Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday that “very troubling and really horrific information” is being revealed in the Jeffrey Epstein files released by the Justice Department. Clinton noted, however, that just because someone’s name is in the files, doesn’t mean they’ve committed a crime. Bill and Hillary Clinton are set to appear for depositions in the US House’s Epstein probe later this month, after months of back-and-forth. Bill Clinton has repeatedly denied wrongdoing related to the late convicted sex offender. A spokesperson for Clinton has repeatedly said the former president cut ties with Epstein before the financier was charged with soliciting prostitution in 2006 and didn’t know about his crimes.

He emphasized the critical timing, particularly regarding peace, security, and development in Africa, highlighting their interconnection: sustainable development depends on security and stability, and vice versa. As chair of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, he presented a comprehensive overview of the continent’s security situation, discussing challenges and required development measures. He outlined President Sisi’s action plan for addressing African crises, emphasizing political and diplomatic solutions rather than military interventions, which escalate conflicts. He emphasized the importance of maintaining national unity and institutions as key elements for security, stability, development, and prosperity. The roadmap also includes defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of African nations, opposing division or secession.

The Epstein files and correspondence have uncovered a significant Arab presence. The documents mention Arab businessmen, officials, and prominent figures, revealing coordination for meetings between Epstein and influential Arab political personalities. In one instance, an Arab businesswoman reportedly sent four pieces of the the covering of the Holy Kaaba to Epstein, describing them in messages as items touched by millions of Muslims. Arab societies, like the rest of the world, have their own Epsteins who violate every value and norm. These Epstein-like figures—who engage in political, moral, and financial depravity—exist in the Arab world, yet they remain difficult to expose.

Fresh off a show-stopping performance at the Grand Egyptian Museum, Canadian rock icon Bryan Adams took a deep dive into history this Saturday. The legendary musician was greeted by tourism officials who granted him the VIP treatment, but the real star of the show was the Great Pyramid itself. In addition to viewing the towering monuments, Adams explored intricate subterranean tombs located within the necropolis. The family explored the Tomb of Seshemnefer IV, a hidden gem of the Old Kingdom. To wrap up the day, the rockstar’s family took a moment to capture some unforgettable photos against the backdrop of the Sahara.

Seoul, South Korea —A young teenage girl shrouded in mystery and intrigue could very well be the next leader of the isolated hermit nation North Korea. The exact age of the girl, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, is unknown, but she is widely believed to be in her early teens. Besides simply appearing at significant events, Ju Ae now appears to have “expressed opinions on some measures” in policy, the NIS said, according to lawmakers. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, along with his daughter, walks away from an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in this undated photo released on November 19, 2022. But that’s an unlikely option for Ju Ae with the spotlight firmly on her.

“China and the EU are partners, not rivals,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his audience, speaking from the same stage Saturday. The latter path would likely “push China and the United States toward conflict,” he said. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich. The key question that Wang and his delegation may be probing at Munich is how deeply Europe is listening to its broader pitch. And Beijing hopes Europe at least will listen a little more closely to its own pitch.

As complexities pile up in Gaza’s political sphere and on the ground, attention has shifted to the transfer of administration in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Israel continues violating the Gaza ceasefire, with numerous Palestinians being killed alongside an unprecedented escalation in settlement activity and settler attacks on Palestinian property in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Israel’s destruction continuesIsraeli gunfire from armored vehicles and drones, along with artillery shelling, resulted in injuries in Khan Younis in the south and in Nuseirat in central Gaza Strip. Daily demolition operations targeting infrastructure and homes in areas on both sides of the “yellow line” continued in various parts of Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry said on Saturday that two bodies were recovered and 15 wounded people were admitted to Gaza Strip hospitals in the past 48 hours.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Saturday met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mostafa to discuss the latest developments in Palestinian territories and ways to implement the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan. During the meeting, held on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Abdelatty stressed the importance of fully implementing the second phase of the plan. Abdelatty rejected any attempts to separate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank or to undermine Gaza’s unity. They further discussed developments in the Gaza Strip and emphasized the necessity of implementing the requirements for the second phase of Trump’s plan. It will pave the way for the committee to fully assume its responsibilities during the transitional phase, the statement said.

