Egypt has ordered all shops, restaurants, and shopping centers to close by 9 p.m. each night for one month starting Saturday. The government said the measure aims to conserve energy as fuel prices have surged due to the ongoing war in Iran. Street lighting and advertising illumination will also be reduced, and employees will be allowed to work from home one day a week during April to save energy.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly stated that Egypt’s petrol expenses more than doubled between January and March, reaching 2.5 billion dollars. Although Egypt is not directly involved in the conflict, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, leaving the import-dependent country vulnerable to shortages.

Hotels and tourist resorts are exempt from the restrictions, as tourism accounts for about one-tenth of Egypt’s economy. Essential services such as hospitals, schools, and factories will also remain unaffected by the work-from-home directive.

The small resort town of Taba, located on Egypt’s border with Israel, has turned into a major transit hub for Israelis and foreign nationals fleeing the ongoing conflict. Following Iran’s retaliatory strikes against the joint Israel–United States offensive, Israel closed its airspace, prompting travelers to use the Taba crossing to leave or return to the country. Since the first attacks on February 28, thousands of passengers have crossed through Taba in both directions, with many entering Egypt to catch flights to Europe and other destinations. The Taba International Airport has been reopened to handle the surge in travelers.

The Red Sea coastal town, usually known for tourism, is now crowded with evacuees and transit passengers. Several countries are arranging evacuations for their citizens, while airlines are rerouting regional flights. On March 1, Israel’s Arkia Airlines announced new flights between Taba and Athens and later expanded routes to six European destinations. A Cypriot and a Greek airline have also begun operating flights to Taba. Israel’s main carrier, El Al, considered moving flights there but withdrew due to security concerns.

Al-Azhar University celebrated its 1086th founding anniversary on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, with a grand ceremony held at its main mosque in Cairo. The event highlighted the institution’s long-standing role as a symbol of Islamic scholarship, worship, and civilization. Egypt’s Grand Mufti, Professor Dr. Nazir Ayyad, emphasized that Al-Azhar was built on the strength of knowledge rather than political power, grounded firmly in the Quran and Sunnah. University President Professor Dr. Salama Juma Daud described Al-Azhar’s scholars as vast oceans of knowledge who enriched generations with their encyclopedic wisdom.

Historical accounts note that construction of Al-Azhar began soon after the founding of Cairo under Fatimid Caliph Al-Muizz li-Dinillah in 969 CE. The mosque was completed in 27 months, and the first congregational prayer was held on June 21, 972 CE. In 1172 CE, Sultan Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi transformed Al-Azhar into a central Sunni institution representing the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence, shaping its evolution into a global hub of Sunni scholarship.

Al-Azhar University in Egypt has organized daily iftar gatherings for 6,000 to 7,000 international students during Ramadan, including around 4,000 Bangladeshis studying there. The event takes place at the historic Al-Azhar Mosque, where students enter through the east gate using tokens issued after verifying their university identity. The arrangements are supervised by Dr. Muhammad Al-Duwaini, the university’s undersecretary, with staff preparing the meals well before sunset.

The mosque’s serene interior, surrounded by tall minarets, accommodates both male and female students in separate sections. The iftar begins with dates and water at the call to prayer, followed by traditional Egyptian dishes such as rice, local bread, chicken fry, kofta, vegetables, and desserts. A recitation from the Qur’an precedes the meal, adding to the spiritual atmosphere.

Bangladeshi student Abu Sawban Akand expressed that sharing iftar with thousands from different countries creates a unique sense of unity and gratitude toward the university. The initiative has become a symbol of brotherhood, compassion, and spiritual connection among students from around the world.

Eighteen people were killed and three others critically injured when a truck and a passenger pickup collided in Egypt’s northeastern Port Said province. The accident occurred around 12:30 p.m. local time on Thursday on the Axis Highway south of Port Said, according to reports from Al Jazeera and Egypt’s state newspaper Al-Ahram.

A video released online showed the pickup crushed between two large trucks, leaving debris scattered across the road. The pickup was carrying local fishermen traveling to coastal fish farms when the collision happened. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly expressed condolences to the victims’ families and ordered financial assistance for those affected.

Madbouly stated that he is monitoring the situation through the governor of Port Said province, as authorities continue to respond to the deadly crash.

The Netherlands has returned a 3,500-year-old statue to Egypt. On Thursday, Dutch Culture Minister Gok Mus handed the artifact to Egyptian Ambassador Imad Hanna in the Netherlands. The statue, believed to depict a senior official from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III, was originally discovered in Luxor, southern Egypt.

The artifact had been displayed at a fair in Maastricht in 2022, but Dutch police later seized it after an investigation revealed it had been smuggled out of Egypt during the 2011 Arab Spring unrest. A joint inquiry by the police and the Ministry of Culture confirmed that the statue had been looted from Egypt.

Minister Gok Mus stated that the Netherlands’ policy is to return items to their rightful owners. Ambassador Imad Hanna described the return as an important event for Egypt’s tourism and economy, noting that such cultural repatriations can make a real difference for visitors to the country.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the reopening of the Rafah border crossing under the existing ceasefire agreement. He made the appeal during a meeting in Cairo on Sunday with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, according to TRT World.

During the meeting, the two diplomats discussed bilateral relations and regional issues. A statement from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said they reviewed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States and to enhance cooperation in political and economic fields. The talks also covered developments in Gaza, Sudan, the Horn of Africa, and Egypt’s water security.

