An Egyptian scientist says he invented a machine that ploughs fields in a manner that saves about half the amount of water usually used for irrigation in rice fields, and a quarter of fertilizers used in cultivation, according to SciDev. The machine’s inventor, Mohamed El Hagarey, was granted the prestigious WatSave Award for Young Professionals from the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage in mid-November. He says the machine costs USD 5,000 but still needs further development before it is ready for commercial production.

Other stories worth noting this morning:

• Egypt is reportedly pressing Hamas to open talks with Israel on the release of captives, Times of Israel reported. Senior Hamas members are in Cairo in what’s seen as an easing of tensions between the Palestinians and Egyptian officials.

• Ancient Egypt embraced the feminism and gender equality seen in modern-day Western societies, but the glass ceiling existed back then as well, Egyptian-Belgian author Khaled Diab writes for Al Jazeera.
• A preacher in Suez has been suspended and his preaching license revoked after he deviated from the pre-determined theme of the sermon to praise goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, Gulf News reports.