Good afternoon, folks. The news cycle is still only warming up with not much on the horizon, though we’ve received some troubling news concerning the interwebs.

THE BIG STORY TODAY-

📍Qatar will ink its long-awaited, big ticket North Coast project “in the coming days,” according to a cabinet statement detailing Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly’s visit to the Gulf nation, which included a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani earlier today.

Déjà vu? This isn’t the first time we’ve been told to expect the project to soon be formally unveiled, but it looks like it will happen this time, with the announcement following an agreement between the two prime ministers to activate Qatar’s multi-bn direct investment package.

REMEMBER- The project is part of a wider USD 7.5 bn direct investment package from the Gulf nation, which was first announced during President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s visit to Qatar in April. Reports later suggested that Qatar was in advanced talks to develop a North Coast tourism project, with expectations of an agreement by year-end.

The Samla and Alam El Roum area of Matrouh was named the location of the project, confirming earlier unconfirmed reports. The cost and details of the project are still not yet out, but the Ras El Hekma-esque project will reportedly cost USD 4 bn and feature both residential areas and tourist accommodation, along with commercial and entertainment centers, a yacht marina, and advanced service facilities.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

🌐 It’s an unusually calm afternoon in the global press, but among the headlines is the Trump administration, set to face the Supreme Court on Wednesday over US President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs. Some 40 legal briefs have been filed in opposition to the duties by lawmakers, former officials, and business owners urging the court to rule against the tariffs.

While a decision isn’t expected immediately following Wednesday’s hearing, the administration remains optimistic that the Supreme Court will uphold the tariffs. “You should assume that they’re here to stay,” said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Trump will be skipping the hearing, stating that he doesn’t “want to do anything to deflect the importance of that decision.” (Reuters | Financial Times | New York Times | Politico | BBC | CBC)

CLOSER TO HOME- Israel has received the bodies of three deceased hostages yesterday after Hamas recovered their remains from a tunnel in southern Gaza. With this return, 20 of the 28 hostages have now been handed over to Israel, leaving eight bodies still in Gaza.

Hamas has stated that the remaining hostages are buried under the rubble, and excavation efforts will take considerable time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement earlier today, saying that the occupation “will spare no effort” until the return of all of the Israeli hostages. (Reuters | BBC | Guardian)

Even after the October exchanges which saw some 2k Palestinian hostages released, 9.1k Palestinians continue to be held in Israeli prisons, with 3.5k held without charge or trial, and an additional 400 children in pre-trial detention. (NPR | Mondoweiss)

☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- We’re in for some sunshine in the capital tomorrow after an overcast few days, with temperatures set to peak at 33°C before cooling down to 23°C, according to our favorite weather app.

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