The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) has issued a weather alert for Alexandria and other Egyptian cities for Thursday. The forecast warns of a significant weather phenomenon: dense fog lasting seven consecutive hours, accompanied by a biting cold wave and chilly winds. The EMA stated that Thursday’s primary concern is dense mist and fog. Forecasters expect intermittent rainfall along the North Coast and Northern Delta. Low-level clouds will likely persist, while wind activity will pick up across the North Coast and Upper Egypt.

According to the case file, the defendant abducted the victim by force and took her to a remote farm. When Shaimaa resisted his attempt to assault her, he reportedly blinded her in an act of extreme brutality. During the proceedings, the defendant broke down in tears and made a desperate plea to marry his victim. The court swiftly rejected the plea, rebuking the defendant by noting that the victim’s status as a minor rendered any such offer legally untenable. Investigations confirmed that the crime was committed through coercion and physical force, with the defendant preying on the victim’s youth and inability to defend herself.

Egypt’s cabinet on Wednesday approved the executive regulations for a law governing the disposal of state-owned land and expanded the mandate of the National AI Council to include quantum computing and emerging technologies. Under the new rules, pending legalisation requests and grievances filed under previous legislation will be transferred to new committees. The cabinet noted that land disposal is strictly prohibited if it conflicts with national security, state defence, or civil aviation requirements. Regarding infrastructure and industrial development, the council authorised the allocation of 823 feddans in Arish, North Sinai, to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for the development of Arish Airport. Economic measures were also addressed as the cabinet approved the minutes of the Export Development Fund meeting from 25 November 2025.

Egypt’s Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, Sherif El-Sherbiny, met with a delegation from French construction materials group Saint-Gobain to discuss potential areas of cooperation in advanced building materials, energy efficiency solutions and green construction. El-Sherbiny said the meeting comes within the framework of the ministry’s ongoing coordination with international companies to strengthen cooperation, particularly in the construction and sustainable development sectors. El-Sherbiny also highlighted Egypt’s broader national orientation towards sustainable development and green urbanisation, stressing that future cooperation should incorporate innovative, environmentally friendly building solutions across all housing segments developed by the ministry. For their part, Saint-Gobain officials said the company offers technologies and products that help reduce energy consumption and emissions, while supporting sustainable construction practices and green buildings. Saint-Gobain is a global leader in high-performance construction materials and integrated building solutions, operating in more than 70 countries worldwide, with a strong presence in Egypt and the Middle East.

General Motors (GM), in partnership with Al-Mansour Automotive, the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet in Egypt, has officially launched two fully electric Chevrolet models in the Egyptian market for the first time: the all-new Chevrolet Captiva EV and the Chevrolet Spark EUV. The initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of Egypt’s automotive sector and offer consumers smart, practical and affordable mobility solutions. The Chevrolet Spark EUV is positioned as a modern electric vehicle designed for younger drivers, offering strong value and competitive positioning within its segment. These offerings are backed by a nationwide dealer network and a 24/7 customer service centre, aimed at building consumer confidence in the transition to electric mobility. For his part, Ankush Arora, CEO of Al-Mansour Automotive, said the launch of the Captiva EV and Spark EUV represents a strategic step in the company’s vision to accelerate Egypt’s transition towards electric mobility.

Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met Askar Zhenis, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Egypt, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in healthcare and pharmaceutical manufacturing technology, the Ministry of Health said. According to the statement, Abdel Ghaffar stressed Egypt’s interest in expanding cooperation through the transfer of pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, harmonising Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, and opening new avenues for trade and investment between the two countries. The talks focused on collaboration in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, research and development, capacity building, vaccination programmes and broader public health initiatives. The discussions also highlighted opportunities to boost Egyptian pharmaceutical exports, including hepatitis C treatments and products manufactured by the Egyptian International Pharmaceutical Industries Company (EIPICO). The meeting reviewed the status of joint cooperation files, including co-production arrangements, technology transfer, and research into vaccines and biological products, drawing on Egypt’s experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and public health, the ministry said.

The Egyptian government has warned poultry producers against monopolistic practices and price-fixing as it seeks to stabilise the domestic market ahead of the month of Ramadan. He noted that competition law is designed to protect free-market mechanisms for the benefit of the national economy. Members of the General Association of Poultry Producers committed to individual price-setting based on market mechanics of supply and demand. The association stated it would work to increase supply in the coming weeks to meet the anticipated rise in demand during Ramadan. The meeting was attended by Mustafa El-Sayyad, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, and Mahmoud El-Anani, Chairman of the Poultry Association, alongside several board members.

Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, affirmed that recent developments send a clear message that Egypt is ready to receive mining investments and is building a mining sector capable of competing globally, providing investors with the confidence to inject capital and implement large-scale, long-term projects. He noted that, as part of efforts to increase the mining sector’s contribution to national output, Egypt has recently implemented comprehensive reforms. This shift has been supported by upgrading geological data, facilitating investor access to it, and establishing mechanisms for continuous engagement with mining companies. He said these measures have translated into growing interest from major global mining firms, alongside increased exploration and prospecting activity across Egypt. Badawi also noted that Egypt will continue to accelerate fast-track exploration programmes, adopt advanced technologies, and build national capabilities in the field of critical minerals.

