The American Express Times
Thursday, May 7, 2026
US patience running out in the Strait of Hormuz
The United States has launched "Project Freedom," deploying naval and air forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz and free commercial vessels trapped amid rising tensions with Iran. This operation intensifies the standoff in a critical oil transit route and could influence whether diplomatic talks prevent further conflict or lead to wider military escalation.
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Killing journalists
Israeli forces have continued military actions in Southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire, resulting in the death of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil after an airstrike and…
Diplomatic ice thaws between Egypt and Syria
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani visited Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials to improve bilateral relations and establish an Egyptian-Syrian Business Council focused on economic…
Controversial pensions law passed
The Egyptian House of Representatives approved an amendment to the Social Insurance and Pensions Law that increases the Treasury's contributions to the National Authority for…
Cruel summer calculus of Washington and Tehran
Iran accused U.S. naval forces of attacking civilian ships in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in five deaths and prompting Iran to warn against further…
UAE rings alarm bells on oil
The United Arab Emirates officially announced its exit from OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance to pursue greater oil production freedom amid regional security tensions and…
No peace for Mali
The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and the Al-Qaeda-linked group JNIM launched coordinated attacks on Mali's northern city of Kidal and key…
The rhetoric and reality of sovereignty
Since World War II, global geopolitics have evolved through three phases, with the recent period marked by intensified rivalry between major powers like Russia and…
The countdown to war? The search for a compromise and an interim agreement in the US-Israeli war against Iran is still ongoing, but the risk of a resumption of open war cannot be discounted, writes Hussein Haridy
Tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran have escalated into open conflict following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, with Iran advancing its…
Hedging against threats from the GERD
The turbines of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have been inactive for two weeks, with the reservoir level stable at around 47 billion cubic…
No new coffee shops allowed in select Cairo districts
Cairo officials have halted the issuance of new restaurant and café licenses in key residential districts such as Heliopolis, Maadi, Zamalek, and Garden City to…
Iraq remains trapped in political deadlock
Iraq’s largest Shia parliamentary bloc has nominated businessman Ali Al-Zaidi to form a new government, with a 30-day deadline to build a coalition before May…
War of rats in Gaza
The near-total destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure and restricted humanitarian access have caused widespread rodent and parasite infestations, leading to a severe environmental and public health…
Deconstructing the Arab-Iranian conflict
Experts call for a transition from isolated security measures to multilateral Arab frameworks that promote regional cooperation and collective crisis management. Achieving these integrated arrangements…
Project war?
President Donald Trump launched Project Freedom to enable the passage of hundreds of ships stuck in the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating…
Rights and wrongs on the Iran war
General Lloyd Austin III characterized the Iran war as a testing ground for new military technologies and tactics, notably the use of cost-effective attack drones…
Hail the people: Omar Elfayoumi's new art show
Cairo-based artist Omar Elfayoumi is exhibiting 51 new paintings at Falak Gallery through May 12, continuing his focus on everyday Egyptians with varied emotional portrayals…
Soheir Zaki (1945-2026): Subtle souplesse
Soheir Zaki, a celebrated Egyptian Oriental dancer known for blending traditional choreography with acclaimed musical works, died at age 81 after a brief illness. Her…
Expanding vertical farming
Agricultural engineers in Egypt have developed modular soil-based vertical farming towers that boost crop yields while reducing water use by over 80% through a closed…
New regional order
A recent analysis reveals that the Arab Spring catalyzed shifting alliances and heightened conflicts among Middle Eastern states, fueling ongoing wars involving Iran, Israel, and…
Looking back on Byblos: Lebanese archaeological history in Paris exhibit
The Institut du Monde arabe in Paris launched an exhibition showcasing the archaeological treasures of Byblos, one of the oldest cities in the Levant, highlighting…
Limelight: Hear the sound of silence
Researchers highlight that despite sound traveling slower than light, the brain processes auditory information faster than visual cues, making sound crucial for perception, alertness, and…
On tenterhooks: Egyptian Premier League title race undecided
Zamalek moved to the brink of winning the Egyptian Premier League after Oday Dabbagh's goal secured a 1-0 win over Smouha, putting them two points…
65 Years in the Making: Rail Backbone Emerges
Los Angeles is launching the first phase of the $9.7 billion D Line subway extension along Wilshire Boulevard, adding nearly four miles of underground rail…
Ted Turner, CNN Founder, Revolutionized Television
Ted Turner, the founder of CNN and a pioneering figure in cable television, passed away at age 87 in Florida. His creation of the first…
A sculptor of silence
Armen Agop is representing Egypt at the 61st Venice Biennale with an exhibition featuring sculptures and paintings that blend his Egyptian-Armenian heritage and invite contemplative…
Hany Shaker (1952-2026): The voice of romance
Egyptian singer Hany Shaker passed away on May 3 at 73 due to complications from colon surgery while receiving treatment in France. As a key…
The return of Nefertiti — II
Egypt is intensifying its campaign to reclaim the bust of Queen Nefertiti from Germany, citing historical evidence that its removal was conducted under misleading circumstances…
Rowing silvers: Egyptian Para rowers success in France
Egyptian para rower Malak Ghoneim won two silver medals in the PR1 women’s single sculls at the Para Rowing Regatta Championship in France. Her success,…
Looking for glory: Zamalek set for CAF Confederation Cup final
Egypt's Zamalek will face Algeria’s USM Alger in the two-legged final of the CAF Confederation Cup on May 9 and 16, competing for a record…
Support Grows to Vote Out City Attorney
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and the Los Angeles Police Protective League withdrew their endorsement of City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto and instead…
California Under Pressure to Join Redistricting War
The U.S. Supreme Court's new limits on the Voting Rights Act are intensifying redistricting battles nationwide, with California's handling of its 52 congressional seats drawing…
Immigration Raids Sour Orange County Voters on Trump
A University of California, Irvine poll finds that a majority of Orange County voters disapprove of President Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, particularly actions taken in…
Becerra Targeted in Governor Debate
Seven leading candidates in the 2026 California gubernatorial race participated in a CNN-hosted debate, discussing major issues like healthcare, immigration, housing, and taxation. The event…
Three Evacuated from Ship with Hantavirus Outbreak
A hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship near Cape Verde has resulted in three deaths and multiple illnesses among passengers and crew, with…
Infections Have Risen in Argentina, Hantavirus Outbreak Highlights Climate Impact
Argentine health authorities are investigating multiple hantavirus infections linked to the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, docked after departing Ushuaia, amid a nationwide surge in…
Search on for U.S. Soldiers Missing in Morocco Military Exercises
Over 600 military personnel from multiple countries are conducting a search for two missing U.S. soldiers believed to have fallen into the ocean near Cap…
Toxic Metals Reported in East Wing Demolition Debris
Soil samples from debris dumped at East Potomac Golf Links following the White House East Wing demolition have revealed hazardous levels of lead, chromium, PCBs,…