Activists in the United States are zeroing in on COP27 as a pressure point they can use to highlight our human rights record. You can expect this theme to have legs heading into fall.

Setting the tone: “If Egypt won’t free Alaa Abd El-Fattah, it had better brace for an angry climate conference” in the New Yorker, while the Associated Press writes that rights groups want Egypt to “open civic space ahead of COP27.” Dozens of US and British lawmakers had urged US President Joe Biden in an open letter to bring up human rights with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi during their weekend meeting, according to AFP. Meanwhile, the Guardian gives plenty of ink to a young White House adviser and his partner asling the UN to strip Egypt of hosting duties, citing the country’s stance on LGBTQ rights.

ALSO- The New York Times is out with a long piece on pre-trial detention in Egypt, the Associated Press has the latest on the Regeni case, and the Economist has taken note is the latest to take note of the fact that the powers that be are not big fans of mahraganat.

Low expectations of COP27? The Financial Times is down on the prospects for the global climate summit after the US Supreme Court kneecapped the Biden administration’s attempts to limit carbon emissions, a decision which other countries say undermines the US’ credibility in climate talks.

MEANWHILE-

• El Gouna gets praise for its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. (BBC Travel)
• Introducing our new national football team coach, Rui Vitoria: The Portuguese manager’s first task will be to steer the Pharaohs to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations. (Arab News)
• A Czech archaeological mission uncovered an ancient Egyptian military official’s tomb 12 km south-east of the Pyramids of Giza. (The National)