The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is now in the Indian Ocean, putting it closer to assist in any potential US operations targeting Iran, two sources told CNN. The group is within the area of responsibility of US Central Command, whose purview includes military operations in the Middle East. A carrier strike group normally includes an aircraft carrier, guided missile cruisers, anti-aircraft warships and anti-submarine destroyers or frigates. Trump has warned Iran against killing protesters, repeatedly threatening to intervene in the country if it does so. Iran also has a network of regional proxies that could potentially be mobilized in the event of a strike.

Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, can be cured with a simple dose of penicillin. Africa carries the largest burden globally, accounting for more than half of maternal syphilis cases worldwide, as well as the majority of congenital infections passed from mother to child. The study’s title reflects what many women expressed: marriage does not necessarily protect women from infection. Some women also said they worried about being judged or shamed, particularly because syphilis is sexually transmitted. Syphilis may be easy to cure — but for many women, the path to treatment is not.

The Korean Cultural Centre in Cairo launched its inaugural “Ahlan Korea” monthly programme on Tuesday, beginning a year-long initiative to strengthen cultural ties between South Korea and Egypt through regional showcases. Oh Sung-ho, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre, said the initiative reflects the growing depth of relations and cooperation between South Korea and Egypt. The event included interactive activities such as a cultural quiz, a guided tour of traditional Korean artefacts, and an opportunity for visitors to wear the “Hanbok,” Korea’s traditional costume. “Ahlan Korea” is scheduled to continue as a monthly series throughout 2026 in cooperation with the Korean Tourism Organisation. Each subsequent edition will highlight a different Korean city to provide a comprehensive view of the country’s arts, traditions, and landmarks.

Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hany Sewilam, held a series of bilateral meetings with officials from Finland, Germany, and the Geneva Water Hub on the sidelines of a high-level preparatory meeting for the United Nations Water Conference in Senegal, the ministry said. Both sides stressed the growing importance of international collaboration on water issues as climate change and increasing pressure on water resources intensify global challenges. They agreed that science-based dialogue and knowledge exchange remain essential pillars for sustainable water management and regional stability. Sewilam also met Germany’s Deputy Environment Minister, where discussions focused on translating international water commitments into concrete implementation pathways. He also urged a comprehensive review of global progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation, to help inform and shape the post-2030 international water agenda.

Egypt has opened the EGP 3.5bn Cleopatra Hospital Tagamoa (Sky) in East Cairo as part of a strategic shift to leverage private sector expertise in state-owned medical facilities, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Tuesday. Abdel Ghaffar noted that the Cleopatra Sky hospital employs artificial intelligence for diagnosis and treatment and uses data-driven management systems. Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi said the partnership at the Cleopatra Sky facility aligns with the state’s vision to place human health at the forefront of development priorities. Ahmed Ezzeldin, CEO of Cleopatra Hospitals Group, added that the hospital includes specialised centres of excellence for trauma, heart disease, kidney care, and neurology. The Cleopatra Sky facility also features a 25-bed emergency department staffed by consultants 24 hours a day, alongside integrated blood bank services and specialised paediatric environments covering 11 sub-specialities.

Egypt and Jordan on Tuesday called for the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the comprehensive peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, affirming support for a transitional “Peace Council” to oversee the process. During an official visit to the Jordanian capital, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held talks with Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi. The ministers welcomed the formation of the Palestinian National Committee to manage the Gaza Strip and the announcement of the second phase of the comprehensive peace plan. They confirmed their commitment to supporting the mission of the “Peace Council,” launched by President Trump, as a transitional body as outlined in the conflict resolution plan and adopted by UN Security Council Resolution 2803. Regarding bilateral relations, the ministers highlighted the close ties between President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and King Abdullah II.

Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, held talks with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the transport and industrial sectors. During the meeting, Al-Wazir underscored the depth and resilience of the longstanding strategic relationship between Egypt and the United States, reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to expanding cooperation across a wide range of fields, particularly in industry and transport. The minister highlighted the extensive collaboration between Egypt’s Ministry of Transport and American companies, especially in the railway sector. Al-Wazir extended an open invitation to American firms to invest in Egypt, emphasising the availability of promising and viable investment opportunities. Maritime transport was identified as a key area for enhanced cooperation, with Al-Wazir highlighting Egypt’s 19 commercial ports.

I admire Germany, its culture and its ability to evolve and lead, while acknowledging its mistakes and striving to reckon with them. Among them are two German figures I came to know well in Cairo, both of whom left me with a lasting impression of a human and cultural model worth reflecting on: Felix Haala and Wiebke Bachmann. When Felix Haala oversaw cultural affairs at the German Embassy in Cairo, he was not a diplomat in the conventional sense. Dr Wiebke Bachmann represents another complementary model, approached through the gateway of education. In both cases, culture and education do not appear as secondary tools within German policy, but as part of its deep structural foundations.

