Rasha Abdel Aal, Head of the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA), announced that the Authority began receiving tax returns for the 2025 tax year as of 1 January, in line with directives from Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk. The move aims to simplify procedures for taxpayers, provide integrated technical support, and encourage voluntary compliance. Abdel Aal explained that individuals may submit their tax returns from 1 January 2026 until 31 March 2026, while companies can file until 30 April 2026, or within four months of the end of their financial year. She added that the Authority has also deployed technical support committees at professional syndicates, civil society institutions, chambers of commerce, and federations to further assist taxpayers. In addition, dedicated technical support teams have been assigned to tax offices nationwide.

Gold prices retreated in the first trading sessions of 2026, pulling back from recent record highs amid thin market liquidity and profit-taking, according to an analysis by Gold Bullion. Spot gold declined 4.4% over the past week, falling to a two-week low of $4,274 per ounce after opening the week at $4,542. The metal entered 2026 following a sharp rally in 2025, when prices surged nearly 65% year-on-year—marking gold’s strongest annual performance since 1979. Reports of repeated attacks in Venezuela’s capital—believed by some sources to involve U.S. action—could support gold demand once markets return to full activity next week, the analysis noted. Gold Bullion attributed the recent volatility primarily to reduced liquidity and lower trading volumes during the holiday period, which weakened upward momentum and encouraged profit-taking.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly conducted an extensive field tour of healthcare facilities affiliated with Egypt’s Healthcare Authority (EHA) in Luxor, as part of ongoing efforts to monitor the implementation of the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS) and evaluate progress in healthcare services across Upper Egypt. The tour included visits to Karnak International Hospital and Luxor International Medical Complex—two flagship institutions operating under the comprehensive health insurance framework. A Growing Universal Health Insurance SystemEl-Sobky revealed that more than 1.2 million beneficiaries currently receive healthcare services in Luxor under the UHIS. Surgical procedures performed in 2025 alone reached 45,369 operations, while primary healthcare services exceeded 11 million. Luxor International Medical ComplexMadbouly also inspected Luxor International Medical Complex, which El-Sobky described as the “icon of healthcare in Luxor” and the primary referral center for complex cases across Upper Egypt.

Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population provided 362,662 medical services through hospitals and health facilities in Port Said governorate between January and December 2025, the ministry announced in a statement. Total beneficiaries for these dental and genetic services reached 27,087 citizens. Waleed Abdel Maqsoud, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health in Port Said, stated that the Genetic Counselling centre provided 16,412 services. Presidential health initiatives accounted for 161,439 services provided to 11,877 citizens. More than 120,000 citizens benefited from awareness activities in public spaces and health facilities, aimed at supporting presidential initiatives and promoting healthy lifestyles and positive behaviours.

But in the high-stakes theatre of global semiconductor supremacy, no transaction is too small to escape the notice of the White House. It is a strategy that seeks to protect American innovation while ensuring the US Treasury profits from the global demand for silicon. Trump specified that 25% of the deal value must be paid directly to the United States. “I reserve my right to issue additional orders… as I deem necessary to protect the national security of the United States,” Trump stated. It is a reminder that in the new era of the chip wars, the White House is not just watching the gates—it is also checking the receipts.

The diplomatic intervention comes as Yemen’s Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government announced on Saturday that it had regained control of Mukalla. Saudi Arabia has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of backing the STC in its recent moves. In response, STC forces blocked roads leading to Aden from the northern provinces, residents said. The STC and Saudi Arabia have accused each other of responsibility for shutting off air traffic. The STC in its statement on Saturday said southern Yemen was being subjected to a land, sea and air blockade.

A Russian language graduate, she is now seriously considering joining the French military or intelligence services. While Trump has recently described his traditional European allies as “weak” and a “group of countries in decline,” France is moving to prove the opposite. The objective is ambitious: attracting 3,000 recruits by the coming summer, 10,000 by 2030, and 50,000 by 2035. This shift places a spotlight on France—the EU’s only nuclear power and a nation with a robust, independent arms industry. Already, France leads a multinational NATO battlegroup in Romania, has reinforced its presence in Estonia, and is discussing troop deployments to Finland.

