Egypt, Kenya deepen strategic cooperation on water security, investment, and regional stability
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam met Kenyan President William Ruto during an official visit to Kenya to advance strategic cooperation in water management, security, investment and regional stability, according to a statement from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. Abdelatty said Egypt looks forward to convening the eighth session of the Egyptian-Kenyan Joint Committee later this year in Cairo. On Nile water security, Abdelatty stressed the importance of cooperation among Nile Basin countries based on mutual benefit and consensus. Sewilam said Egypt stands ready to expand technical cooperation with Kenya in groundwater drilling, rainwater harvesting dams, modern irrigation systems and capacity-building programmes. He also expressed Cairo’s support for Kenya’s efforts to enhance water infrastructure and climate resilience.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 17, 2026 17:53 UTC
Ramadan: From Ritual to the Governance of Meaning - Dailynewsegypt
The traditional Ramadan lantern may transform from handcrafted brass into LED lights, and the mesaharati may be replaced by a smartphone alarm. Here is where Ramadan intersects with what I call the “governance of meaning.” Governance should not be confined to laws, regulations, and institutional structures. The issue is proportion and purpose: does the market serve meaning, or is meaning instrumentalized to serve the market? Societies do not collapse only under economic or political crises; they weaken when their shared meaning erodes. True governance is not measured by the number of decisions issued, but by our ability to steward meaning.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 17, 2026 17:07 UTC
First pulmonary valve transplants completed under Egypt’s universal insurance scheme
The Egypt Healthcare Authority (EHA) has successfully performed the first two transcatheter pulmonary valve implantations (TPVI) under the country’s Universal Health Insurance system at Al-Nasr Specialised Hospital in Port Said, the authority announced in a statement. The procedures, which cost more than EGP 1m each outside of the insurance scheme, were provided free of charge to the patients. Ahmed El-Sobky, Chairperson of the Egypt Healthcare Authority, said the successful operations represent an “unprecedented qualitative leap” in specialised medical services provided by the state. The procedures were carried out by the only medical team in Africa certified to perform transcatheter pulmonary valve transplantations. The Egypt Healthcare Authority noted that the TPVI technique is one of the most precise medical interventions globally.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 17, 2026 16:52 UTC
Egypt’s CIB named Africa’s best sustainable finance bank for 2025
Commercial International Bank (CIB) has been named the best bank for sustainable finance in Africa for 2025, an achievement recognised on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Governor Hassan Abdalla. The central bank said the award reflects progress by the Egyptian banking sector in integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards into credit and financing policies. These measures are intended to support state efforts toward sustainable development and the transition to a green economy. Also in attendance were EGX Chairperson Islam Azzam, CIB Chief Executive Officer and board member Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, and Assistant CBE Governor Mohamed Abu Moussa. The delegation further included CIB Deputy CEO and board member Amr El-Ganainy, alongside a group of leaders from the financial and banking sectors.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 17, 2026 16:52 UTC
Egypt’s media leadership agrees coordination framework to enhance national awareness
Egypt’s media leadership agreed on Tuesday to a new coordination framework aimed at enhancing national awareness and combating rumours, following directives from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to provide a professional discourse for all segments of society. Minister of State for Information Diaa Rashwan met with Khaled Abdel Aziz, head of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR), Abdel Sadiq El-Shorbagy, head of the National Press Authority (NPA), and Ahmed El-Muslimani, head of the National Media Authority (NEA), at the ministry’s headquarters. Representing the government to public opinion, explaining policies, correcting misinformation, and coordinating between media entities. National Press Authority (Law 179 of 2018): Managing and developing state-owned press institutions, ensuring their independence, neutrality, and efficient economic performance. National Media Authority (Law 178 of 2018):Managing public media institutions to provide television, radio, and digital broadcasting and production, as well as related engineering services.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 17, 2026 16:34 UTC
Egypt’s EOS, Saudi Tabseer sign MoU to strengthen regional cooperation in quality, sustainability
The Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality (EOS), affiliated with Egypt’s Ministry of Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tabseer to enhance regional cooperation in conformity assessment, training and environmental sustainability services. Soufi added that EOS is steadily advancing towards becoming a regional centre of excellence in standardisation and conformity assessment. He said Tabseer aims to broaden its regional footprint through institutional partnerships that contribute to industrial development and assist companies in meeting technical and regulatory requirements across different markets. Under the MoU, the two sides will cooperate in issuing product conformity certificates in accordance with Saudi Arabia’s SABER system, as well as procedures related to obtaining the Saudi Quality Mark. The agreement also provides for joint training programmes, participation in local and international events, and qualification services for companies seeking carbon and water footprint certifications.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 17, 2026 16:34 UTC
Egypt updates drug control schedules following constitutional court ruling
Egypt’s Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar has issued a ministerial decree replacing the schedules attached to the country’s anti-drug law, implementing a recent constitutional court ruling on the legality of previous amendments. 44 of 2026 follows a Feb. 16 ruling by Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court, which found some earlier procedures for modifying drug schedules unconstitutional. The ministry said the move aims to clarify legislative and executive authority over updating lists of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in line with constitutional principles and the rule of law. It added that the decision seeks to strengthen pharmaceutical and security oversight of controlled substances based on recent scientific and legal developments, supporting efforts to curb drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to implementing court rulings and maintaining a legal framework that balances strict drug control measures with constitutional compliance.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 17, 2026 16:18 UTC
Egypt, Sudan to bolster cooperation in small business development
