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
Netanyahu’s diplomacy: success or failure? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presents himself as a diplomatic magician, though he is accumulating failures on Syria, Iran and ties with Gulf states. Saudi Arabia
Cairo to set design standards for mosques Egypt's Ministry of Endowments plans to impose a single design style for new and even existing mosques being restored as part of the government's efforts to modernize Egyptian cities. Egypt
Cairo keeps itself front and center in Syria negotiations Egypt seems to be in demand as a negotiator between the Syrian regime and opposition forces, as the new UN envoy to Syria says he wants Cairo involved. Egypt
Gazans reluctant to import from Egypt despite Hamas’ encouragement Although Hamas reduced fees imposed on goods entering the Gaza Strip, it seems local traders are hesitant to import from Egypt, which imposes high fees on traded products. Palestine
Suez Canal tunnels expected to bring new life to Sinai Egypt is expected to complete the construction of four tunnels under the Suez Canal, which will boost economic growth in the marginalized Sinai Peninsula. Egypt
Egypt eyes Asian tourists Almost four years after the Russian plane crash over Egypt’s Sinai, the country’s recovering tourism sector is moving to expand the Asian markets. Egypt
Egypt’s desire to eradicate slums leaves residents displaced The Egyptian government has relocated dozens of families from the Manshiyet Nasr area after a rockslide, on the pretext that their houses are too damaged, while in reality the government is on a quest to develop Cairo’s slum areas. Egypt
Egypt steps up efforts to combat foreign terrorists Egyptian authorities, concerned about the infiltration of foreign extremists, have issued orders broadening and enhancing security measures at ports of entry. Egypt
Egypt's Red Sea Mountain Trail creates jobs for local Bedouin community The success of the Sinai Trail, a popular route for hikers, has spurred the development of another, more ambitious project along the Red Sea. Egypt
Is Egyptian parliament encouraging alcohol consumption? The Egyptian parliament's approval to lift the prohibition of the sale of alcohol in the law on shops has stirred a wide controversy in a country where Sharia is the source of legislation. Egypt
Egypt campaign to reject Sisi's power grab gains traction A campaign to reject constitutional amendments that would extend President Sisi's term has led to an unlikely alignment between Egypt's Islamists and secular activists. Egypt
Why did Turkey deport alleged Muslim Brotherhood member? Is the extradition of an alleged Muslim Brotherhood member to Egypt a simple bureaucratic glitch or a sign of Erdogan’s change of heart toward the Egyptian organization? Egypt