According to the Central Bank’s latest report, cash balances at banks amounted to around EGP 181.161bn. On the liabilities side, banks’ capital stood at approximately EGP 699.853bn, reserves reached EGP 1.070trn, and provisions totalled around EGP 638.687bn. Total customer deposits reached EGP 15.324trn, balances of bonds and long-term loans amounted to EGP 963.789bn, and other unspecified liabilities totalled around EGP 4.546trn. Banks’ reserves reached EGP 1.070trn, with the top 10 banks holding EGP 836.451bn, while reserves at the largest five banks amounted to around EGP 717.547bn. Investments by the largest 10 banks rose to approximately EGP 6.219trn, up from EGP 5.768trn, while investments at the largest five banks reached around EGP 5.472trn, compared with EGP 5.144trn previously.

Banque Misr reported net profits of EGP 68.353bn during the first nine months of 2025, up from EGP 60.457bn in the same period of 2024, according to the bank’s financial statements. Profits before tax reached EGP 108.328bn over the period, compared with EGP 93.345bn a year earlier. Net interest income rose to EGP 123.748bn in September 2025, compared with EGP 109.786bn in September 2024, while net income from fees and commissions increased to EGP 21.837bn, up from EGP 16.675bn. Total assets climbed to EGP 4.138trn in September 2025, compared with EGP 3.61trn in 2024. The bank’s investments portfolio in subsidiaries and affiliated companies rose to EGP 63.237bn, compared with EGP 57.477bn previously.

Since the beginning of the year, the official exchange rate has moved within a relatively stable range. In these instances, the official rate often converges with the parallel market rate that emerges during periods of high demand and scarcity. This temporary abundance of cash calmed the market and led to the total disappearance of the parallel market. The long-term exchange rate does not change significantly over a few months, as it reflects accumulated structural imbalances. The answer to whether temporary stability can become permanent lies in deep reforms to the ‘real economy,’ rather than in the exchange market or monetary decisions alone.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that US forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following what he described as “successful and large-scale” military strikes on Venezuela. “I want to speak to President Trump… we must all uphold international law,” Starmer told the BBC. “I want to speak to President Trump… we must all uphold international law,” Starmer told the BBC. While noting that the EU views Maduro as lacking legitimacy, she stressed that “international law must be respected” and called for restraint. While noting that the EU views Maduro as lacking legitimacy, she stressed that “international law must be respected” and called for restraint.

Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk said the country’s agricultural exports exceeded nine million tons in 2025. Farouk told AlQahera News channel that Egypt’s agricultural exports reached 9.2 million tonnes.

The premier made the remarks during a meeting held Thursday to follow up on the completion of the first-phase projects of the initiative. This is in addition to preparations to move into the second phase of the initiative and begin implementing its service and development projects across the targeted villages nationwide. In this context, the prime minister directed that handover committees be formed swiftly for the completed projects so they can be brought into service. Additionally, only two projects remain in Ismailia Governorate, meaning that projects in these three governorates will then be fully completed. He also reviewed the projects currently being completed, along with their implementation and financial status.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly instructed officials to complete all remaining works at the Fustat Gardens project at the highest quality standards ahead of its opening and start of operations. This came during a meeting at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital to review progress at Fustat Gardens and the new urban community west of Dabaa. During the meeting, officials reported that development works at the Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque square and the adjacent cultural area — which includes six restaurants and the Egyptian-Cairene Club — have been completed, bringing the overall project completion rate to approximately 95 percent. The meeting also reviewed inspections of architectural and structural works, sidewalks, parking areas, pedestrian paths, and utility networks, including water, sanitation, irrigation, electrical, mechanical, and fire-safety systems, with instructions to finalize the remaining items promptly and to specification. Additionally, they also reviewed the status of the new urban community west of Dabaa, covering infrastructure works, road preparation and paving, and the installation of water, sanitation, and electricity networks across the project.

The Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs, Haddad al-Gohary, said that several hundred Egyptian citizens currently held in Libya will be released in the coming period. Procedures for their release and the resolution of their legal status are underway to facilitate their repatriation from Libyan prisons to Egypt, he explained. Foreign Ministry’s efforts pay offThe Foreign Ministry’s efforts during 2025 resulted in the repatriation of more than 3,000 Egyptian citizens from Libya accused of illegal immigration, the ambassador noted, alongside the release of over 1,200 citizens from Libyan prisons. He added that 300 bodies were repatriated at the state’s expense following the sinking of boats carrying illegal immigrants off the Libyan coast. He emphasized the necessity of respecting entry regulations to neighboring countries by obtaining official visas and documented employment contracts in order to protect the rights and lives of immigrating Egyptian citizens.