Egypt’s Sisi: Suez Canal revenue down as much as 50% over Red Sea attacks The decrease in revenue and traffic in the canal due to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels is exacerbating Egypt’s foreign currency shortage and overall economic crisis. Egypt
Saudi tech giant expands investments into China, AI as part of $100B plans Alat plans to invest $100 billion by 2030 to coincide with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan to wean the kingdom’s economy off of its reliance on oil. Saudi Arabia
Sen. Coons to visit Lebanon amid Israel-Hezbollah clashes, leadership crisis Democratic Senator Chris Coons is headed for Beirut in what some observers comment is a show of US support for Lebanon at a time of ongoing crisis. Lebanon
US vetoes Gaza cease-fire resolution at UN Security Council The United States blocked a Security Council resolution demanding “an immediate cease-fire” between Israel and Hamas but offered its own draft calling for a “temporary” one. Israel
Turkish lawyer detained over Sharia comments as Islamist-secularist debate flares In the run-up to nationwide municipal elections, the arrest of the lawyer for her comments has provoked a fresh maelstrom over the role of religion in public life. Turkey
Will Israel-Brazil row escalate as envoys recalled over Lula's Hitler comments? Both Israel and Brazil are still recoiling after Brazilian President Luiz Ignazio Lula da Silva likened Israel's actions during the Gaza war to the Nazi regime. Israel
Nearly 1,000 buildings in Tripoli, Lebanon are at risk of collapse: Amnesty Amnesty International has denounced the local Tripoli government’s lack of action to protect residents who have been living in unsafe buildings since last year’s earthquake. Lebanon
Analysis Can Netanyahu stop Ben-Gvir from restricting Al-Aqsa access during Ramadan? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu caved in part to the demands of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir despite warnings by the security establishment against the appearance of an attack on religion. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
