Spot Lights

Egypt's police: Back on the beat but little changed - (225 days ago)

Egypt's police forces have made a full-scale return to the streets for the first time since the uprising just as President Mohamed Morsi's first 100 days come to an end. But the reappearance of security personnel has not been accompanied by any substantial reforms in the Interior Ministry, critics say, raising the prospect of a repeat performance of their past, oft-brutal behaviour. For over a

Egypt’s legendary coach Mahmoud El-Gohary - (260 days ago)

*Born: February 20, 1938 in Cairo *Had an unglamorous and short playing stint with Cairo giants Ahly that lasted from 1955 to 1961. He was the top scorer of Egypt’s triumphant Nations Cup campaign in 1959 with three goals but prematurely ended his playing career two years later due to a persistent knee injury. Management highlights *Began his coaching career with Saudi Arabia’s

Islamists clinch lion's share of Egyptian president's advisory team ‎ - (266 days ago)

Ahram Online The names of the presidential assistants and advisers who will aid Egypt's first freely-elected head of state in the post-Mubarak era were finally revealed on Monday. With four assistants and 17 consultants – and more to come – Yasser Ali, spokesman for President Mohamed Morsi, said that the presidential team represented "different colours of the political spectrum,"

Egypt armed forces chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi ‎ - (273 days ago)

BBCGeneral Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has been appointed both the new general commander of Egypt's armed forces and the country's defence minister.His promotion on 12 August came after President Mohammed Mursi surprised many observers by ordering the retirement of Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf) and defence minister, as well as the

About Egyptian Sinai attack - (287 days ago)

Sinai tribes 'warned Egypt government about jihadi threat'Sinai tribes say they repeatedly warned the Egyptian government about a jihadi threat in the peninsula, before Sunday's attack which left 16 Egyptian police officers dead."Military intervention came late after we warned the Egyptian authorities about extremism and terrorism in Sinai, especially after the revolution," Sheikh Khalaf

Meet Hisham Qandil's new cabinet - (292 days ago)

This list below is in alphabetical order according to the ministry. 1. Minister of Agriculture and Land Cultivation: Salah Abdel-Mo'men, head of the Agricultural Research Centre2. Minister of Antiquities: Mohamed Ibrahim – retaining seat from Ganzouri's cabinet;  worked for Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities at the Saqqara and Giza Necropolis archaeological sites; former

London 2012: Abouelkassem's fencing revolution: Profile ‎ - (292 days ago)

Ahram Online The stunning progress Egyptian Alaaeldin Abouelkassem made in a few months has eventually paid dividends after he clinched the fencing silver medal on Tuesday, a feat that looked far-fetched less than a year ago.A little-known Abouelkassem gave fans back home something to cheer about after they bemoaned the elimination of a handful of Egyptian Olympians, winning the silver medal in

PROFILE: Egyptian new PM Hisham Kandil - (301 days ago)

After weeks of speculation, Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi on Tuesday appointed Hisham Kandil as his new prime minister, in a move that surprised many observers.Kandil was minister of irrigation and water resources in the interim government of Kamal El-Ganzouri.President Morsi met Kandil at the presidential palace on Sunday but his chances of being offered the premiership were dismissed by many

The promise of the 23 July Revolution lives on: 60 years later - (303 days ago)

Gamal Abel-Nasser's granddaughter looks back on the 1952 revolution, which promised independence, social justice and economic revitalisation, promises which Egypt's second revolution in 60 years, sought to fulfill This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the 23 July 1952 revolution led by the Free Officers Movement, which secured Egypt’s independence from British colonial rule, ended the

New forces: Politicians regroup and prepare for future battles - (310 days ago)

Immediately after Mohamed Morsy's victory in the presidential race, several political figures and forces declared their intention to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections, in a move seen by many as a sign of fierce competition among emerging and ambitious politicians. Challengers from both Islamist and secularist backgrounds have thrown their hats into the ring. Former presidential

Egyptian Journalist Salama Ahmed Salama - (313 days ago)

Egyptian journalist and author Salama Ahmed Salama served as the vice chief editor for Al-Ahram newspapers for 22 years. And is now the editor-in-chief of Al-Shourouk newspaper and the political magazine Points of View.Salama has also written a number of non-fiction books and served on the board of the Egyptian Journalists' Syndicate.He has been called "perhaps the only Egyptian journalist who

In battle over Sharia, Salafis lay groundwork for the future - (313 days ago)

After days of heated deliberations in political and religious circles, the architects of Egypt’s next constitution reached an agreement on Tuesday on the phrasing of the document’s most contentious article — the one that defines the role of Islamic law in the political order.The Constituent Assembly’s subsidiary committee, tasked with drafting the first chapter of the

Do Egypt's recent political developments imply SCAF-Brotherhood deal? - (320 days ago)

Speculation is rife that the Muslim Brotherhood are again reaching a deal with the ruling military council after weeks of what seemed to be escalating tensions between the two. The long awaited government Morsi is expected to appoint soon may reveal what the two parties will finally agree upon. While sources at the office of President Mohamed Morsi have revealed that Egypt's newly-inaugurated

Reactions about Egypt's new president-elect Mohamed Morsy - (330 days ago)

Meet Egypt's new president: Mohamed Morsy - (331 days ago)

With official confirmation of his victory in the presidential election, Mohamed Morsy will become Egypt’s first civilian president.The Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate entered the race as a back-up to the more charismatic and influential Khairat al-Shater.Morsy’s nomination was held as evidence of the group’s indecisiveness and provoked numerous jokes. Satire popped up on

