Egypt Imposes 9 p.m. Closures to Conserve Energy

CAIRO — The Egyptian government has imposed nationwide early closing times for stores, restaurants, cafes, and malls starting Saturday, requiring them to shut at 9 p.m. local time in a bid to conserve energy amid soaring oil prices triggered by the ongoing U.S.-Israel war with Iran. The measure, set to last one month, marks a significant shift for urban centers like Cairo, long known for their round-the-clock vibrancy.

The policy stems from the conflict's disruption of global energy supplies. The war began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, prompting Iran to retaliate by attacking oil and gas infrastructure in the Persian Gulf and restricting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for about one-fifth of the world's oil. Egypt, though not directly involved, faces severe economic strain as the most populous Arab nation with over 108 million people. It consumes around 20 billion liters of oil products annually, including fuel for power plants, and imports 28 percent of its gasoline and 45 percent of its diesel. The country's monthly oil bill has more than doubled since January, reaching $2.5 billion, according to Prime Minister...