Egyptian president and former general steering a turbulent era since 2014
The Iran‑aligned Houthis have seized Yemen’s Red Sea coast and key islands in the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait this week, including Mocha, Mayyun (Perim) and the Hanish islands, after government forces withdrew. Saudi and pro‑government forces have launched air strikes in response. The offensive has killed hundreds, displaced tens of thousands and pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel.
At the Group of 7 summit, Donald Trump has denied U.S. investment in a proposed $300 billion Iran reconstruction fund and has criticized past deals with Tehran. Officials say the agreement would reopen Hormuz, lift oil export restrictions temporarily, and push nuclear talks into a 60-day phase. Other leaders warn of broader financial relief being extended to Iran.
Israeli strikes in Gaza City have killed four people, including a public-relations official for the Egyptian Relief Committee, as a World Cup screening event unfolds. Dozens are injured; ceasefire remains fragile while fighting continues across the Gaza Strip.
The Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74. Officials declare days of mourning; tens of thousands attend funeral prayers in Doha before burial at Lusail Cemetery. Sheikh Hamad abdicated in 2013, leaving a legacy of rapid development and international influence.
Yope has closed a $12.3 million seed round led by Northzone and is launching an AI-native social platform centered on private micro-communities. The app emphasizes privacy, no advertising, and a subscription model while offering AI-powered mini-games and real-world meetups.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated as Saudi Arabia and the US have mounted strikes against militant groups in Iraq, while Egypt faces its first drone attack at a Mediterranean port. Interceptions of Iranian missiles have continued in Jordan, Kuwait reports Iranian strikes on a Chinese company building, and Pakistan is mediating new talks to de-escalate. The conflict has intensified despite renewed negotiations.
The UN-backed 4+4 committee has forged an initial framework to hold presidential and parliamentary elections within 24 months under a unified executive. While rival institutions signaled tentative support, implementation remains the biggest hurdle as divisions persist and power-sharing is tested.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Cairo for a state visit, his first to Egypt in a decade, to mark 70 years of diplomatic ties and sign economic and security agreements. Talks with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will focus on Gaza, Red Sea shipping, the Nile dam dispute, AI and expanded Chinese investment in the Suez Canal zone.
Desalination plants along the Mediterranean have been disrupted by microalgae, reducing Israel’s drinking water supply and prompting calls for back-up sources and more resilient infrastructure. The situation has worsened regional tensions as authorities scramble to maintain supply while addressing upstream wastewater, environmental, and cross-border governance concerns.
Chinese president Xi Jinping has visited Cairo for the first time in a decade and has met President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi. The two governments have signed new economic deals, launched a third phase of the Suez Canal industrial zone and discussed cooperation on artificial intelligence, defence and maritime security as regional trade routes face disruption from the US‑Israel war with Iran.
Greece and Israel have strengthened defense, security and energy cooperation over the past decade. A 3 billion euro deal to build an air defence shield in Greece has been signed, with Greece spending at least 3.5% of GDP on core defence. Greece plans further engagements, including a visit to Cairo, as tensions with Turkey persist.
Iran and the United States have intensified hostilities. US strikes on Iran’s southern coast target military assets while Iranian forces respond with missiles at bases in Jordan, Bahrain and elsewhere. A wedding party in Kuhestak has been hit, killing several civilians and injuring dozens, including children. Both sides warn of further actions as tensions flare around the Strait of Hormuz.
A leadership change at the National Elections Commission raises questions about preparations for December polls as South Sudan continues a delayed transition under the 2018 peace agreement. Cabinet amendments and UN warnings underscore concerns over credible, inclusive elections.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi. The leaders have committed to a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable” resolution of their long-standing border disputes and to tackling India’s structural trade deficit with China. Their meeting follows more than a year of diplomatic thaw.
Leaders have met to reaffirm maritime security amid the Houthis’ advances in Yemen, threatening Red Sea shipping and Egyptian revenues from the Suez Canal. The talks underscore a growing regional effort to stabilize navigation through Bab al-Mandeb and the Red Sea while assessing potential steps.