The conversation on Egypt in the international press this morning is dominated by talk of our emergence as a regional gas hub thanks to a USD 15 bn gas import agreement with Israel. We have chapter and verse in Speed Round and Last Night’s Talk Shows, above.

Women in Egypt are leading a “gender revolution” in finding careers as driving instructors, Youssra El-Sharkawy writes for OZY. “Not all female activists are convinced that gender-segregated driving classes represent emancipation for Egyptian women. But there’s little denying the economic opportunities this boom is creating in an industry that has traditionally shut women out… Critics argue that gender-specific services aren’t good for the empowerment of Egypt’s women. ‘Women-only projects are unhealthy for society and won’t make women feel safer or even end [redacted] harassment,’ says Evon Mossad, activist and member of the National Front for Egyptian Women, a body that fights gender discrimination.”

Also worth a quick skim today:

• Family of British citizen Adrian King say a hospital in Hurghada switched off his life support machine because his family couldn’t pay the bill after the insurance company refused to pay, Mirror reports. King was in a coma with suspected kidney failure, The Daily Mail says.
• The National reviews the boutique Hotel Longchamps in Zamalek, which “has positioned itself as indulgence with character.”
• “With memories of the 1977 bread riots resulting from subsidy cuts, President El Sisi should be credited for taking hard but courageous measures he knew would force Egyptians to tighten their belts,” writes Linda Heard for Gulf News.
• Philippine police and army troops announced arresting a former Daesh commander in a raid on a Manila apartment, according to The Associated Press. The detained person is reportedly an Egyptian national.
• Gaza is “the Egyptian militarist regime’s easy prey,” writes student Muhammad Shehada for Haaretz. He says Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is man-made.
• Egypt will see increases in potential instability and unrest ahead of the upcoming March election, according to Global Risk Insights.