Rasha Abdel Aal, Head of the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA), said the Distinguished Tax Service Centres represent an important strategic step in enhancing the investment climate and supporting the business environment, positioning Egypt among the world’s leading countries in the development of government services and contributing to the building of a strong and sustainable economy. Abdel Aal explained that the centres are part of the second package of tax facilitation measures and reflect a fundamental shift in the philosophy of government service delivery. She noted that the centres offer an integrated model for modern tax services, based on completing all procedures in one location through the use of advanced technologies and simplified, fast-track processes. This approach reduces service delivery time, enhances taxpayer satisfaction, and alleviates pressure on traditional tax offices. Abdel Aal added that the design of the Distinguished Tax Service Centres goes beyond modern aesthetics, reflecting a comprehensive vision for a new tax service experience that prioritises ease of movement, organised procedures, and efficient service delivery without congestion or lengthy waiting times.

Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, met with Erik Husem, Ambassador of Norway to Cairo; Terje Pilskog, CEO of Norwegian renewable energy company Scatec; and Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, to discuss Scatec’s plans to expand its investments in the Egyptian market and support renewable energy projects and sustainable solutions. The meeting was attended by Mohamed El-Goski, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI). El-Khatib affirmed that the government attaches great importance to attracting investments that combine economic feasibility with environmental sustainability, noting that renewable energy represents one of the main growth drivers in the coming phase. He added that the meeting addressed Scatec’s plans to increase and diversify its investments in Egypt, particularly in projects related to water desalination powered by renewable energy and the establishment of green data centres relying on clean energy sources. El-Khatib also affirmed the ministry’s support for Scatec’s investment plans through coordination with relevant authorities to provide the necessary land and facilitate procedures, helping translate these plans into operational projects that generate tangible added value for the national economy.

The European Investment Bank (EIB), through its development arm EIB Global, has committed $80m to the RMBV North Africa Fund III to accelerate private sector development and sustainability in Egypt, as part of a broader regional investment strategy covering North Africa. RMBV North Africa Fund III is managed by RMBV, a regional investment firm with a strong track record in delivering sustainable growth. She noted that cooperation between the EIB and RMBV North Africa Fund III supports regional investments and enhances shared growth and economic integration between Egypt and Europe. It supports private sector expansion in areas that enhance economic resilience, create quality jobs and contribute to the EU’s broader neighbourhood strategy for regional stability. In line with EIB Global’s inclusive investment approach, the RMBV North Africa Fund III will ensure that at least 30% of its portfolio directly contributes to advancing gender equality.

Egyptian startups attracted $614m in funding in 2025, a 51% increase from the previous year, as the government prepares to launch a comprehensive package of initiatives, including a “Startup Charter” and unified investment incentives. The funding figures, cited from Africa: The Big Deal data during the sixth meeting of the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship, include equity investments and debt financing. Separate data from Magnitt for 2025 indicated that Egyptian startups secured approximately USD 304 million through 69 venture capital deals. The Ministerial Group reviewed several tools ready for launch, including a unified definition for startups and a startup classification certificate intended to regulate access to government facilitation measures. The growth in M&A activity reflects increasing interest from local, regional, and international strategic investors, according to the data presented.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met senior government officials on Tuesday to review progress on the first phase of the national rural development initiative, known as “Decent Life”, the presidency said. Preparations for the second phase of the initiative were also discussed. The second phase is set to be implemented across 20 governorates and 204 local units, encompassing around 14,500 projects. Al-Sisi instructed officials to accelerate the completion of the first phase, remove obstacles and secure the necessary funding to maximise benefits for citizens. He also stressed the importance of thorough preparation and high implementation standards for the second phase.

As the United States prepares to announce the transition to “Phase Two” of its Gaza peace plan this Wednesday, the focus of the conflict is shifting from the battlefield to the boardroom. By moving beyond the immediate ceasefire, Washington aims to establish a dual-layered leadership structure: a local Palestinian administration for daily services and an international “Peace Council” to oversee the billions of dollars required for reconstruction. To ensure global accountability, the overarching Peace Council will be chaired by President Trump. Mladenov will serve as the essential “link” between the Palestinian technocrats on the ground and the international power brokers in the Peace Council. A Twenty-Point TestThe US peace plan, which entered into force last October, is now facing its most rigorous test.

Human rights monitors now report that the death toll has surged past 2,500, eclipsing previous waves of unrest and triggering a total collapse in diplomatic channels between Tehran and Washington. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a US-based monitor, the count reached at least 2,571 by Wednesday morning—more than four times the casualties seen during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests. The Toll of DissentThe Iranian government has offered its first official acknowledgement of the fatalities, though the figures remain heavily disputed. State television, quoting an official on Tuesday, reported that approximately 2,000 people—including members of the security forces—had died. A senior Iranian official confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday that direct communications between Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and US officials have been suspended.