Rahmi stated that the agency is working to implement directives from Prime Minister and MSMEDA Chairman Mustafa Madbouly to consolidate cooperation with Arab counterparts. He noted that the objective is to share expertise in development and economic programmes related to employment and job creation. The Sudanese delegation’s visit aimed to review the Egyptian experience in supporting and developing micro, small, and medium enterprises. The Sudanese delegation visited the agency’s Cairo regional office to observe field services and “one-stop shop” mechanisms, which include procedures for obtaining financing. The delegation also conducted field visits to small projects benefiting from MSMEDA services to assess the developmental impact and competitiveness of these enterprises.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 17, 2026 16:07 UTC
Munich Security Conference 2026: A Report Framing Trump’s Bid to Unravel the Liberal International Order - Dailynewsegypt
The conference’s annual report, titled “Under Destruction,” did more than document global anxiety; it articulated a structural warning. Its central argument suggests that the world has entered an era in which international politics is driven by strategic demolition rather than incremental reform. It would be reductive, however, to describe the current moment as an outright collapse of the international order. The 2026 Munich Security Conference did not deliver a definitive verdict on the future of the international system. The central question is no longer whether the international order will change, but how far it will shift, at what cost, and who will ultimately bear the burden of that transformation.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 17, 2026 16:07 UTC
Al-Sisi urges price controls, food supply stability ahead of Ramadan
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met senior government officials on Tuesday to review preparations for the holy month of Ramadan, with discussions focusing on ensuring food availability and maintaining price stability, according to a presidential statement. Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Sherif Farouk told the meeting that essential food commodities are available in sufficient quantities. He noted that the seasonal “Ahlan Ramadan” markets are offering discounts ranging from 15% to 25%, while around 2.5 million Ramadan food boxes have been prepared for distribution to support vulnerable households. The meeting further reviewed Egypt’s strategic food reserves, with Al-Sisi calling for maintaining adequate stock levels and expanding domestic production of key crops, livestock and poultry to strengthen food security. Al-Sisi highlighted Egypt’s potential to serve as a regional logistics hub for the trade of strategic commodities, leveraging its geographic position and infrastructure to enhance food security and supply chain resilience.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 17, 2026 15:52 UTC
54.7 million Egyptians hold active transactional accounts: CBE
In line with the efforts of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the broader financial sector, Egypt’s financial inclusion rate rose to 77.6% in 2025. Active accounts include bank accounts, Egypt Post accounts, mobile wallets and prepaid cards. Core indicators issued by the CBE’s Financial Inclusion Datahub highlight significant progress in broadening access to financial services. In line with the CBE’s evidence-based approach to achieving its strategic vision, work is currently under way to formulate the Second Financial Inclusion Strategy (2026-2030). The achievements of the First Financial Inclusion Strategy (2022-2025) reflect Egypt’s commitment to positioning financial inclusion as a cornerstone of economic and social development.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 17, 2026 15:52 UTC
Egypt outlines sweeping FY 2026/27 tax reforms to boost investment, trust
Egypt’s cabinet reviewed a proposed package of tax facilities and reforms for the fiscal year (FY) 2026/27 on Tuesday, aimed at building new partnerships with the tax community and restoring trust through integrated incentives. Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk presented the reforms during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. Kouchouk stated that the philosophy behind the changes is to improve services and create a more transparent environment for taxpayers. The Finance Minister added that the government is working to expedite the approval and implementation of a second package of tax facilities. The tax reform discussions took place alongside a broader review of the FY 2026/27 fiscal year budget estimates.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 17, 2026 15:52 UTC
The Epstein files are rocking Britain from the palace to Parliament
But the latest trove of Epstein files has heaped further scrutiny on the disgraced royal. Newly released images from the US DOJ appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor – formerly Prince Andrew – on the floor with an unidentified person. The latest Epstein documents also contain an email exchange between Epstein and Mountbatten-Windsor in August 2010, in which the financier invites the royal to meet a “friend” — whose name was redacted — for dinner in London. In one undated email, Epstein wrote to Mike Sitrick, chair of the crisis management firm Sitrick and Company, which was retained by Epstein’s law firm. Epstein replied: “I will wire your loan amount immediated’y (sic).”In April 2010, da Silva emailed Epstein again, sharing his bank details.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 17, 2026 14:33 UTC
The son of Iran’s last shah called for US “humanitarian intervention”
While we await news from the talks taking place between the US and Iran in Geneva today, let’s look at reaction to what’s happening on the ground in Iran. The son of the country’s last shah called Sunday for “humanitarian intervention” by the US following a brutal crackdown on protests against the regime, as President Donald Trump considers military strikes on the country. Reza Pahlavi said the Iranian people want “freedom,” and he urged the world to increase pressure on the regime. He spoke a day after addressing a mass demonstration in Germany, where he was attending the Munich Security Conference. “What’s happening, this is really on a scale (that is) unimaginable,” said Pahlavi.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 17, 2026 13:46 UTC
Photos: Integra City International Group Presents AI Solutions for Smart and Sustainable Cities at AI Everything Egypt 2026
Among the key participants is Integra City International Group. We are truly delighted to see how artificial intelligence and sustainability are seamlessly implemented into modern smart and sustainable city solutions. About the Company• Integra City is an international vertically integrated holding specializing in the development and implementation of comprehensive hardware and software solutions. • Integra City implements large-scale technological projects across a wide range of industries, ensuring high levels of reliability, security, and digital transformation. • The Integra City universal ecosystem unites key areas of digital development: urban management, security, digital government administration, and protection of critical facilities.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 17, 2026 13:34 UTC