Good afternoon, folks, and welcome to the end of what has been a tense work week. The silver lining? Summer is officially just around the corner, and we’ve got not one, but two long weekends coming up starting next week.

Sahel – what was once Egypt’s summer escape has become an economic hub, social ecosystem, and regional travel hotspot. And we’re going to help you decode its rapid evolution with EnterpriseAM Destination Sahel.

In a special four-part summer series we’re taking the insights you’ve come to expect of us seaside. Think everything from Ras El Hekma’s impact and investment opportunities to exclusive interviews with key players. And it wouldn’t be Sahel season without a sprinkling of what’s shaking up socially.

Expect us in your inbox Tuesday, 24 June.

See you, Sahel-side.

PSA-

We are officially getting Thursday, 26 June, and Thursday, 3 July off. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced 26 June as holiday in observance of the Islamic new year. Thursday, 3 July, will also be off instead of Monday, 30 June — which marks the 12th anniversary of the 30 June Revolution Day.

THE BIG STORY TODAY-

Qatar is in advanced discussions to develop a USD 3.5 bn tourism project on the North Coast, Bloomberg reports, citing what it says are sources familiar with the matter. The new project’s agreement is expected to be inked by the end of 2025, although its breakdown and exact location are yet to be revealed.

The timeline: The agreement is expected to witness Qatar providing Egypt with USD 1 bn after its signature, with the remaining amount to be delivered over the following year.

IN CONTEXT- Qatar previously agreed in April to work towards a USD 7.5 bn package of direct investments in Egypt in “the near future,” without providing details of the investment plan. The Gulf country has been reportedly eyeing majority stakes in terminal operators and a real estate project on the North Coast.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

Israeli jets struck dozens of targets in Tehran overnight, including an inactive nuclear reactor in Arak, the Israeli Air Force said. “The reactor was originally intended for the production of weapons-grade plutonium, capable of enabling the development of nuclear weapons,” the statement reads. Israel also said it struck a nuclear weapons development site in the area of Natanz as well as military manufacturing facilities. Iran filed a complaint with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing Israel of breaching international laws that prohibit attacks on nuclear facilities.

Iranian missiles also struck multiple areas in Israel early Thursday, including southern Israel’s main hospital and residential buildings near Tel Aviv. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said the strikes were aimed at Israeli military and intelligence headquarters, while Israeli emergency services reported that five people suffered serious injuries and dozens more were wounded. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tehran’s “tyrants” would pay the “full price.”

And US officials are gearing up for the possibility of a strike on Iran in the coming days, with sources telling Bloomberg that the attack could be timed on the weekend. US President Donald Trump has teased about the possibility of joining the war for days, telling reporters on Wednesday “I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due.”

☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- Cairo is in for spring’s last hurrah tomorrow, with a high of 35°C and a low of 23°C. It’s going to be milder along the northern coasts, where we expect a high of 30°C and a low of 20°C, according to our favorite weather app.

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