With more than 3,000 people reported dead and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei labelling U.S. President Donald Trump a “criminal,” the current lull appears less like a resolution and more like a pivotal breath before an uncertain next chapter. Khamenei’s Narrative: The “External Plot”In a televised address on Saturday, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei sought to reframe the internal crisis as a foreign assault. Only days after President Trump warned that “help is on the way” for Iranian dissidents—signalling potential military intervention—he appeared to step back from the brink. In a statement to reporters in Washington, Trump noted that Tehran had reportedly rescinded execution orders for more than 800 detainees. With the Supreme Leader vowing to settle scores and the opposition calling for a second wave, the quiet in the streets of Tehran may be the eye of a much larger storm.

Egypt’s General Intelligence Service (GIS) chief Hassan Rashad met on Saturday with Ali Shaath, the head of the Palestinian committee tasked with managing the Gaza Strip, to discuss humanitarian priorities and the delivery of aid. Shaath and members of the committee expressed appreciation for Egyptian efforts toward the Gaza Strip, specifically noting the stance of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi regarding the prevention of Palestinian displacement and the preservation of the Palestinian cause. The committee members emphasised that their current priorities are focused on improving the humanitarian and living conditions for citizens within the Gaza Strip. They underscored the importance of opening all border crossings to allow the “largest possible amount” of humanitarian aid, subsistence materials, and necessary relief to reach residents. The meeting comes as regional efforts continue to establish stable administrative and relief frameworks for the Palestinian enclave following prolonged conflict.

Advertising could prove a lucrative strategy for OpenAI, as using the information from people’s conversations with ChatGPT could make for highly targeted ads. OpenAI said it will not serve ads to users who have identified themselves as, or who it believes are, under 18. (The company uses AI to estimate users’ ages based on their conversations and usage habits.) Ads are likely to be a growing part of users’ AI experiences across a range of platforms. In December, Meta began using information from users’ interactions with its AI chatbot to target them with more personalized ads.

US President Donald Trump has invited Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and Argentine President Javier Milei to join the founding executive board of a newly formed “Board of Peace” for the Gaza Strip, officials from the three nations said on Saturday. The White House announced the formation of the founding executive board late on Friday. Other appointed members of the executive board include Marc Rowan, Ajay Banga, and Robert Gabriel. The White House described Sha’ath as a technocratic leader who will oversee the restoration of public services and the rebuilding of civil institutions. A separate Gaza Executive Board is also being established to support effective governance.

The Iranian government has choked off internet access for its population for a week, according to the cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks, in what observers say is one of the regime’s longest-ever digital blackouts. At least 2,400 people have been killed since the start of Iran’s crackdown on dissent, according to a US-based rights group. But the blackout means that the true death toll could be much higher as the communications shutdown has made it harder to tally, human rights groups say. The blackout makes it nearly impossible for Iranians to get any message out and has fueled a surge of misinformation and disinformation, with AI-generated videos and old footage resurfacing online. For context: The country’s decades-long push to nationalize its internet infrastructure — accelerated by intensifying international sanctions — has given the state far greater capacity to censor, throttle and control online activity.

Since early December, the US Coast Guard and other military branches have boarded and taken control of five oil ships that had previously been sanctioned. On Friday the US boarded its fifth ship, although this time Trump announced that it would be returned to Venezuela to offload oil there. If the ship has oil, the oil would be impounded and potentially auctioned. With roughly 51,000 active-duty military and civilian personnel, the Coast Guard is much smaller than the other branches of the US military. “The Coast Guard is pretty busy right now.”The Coast Guard got a big injection of cash — $25 billion in additional appropriations — from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act this year.

The White House announced that US President Donald Trump has formed an executive council within the Peace Council to oversee the implementation of his comprehensive plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip. This includes the appointment of Egyptian Minister Hassan Rashad, head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service, to the executive council to assist in providing high-level services that promote peace. According to the Egyptian satellite channel Extra News, executive council members will be responsible for specific portfolios related to establishing governance, rebuilding Gaza, attracting investment, and mobilizing funding. The White House further announced the appointment of American Major General Jasper Jeffers as commander of the International Stabilization Force, while a member of the executive council, Bulgarian Diplomat Nikolay Mladenov, will serve as the High Representative for Gaza.

