Pakistan and SC Financial Technologies LLC, an affiliate of World Liberty Financial, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday to establish a structured dialogue and technical understanding of emerging digital payment architectures for cross-border transactions. The agreement was signed by Pakistan’s Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb and World Liberty Financial Chief Executive Officer Zachary Witkoff. The Prime Minister stated that the rapidly growing pace of digital payments and financial innovation are essential components of Pakistan’s expanding digital economy. Sharif expressed satisfaction that Pakistan is becoming part of global digital finance, noting what he described as growing international interest in the country’s digital financial markets. The MoU with SC Financial Technologies LLC is intended to facilitate technical cooperation on the digital payment frameworks required to support these transactions.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has met Massad Boulos, a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump on Arab and African affairs, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing coordination on key regional issues, the Egyptian presidency said on Wednesday. During the Wednesday meeting, Boulos conveyed greetings and appreciation from President Trump, which Al-Sisi welcomed, reaffirming the central importance of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States. Al-Sisi also asked that his greetings be conveyed to the US president, according to the statement. The talks underscored the need for closer consultation and coordination on regional developments, particularly in Sudan, Libya and the Horn of Africa, as part of joint efforts to promote regional stability and de-escalation. Water security was also discussed, with Al-Sisi stressing that it represents an existential issue and a top national priority for Egypt, directly linked to its national security, the statement said.

International mediators meeting in Cairo on Wednesday demanded an immediate humanitarian truce in Sudan, warning that the escalating conflict threatens the stability of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. He stated that any sustainable ceasefire must lead to a “comprehensive political process with Sudanese ownership” that prevents the creation of “parallel entities” to the state. They were joined by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed El-Khereiji, Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Hussein Omar, and UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan. He urged the international community to increase contributions to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The war, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces, has triggered one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held several security consultations on the situation in Iran in recent days, according to a source familiar with the matter. Cars burn in a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on January 8. “From Israel’s viewpoint, this is not the right time to intervene,” a former senior Israeli security official told CNN. “In recent days, many rumors have been circulating in light of the situation in Iran,” IDF spokesperson Brig. Their success in gaining freedom is also our success.”The protests in Iran have however complicated some of Israel’s military planning.

The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, Osama Rabie, said on Tuesday that navigation through the canal is proceeding normally in both directions and has not been affected by the grounding of the Turkish general cargo ship FENER. The incident occurred outside the canal’s shipping lane in the western waiting area north of Port Said, approximately five miles west of the northern entrance to the Suez Canal in the Mediterranean Sea. Rabie explained that the ship was coming from Turkey to load a shipment of salt at East Port Said Port. Rabie added that the Suez Canal Authority’s marine rescue team received a notification from the ship about a breach in one of the holds, which had allowed water to enter the hull. As a precaution, the ship’s captain moved south of the waiting area to aground the vessel, fearing it might sink, before the marine rescue team arrived.

NAG HAMMADI, Egypt, Jan 12 (MENA) – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly asserted that the development of Aluminum Company of Egypt (Egyptalum) comes in implementation of the directives of the political leadership to modernize state-owned prominent industrial companies. He said that the new production line represents a practical step toward deepening local manufacturing, ensuring the fulfillment of domestic market needs and enhancing access to global markets. These remarks were made following Madbouly’s visit, accompanied by his delegation, to the company, which is an affiliate of the Holding Company for Metallurgical Industries under the Ministry of Public Business Sector, to inspect the newly launched aluminum wire production line. Shemi said that the new production line has an annual capacity of 60,000 tons of high-quality aluminum wire, representing a qualitative leap in both production volume and quality. This effectively doubles the company’s total aluminum wire production capacity to 120,000 tons per year, he said.

This will enable the zoo administration to become the first open zoo to meet international standards. The head of the Giza Zoo and Orman Botanical Garden Development Alliance, Mohamed Kamel, said that the zoo administration has successfully acquired several large animals, including Asian elephants and giraffes. The development works also include the Royal Rest Area, which was used to receive King Farouk and other dignitaries visiting the zoo. Kamel added, “The development works also encompass the Citadel Hill and the Royal Hill, both rare architectural masterpieces constructed from coral and natural stone. The waterways within the Royal Hill, including its waterfalls, will be reactivated.”The zoo administration has also begun work on establishing a small veterinary clinic.

