In the quiet of a high-security Istanbul venue, diplomatic couriers are laying the groundwork for a meeting that was unthinkable just eight months ago. The Architecture of Mediation and Regional StabilityThe road to Istanbul was paved by regional heavyweights. The Witkoff Pre-Mission: Before arriving in Turkey, Witkoff is expected in Israel on Tuesday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the new military chief, Eyal Zamir. However, the ballistic missile programme remains the “biggest obstacle.” Araghchi has signalled that while Iran might bend on nuclear technicalities, its conventional deterrent remains off the table. The Friday summit in Istanbul represents a fragile bridge over a chasm of mistrust.

Rasha Abdel Aal, Head of the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA), said the second package of tax facilitation measures—comprising 26 provisions—places strong emphasis on supporting compliant taxpayers, notably by accelerating value-added tax (VAT) refunds, expanding the number of eligible cases, increasing refundable amounts, and simplifying related procedures. She explained that the tangible positive outcomes achieved through the first package of tax facilitations—particularly its direct contribution to higher voluntary compliance rates—provided a strong incentive to introduce a second package to build on this success. She said the initiative aims to present the Tax Authority as a supportive partner to economic activity. She added that the second package also targets support for several key sectors. Abdel Aal stressed that the Egyptian Tax Authority will continue to receive and promptly address issues raised by the tax community.

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) received bids worth $1.141bn in its latest US dollar-denominated local Treasury bill auction, exceeding the offered amount of $950m, according to data published on the bank’s official website. The 364-day Treasury bills, offered on Monday and maturing on 2 February 2027, drew 26 bids. The CBE accepted 17 bids worth a total of $961m at a yield of 3.5%, while rejecting higher yield requests that reached up to 4.25%. The proceeds from the auction will be used to repay the maturity of a previous dollar-denominated Treasury bill issued on 4 February 2025, under which bids worth $1.061bn were accepted. Subscription to the dollar-denominated Treasury bills is open to local banks and foreign financial institutions, with a minimum investment of $100,000 and multiples thereof.

Egypt on Monday hosted an introductory workshop for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), underscoring its push to strengthen the role of Global South scientists in producing climate knowledge and informing evidence-based policymaking. The event was attended by Bart Vanden Hurk, co-chair of IPCC Working Group II, UNDP Resident Representative Chitose Noguchi, along with scientists, climate experts and government officials. She stressed that developing countries should play an active role in generating global climate knowledge, rather than remaining passive recipients of externally produced assessments. According to Awad, Egypt’s national adaptation plan prioritises strengthening scientific capacity, advancing climate research and deploying technology, in line with the country’s Climate Change Strategy 2050 and Egypt Vision 2030. Noguchi praised Egypt’s progress on climate adaptation and stressed the importance of aligning policy measures with adequate financing to protect vulnerable sectors.

The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) has stepped up efforts to promote its Electronic Investment Licensing Platform, describing it as a cornerstone of Egypt’s drive to streamline licensing procedures and improve the investment climate. In a statement, GAFI said the platform represents a qualitative leap in the licensing system, serving as the first unified electronic window that provides 460 services — including licences, approvals and permits required to conduct economic activities in Egypt — issued by 41 government entities through a single digital interface. The authority said the platform helps investors save time and effort, enhances transparency and governance, and reduces reliance on paper-based transactions and traditional procedures. The authority noted that the platform can accelerate licence issuance to no more than 20 working days, provided all required documents are complete. The authority urged investors and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the platform’s electronic services, describing it as a key enabler for starting new projects and expanding existing investments across various sectors.

Serenity for Investment & Real Estate Management has officially launched its operations as Egypt’s first specialised developer focused on the development and management of memorial gardens, unveiling its inaugural project, Serene, in partnership with the Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD). The Serene project will be developed over an initial phase covering 58 feddans and is strategically located along the Suez Road in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. Serene is planned as an integrated memorial gardens destination, featuring a carefully designed master plan and a range of essential services intended to enhance the visitor experience. The project will also feature a specialised administrative entity responsible for preparing burial units and organising visits, reflecting a practical understanding of the needs of Egyptian families. Shamel Aboul Fadl, Chairperson of Serenity, said the project draws inspiration from Egypt’s long-standing traditions of honouring the deceased, reinterpreted through a modern perspective.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Monday that Egypt is finalising a legislative framework to protect children from harmful social media content, which will include a mandate for digital platforms to maintain local legal representatives to be held accountable for violations. Khalid Abdel Ghafar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, presented the proposed regulatory framework. Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsy cited international benchmarks for the move, including OECD recommendations on protecting children in digital environments and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) principles. She highlighted that international laws prohibit the circulation of content that addresses a child’s “lower instincts” or encourages behaviour contrary to societal values. The meeting concluded with an agreement to form a high-level national committee, comprising all relevant authorities, to draft a comprehensive national regulatory framework for digital platforms within a specified timeframe.

