Saudi Arabia's dependent fees leave Egyptian expats in dire straits

Dependents of expat workers in Saudi Arabia will be charged a dependent fee starting in 2017, which is a further strain on the salaries of foreign workers and will likely result in large numbers of families going back home.

Saudi Arabia

Egypt keen on protecting Qatari investments

Egypt recently severed ties with Qatar, but believes the countries' economic relationship should stay above the fray.

Qatar

Dahlan preps for return to Gaza

Former Fatah senior official Mohammed Dahlan is venerated now in the Gaza Strip as the man who closed the deal with Egypt to renew electricity flow.

Palestine

Egypt, Dahlan foiling Abbas' plot against Hamas in Gaza Strip

Senior Fatah leaders have lashed out at Egypt over deals reached with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ archrival Mohammed Dahlan to improve conditions in Gaza, even as Abbas is trying to pressure Hamas there.

Palestine

Egypt fails to make headway as it navigates Nile River talks

In the wake of a failed attempt by the Nile Basin states to reach an agreement, Al-Monitor speaks with a former Egyptian Foreign Ministry official on what comes next.

Egypt

House rejects Trump’s Middle East aid cuts

The House spending bill calls for far more assistance to North Africa.

Egypt

Egyptian band hopes Islamic hits will resonate in translation

The Egyptian band Art Compilers has been translating well-known Islamic songs into English, but the jury is still out on its success.

Egypt

Egypt opposition MP: Resigning over island transfer 'no longer useful'

Nadia Henry, a member of Egypt’s opposition 25-30 bloc in parliament, tells Al-Monitor that the opposition will continue to fight the transfer of Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia, and that a larger opposition coalition could be created.

Saudi Arabia

Egypt's doubled rations no cause for celebration as prices set to soar

The Egyptian government has doubled rations for millions of citizens even as the new budget outlines a plan to reduce and eventually eliminate subsidies altogether.

Egypt

Economists praise Egyptian court ruling on jobless benefits

The Egyptian government is mulling over a high court’s decision that the constitution guarantees financial help to the country’s unemployed.

Egypt

Cairo's zoo falls into neglect

Giza Zoo, once considered one of the best zoos in the world, is struggling to improve conditions for animals as well as visitors after losing international accreditation.

Egypt

Authorities nix notion of bitcoin banking in Egypt

Egyptian banking experts agree on the risks of trading in bitcoin, and central bank authorities say they have no plans to authorize the virtual currency's use.

Egypt