Week of October 19

2026-W43: Oct 19 – October 25, 2026
FINAL: Last update October 23, 2026
COUNTRIES IN THE NEWS: Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Greece
Libya
Turkey
Israel
Cyprus
United States
Iran
NEWS LANGUAGE: English
العربية (original)

Egypt's Madbouly says state faces three options as energy prices rise, warns of 6-8 hour blackouts

First published Fri, Oct 23

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly told the Egypt Forum 2026 that the state faces three options in dealing with higher energy prices: the state absorbs the cost, the citizen bears it, or the government borrows. He warned that borrowing would add to the debt burden, and said a shortfall in energy supplies could force load-shedding of six to eight hours a day.1 2 3

Madbouly presented the choices as having no fourth alternative, answering the question of why prices rose. He also reviewed the challenges of securing energy supplies and plans to expand renewable sources during the forum session.4 5 6

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi took part in a discussion session at the Egypt Forum on the course of Egypt's energy sector, the same event where Madbouly set out the options.1 7

Egypt and Greece reject Libya's ratification of Turkey maritime border deal

First published Thu, Oct 22

Egypt and Greece said they reject Libya's ratification of a maritime border demarcation agreement, according to Egyptian state outlets. The two countries' foreign ministers met to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments. Greece said it is holding consultations with Egypt to widen the geographic scope of their own maritime demarcation agreement.1 2 3

The dispute follows a vote in Libya's parliament approving a maritime border memorandum with Turkey. Egypt rejected the Turkey-Libya maritime agreement and affirmed its commitment to its demarcation deal with Greece.4 5

Israel also rejected the Libya-Turkey maritime border agreement, saying it violates the sovereignty of its allies.6

Greece's ambassador said cooperation between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece offers a new route for exporting Mediterranean gas to Europe, and described relations with Egypt as an advanced model of strategic partnership.7 8

Trump rules out talks with Iran and says "something" will happen soon

First published Thu, Oct 22

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

President Donald Trump said the United States is not currently negotiating with Iran and that "something" will happen soon. He also described the Iran war as "one of the greatest achievements we have achieved" and said Washington could withdraw from Iran now but wants to ensure the results of what it has achieved continue for a long time.1 2 3 4

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Iran war will not end the way previous American wars ended, and that Trump is guaranteeing the confrontation with Tehran. The remarks were carried alongside Trump's comments in Egyptian coverage of the standoff.5

Attributed claim: Iran is preparing for the possibility of war, according to Arab48, which paired that report with Trump's exclusion of negotiations. The other accounts in the cluster report only the American statements and do not describe Iranian preparations.6

Trump's remarks were reported across Egyptian state outlets and wire services, including Al-Ahram Gate, Akhbar Al-Youm and Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed, all on the same day. The accounts agree on the substance: no talks at present, and an unspecified development expected soon.3 7 4 8

Cairo Bank IPO draws four qualified investors for up to 95 percent of private placement

First published Mon, Oct 19

Egypt's Financial Regulatory Authority approved the prospectus for Cairo Bank's listing on the Egyptian Exchange, clearing the way for the share sale. The bank has contracted four investors to subscribe in the private placement, with their combined stakes reaching up to 95 percent.1 2

Buy orders for Cairo Bank shares were set to begin the following day, with the final price to be announced at a later date. The exchange opened order book trading for the subscription, and the minimum for individual investors was set at 5 million Egyptian pounds.1 3

Subscription coverage for the Cairo Bank offering was recorded within the first three hours of the sale. The four qualified investors hold shares of up to 95 percent in the private placement.3 2

Egypt gold rises 20 pounds as 21-karat hits 6,285 and ounce reaches $4,166

First published Mon, Oct 19

Gold prices in Egypt rose 20 Egyptian pounds on Monday, with 21-karat gold reaching 6,285 pounds per gram and 18-karat gold at 5,387 pounds, as the international ounce stood at $4,166.1 2 3

One report put the day's rise at 95 pounds and said 21-karat gold closed at its highest level since the start of the year, with the dollar's move past the 2 percent mark supporting higher local prices.4 5

Al Arabiya reported a pricing crisis in Egyptian gold caused by the dollar, while other outlets published price tables for 24-karat light bullion bars starting from one gram.6 7

Also this week

Published earlier this week and since overtaken by bigger stories. Open one to read it in full.

Egypt's parliament delays vote on authorizing troops for Saudi Arabia as 300 MPs seek to speakMon, Oct 19Egypt's parliament postponed its vote on authorizing military support for Saudi Arabia to next week, lifting an emergency session that had been extended to two days. The session concerns a request to delegate President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to back Saudi Arabia with troops.

Egypt's parliament delays vote on authorizing troops for Saudi Arabia as 300 MPs seek to speak

First published Mon, Oct 19

Egypt's parliament postponed its vote on authorizing military support for Saudi Arabia to next week, lifting an emergency session that had been extended to two days. The session concerns a request to delegate President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to back Saudi Arabia with troops.1

In the session, 300 deputies asked to speak and three expressed reservations, according to an account of the deliberations on the delegation request. The Democratic Egyptian Party set out its reasons for withholding approval from sending forces to support Saudi Arabia.2 3

Party figure Abdel Moneim Imam described Egyptian support for Saudi Arabia as a strategic decision rather than a matter of political calculation. MP Moussa said the constitution settles the mechanism for sending Egyptian forces beyond the borders and that the decision belongs to parliament.4 5

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the Egyptian people support Saudi Arabia and that Gulf security is a red line. Sisi has said Egypt would carry out any measure Saudi Arabia requests to defend its security and sovereignty.6

Al-Azhar's Islamic Research Academy chief says institution is turning values into behaviourMon, Oct 19The secretary-general of Al-Azhar's Islamic Research Academy said the institution is working to convert values into behaviour, according to a report carried by Youm7. The statement was published on Monday and again on Thursday.

Al-Azhar's Islamic Research Academy chief says institution is turning values into behaviour

First published Mon, Oct 19

The secretary-general of Al-Azhar's Islamic Research Academy said the institution is working to convert values into behaviour, according to a report carried by Youm7. The statement was published on Monday and again on Thursday.1 2

The same report appeared alongside coverage of the Egypt Forum 2026, where Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly presented a review of 12 years of development and said transparency and disclosure are the basis for setting future priorities. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was quoted saying he made decisions without regard to himself or his family and that what mattered to him was what is right.3 1

Sisi also directed that attempts to destroy national memory on social media be confronted, according to a report cited in the same coverage.1 3

The forum coverage included a remark by Mohamed Ali Khair that at the Egypt Forum "you will hear one word... say, citizen." The line was carried by Al-Shorouk's portal, an opposition outlet, in its own headline.4