have intervened medically with jailed pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, who this week escalated a food and hunger strike demanding his release

Family members say Egyptian prison authorities have intervened medically with imprisoned pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, who this week escalated his hunger strike to refuse water.

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt — (AP) — Bold proposals to confront climate change were floated—and ignored or rejected. The often bogus “net zero” claims by companies and countries were called out. Known as COP27, the gathering of world leaders comes at a time of contrasts, competing needs and competition for attention. GREENWASHING CALLED OUTCompanies and local governments have made bold promises to slash emissions and get to “net zero” by a certain date. After all, a company can pollute and then buy carbon credits to offset and get their net emissions to zero.

The second day of leaders’ speeches at the UN’s climate conference included bold proposals, recommendations to crack down and standardize “net zero” claims and continued discussion about the situation of a jailed pro-democracy activist who is on a hunger and water strike

The second day of leaders' speeches at the UN's climate conference included bold proposals, recommendations to crack down and standardize “net zero” claims and continued discussion about the situation of a jailed pro-democracy activist who is on a hunger and water strike.

The head of the U.N.'s human rights office says activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah's life "is in great danger."

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt — (AP) — The family of one of Egypt’s top jailed pro-democracy activists warn that the clock is ticking on his life as they plead with world leaders at the U.N. climate conference to press Egypt for his release. Days before the climate conference began, another jailed activist, Alaa al-Salmi, died in prison after being on a hunger strike for two months, his family said. Abdel-Fattah has been jailed repeatedly under different governments for lobbying for civil rights. Hossam Bahgat, a leading Egyptian rights defender and the executive director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, called for all participants in the COP27 to highlight what he described as “a full-scale human rights crisis” in Egypt. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry gave no sign Egypt was considering a release.

The family of one of Egypt’s top jailed pro-democracy activists warn that the clock is ticking on his life as they plead with world leaders at the U.N. climate conference to press Egypt for his release.

Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano told The Associated Press Tuesday morning that he would propose a non-proliferation treaty for coal, oil and natural gas later in a speech at the United Nations climate summit in Egypt. Natano and Tuvalu, along with other vulnerable nations, have moral authority in negotiations, especially in light of mega climate disasters. “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time. Germany climate envoy Jennifer Morgan said the Biden administration’s recent climate law had given the United States “a higher level of standing” internationally. ___Follow AP's climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment___Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations.

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt — (AP) — The Latest on COP27, this year’s annual UN summit on climate change. If Alaa dies you too will have blood on your hands,” she said in a video message on Facebook. Sunak said he raised Abdel-Fattah’s case in his meeting Monday with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt. Sunak said he would continue to “press for progress” in Abdel-Fattah’s case, according to Downing Street. ___Follow AP's climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment___Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations.

Activists chanted in support of jailed rights activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah at an event late Tuesday, where Abdel-Fattah’s youngest sister Sanaa Seif was taking part in a panel on Egypt’s human rights situation.

“Climate change will never stop without our intervention," said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, opening the day's session. Rich nations, most responsible for climate change, must help poor nations hit hard by impacts of climate change. Here is a look some of the largest storylines on the first day of COP27:LOSS AND DAMAGEIn the world of climate negotiations, loss and damage refers to reparations. That would be rich nations, the most responsible for the emissions that have led to climate change, making reparations to developing countries that are often most impacted. SAUDI ARABIA INITIATIVEAs expected, Saudi Arabia had a large presence, both inside the COP27 venues and outside.

Reparations to poor countries suffering the impacts of climate change and calls to drastically slash greenhouse emissions are two of the biggest storylines the first day of the U.N. climate summit, known as COP27.

The imprisoned pro-democracy activist's sister has returned to Egypt to increase pressure on the country's authoritarian leader to free her brother.

Jailed British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah has stopped drinking water in a desperate attempt to push Egypt to allow him U.K. consular access.

Italy’s new far-right leader says her new government will stick to the country’s existing climate goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century.

The head of Amnesty International says that the proceedings of COP27 will be stained by the death of one of Egypt's leading rights activists on a hunger and water strike in prison if Egyptian authorities do not release him within days.

Envoys from around the globe gathered Sunday in the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for talks on tackling climate change.

Germany's foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said the talks were being overshadowed by Russia's attack on Ukraine that has triggered political and economic upheaval around the world. For them, the climate crisis remains the most important security issue, not Russia’s war in Europe.”Baerbock said Germany was willing to show solidarity with poor countries, including on the thorny issue of compensation for losses resulting from climate change caused by rich countries' emissions. Rights groups criticized Egypt on Sunday for restricting protests and stepping up surveillance during the summit. New York-based Human Rights Watch, citing Egyptian media, said authorities had also arrested dozens of people for calling for protests. Human Rights Watch said it had had joined about 1,400 groups from around the world urging Egypt to lift the restrictions on civil society groups.

Envoys from around the globe gathered Sunday in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for talks on tackling climate change

Envoys from around the globe gathered Sunday in the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for talks on tackling climate change amid a multitude of competing crises.

A group of winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature have urged world leaders to raise human rights issues as they visit Egypt for the COP27 climate change conference

"If he doesn't make it and dies in prison, his body will tell the whole world what a bunch of liars you all are," activist's sister says.

Alaa Abdel-Fattah, an imprisoned activist in Egypt, is going on a full hunger strike. He plans to stop drinking water on the first day of the global climate summit next week.

The family of Egypt’s most prominent imprisoned activist says he went on “full hunger strike.”

Egypt’s prosecutors are refuting allegations of torture and ill-treatment against one of the country’s most prominent jailed activists

A leading human rights watchdog is urging Egyptian authorities to allow the family of a prominent activist serving a five-year sentence access to him