Israel, Hamas on verge of modest truce

Without the support of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israel and Hamas will have to make do with a small-scale truce agreement.

Palestine

Egypt takes effective step on path to economic reforms

Egypt launched an electronic management system to track and monitor state agencies’ financial performance and public accounts in an effort to enforce budgetary spending and crack down on waste and corruption.

Egypt

Is Egypt doing enough to fight drug addiction?

Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity recently launched a drug abuse-awareness initiative in Port Said in an attempt to reach families and youths on summer holidays at the beach.

Egypt

Cairo breathes sigh of relief as Saudi oil exports resume through Bab el-Mandeb

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Falih announced that his country resumed oil exports via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, amid Egyptian fears that a decrease in traffic in the popular shipping corridor could impact Suez Canal revenues.

Saudi Arabia

Cairo, Rome carefully repair relations two years after researcher's murder

The Italian foreign minister’s recent visit to Egypt revived diplomatic relations between Cairo and Rome following the long, heated dispute over the slaying of Italian postgraduate student Giulio Regeni.

Egypt

Egypt comes to rescue as Israel cuts off Gaza gas

When Israel cut Gaza's fuel supply, Egypt stepped up to keep the Strip running, though shortages are still overwhelming.

Palestine

New Egyptian health care initiative: Help or hoax?

Egyptians are asking whether the ministry charged with law enforcement and security can be a credible health care provider to the public.

Egypt

Culture alert: Music mixed with history in August

Some of the August festivals in the Middle East take place in spectacular settings, from Cairo to Byblos to Troy.

Egypt

Egypt's Salafists start offering marriage counseling

A Salafi association holding premarital courses strictly for girls is raising controversy in Egypt’s religious and legal circles.

Egypt

Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal has wide-ranging implications

By holding indirect talks with Hamas about a long-term cease-fire, Israel is indicating that it views and accepts the Islamist movement as the political sovereign of Gaza, a shift that could have significant repercussions.

Palestine

Can songs help to halt female genital mutilation, early marriage in Egypt?

In a new project, the UNFPA in Egypt is using popular singers and youth bands to create awareness of gender inequality and family planning.

Egypt

Egyptian forum dreams up ways to attract expat money

A recent forum for Egyptian expatriates produced various ideas on how to get emigrants to invest in their home country.

Egypt