Latest news with #CairoUniversity
Mada
a day ago
- Health
- Mada
Politicians, students, 130 former prisoners call for Sisi to release Alaa Abd El Fattah immediately
Urgent appeals have mounted in the last hours for the immediate release of detained activist and writer, Alaa Abd El Fattah, as his mother Laila Soueif lies in hospital in London, 245 days into a hunger strike. Egyptian authorities have imprisoned Abd El Fattah since 2019, in what United Nations experts ruled last week is arbitrary detention. Among those calling for his release are nearly 130 former prisoners, all of whom faced similar charges to Abd El Fattah in relation to their political views, and who issued a statement on Saturday calling for the writer's release 'today, not tomorrow,' in a plea to 'end the suffering of his family and save the life of his mother.' Soueif's blood sugar dropped dangerously low on Thursday night and she was hospitalized. Doctors say her life is in immediate danger. The prisoners' statement was shared by activist Ahmed Douma, who spent a decade in prison for participating in protests before he was granted presidential amnesty in 2023, and by lawyer and activist Mahienour al-Massry who was detained in 2018 while advocating for the release of detainees imprisoned for their political convictions. All signatories to the appeal faced charges similar to Abd El Fattah's, the statement said, including spreading false news, unlawful assembly, joining a terrorist group 'or other charges tied to freedom of expression and public participation.' The statement voiced deep concern over the decline in Soueif's health. 'In her perseverance,' it read, 'resounds the perseverance of hundreds of families worn down by imprisonment, and the stories of parents, siblings and children who have tried to make their voices heard only to be met with a wall of silence.' Soueif has made repeated appeals, both to the Public Prosecution and to leaders in both Egypt and the United Kingdom, where she and her family hold second nationality. In their statement, which remained open for additional signatories, the former prisoners called on authorities to 'reconsider the cases of all political prisoners.' 'We urge the relevant authorities in the Egyptian state to act with the wisdom and responsibility that this critical historical moment demands — and to release Alaa Abd El Fattah, in whatever form they see fit, in a way that befits a strong nation capable of correcting its course without hesitation,' the statement read. The signatories argued that releasing Abd El Fattah would do no harm to the state, just as their own releases 'have not posed any threat to public safety.' Instead, their release was welcomed both domestically and internationally as 'a reflection of a maturing state that comprehends the moment,' the statement added. Soueif, a mathematics professor at Cairo University, is on hunger strike to call for her son's release in 2024. The writer's sentence was due to come to an end in September but prosecutors refused the families' petitions to credit the two years he spent in remand detention toward his final sentence. The Civil Democratic Movement, a coalition of liberal parties, also called for Abd El Fattah's release at a press conference held Sunday at the headquarters of the Conservative Party. The politicians said that the power to release Abd El Fattah lay in the President's hands, urging him to include Abd El Fattah, alongside others imprisoned for freedom of expression, in general amnesty lists released for Eid al-Adha. Lawyer Suzanne Nady, who was in attendance, questioned what more must happen before Egyptian authorities begin upholding the law. 'We've already exhausted every peaceful route,' she said. Cairo University students submitted their own urgent appeal on Sunday to university president Mohamed Samy Abdel Sadek to intervene and save Soueif's life, who they said 'continued to fulfill her academic and teaching responsibilities at the university with unwavering dedication, up until the moment she departed for London.' The statement, a copy of which Mada Masr reviewed, called for Abdel Sadek to address the president and relevant authorities to secure Abd El Fattah's release 'in recognition of what [Soueif] offered and continues to offer to the university and Egypt's scientific community.' Over the past months, Soueif has repeatedly appealed to authorities in both Egypt and the United Kingdom. But 'nothing has changed,' Soueif said in a statement two weeks ago, announcing her decision to resume a full hunger strike after she had temporarily increased her intake to include a 300-calorie liquid supplement daily in March at the advice of doctors. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer last contacted President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi regarding Abd El Fattah's case on May 22. Though Soueif acknowledged Starmer's intentions in her announcement that she would resume a full hunger strike, she concluded that 'nothing is happening' to release her son. 'We have used up more days than we ever thought we had. We need Alaa released now.'
