Egypt's cabinet approves three-month government spending austerity plan

Egypt's cabinet has approved a three-month plan to cut government spending, citing regional tensions, with 20% electricity and 30% vehicle-fuel reductions.

• Cabinet spokesman Mohamed Adel said the plan runs for three months and covers administrative, local and public economic bodies.
• Government buildings must cut electricity and lighting consumption by 20% and government vehicles' fuel use by at least 30%.
• Fuel-intensive national projects will be delayed at least three months, and no new projects will start this fiscal year.
• Health, pre-university education, the Hayah Karima initiative, water and sanitation, food and energy security, and subsidy and pension allocations are exempt.