Vote result delay frays Egyptian nerves - (334 days ago)

Allegations of fraud delayed the result of Egypts presidential election on Thursday, fraying nerves as the Muslim Brotherhood, which claims victory, threatened to take to the streets in protest at moves by the ruling generals to deny them power.   For a second night, thousands of protesters gathered in Cairos Tahrir Square, cauldron of the revolution that overthrew Hosni Mubarak 16 months

New Egypt constitution body faces fresh challenge - (342 days ago)

Egypts parliament has for the second time approved an assembly to draft a new constitution after the first attempt was criticized for including too many Islamists.   But the list of 100 names immediately triggered similar objections from liberals and Christians, raising the prospect of fresh legal challenges to the new assembly in the courts - the latest hurdle in Egypts bumpy transition

Timeline : Egypt since revolt against Hosni Mubarak - (357 days ago)

Here is a timeline of events in Egypt since protests against former President Hosni Mubarak began.   January 25, 2011 - Anti-government protests begin across Egypt following the January 14 overthrow of Tunisias president in the first of a series of Arab uprisings. January 28 - Mubarak orders troops and tanks into cities to quell demonstrations. Thousands cheer at news of intervention of

A nation-by-nation look at Arab Springs progress: An AP assessment - (363 days ago)

On Wednesday, Egypt began its first free presidential election since it came under dictatorship 60 years ago. The winner will succeed Hosni Mubarak, one of four rulers toppled in the uprisings that began 18 months ago across the Middle East and became known as the Arab Spring. But replacing dictatorships with democracy is proving much harder. Here's where things stand: TUNISIA The first Arab

Ex-PM, Islamist give Egyptians stark election choice - (368 days ago)

ReutersOne is a former military man proud of his links to the Hosni Mubarak era and the other a Muslim Brotherhood leader offering a dramatic break with the past. Both are polarizing Egyptians in their bid to become president.Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's last prime minister, and Mohamed Mursi, the Brotherhood's presidential hopeful, have joined the front runners in the race, their chances buoyed by

Brotherhood faces new challenges in Egypt power quest - (370 days ago)

On the eve of the uprising that swept Hosni Mubarak from power, the Muslim Brotherhood braced itself for a wave of mass detentions, convinced the president was planning to hand power to his son and would order a crackdown on opposition.   In is a testament to how much has changed since then, the head of its political party, Mohamed Mursi, has emerged as one of the strongest challengers for

Meet your presidential candidate: Mohamed Morsy, the substitute - (385 days ago)

Earlier this month, thousands of people rallied in the Mansoura stadium at a campaign event for the Muslim Brotherhood’s last-minute presidential nominee. After a brief and flattering introduction by one of his campaigners, Mohamed Morsy stood up, waving his hands to the cheering audience. In the background, the campaign’s song was echoing across the stadium. “We are all one

Meet your presidential candidate: Hesham al-Bastawisi, the legal fighter - (386 days ago)

For decades, Hesham al-Bastawisi led the battle for the independence of the judiciary under toppled President Hosni Mubarak. For years, he labored under pressure from the former regime, bearing the brunt of government threats and coercion tactics.But despite a blemish-free record and a struggle that has made him a widely respected judicial figure in Egypt, he has garnered little support as a

Meet your presidential candidate: Khaled Ali, the revolutionary - (393 days ago)

At just 40 years old, Khaled Ali Omar is Egypt’s youngest presidential candidate. For well over a decade, the popularity of this labor and human rights lawyer has centered around socialist, activist and labor circles.The fiery leftist legal activist was not quite a household name prior to his presidential nomination, but may be quickly becoming one.Ali was a relative latecomer to the

Meet your presidential candidate: Omar Suleiman - (404 days ago)

When Omar Suleiman, former spy chief and vice president under ousted President Hosni Mubarak, appeared for 30 seconds on 11 February 2011 to announce Mubarak’s resignation, many thought that it was the end of his career and an era. But just over a year later, his presidential campaign is making headlines and prompting outrage from the revolutionaries and Mubarak regime opponents who see it

The greatest threat facing Egypt - CNN - (404 days ago)

CNNEgypt is in the news these days because of the nomination of two new candidates for president - one from the Muslim Brotherhood, Khairat al-Shater, and the other from the more radical Salafi movement, Hazem Salah Abu Ismail.Many Egypt watchers are understandably concerned. There have been attacks on Christians, Western aid workers and women. So where is Egypt headed? Is democracy in Egypt

Islamic Finance Poised for a Comeback - (407 days ago)

Business Today As the new Parliament sets its gears in motion ahead of the May presidential elections, the field of Islamic finance is poised to become one of the greatest winners of the January 25 Revolution and the political changes that it unleashed. "Now, with a change of political system in Egypt, the first thing that is happening on the financial side is that Islamic finance ideas are

Meet the Brotherhood’s enforcer: Khairat El-Shater - (417 days ago)

The name and face of the Muslim Brotherhood leader, businessman Khairat El-Shater, has dominated the political sphere for weeks now, and for good reason. The multimillionaire has unrivaled leverage within the organisation and its political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party, and enjoys enormous influence over the Brotherhood’s Guidance Bureau and Shura Council, the two highest bodies

Egyptians of all stripes aim for presidency - (419 days ago)

Adel Abdeen says he is the secret son of Farouk, the last king of Egypt, who was overthrown in a 1952 coup and succeeded by military leaders who, he says, dont have a clue.   Secure in the belief that he can do a better job, Adel aims to throw the illustrious name into the running in Egypts first democratic presidential election in 7,000 years of Pharaohs, monarchs and army strongmen. He