The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has issued Decision No. 1 of 2026, raising the maximum financing limit for microenterprise funding provided by companies, associations, and civil society institutions from EGP 266,000 to EGP 292,000. 2 of 2026, increasing the maximum insurance coverage for microinsurance activities to EGP 390,000, up from about EGP 312,500 previously. The extension aims to give companies sufficient time to comply with capital requirements, supporting stronger financial positions and greater sector resilience. Insurance and reinsurance brokerage companies are required to raise their capital to a minimum of EGP 5m, while risk assessment expertise firms, loss adjusting and damage assessment companies, insurance consultancy expertise firms, and actuarial expertise companies must increase their capital to at least EGP 3m by June 2026.

Sherif El-Sayad, Chairperson of the Engineering Export Council, attributed the strong performance to an expanding exporter base, improved global competitiveness of Egyptian engineering products, and a strategic shift towards higher value-added industries. Engineering exports rose from $2.29bn in 2020 to $3.497bn in 2021, $3.841bn in 2022, $4.625bn in 2023, and $5.73bn in 2024, before reaching $6.482bn in 2025. Automotive components surpassed the $1bn mark, while electrical industries recorded exports of $643.2m and transport equipment reached $267.5m, highlighting the sector’s diversified export base. Markets and geographic spreadEurope remained the largest regional destination for Egyptian engineering exports in 2025, absorbing nearly $3bn, up 16% year on year. Outlook and 2026 roadmapLooking ahead, the Engineering Export Council is targeting exports of $7.5bn in 2026, aiming for sustainable annual growth of around 15%.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Monday ordered the immediate resolution of any financial or technical obstacles hindering the completion of Egypt’s coastal protection projects, citing the urgent need to address climate change risks. The directive followed a meeting to review the executive status of projects managed by the Egyptian General Authority for Shore Protection. In Damietta, the Ministry is overseeing dredging works southwest of the Boghaz Muthalath Al-Deeba as part of the second phase of the Manzala Lake development. According to the Irrigation Minister, these works are designed to improve water quality and enhance fish stocks within Manzala Lake. The briefing was attended by the ministers of planning and economic development, irrigation, local development, and finance, alongside officials from the Armed Forces Engineering Authority.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said that the electricity and energy sector remains a top state priority because of its role in supporting development, improving services, and encouraging investment. These remarks were made during a meeting with Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, who reviewed recent progress in the power system. For his part, the minister said that 34 new transformer stations were completed and connected to the national grid last year, alongside expansions at 40 other stations, in addition to extending thousands of kilometers of transmission and distribution lines. The meeting also reviewed measures to reduce power losses and address illegal connections, as well as updates on the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. Additionally, Esmat affirmed that work on the project is advancing in coordination with the Russian side under a defined timetable, within Egypt’s peaceful nuclear energy program and in line with Vision 2030, to meet rising demand and support energy security.

Smuggled cigarettes currently account for about 30 percent of the market, he noted, which has led to a noticeable decline in sales for official companies and the loss of a large part of their market share. This has prompted them to try to compensate for the losses by raising prices. Embaby noted that the state loses billions of pounds annually in taxes and customs duties to unregulated illicit trade. The solution does not lie in pricing decisions, he said, but rather in tightening border controls and intensifying the role of customs and supply investigations to dismantle smuggling networks at their source. Embaby stressed that confronting smuggling is the only way to protect the industry and achieve balance in the tobacco market.

CNN has reached out to the Kennedy Center and the White House for additional details. Staff at the Kennedy Center found out about the two-year renovation plan via the president’s social media post, a source familiar with the matter told CNN on Sunday. He hosted the Kennedy Center Honors in December, doling out awards to Sylvester Stallone, the rock band KISS and Gloria Gaynor. The Kennedy Center, which opened in 1971 in Washington, DC, was designated as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy following his assassination in 1964. Trump’s efforts to leave his aesthetic stamp on Washington have extended beyond the Kennedy Center.

At least 12 people have been killed and eight others wounded after a Russian drone struck a bus in Ukraine’s southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region on Sunday, authorities said. Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine’s Defense Minister, said that a Shahed drone struck near the bus, causing the bus to swerve into a fence. As the injured passengers began to exit the bus, a second drone was directed “directly at the civilians,” he said. A rescue worker clears debris in a damaged maternity hospital following a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia on Sunday. Russian state media outlet TASS later also reported that the talks would take place for “the middle of the week,” citing a source.

MINYA, Egypt, Jan 31 (MENA) – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly inspected on Saturday the Minya University Triple Hospital following the start of its trial operation. The move came during the prime minister’s tour of Minya Governorate. Upon his arrival, the prime minister expressed his happiness at the presence of this large and distinguished medical facility in one of Upper Egypt’s governorates, reflecting the state’s commitment to supporting healthcare services across the country. The Prime Minister toured several hospital departments to review the facilities and medical services provided.