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Kamil Idris Takes Helm as Sudan's New Prime Minister Amid Major National Challenges
Ahmed Emam Kamil Idris has taken the helm as Sudan's new Prime Minister following a formal swearing-in ceremony held earlier Sunday in the capital, Khartoum. The oath of office was administered by Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, signaling a significant political development as the country faces mounting internal crises. Immediately after assuming office, Idris held a meeting with General al-Burhan to address key national issues, including security, political stability, and economic recovery. The discussions come amid ongoing armed conflict in several regions, particularly the restive Kordofan area. In his first public statement, Idris thanked the Sudanese leadership for their confidence and pledged to utilize his international experience to advance peace and development. He emphasized the importance of laying strong foundations for a stable and unified Sudan. Idris, a native of Al-Dawrat in Dongola State in northern Sudan, belongs to the Nubian community. He holds a law degree from Cairo University and a diploma in legal studies from the University of Khartoum. Internationally, he is best known for his tenure as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva and his service on the United Nations International Law Commission—roles that have earned him global recognition and legal expertise. The Sudanese public has largely welcomed Idris's appointment with cautious optimism. Many view him as a capable and independent figure with an unblemished record in international service. However, the challenges ahead are formidable: forming a new government in the coming days, addressing widespread poverty and hardship, delivering aid to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people, rehabilitating damaged infrastructure in Khartoum, and restoring state authority in conflict-hit regions. As Idris takes the helm, hopes are pinned on his ability to guide Sudan through one of the most turbulent periods in its modern history, and toward a path of stability and national renewal. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Mada
3 days ago
- Health
- Mada
Laila Soueif hospitalized amid hunger strike for her son's release
Laila Soueif was admitted to St. Thomas's Hospital in central London on Thursday night as her health deteriorated due to the hunger strike she has been on for over 200 days to call for her son's release from prison. Activist and writer Alaa Abd El Fattah has been in prison since 2019, in what United Nations experts ruled earlier this week is arbitrary detention by Egyptian authorities. Soueif began a hunger strike in 2024, when Abd El Fattah's prison sentence on false news charges was due to come to an end but prosecutors refused petitions to credit the two years he served in remand detention toward his final sentence. Soueif has appealed to authorities in both Egypt and the United Kingdom, where she and her family hold second nationality. But 'nothing has changed,' Soueif said in a statement 10 days ago, announcing that she would resume the full hunger strike. At medics' advice, the assistant mathematics professor at Cairo University had lessened the restrictions on her caloric intake while maintaining a partial hunger strike in recent months following an initial hospital admission in February. In a statement on Thursday evening, her family said Soueif's blood sugar had dropped to dangerous levels. Sharing an image captured at the hospital, Soueif's daughter, Mona Seif, noted that until this afternoon, Soueif was still conscious but had declined medical intervention. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer last contacted President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on May 22 to push for Abd El Fattah's release. Though Soueif acknowledged Starmer's intentions in her announcement that she would resume a full hunger strike, she concluded that 'nothing is happening' to release her son, adding, 'we have used up more days than we ever thought we had. We need Alaa released now.'
Egypt Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt tops Arab, African countries in number of universities listed in int'l ranking systems
Cairo University CAIRO - 27 May 2025: Egypt topped Arab and African countries in the number of universities listed in two 2025 international university ranking systems, and ranked second in a third one. The Cabinet's Media Center highlighted the progress made by Egyptian universities in international rankings amidst the unprecedented expansion in university establishments and the development of the higher education system. A qualitative leap has been achieved by Egyptian universities in the most prominent international rankings for 2025, reinforcing Egypt's academic standing in the Arab world and Africa. This emphasizes its success in building a competitive higher education system that meets international standards, the Media Center said. The infographics showed that Egypt topped the Arab and African countries in the number of universities listed in the Times Higher Education 2025 rankings, which evaluates more than 2,000 universities based on 13 sub-indicators covering teaching, research, access to knowledge, and international outlook. The number of Egyptian universities included in the ranking has increased since its release, reaching 35 in 2025, compared to 28 in 2024 and 26 in 2023. This compares to just one university in 2011, while no Egyptian university was included in the ranking in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Egypt also ranked first in Africa and second in the Arab world in the number of universities included in the Spanish Scimago ranking for 2025, which evaluates academic and research institutions based on indicators of research performance, innovative outputs, and societal impact measured by their online visibility. The number of Egyptian universities included in this ranking increased to 52 in 2025, compared to 51 in 2024 and only 15 in 2009. Egypt also climbed 12 places in the Scimago Scientific Publication Index since its release, ranking 25th in 2024, compared to 37th in 1996. The infographics showed that Egypt ranked first in Africa and second in the Arab world in the number of universities included in the QS World University Rankings for 2025, with a total of 15 universities, compared to 6 in 2020. The number of Egyptian universities included in the same ranking of Arab universities also increased to 36 in 2025, compared to 22 in 2020. The QS World University Rankings is based on eight indicators to evaluate each university, including the university's academic reputation, how it prepares students for the job market, and the proportion of international students at nearly 1,500 universities worldwide. In the same context, infographics showed that Egypt leads Arab and African countries in the number of universities listed in the US News rankings for 2025, with 29 universities, compared to 27 in 2024 and 11 in 2019. The US News rankings are based on 13 indicators to evaluate each university based on its research performance and evaluations by members of the academic community around the world.
Middle East
22-05-2025
- Health
- Middle East
OPEN// PM meets Oxford university delegation for talks on coop. in advanced cancer treatment
CAIRO, May 22 (MENA) - Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli met with a delegation from the University of Oxford at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital to discuss collaboration on advanced cancer treatment and medical research. Attendees included Egypt's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour, Cairo University President Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek and Oxford's Pro-Vice Chancellor for Innovation Chas Bountra. The discussions centered on a new and advanced cancer treatment method developed by Oxford along with ways to transfer this technology to Egypt, particularly through partnerships with Cairo University and Hospital 500/500. Representatives from Caring Cross and GermFree, US-based organizations specializing in gene and cell therapies and cleanroom infrastructure, outlined plans for cooperation with Egypt to make cutting-edge cancer treatments more affordable and accessible. Brazil and India are already engaged in similar collaborations, they pointed out. The proposed project includes establishing Egypt's first applied research center for advanced medical products, training medical staff, and creating a national platform for gene and cell therapy development—positioning Egypt as a regional leader in this field. Madbouli expressed full support for the project and directed the preparation of an implementation plan. He also proposed adopting it as a national initiative, similar to Egypt's successful Hepatitis C treatment campaign, to expand access and reduce costs for cancer patients nationwide. (MENA) M H K/R E E