Afdal Naguib, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of SAIB Bank, said 2026 will represent a pivotal and transformative year for the bank as it prepares to finalise and launch its new five-year strategy covering 2026-2030. At the same time, SAIB Bank continued to upgrade the customer experience through integrated and advanced banking solutions tailored to the evolving needs of both individuals and corporate clients. Parallel to this expansion, SAIB Bank increased its investment in electronic channels, particularly by expanding its ATM network to enhance customer accessibility and service speed. Artificial intelligence in credit and fraud monitoringAs part of its forward-looking approach, SAIB Bank intends to expand the use of artificial intelligence in key operational areas. SAIB Bank maintained full compliance with regulatory standards and instructions issued by the Central Bank of Egypt.

The bank aims to provide integrated banking services, offer innovative financial solutions and support national development in line with Egypt Vision 2030. By the end of September 2025, IDB recorded pre-tax profits of EGP 1.3bn. These measures ensured sustainable growth and restored the bank’s standing as a competitive national banking institution. At The Global Economics Awards 2025, IDB won two international awards recognising its role in empowering SMEs and strengthening industrial finance. Refaie himself was named “Best Transformational CEO in Banking – Africa 2025” by International Business Magazine, acknowledging his leadership in institutional restructuring and strategic reform.

In this context, the Bank continued to deliver strong financial and operational performance during 2025, driven by the effective execution of its new strategic pillars. This performance was enabled by the Bank’s institutional resilience, optimal resource utilisation, and strong financial position. Ghanem explained that these pillars have allowed HDB to deliver robust financial outcomes and maximise value for all stakeholders through the execution of ambitious plans and strategies focused on continuous development and steady, sustainable growth. This constitutes the first phase of the Bank’s 2025-2030 strategy and builds on the success achieved in previous years. By fully leveraging available opportunities and managing resources effectively to sustainably increase profitability, HDB delivered notable improvements in financial performance.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) opened 2026 by cutting key interest rates by 100 basis points and reducing the required reserve ratio (RRR) for commercial banks by two percentage points. Global backdrop remains cautiousThe Committee noted that global economic growth continues to recover, supported by relatively favourable financial conditions. According to the committee, the decline in non-food inflation reflects recent exchange rate improvements, subdued demand under restrictive monetary policy, and better-anchored inflation expectations. The reserve ratio cut, it added, aims to preserve the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission to financial markets and the broader economy by managing liquidity conditions within the banking system. The committee affirmed that future decisions regarding the pace of monetary easing will remain data-driven, guided by forecasts, evolving risks, and incoming economic indicators.

Corporate finance momentum and sector-focused lendingA key driver of the bank’s growth in 2025 was the significant expansion of its corporate finance activities. These transactions reinforced Suez Canal Bank’s position as a key player in structuring and arranging large-scale financing solutions. During the year, Suez Canal Bank launched a modern mobile banking application offering a seamless, secure and user-friendly experience. The bank participated in sponsoring the Central Bank’s NilePreneurs initiative, and 51 start-ups have graduated from Suez Canal Bank’s business incubator, reflecting its commitment to fostering innovation and job creation. El-Maghraby concluded that Suez Canal Bank’s 2025 performance reflects a balanced model that integrates financial strength, digital innovation, sectoral diversification, sustainability and social responsibility, positioning the bank for continued growth and deeper impact in the Egyptian market.

Real GDP growth is projected to range between 4.3% and 4.8% in 2026, signalling a transition from recovery-driven expansion to production-led growth. According to estimates by the Central Bank of Egypt, average annual inflation is expected to ease to around 10.5% in 2026. The industrial sector is poised to become a primary engine of growth in 2026. Fiscal policy in 2026 is characterised by a careful balancing act: containing public spending, enhancing revenue mobilisation, and sustaining growth momentum. In this context, 2026 can be described as a year of economic rebalancing for Egypt – a transition from shock absorption to sustainable growth anchored in production and investment.

International and domestic financial institutions have revised upward their projections for several key Egyptian economic indicators in 2026, most notably the US dollar-Egyptian pound exchange rate, inflation, and economic growth. The new expected trading range for 2026 now stands between EGP 45 and EGP 49 per dollar, compared with earlier forecasts of EGP 48 to EGP 51. Standard Chartered raised its year-end forecast for the pound to EGP 49 per dollar, from EGP 51 previously. Meanwhile, Al Ahly Pharos projected that the average exchange rate could improve to around EGP 46 in 2026, potentially reaching EGP 45 by year-end. According to S&P, the disinflation process remains constrained by ongoing price pressures in non-food categories and is still vulnerable to domestic and external risks.