In his address, El-Khatib said the forum comes amid major global shifts, as the world moves towards resilience, geographical proximity, and trusted partnerships, making strategic industrial cooperation more critical than ever. He noted that economic relations between Egypt and Germany are historic and built on trust and real investment, with more than 1,500 German companies currently operating in Egypt and total investments estimated at around $4.9bn. He said Egypt recorded its lowest trade deficit since 2010 at $34.2bn, while total trade reached a record $132bn. Rouenhoff added that German companies are showing growing interest in expanding investments in Egypt, driven by extensive infrastructure development and improvements in the business environment. Rouenhoff said key areas for cooperation include conventional and renewable energy, infrastructure and transport, industry, and technology, supporting the economic interests of both countries and fostering future growth.

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) has signed a financing agreement worth EGP 500m with Suez Canal Bank to expand funding for industrial and productive projects and support export activities. The agreement was signed at Suez Canal Bank’s headquarters by Basil Rahmy, Chief Executive Officer of MSMEDA, and Akef El Maghraby, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Suez Canal Bank. Rahmy explained that the agreement falls under the Ministry of Finance’s export support initiative, which aims to encourage MSMEs to expand their export activities. Rahmy also praised the ongoing cooperation between MSMEDA and Suez Canal Bank in supporting MSMEs, noting that the new funding will primarily target small and medium-sized industrial and productive projects, particularly those engaged in exporting. For his part, El Maghraby said the cooperation represents an important step in Suez Canal Bank’s efforts to support the MSME sector.

Commercial International Bank–Egypt (CIB) has signed a partnership and financing agreement with Paradise Textiles and several affiliated companies to support the establishment of the region’s largest fabric manufacturing plant in the Amreya Public Free Zone in Alexandria Governorate, underscoring the bank’s commitment to backing large-scale industrial projects with environmental and export potential. The total investment cost of the project stands at around $102m, with CIB providing financing of $72m to be disbursed in three phases. LEED certification holds strategic importance for Paradise Textiles, particularly as the company is a major exporter to the US market and seeks to work with leading global brands, for which sustainability certifications are increasingly a prerequisite for competitiveness and market access. “At CIB, we believe our responsibility as the largest private-sector bank in Egypt extends beyond providing traditional financing solutions,” El-Genainy said. “We aim to empower national projects capable of competing globally and delivering a qualitative leap in Egyptian exports.

Alongside Mansouri, veteran figures Mohsen Aminzadeh, a former deputy foreign minister, and the experienced politician Ebrahim Asghar-Zadeh were also detained. The Domestic Crackdown: Silencing the ‘Internal Front’This wave of arrests follows the bloodiest period of domestic unrest in the Islamic Republic’s modern history. The detentions also appear to be a response to a growing sense of betrayal within the reformist camp itself. Naval Diplomacy and the Muscat NegotiationsWhile the arrests unfolded in Tehran, the geopolitical stakes were being raised in the waters of the Arabian Sea. This military posturing serves as the backdrop to the first round of negotiations held in Muscat, Oman, last Friday.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Monday, where the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic and investment cooperation, and key regional developments, including the situation in Gaza, the Egyptian presidency said. At a working lunch, Al-Sisi praised the high level of coordination and cooperation between Egypt and the UAE, stressing that Egypt remains open to further Emirati investment, particularly in trade and investment-related sectors. He described relations between the two countries as a cornerstone of Arab national security and a key pillar of regional stability. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Egypt, especially in economic and investment fields, highlighting the strength and steady development of bilateral ties. They further emphasized the importance of continued consultation and coordination on regional and international issues to support stability, security, and development across the region.

Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met Spain’s Ambassador to Egypt, Sergio Romano Carranza Forrester, to discuss strengthening strategic partnerships in the health sector, the Egyptian Ministry of Health said on Monday. Abdel Ghaffar highlighted the depth of Egyptian–Spanish relations and their recent momentum, praising Spain’s role in supporting bilateral cooperation, particularly in healthcare, education, and medical training. The talks covered potential cooperation in organ transplantation, drawing on Spain’s globally recognised experience in the field, including the development of specialised infrastructure and the training of medical personnel. The two sides also discussed possible collaboration in ophthalmology through a partnership between Spain’s Barraquer Hospital and Egypt’s Memorial Institute of Ophthalmology. For his part, the Spanish ambassador reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening health cooperation with Egypt and expressed readiness to provide technical assistance and training support.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, speaks during a media interview at the party headquarters following a general election in Tokyo, on February 8, 2026, . Kyodo News/Getty Images

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov characterised the global shift towards a multipolar world as an “objective” and “unstoppable” historical process, while accusing Washington of attempting to weaponise the U.S. dollar to obstruct emerging economic centres. In an expansive interview with TV BRICS marking Russia’s annual Diplomatic Worker’s Day, Lavrov asserted that the collective economic weight of the BRICS nations has already surpassed that of the G7. At the same time, the ongoing transformation on the global stage towards a multipolar world is crucial. It includes guaranteeing Russia’s security at a time when certain individuals in Europe openly threaten war. The United States’ objective is global economic dominance.

