Egypt placed on ‘maximum alert’ as police brace for protests to erupt

Protesters have been rallying against economic and human rights conditions (Image: GETTY)Eygpt’s Ministry of Interior has announced a state of “maximum alert”, meaning police have now ordered shops and public centres across the country to close as calls on social media to protest against the government gain momentum. Riot police have already been stationed in major cities, with downtown Cairo seeing major squares and metro stations loaded with military and police forces. In Suez city, the al-Arbaeen Square has also been turned into a fortress of armoured vehicles and riot police. In Egypt, laws banning protesting in streets were brought in in 2013, with penalties including large fines and jail time. FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES… 1 min ago08:14 Aliss HighamEcosystem scientist Friedrich Bohn, who is attending COP27, has said the world is on course to well surpass the 1.5C heating target.He said: “New evidence suggests that multiple tipping points could be triggered if global temperatures rise more than 1.5C.”However, with current policies, we are heading for a temperature rise of 2.8C.”This would trigger more and dramatic tipping elements, whose healthy state is central to the stability of the Earth system.”We must avoid this world at all costs and lay the financial foundations for this at this COP.” 26 mins ago07:49 Aliss HighamGood morning from London. I’m Aliss Higham, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on COP27 today. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.Email: aliss.higham@reachplc.com