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- A major earthquake in Egypt? 🫨
A major earthquake in Egypt? 🫨
What else: A bridge from Sinai to Saudi, long-term LNG imports, Egypt's first Apple store, and much more inside!
June 01 – 10 | 2025
Image: A tech titan coming to Cairo – scroll to the bottom to know more.
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EARTHQUAKE | SEISMIC ACTIVITY | NATURAL CATASTROPHE
IS THERE A RISING EARTHQUAKE RISK IN EGYPT?
Image: Imascaretti / Shutterstock
Following a series of small quakes near Crete and in the Mediterranean over the past two weeks, Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad said Egypt is entering a period of elevated seismic activity.
In a phone interview with MBC Masr’s Sherif Amer, she warned: “We are at the beginning of a real danger,” pointing to a rise in earthquakes not previously experienced.
Not just climate While climate change isn’t directly causing earthquakes, Fouad explained that rising sea levels could be accelerating geological shifts. “It’s a combination of climatic and geological changes,” she said.
From floods to tremors The minister also pointed to more frequent extreme weather — heavy rain, flash floods, prolonged droughts — as further evidence of Egypt’s shifting environment.
Crisis mode ready Fouad outlined the government’s response plan, which includes a central crisis management system, early warning mechanisms for natural disasters (especially earthquakes), and readiness to shut schools or public facilities when needed.
Alexandria in the spotlight The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has projected that sea levels could rise by nearly a meter by 2100 under a high-emission scenario — threatening to submerge parts of the Nile Delta and displace millions, especially in Alexandria.
🏠 MORE SOCIETY:
🏺 SMUGGLED ARTIFACTS: Egypt’s Foreign Ministry recovered smuggled 11 ancient Egyptian artifacts found in the US – Read more
🕊️ HUMAN RIGHTS: Ambassador Mahmoud Karem has been appointed Acting President of Egypt’s National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) following the formal resignation of Moushira Khattab – Read more
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SAUDI ARABIA | RED SEA | TRADE
EGYPT AND SAUDI REVIVE RED SEA BRIDGE MEGA PROJECT
Credit: Google Earth Pro
Egypt says it’s ready to kick off construction of a long-discussed bridge linking Sharm El-Sheikh with Saudi Arabia’s Ras Alsheikh Hamid, across the Red Sea via Tiran Island. Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir confirmed that all planning is complete and the country is just waiting for a political green-light to begin.
What’s in the deal? Originally announced in 2016 during a visit by King Salman, the project is set to cost around USD 4 billion (EGP 197.73 billion) and will be financed by Saudi Arabia. It will also plug directly into Saudi Arabia’s futuristic Neom development zone.
More than just a bridge: The proposed route is expected to carry cars and include a high-speed railway for goods transport, potentially making it a game-changer for trade and tourism between Africa and Asia.
What’s next? No official construction date yet, but Cairo says the groundwork is done. It’s now a matter of pressing “go.” Despite initially being announced as a bridge, El-Wazir elaborated that the infrastructure project may be a tunnel – depending on several variables.
🌍️ MORE FOREIGN AFFAIRS:
🇲🇦 MOROCCO: Unlike Saudi, trade efforts between Egypt and Morocco have been tense for a while, with the latter continuing to impose strict duties on several Egyptian imports – Read more
🇮🇱 ISRAEL: A humanitarian ship carrying 12 international activists, including Swedish climate advocate Greta Thunberg, sailed off Egypt’s northern coast, before eventually arriving near Gaza and being apprehended by Israeli naval forces – Read more
🇬🇷 GREECE: Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, discussed the status of Saint Catherine Monastery in South Sinai with his Greek counterpart – Read more
LNG | ENERGY | IMPORTS
REPORT: EGYPT LOCKS IN LONG-TERM LNG IMPORTS
Credit: Esfera / Shutterstock
Egypt is close to sealing LNG import deals with up to six global energy firms — including Saudi Aramco, Trafigura, Vitol, Hartree, and BGN — as it pivots from gas exporter to long-term importer, Bloomberg reports, citing unnamed sources. Over 160 shipments are expected to be secured for delivery through June 2026, with more deals potentially extending into 2028.
How did we go from exporters to importers? Just last year, Egypt was exporting gas. But with domestic output falling, demand surging, and extreme heat hitting power infrastructure, the country is now racing to secure supply — and reduce exposure to the volatile spot market.
What’s next? Deliveries are set to begin in July, when Egypt will have three floating import terminals up and running. A fourth terminal is planned by late 2025 or early 2026.
🏦 MORE ECONOMY:
📈 INFLATION: Egypt’s inflation rose once again in May to reach 16.8 percent, up from the 13.9 percent recorded the previous month – Read more
💰️ NET FOREIGN ASSETS: Net foreign assets in Egypt’s banking sector dropped in April for the first time in four months, slipping 10 percent month-on-month to USD 13.5 billion, down from USD 15 billion in March – Read more
💸 REMITTANCES: Remittances from Egyptians abroad rose for the thirteenth consecutive month, reaching USD 3.4 billion year-over-year – Read more
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APPLE | TECH | RETAIL
APPLE IN TALKS TO OPEN FIRST OFFICIAL STORE IN EGYPT
Credit: Egyptian Cabinet / Facebook
Tech titan Apple is eyeing its first official retail store in Egypt as part of a wider push into the Middle East and Africa.
High-level meetings: Apple’s Director of Government Affairs for the Middle East and Pakistan, Omar El-Rifai, met with Egypt’s Investment and Foreign Trade Minister, Hassan El-Khatib, to discuss the plan — with the former calling Egypt a “strategic gateway” for regional growth.
Support from the state: El-Khatib welcomed Apple’s expansion, noting Egypt’s advanced call centers and training facilities, and urged the company to establish a retail presence. The Ministry pledged full support for Apple’s future projects.
What it means: An official Apple Store would mark a major vote of confidence in Egypt’s tech sector. Apple already employs Egyptians in backend operations and now seems ready to directly serve local consumers.