Egypt plans foray into Asia bond market

Delegations from Israel and Egypt meet in Cairo and Jerusalem to discuss establishing a permanent ceasefire between the Jewish state and Gaza's Hamas rulers. Egypt played a pivotal role in negotiating a ceasefire earlier this month between Israel and Gaza's Palestinian Islamist rulers Hamas, bringing an end to 11 days of deadly fighting.

Pyramids, Tutankhamun masks, Nefertiti busts -- Egypt's souvenir craftspeople are pinning their hopes on a new lease of life, after tourism was battered by the coronavirus pandemic. Anticipating a surge in tourists, the government is investing millions in local replica production to boost revenue.

Grace a robotic medical assistant was created to relieve the burden on the frontline medical staff who have been overworked due to the pandemic. The robot is designed to interact with people in isolation.

Technology has facilitated the sexual exploitation of thousands of women in Egypt. To save others from the same destiny, a young Egyptian man launched an online group dedicated to confronting extorters.

The UN's top human rights official condemned Myanmar's ruling military junta and said it was using "disproportionate force" against the opposition.

EU members "have their geo-strategic calculations in mind, and will likely favor countries that are friendly or important to European interests," says one ASEAN expert in response to the bloc's global vaccine drive.

Despite the release of prominent imprisoned activists, the situation of dissidents in Egypt remains dire. The latest arrests suggest that Egypt is continuing its clampdown on critics.

In the lush green fields of Egypt's fertile Delta Valley, farmers and artisans are struggling to make a living as they keep alive the Pharaonic-era tradition of making papyrus.

The US vice president's visit to Singapore and Vietnam is seen as a test of the Biden administration's ability to reassure key allies of its resolve. The trip comes as US forces withdraw from Afghanistan.

With the Taliban in control of Afghanistan, the UN Women director for Asia Mohammad Naciri warns of a gender emergency, where "women and girls have been consistently and systemically targeted". In the weeks leading up to their return to power, the Taliban's leadership have strived to portray a softer image than when they last ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001. But women struggle to take comfort from such assurances.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting massive production disruptions in Southeast Asia will lead to greater diversification and a major reshaping of global supply chains, according to experts.

A new religious decree in Egypt allows hymen repair for more women than before. While it has been welcomed by rights activists and women's organizations, some critics fear that it might lure women into premarital sex.