Good afternoon, wonderful people, and happy hump day. We’re just about a week away from the end of Ramadan — and we’re counting down the days.

So, when do we eat? Maghrib is at 6:15 pm today in the capital city, and you’ll have until 4:13 am tomorrow to get your hydration and caffeine fix ahead of Fajr.

THE BIG STORY TODAY

El Sisi outlines national priorities for third term in swearing-in ceremony: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi announced the key features and objectives for Egypt’s national strategy on several domestic and external issues during a public speech today, after being sworn in for his third term at the House of Representatives in the new administrative capital. You can read the full speech on the State Information Service website here.

The highlights: The seven-point speech outlined the state’s commitments to strengthen the country’s foreign relations, national security, economic growth and productivity, fiscal discipline, education, and urban planning. The strategy also seeks to enact economic and social changes based on policy recommendations from the National Dialogue.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD

Israel’s strike on an aid convoy by a US-based NGO in Gaza has triggered an international outcry: Seven people working for US-based NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK), including six foreign nationals and a Palestinian, were killed in an Israeli air strike as they were delivering food aid in Gaza, the food charity said yesterday. The team was traveling “in a deconflicted zone” in vehicles branded with the charity’s logo and loaded with over 100 tons of food aid when they were hit. Those killed in the strike — which came “despite coordinating movements with the IDF” — included three British nationals, an Australian, a Polish national, and an American-Canadian dual citizen. WCK, founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, has halted its operations in the enclave, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians face starvation. (Reuters | Associated Press | Washington Post | The National | CNN | BBC)

** CATCH UP QUICK on the top stories from today’s EnterpriseAM:

  • Net foreign liabilities in the banking system saw a 24% drop in February, down from January’s all-time high,thanks to fresh FX inflows from the Ras El Hekma agreement and the new wave of de-dollarization it has triggered.
  • The second tranche of our IMF package could arrive this summer: We are in line to receive the second USD 820 mn tranche under the IMF’s USD 8 bn loan program this summer after the fund completes its third review of the facility.
  • The auto market bounces back: Auto sales rebounded in February, recovering from the 10-month low recorded in January. Distributors sold some 7.4k units last month, up almost 20% m-o-m.

☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- Look for a sunny day with a high of 32°C and a low of 17°C, according to our favorite weather app.

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