
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has appointed veteran diplomat Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy as his first presidential political adviser. This decision, effective April 6, establishes a new position for a one-year term. Ramzy, 72, brings over four decades of diplomatic experience from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the United Nations, and the Arab League. His expertise includes conflict resolution, mediation, international security, disarmament, and non-proliferation. He previously served as Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Special Envoy for Syria from September 2014 to March 2019. Ramzy also held ambassadorial posts in Germany, Austria, Brazil, Slovenia, Guyana, and Suriname, and was Egypt's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, where he chaired the International Atomic Energy Agency between 2003 and 2007. His career also includes roles as deputy chief of mission in Washington, political counsellor in Moscow, and second secretary in New York. He headed the Arab League's permanent mission to the United Nations in Vienna from 2013 to 2014. Ramzy holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the American University in Cairo and a PhD in international economics from the University of Surrey.
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Must ReadEgypt's former minister Rania Al-Mashat has been appointed Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia ESCWA. UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment, highlighting Al-Mashat's extensive experience in economic policy, development finance, and international cooperation. Al-Mashat brings over 25 years of experience in macroeconomic policy, central banking, and multilateral development. Her work has focused on bridging policy, finance, and international partnerships, with an emphasis on sustainable development, climate finance, and inclusive economic growth. Between 2018 and 2026, Al-Mashat served for eight years as a minister in Egypt's government, holding three key portfolios, including Egypt's first female minister of tourism, and roles in international cooperation and later planning, economic development, and international cooperation. Prior to her ministerial career, she was sub-governor for monetary policy at the Central Bank of Egypt and an adviser to the chief economist at the International Monetary Fund. ESCWA, headquartered in Beirut, is one of the UN's five regional commissions, fostering cooperation among 21 member states in the Middle East and North Africa. The commission focuses on economic integration, inclusive development, and policy coordination in areas like climate change, fiscal policy, employment, and technological transformation. Al-Mashat holds a PhD an
Actress Mayan El Sayed received the Best Actress award for her role in the film "Colonia" at the 2026 Malmö Arab Film Festival. This achievement marks a significant milestone in her career, highlighting an evolution in her performance and choices. The festival's closing ceremony took place at the historic "Royal" hall, drawing a notable Arab and international cinematic presence. The 2026 edition was recognized for its technical success and high audience turnout, reinforcing its position as a prominent platform for Arab cinema in Europe. This award further solidifies El Sayed's rising career, establishing her as a leading star of her generation within a few years.
The Strokes have incorporated visual protests into their live performances, highlighting the destruction of universities in Gaza and damage to academic institutions in Iran. Their concerts now serve as a commentary on the impact of conflict on education. The visuals specifically reference the damage to Gaza's higher education system, where over 95% of campuses have been damaged or destroyed since October 2023, a situation described as "scholasticide." The band's presentation also draws attention to strikes on academic sites in Iran, including Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran.

Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, met with Ambassador Martin Briens, Secretary-General of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday for the first round of the Egypt-France Strategic Dialogue. Abdelatty lauded the strategic partnership between the two countries and expressed a desire for increased cooperation across various sectors. The discussion also covered regional developments in the Middle East, during which Abdelatty informed the French official about Egypt's efforts to support negotiations between the United States and Iran, stressing the need for regional and international collaboration to de-escalate tensions and end the conflict.