Newsletter: FutureVerse LEAP’s comeback The fifth edition of the gathering offers a temperature check for the Gulf’s AI ambitions amid fallout from the US-Israel-Iran war. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Xi makes first Egypt visit in decade as Cairo gets caught in US-China AI row China's Huawei last month submitted a bid to build advanced AI data centers and supply more than 2,000 AI chips for Egyptian government systems. Egypt
Analysis How Ethiopia’s new dams test Egypt’s ability to defend its Nile red lines Ethiopia’s water minister has emphasized the country’s plans to move forward with new Blue Nile dam construction, leaving Egypt to contend with the potential fallout. By Eli Siegel-Bernstein
Newsletter: Business & Tech Iran keeps Hormuz reopening on hold Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remained low, with only five commodity vessels transiting the waterway on Tuesday, according to data from maritime tracking firm Kpler. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Hamas losing deterrence against IDF Hamas' decision to deploy snipers against Israeli soldiers after months of border protests and growing international attention highlights the internal divide in the movement and threatens to shatter previous achievements. Palestine
Iraqi refugees in Egypt denounce lack of protection, services Iraqi refugees in Egypt face challenges relating to security and access to basic services, with migrant funding often earmarked for other groups. Egypt
Israel, Egypt cooperate in efforts to calm Gaza On the backdrop of the crisis in Gaza, Israel considers internal Palestinian reconciliation a security interest and a possible end to arson kite attacks. Palestine
Parliament puts price on Egyptian citizenship A controversial bill that would allow foreign nationals to purchase Egyptian citizenship has passed through parliament and awaits the president’s signature. Egypt
Egypt's activists fear social media law is anti-social Egypt's parliament passed a law allowing authorities to monitor social media to fight the spread of false news and rumors, but activists say the law is part of the government's attempt to crack down on freedom of speech. Egypt
Local book fairs catch summer readers on Egypt’s coasts The organizers of Egypt's Cairo International Book Fair, the largest event in the Arab literary world since 1969, are branching out with smaller coastal book fairs this summer. Egypt
Play challenges deadly Egyptian wedding night tradition A daring new play called "Wedding Night" casts a critical eye on Egypt's archaic traditions that make some young couples' wedding nights a nightmare. Egypt
Southern Sinai Peninsula seeks return of tourism Tourism in Egypt's South Sinai governorate was dealt a blow after authorities banned the use of SUVs and closed off many mountain trails throughout the peninsula because of security concerns. Egypt
How Israel and Egypt are coordinating on Gaza By threatening to close the Gaza Rafah crossing point, Egypt signals to Hamas that it must reconcile with Fatah. Qatar
Sisi grants privileges, immunity to Egypt's military brass Egypt’s parliament recently approved a draft law granting senior commanders of the armed forces ministerial and presidential privileges while allowing them to enjoy special immunity both in Egypt and abroad. Egypt
Egypt's Al-Azhar, Awqaf Ministry renew wrangling over fatwas The dispute between Egypt’s religious authority and the Ministry of Endowments has escalated over the ministry’s right to issue and challenge fatwas as stipulated in a new draft legislation. Egypt
Gaza tunnel workers face greater risks, shrinking pay The tunnels used for smuggling goods between Gaza and Egypt are still operating despite the dangers posed by the Egyptian army’s campaign to destroy them. Palestine