CAIRO, Jan 15 (MENA) – President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has greeted the Egyptian people as well as the Arab and Islamic nations on the occasion of the anniversary of Israa and Mi’raj, the miraculous night journey and ascension of Prophet Muhammad. In a post on his official social media accounts, President Sisi prayed for goodness, security, stability, and protection for Egypt.

“This war has placed a heavy burden on the Egyptian people, not only on your neighbors in Israel and Gaza,” Trump said. Trump said he and his team understood the Nile’s “profound importance” to Egypt and its people, and expressed his desire to help achieve an outcome that would secure the long-term water needs of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. “The United States affirms that no country in this region should unilaterally control the precious resources of the Nile River and harm its neighbors in the process,” he said. Trump added that with appropriate technical expertise, fair and transparent negotiations, and a strong U.S. role in monitoring and coordination, a durable agreement serving all Nile Basin countries could be reached. “I sincerely hope that this fully understandable dispute over the Renaissance Dam does not lead to a major military conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia,” Trump said.

US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Friday, praising Egypt’s role in mediating the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. In his letter, Trump announced his readiness to resume America’s mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to resolve the Nile water sharing issue and reduce tensions surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Copies of the letter were also sent to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Ethiopia, and Sudan. Trump’s Letter:“I thank you for your leadership in successfully mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. will not lead to major Military conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia.

The Egyptian national football team, led by Hossam Hassan, will face Nigeria on Saturday evening, January 17, 2026, in the third-place match of the Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco. Egypt lost to Senegal 1-0 in the semi-finals, while Morocco defeated Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw in both regulation and extra time. Egypt qualified from Group B after topping the group with seven points, having won against Zimbabwe (2-1) and South Africa (1-0), and drawn against Angola (0-0). Nigeria began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign by topping Group C with a perfect record of 9 points, following victories over Tanzania (2-1), Tunisia (3-2), and Uganda (3-1). In the Round of 16, Nigeria cruised past Mozambique (4-0) before continuing their impressive run in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over Algeria.

US President Donald Trump has announced the formation of an international security force and two oversight boards to manage the transition of the Gaza Strip, including the appointment of Egypt’s intelligence chief to a high-level executive body. Major General Hassan Rashad, the head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service (GIS), has been appointed to the newly established Gaza Executive Board. The security pillar of the framework will be led by Major General Jasper Jeffers, who has been named Commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF). A founding Executive Board has been formed to provide strategic oversight and mobilise international resources. Additional members for both the Executive Board and the Gaza Executive Board are expected to be announced over the coming weeks.

The Hebrew newspaper Maariv reported Wednesday evening that the German carrier Lufthansa has instructed its staff to prepare for an immediate departure from Israel, beginning Thursday. This development comes amid escalating tensions in the region as Israel anticipates a potential US military strike against Iran. On Wednesday, Israel reportedly informed the United States that 5,000 Iranian protesters have been killed during the demonstrations that have gripped Iran over the past several days. According to US media sources, Secretary of State Marco Rubio may hold a call on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to coordinate the nature of a potential American response. Meanwhile, Hebrew media outlets have indicated that US President Donald Trump has reached a final decision regarding a strike on Iran and is currently awaiting the strategic moment for execution.

Intensifying geopolitical competition, expanding foreign military footprints, and the revival of secessionist narratives have combined to place Somalia’s unity under sustained pressure. Somalia’s Stability as a Core Saudi National Security InterestFor Saudi Arabia, foreign interference in Somalia represents a direct national security threat. A Strategic Axis: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and EgyptA coordinated alignment between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt would further strengthen these efforts. These three states share profound strategic interests in Red Sea security, maritime stability, and the prevention of hostile encirclement. A stable and united Somalia strengthens Red Sea security, safeguards critical maritime routes, and reinforces the collective resilience of the Muslim world.

Red Sea Container Terminals (RSCT) today announced the official opening of Egypt’s first semi-automated container terminal, located at Sokhna Port on the Gulf of Suez. Operated by Hutchison Ports, RSCT is capable of handling the biggest container vessel afloat. It offers unparalleled access for global shipping lines and optimises trade flow between the East and the West. Mr. Clemence Cheng, Managing Director, Europe, Hutchison Ports, said “The inauguration of Red Sea Container Terminals represents a historic milestone that reflects our profound commitment to Egypt. With a long-standing commitment to innovation and economic growth, Red Sea Container Terminals is positioned to play a crucial role in advancing trade diversification and fostering deeper international cooperation.