Shereif Barakat

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will conduct its fourth review of Egypt’s economic reform program next month, a government official told Asharq Business. Completing this review would unlock a USD 1.3 billion (EGP 62.7 billion) tranche for Egypt — the fourth and largest disbursement under the current loan agreement. In July, the IMF approved the release of the third tranche to Egypt, also valued at USD 820 million (EGP 39.6 billion).

Egypt plans to offer peninsula-based Berenice as one of five key coastal concessions by the Red Sea in its ongoing strategy to draw in potential investors, Senior Assistant to the Housing Minister, Abdel Khalek Ibrahim, told Asharq Business on 29 September. Known for its pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and rich historical sites, the Red Sea region is already a hotspot for tourism, making it a prime location for further investment.

Israel carried out an on-ground invasion of Lebanon on the morning of 1 October, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a media statement. Israel’s invasion signals a full-scale regional escalation — an action several neighbouring countries, including Egypt, have warned of several times in the past months. The escalation also comes nearly a year after Israel’s first military offensive in Gaza following the events of 7 October.