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Palestinian chef Michael Rafidi has been honored with the James Beard Awards in Chicago, winning the title of Outstanding Chef 2024.
The culinary world is full of awards and accolades that honor talented chefs, and among them is the James Beard Awards. Often referred to as the “Oscars of the food world”, it is one of the highest honors in the industry. This year, Palestinian chef Michael Rafidi, the owner of Albi — a Michelin-starred restaurant in the capital of the United States, Washington, D.C. was titled winner under the category of Outstanding Chef.
Previously, Rafidi’s restaurant garnered a Michelin Star in 2022, an award that is only granted to restaurants that are able to present an exceptional dining experience using top-notch ingredients consistently. Rafidi’s food encapsulates the rich flavors of his Palestinian heritage, with each dish presenting remnants of his culture.
Chef Micheal Rafidi’s caption on his Instagram post, or speech as he called it included a poignant homage to his grandfather who was a chef in Washington for decades, and a big source of inspiration to delve into his restaurateur journey. “I accepted this award on the shoulders of my Palestinian ancestors, my grandparents and my mother. Through it all, they held onto their love of food, a taste of our lineage that told stories of love, resilience and hope,” stated Rafidi. He added, “As I grew in my career, I realized my Palestinian identity would become my purpose for the restaurants we would build, the menus we would create, and the food we would serve. Ending the caption with, “In case I wasn’t clear on stage. This award is dedicated to the people of Palestine.”
Regarding the win, Ayman, the Palestinian-Egyptian news anchor at MSNBC posted, “Now after last night’s James Beard Awards, Palestinian cuisine is not only recognized as part of the tapestry of America, it is celebrated among the very best cuisines in the world thanks to generations of Palestinians who are constantly pushing their food to new heights.”
Palestinian activist Issa Amro on Thursday accepted the Right Livelihood prize — considered by some an alternative Nobel — for his “nonviolent resistance to Israel’s illegal occupation” in the West Bank, the jury said.
Amro was born in the city of Hebron, a flashpoint West Bank city where roughly 1,000 Jewish settlers live under heavy Israeli military protection amid some 200,000 Palestinians.
He has dedicated his life to fighting against Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. The 44-year-old founded the Youth Against Settlements group, which campaigns against the proliferation of Jewish settlements in the territory — communities widely regarded as illegal under international law.
The rights campaigner has been repeatedly detained and tortured by both the Palestinian Authority and by Israel, the foundation said. “It’s a miracle that I still exist,” said Amro.
When Palestine Polytechnic University, where he was studying, closed in 2003 during the Second Intifada, Amro successfully led a six-month civil disobedience campaign. “I managed to reopen the university with other students,” Amro said in a statement. “I graduated as an engineer and as an activist — it became part of my character,” he added.
The Sweden-based Right Livelihood Foundation also honored Joan Carling, a Filipino champion of indigenous rights and Anabela Lemos, a climate activist from Mozambique.
It also gave the nod to research agency Forensic Architecture for its work in uncovering human rights violations around the world.
The foundation said the four prize winners had “each made a profound impact on their communities and the global stage.”
“Their unwavering commitment to speaking out against forces of oppression and exploitation, while strictly adhering to non-violent methods, resonates far beyond their communities,” Right Livelihood said in a statement.
Carling from the Philippines was recognized for having defended the rights of indigenous communities for three decades, particularly in their fight against mining projects.
The foundation celebrated Lemos, who heads the NGO Justica Ambiental (JA!), for her role in opposing liquefied natural gas extraction projects in northern Mozambique.
Forensic Architecture, a London-based research laboratory known for 3D modelling conflict zones, won the distinction for “pioneering digital forensic methods” to ensure accountability of human rights violations around the world.
By teaming up with Ukraine’s Center for Spatial Technologies to reconstruct Mariupol’s Drama Theatre before it was destroyed in 2022, the firm highlighted Russia’s “strategies of terror” and “attempts to obscure evidence of their own crimes,” the foundation said.
Swedish-German philatelist Jakob von Uexkull sold part of his stamp collection to found the Right Livelihood award in 1980, after the foundation behind the Nobel Prizes refused to create new distinctions honoring efforts in the fields of environment and international development.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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The rights campaigner has been repeatedly detained and tortured by both the Palestinian Authority and by Israel, the foundation said. (AFP)
The CREDIF (Center for Research, Studies, Documentation and Information on Women) issued Thursday 1st digital medium “Tunisian Women in figures 2024”, a scientific document, based on collecting statistical data from various public institutions and national professional bodies.
In the health field, this booklet indicates that women represent 51% of the total number of physicians in Tunisia. As of February 15, 2025, there were 13,197 women doctors, 6,895 of which are registered in the “General Medicine” branch.
“Tunisian women in Figures 2024”, includes various and diversified data, varying from those demographics, including questions relating to the experience of women and their difficulties, in terms of violence, health and unemployment and their accomplishments in terms of ‘Medical assistance, teaching and positions occupied in education and education.
It constitutes one of the updated references, to be consulted by both researchers and civil society members and administrators and experts, which can equip them, and help them study certain phenomena and possibly in decision-making.
German publishing house Mueller and Schindler is participating in the Riyadh International Book Fair for the third consecutive year with a showcase of rare manuscripts and books.