The CEO of the Social Housing and Mortgage Finance Support Fund in Egypt, May Abdel-Hamid, confirmed that the government has begun compiling a list of requests for alternative housing units for tenants under the old rent law through an online form currently available on the “Digital Egypt” platform. In a Sunday interview with journalist Ahmed Moussa, Abdel-Hamid clarified that submitting the application does not mean vacating the current housing unit currently. The form is specifically for individuals seeking alternative housing, she said, and aims to identify their current residences, their actual needs, and the size of the units they occupy. Completing the form is an essential step that enables the government to begin constructing housing units in areas experiencing high demand. She affirmed that the government is committed to providing alternative housing in the same governorate and for the same purpose, in consideration of citizen living conditions.

The disciplined execution of the early months of President Donald Trump’s second term — when well-drafted executive orders reshaped Washington and America’s global priorities — are now a memory. But they sprang from a rational playbook drawn up during Trump’s four-year exile from the White House. Protesters gather in Nuuk, Greenland against President Donald Trump’s demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S., January 17. This, like Trump’s call for a “softer touch” generated helpful headlines after the public turned on his enforcement methods. But there’s growing evidence that such extremism is a dominant feature of Trump’s second term.

Those were the days that the WEF religiously followed its declared mission of “Improving the State of the World”Now the WEF has gone through a major shift. In his January speech, President Trump oozed power and deployed ridicule as a message for submission. In our meeting, President Trump was focused, knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and humane in his responses. It is not Trump alone, but there is great hope that Trump can surprise us in his remaining years with a shift where his leadership brings positivity, even as negativity reigns today. The more power you have, the greater empathy and humble manner you should display.”May all those with power remember that they can shift the world – hopefully for the better.

Tel Aviv, Israel — Ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’ s visit to Washington, DC, this week, Israel has taken a series of sweeping steps to tighten its grip on the occupied West Bank. The territory is held by the United Nations and the international community for a future Palestinian state. Palestinians watch from balconies as an Israeli military vehicle drives through the village of Beit Awwa near Hebron, in the occupied West Bank. In an interview with Time Magazine in October, Trump said he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Last May, Israel authorized the largest expansion of settlements in the West Bank in decades, approving the establishment of 22 new settlements.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy on Sunday February 8, 2026 praised strength of Egyptian-Turkish relations, noting the recent successful visit of the Turkish president to Egypt. Fathy said Egypt welcomed 19 million tourists in 2025, a 20 percent increase over 2024, targeting a further 10 percent growth in 2026. Speaking on the sidelines of EMITT, Istanbul’s international tourism exhibition, Fathy reviewed developments in Egypt’s tourism sector and prospects for bilateral investment and cooperation. The minister highlighted cultural tourism growth, with a 30 percent increase in ticket sales for archaeological sites and museums, particularly following the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which hosts around 15,000 daily visitors. He also noted the use of digital marketing and AI in promotional campaigns and highlighted year-round demand for luxury tourism and Nile cruises.

Iran stated that it viewed the talks held with the US on Friday a “step forward,” with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stressing that his country will not abandon uranium enrichment even if war is imposed upon it. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a post on the “X” platform on Sunday that his country will not tolerate any threats and that dialogue has always been its strategy for reaching peaceful solutions. The Iranian Foreign Minister explained that the most important point in the previous negotiations was zero enrichment, “which was unacceptable to us,” adding that during the negotiation session, they emphasized the necessity of continuing enrichment. During a press conference, Iran’s Foreign Minister stated that the negotiations in Muscat were limited to the nuclear issue, which they declared they would be negotiating exclusively on. He noted that Tehran has doubts about the seriousness of the US in continuing negotiations regarding its nuclear program, given that no date has yet been announced for resuming talks.

An official report issued by the Preventive Medicine Sector in the Health Ministry revealed that more than 1.2 million cases of animal bites or scratches were recorded between January and September 2025 alone across Egypt, RT reported on Sunday. The official report shows an alarming increase that reflects the spread of stray dogs and the growing risk of rabies across the country. The report indicated that the governorates of Cairo, Giza, and Beheira topped the list with the highest recorded cases, with Cairo accounting for approximately 15 percent of the total cases and Giza for about 10 percent. It also noted that reports have spread to Upper and Lower Egypt governorates, not just the Cairo and the Delta region. The annual figure, exceeding one million cases, is among the highest globally, placing Egypt among the countries with the highest burden of human rabies risk.