Egypt welcomed a decision by Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency to launch direct flights from Russia to Borg El Arab and Alamein international airports, a move expected to boost tourism and air travel between the two countries. Egypt army foils arms smuggling attempts on southern bordersEgypt’s Armed Forces have thwarted the activities of a transnational organised crime network involved in smuggling and trafficking arms and ammunition across Egypt’s southern strategic border, the Armed Forces said in a statement. PM reviews development projects in GharbiaPrime Minister Moustafa Madbouli began an extensive tour of Gharbia Governorate on Tuesday to inspect and inaugurate a number of service and development projects, as part of his ongoing field visits to Egypt’s governorates. Syria’s Assad sentenced to death in absentiaA Syrian court sentenced in absentia ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad along with his younger brother to death on Tuesday for crimes against humanity and war crimes during Syria’s 14-year conflict that left about half a million people dead.