Speaking at AmCham Egypt’s Annual Real Estate Conference, “Egypt Rising: Real Estate as a Regional Powerhouse,” Amer compared Egypt’s current stage of development to India’s position 20 years ago. Amer rejected claims that Egypt’s real estate prices are inflated, arguing that valuations should be assessed in U.S. dollars rather than local currency. “These figures show Egypt offers premium real estate at roughly 30% of European prices and at half—or less—of GCC levels,” he said. Fathy also highlighted a structural transformation in commercial real estate, where the market has shifted from a landlord-driven model to one increasingly favoring tenants and occupiers. The executives concluded that Egypt’s real estate sector is evolving into a more mature, competitive, and globally integrated market—where long-term success will be defined by execution, innovation, integrated development, and customer-centric design, rather than speculative pricing alone.

Egypt is seeking to attract major global automakers to localise the production of electric vehicles and components as part of a national strategy to meet domestic demand and expand exports, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Tuesday. The Prime Minister stated that the government is prioritising the National Automotive Manufacturing Programme to transition toward clean energy and reduce reliance on traditional fuels. In 2024, commodity exports from the free zones were valued at $11bn, while service exports reached $7bnand petroleum exports totalled $6.5bn. Out of the total projects, 1,019 are located within nine public free zones, spanning industrial, storage, and service sectors. Targeted activities for the free zones that align with state strategy include information technology, software development, pharmaceuticals, and automotive components.

Efforts are also underway to unify real estate measurement standards—particularly the distinction between net and gross areas—to ensure transparency and eliminate inconsistent reporting among developers. To address this issue, a centralised real estate database is being developed to provide accurate and reliable data for feasibility studies. Digital platform for real estate exportsIbrahim revealed that a unified digital platform for real estate export is currently being rolled out in coordination with the Ministries of Communications, Justice, and Interior. He also announced plans to activate the “Urban Observatory” under NUCA, which will collect and analyse urban data from new cities. Ibrahim concluded that the combined reforms—spanning regulation, digitisation, and data standardisation—are expected to position Egypt’s real estate market as a more transparent, organised, and investor-friendly destination.

Egypt’s National Centre for Planning Stateland Uses (NCPSLU) has approved the allocation of 6,050.68 acres for the establishment of New Matrouh City and the transfer of 46 land plots to the “Future of Egypt” for Sustainable Development project. The council also approved adjustments to the established boundaries of New October City. Land in Qena for a water drinking station, an agricultural services complex, and a fire station. The council also approved land for the al-Qasima police station in North Sinai and 2.64 acres for service facilities on the Taba-Nuweiba International Road. Fawzy added that the NCPSLU continues to coordinate with state bodies to maximise the utility of unused state land and support comprehensive development to improve the investment climate.

Egypt’s non-oil exports rose by 17% to $48.567bn in 2025, up from $41.507bn in 2024, while the trade deficit narrowed by 9% to $34.447bn, according to the latest foreign trade indicators reviewed by Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib. As a result, the trade deficit declined to $34.447bn in 2025, down from $37.869bn in 2024, reflecting improved export performance despite rising imports. The United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and the United States were the largest destination markets for Egypt’s non-oil exports in 2025. Building materials led Egypt’s non-oil exports, valued at $14.880bn, followed by chemicals and fertilisers at $9.419bn, and food industries at $6.803bn. Gold exports recorded a sharp increase, reaching $7.6bn in 2025 compared to $3.2bn in 2024—an annual rise of $4.4bn.

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the country’s first specialised diploma in artificial intelligence (AI) for the banking sector, Governor Hassan Abdalla announced on Tuesday. The initiative, launched under the “Digital Academy” of the CBE’s FinTech Egypt, is a collaboration between the Egyptian Banking Institute (EBI) and New Giza University (NGU). The diploma comprises five integrated training programmes that combine practical case studies from the banking sector with educational frameworks. Programme 5:AI Implementation and Management, focusing on integrating AI into banking operations. The EBI Executive Director, Abdul Aziz Nuseir, noted that the diploma is part of the institute’s current annual plan to refine the skills of banking sector employees in AI according to global developments.

Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, attended celebrations hosted by the Indian Embassy in Cairo marking the 77th anniversary of India’s Republic Day, reaffirming Cairo’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with New Delhi, according to an official statement. In his address, Abdel Ghaffar conveyed the congratulations of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly to the Indian government and people, describing Republic Day as a historic milestone symbolising sovereignty, democracy, national unity and development. He underscored that Egyptian-Indian relations are anchored in a shared civilisational heritage and a modern comprehensive strategic partnership founded on mutual respect and strategic autonomy. He noted that this partnership reflects the growing convergence between two influential nations of the Global South. He concluded by expressing Egypt’s appreciation for India’s expanding regional and international role, and Cairo’s aspiration to further deepen strategic cooperation in support of South-South collaboration, regional stability and sustainable development.