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
Palestinian traders forced to retreat from Cairo market In the most crowded part of Egypt’s popular markets, in the center of Cairo, mainly clothing is sold at the "Gaza Market," but the Palestinian traders have made way for their Egyptian counterparts. Palestine
Egypt-Saudi ties could be key to Trump’s Mideast 'ultimate deal' Egypt's disputed transfer of the Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia may be one part of an overall peace deal involving Israel. Saudi Arabia
Egypt's Al-Azhar looks to 'cafe preachers' to spread its message Egypt's most influential religious institution hopes to gain a wider audience and counter radical ideas by sending preachers to the coffee shops. Egypt
Iran follows Russia’s lead in backing Syria safe zones Russia’s proposal legitimates Iranian military role in Syria; supreme leader hails victory for "Islamic democracy"; Turkish intervention in Sinjar could disrupt Mosul liberation plans; Egypt’s media crackdown. Egypt
Egypt's journalists decry attack on free speech as 21 websites banned Egyptian authorities have banned 21 news websites, including a prominent independent site, claiming they promote terrorism and "spread lies." Egypt
Egypt hopes new residency-for-deposits system will boost investments Kamal Amer, the head of the Egyptian parliament's National Defense and Security Committee speaks to Al-Monitor about the residency-for-deposits system in Egypt and explains Egypt’s official stance toward the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir. Saudi Arabia
Egypt's economy trapped in vicious cycle of IMF debts Egypt is expecting a new rise of prices due to the IMF loan requirements, while the country has not yet recovered from the aftermath of the economic decisions taken in November 2016. Egypt
Slew of strange bills brings more controversy for Egypt's parliament Proposed legislation on topics such as charging fees to access Facebook and restricting baby names has led many Egyptians to complain that the country’s legislators aren’t tackling the nation's pressing problems. Egypt
Egypt harnesses star power to fight drugs Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity is creating ads featuring young soccer stars and actors to teach young people about the dangers of drug abuse. Egypt
Egypt’s judiciary takes bold step in showdown with Sisi The Egyptian State Council decided to defy the law on the appointment of the heads of judicial bodies and nominated only Judge Yahya Dakroury, in a move that may stir a dispute with the president. Egypt
Egypt's alcohol bans keep stirring controversy A ban on alcohol during an Islamic holiday has revived debate over the effectiveness and fairness of government attempts to regulate such spirits. Egypt
Trump budget slashes Middle East aid The State Department is seeking deep cuts to military and economic assistance for Arab states. Bahrain