Abdelatty emphasized the importance of implementing the second phase of the Trump peace plan in Gaza and highlighted the need to ensure Israeli troop withdrawal to facilitate rapid recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Egypt has rejected several large financial proposals that were conditioned on accepting the forced displacement of Palestinians, Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty said in an interview with MBC Egypt’s program Al-Hekaya. He stated that accepting such offers would mean endorsing the 'law of the jungle.' Abdel Aty revealed that Egypt received three separate proposals, each offering significant economic incentives, including debt cancellation and financial rewards.

The minister emphasized that Cairo firmly rejected all offers and that Egypt’s position remains clear and unchangeable. He added that Israeli negotiators fully understand Egypt’s stance. Abdel Aty noted that Egypt and Israel, having maintained diplomatic relations for over 45 years, are aware of each other’s positions and limitations.

He further accused Israel of failing to meet its international legal obligations as an occupying power to open border crossings and allow humanitarian aid. Abdel Aty concluded that Egypt will remain steadfast in upholding international law, warning that abandoning it would lead to a world governed by the law of the jungle.

Al-Azhar, one of the world’s most influential Islamic and moral institutions, has issued a powerful statement condemning child sexual abuse as one of humanity’s gravest sins. The institution declared that such acts are not only legal crimes but also moral and spiritual violations that destroy the innocence and dignity of children. It called for the highest level of punishment for perpetrators to deter future crimes and emphasized that showing mercy to abusers is a betrayal of humanity. Alongside its stern message, Al-Azhar urged compassion and psychological support for victims, highlighting the long-lasting mental trauma caused by abuse. The statement also warned against the growing threat of online exploitation in the digital age, calling for stronger laws, vigilant monitoring, and responsible technology use. Al-Azhar concluded by stressing that child protection is a shared global responsibility involving families, educators, policymakers, and the media, as the future of civilization depends on the safety and happiness of children.

A Hamas delegation met with Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Rashed in Cairo to discuss the progress of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, ongoing Israeli violations, and the second phase of the truce. According to a Hamas statement, the group reaffirmed its commitment to the first phase of the ceasefire but accused Israel of undermining the deal through continued attacks in the blockaded Gaza Strip. Hamas urged mediators to take concrete steps to document violations and ensure immediate action to halt them. Gaza’s media office reported that since the ceasefire began, Israeli forces have killed 342 Palestinians and injured hundreds more. Israel, meanwhile, stated it will not proceed with the second phase of talks until the bodies of all Israeli hostages are returned. Hamas responded that extensive destruction across Gaza has delayed recovery efforts. The meeting highlights Egypt’s ongoing role as a key mediator in the fragile truce process.

World leaders are set to meet on Monday (October 13) in Egypt’s resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh for a landmark peace summit aimed at ending the two-year Gaza conflict and restoring stability in the Middle East. The conference, co-chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, will host leaders from over 20 nations, including the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and French President Emmanuel Macron. The summit seeks to consolidate efforts for a permanent ceasefire, regional peace, and a new era of cooperation. While Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas representatives are yet to confirm attendance, the meeting comes amid a fragile ceasefire that has prompted displaced Gazans to return home after massive destruction. The initiative follows Trump’s recent 20-point peace plan unveiled in Washington.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has emphasized that real and lasting peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Speaking amid Egypt’s ongoing mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas, Sisi said that a Gaza ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and the launch of a credible political process are essential steps toward long-term stability. Egypt has been hosting negotiations involving international mediators seeking to end the conflict. However, despite diplomatic efforts, Israeli attacks on Gaza continue, killing at least seven more Palestinians early Monday, including some who were collecting aid. Since the war began, Israeli strikes have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and injured over 169,000 others, with many still feared trapped under the rubble. Observers say Egypt’s strong statement underscores growing regional frustration over the prolonged violence and lack of progress toward a two-state solution.

Egypt and Qatar have strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent comments regarding the potential displacement of Palestinians. Netanyahu had claimed that “various plans exist for Gaza’s reconstruction” and suggested that “half the population may want to leave,” though he denied advocating mass eviction.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry called Netanyahu’s statements an “ongoing attempt to prolong regional tensions and normalize Israeli violations in Gaza,” and stated that forced displacement would constitute a clear violation of international humanitarian law and potentially war crimes. Qatar similarly condemned Israel’s policy, emphasizing that collective punishment will not succeed in depriving Palestinians of their land or rights.

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a more than 2,000-year-old city off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt. Believed to be an extension of the ancient city of Canopus, the underwater ruins include broken statues, limestone buildings, industrial complexes, artifacts, and dockyards.
The city flourished for centuries under Ptolemaic and Roman rule before sinking due to earthquakes and rising sea levels, along with the nearby port city of Heracleion. Egypt’s tourism and antiquities minister Sherif Fathy confirmed that while some items have been retrieved, most will remain as part of the country’s submerged heritage. Notable finds include royal sculptures and a pre-Roman sphinx, though many statues are damaged or headless.

Al-Azhar University, under the direction of Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, has sent its 11th humanitarian convoy to Gaza. The aid includes thousands of tons of food, medicine, baby formula, blankets, and 1,000 fully equipped tents. Dr. Al-Tayeb, also Director of Baitul Zakat and Sadaqah, issued a global call: “Strive with your wealth to support Palestine.” Those wishing to contribute can do so through Al-Azhar’s official charity, which ensures aid reaches Gaza directly.