The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) forecasts a continued drop in temperatures across most of the country on Wednesday, with very cold weather expected in the morning, milder temperatures during the day, and very cold nights. Frost is expected on crops in Upper Egypt, central Sinai, and the Western Desert. Wednesday’s weather will see fog starting at 3:10 AM on some roads leading to and from northern Egypt, including Greater Cairo, northern Upper Egypt, and central Sinai. Low clouds will form over areas from northern Egypt to Greater Cairo and the Suez Canal cities, potentially resulting in a light, insignificant drizzle in some areas. Weather maps indicate heightened wind activity across most of the country, which may stir up sand and dust in some parts of Upper Egypt at intervals.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a US-Paraguay Status of Forces agreement signing ceremony at the State Department in Washington, DC, US, Dec. 15, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt The Trump administration has designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan as terrorist groups, the US State and Treasury departments announced on Tuesday. “Today, as a first step in support of President Trump’s commitment …

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, to discuss regional developments of shared concern, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The two ministers exchanged views on the situations in Gaza, Sudan and Somalia, stressing the importance of coordinated regional and international efforts to consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza and advance to the second phase of the U.S.-backed plan. He also reiterated Egypt’s rejection of any actions that undermine Palestinian territorial unity, citing what he described as ongoing Israeli violations in the West Bank. The ministers also discussed developments in the Horn of Africa, rejecting what they described as Israel’s recognition of “Somaliland” as a violation of international law and the UN Charter. Both reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the statement said.

Egypt welcomed on Tuesday a decision by the United States to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity. Cairo expressed its appreciation for the efforts led by the administration of President Donald Trump in combating international terrorism. The statement noted that the US decision aligns with Egypt’s long-standing position regarding the Muslim Brotherhood, which it classifies as a terrorist organisation that employs violence and incitement to achieve political goals. Concluding the statement, Cairo reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms. The government pledged to continue working and coordinating with international partners to defend the interests and stability of Egypt, the wider region, and the world.

A 100MW green hydrogen project in Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) has commenced partial production and started exporting to European and United States markets, according to a government statement released on Tuesday. Madbouly emphasised the government’s commitment to the venture, noting that it will significantly contribute to Egypt’s efforts to export green hydrogen to the European continent and other international markets. The Norwegian company is also expanding its solar energy footprint in Egypt, with the first phase of the “Obelisk” solar power project in Naga Hammadi recently inaugurated. European Union Ambassador to Egypt Angelina Eichhorst described Cairo as a global pioneer in the green hydrogen market and praised the momentum of Egyptian-European cooperation in renewable energy. European bank officials attending the meeting expressed a “real desire” to support Egypt’s transition into a regional hub for green hydrogen and green ammonia, indicating that their interest extends to additional projects across the sector.

Egypt is scheduled to receive a €1bn disbursement from the European Union this coming Thursday under the Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) budget support mechanism, according to Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat. The payment follows the government’s implementation of 16 economic and structural measures under the National Structural Reform Program designed to enhance macroeconomic stability. The upcoming payment represents the first tranche of the second phase of the MFA, which totals €5bn in overall support. Additionally, the launch of an electronic platform for investment licenses aims to facilitate applications and attract more demand-driven foreign direct investment. Al-Mashat emphasized that these reforms reflect the European Union’s confidence in Egypt’s national program and its support for the state’s efforts to boost financial stability.

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.

Rasha Abdel Aal, Head of the Egyptian Tax Authority, announced that the second package of tax facilitation measures includes a series of significant legislative amendments aimed at supporting economic activity while simplifying the tax system. Abdel Aal explained that the package introduces amendments to the Value Added Tax (VAT) Law, under which medical devices will be subject to a reduced VAT rate of 5% instead of the standard 14%. In addition, inputs, components, and supplies used in kidney dialysis equipment and kidney filters will be fully exempt from VAT. She added that the package allows for an extension of the suspension period for VAT payment on machinery, equipment, and medical devices used in industrial production. The total suspension period may now reach up to four years, subject to valid reasons and justifications accepted by the Egyptian Tax Authority.