The annual gathering’s literary treasures are a major attraction for book lovers and academics.
Mueller and Schindler specialize in creating high-quality replicas of historic texts that are typically inaccessible to the public.
Among their remarkable offerings are the famed notes of Leonardo da Vinci, and a selection of Arabic works, including the renowned Blue Qur’an.
Their exhibit at the fair highlights not only the beauty of these manuscripts but also their historical significance.
The owner and CEO of Mueller and Schindler, Charlotte Kramer, elaborating on their mission, told Arab News: “We provide facsimiles, which derive from the Latin term ‘fac simile,’ meaning ‘make it similar.’”
A facsimile is a faithful reproduction of a manuscript or printed book, capturing all the visible characteristics of the original — vibrant colors, gold and silver embellishments, as well as age marks and irregularities.
Their facsimile editions are published in limited quantities, combining technical precision with the spirit of the original work.
Highlighting the uniqueness of their offerings, Kramer noted: “One of our notable replicas is Katta Langar Qur’an, which dates back over 1,200 years, making it one of the oldest Qur’anic fragments. This fragment, written in Hijazi calligraphy, is significant for the development of the Qur’anic text.”
In addition to the Katta Langar Qur’an manuscript, Mueller and Schindler showcased a Moroccan Qur’an, comprised of 50 volumes, meticulously crafted in Kufic script.
They also presented manuscripts containing prayers of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as scientific Arabic texts, including Al-Sufi’s “Book of the Fixed Stars.”
The enthusiasm of the Saudi audience has made a lasting impression on the team.
“We are thrilled to be here for the third time. The people are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely interested in our work. They engage with us, asking insightful questions and listening intently to our explanations,” Kramer said.
The fair concludes on Saturday.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Among their remarkable offerings are the famed notes of Leonardo da Vinci, and a selection of Arabic works, including the renowned Blue Qur’an. (AN photo)
General Motors Egypt has celebrated a significant milestone with the production of its one-millionth vehicle at its local factory. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir. This achievement underscores General Motors’ commitment to local manufacturing and its role in Egypt’s industrial development.
This milestone marked General Motors as the first private car manufacturer in Egypt to produce one million locally made vehicles, in partnership with General Motors Global. The company established its first regional manufacturing facility in Alexandria nearly 90 years ago and exports to countries in the Euro-Mediterranean region, the Middle East, and Africa.
Al-Wazir stated that General Motors collaborates with numerous local, regional, and global partners, producing over 90% of its sales locally. The company is also committed to increasing the local component percentage in its products.
He noted that General Motors Egypt supports the registration of its new car model in the National Program for Developing the Automotive Industry. This program incentivizes manufacturers based on local component ratios, investment levels, production and export volumes, emissions reduction, and adherence to global environmental standards.
In line with this, the Ministry of Industry has developed the National Industry Strategy (2024–2030), leveraging Egypt’s regional advantages and advanced infrastructure to enhance the industry across seven key pillars.
He noted that the strategy includes an urgent plan to boost the Egyptian industry, focusing on several main pillars. The first involved deepening the industry by establishing new factories to meet part of the local market’s needs and reduce reliance on imported production inputs, aiming to attract investors with high-quality products at competitive prices.
The second pillar focused on expanding the industrial base to increase exports, particularly for green industries that utilize locally available raw materials or technologies, such as iron and aluminium. This leverages Egypt’s natural resources (agricultural, industrial, and mineral) to produce high-quality goods for export markets at competitive prices.
The third entailed immediate efforts to reactivate and assist closed or stalled factories, as well as supporting projects under construction to enhance industrial activity and production capacity. The fourth emphasized improving the quality of Egyptian products to compete in the local and global markets, with support from entities under the Ministry of Industry.
The fourth pillar aims to enhance the quality of Egyptian products for both local and global markets through the Ministry of Industry, meanwhile, the fifth pillar focused on increasing employment in the industrial sector to 7 million by 2030, doubling the current workforce, while recognizing General Motors Egypt’s role in attracting investments and creating jobs.
Additionally, the sixth pillar emphasized training the workforce via partnerships with research centres and universities to improve skills, particularly through the development of 41 technological schools. These schools, financed by private companies, aim to produce skilled graduates ready for the industry, with potential collaboration between the Ministry and General Motors to improve vocational training.
Finally, the seventh pillar addressed modern industrial trends and digital transformation, including providing technical support for factories and raising awareness of green industries. It also involved launching a digital platform to streamline industrial services and licensing processes for investors.
Appointment made during UAC’s 135th session, being held in Doha.
The Union of Arab Chambers appointed Hassan bin Moejeb Al-Huwaizi, President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, as its first Vice President, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The appointment was made during the UAC’s 135th session, which is being held in Doha.
In addition to his new role, Al-Huwaizi holds several prominent positions, including VP of the Federation of GCC Chambers, and president of the Abha Chamber, SPA added.
He thanked the Union of Arab Chambers for its confidence in his abilities, and Al-Huwaizi emphasized the need to strengthen intra-Arab trade.
Currently, intra-Arab trade constitutes just 13.8 percent of the total foreign trade of Arab countries, a figure he described as modest compared to other regional economic blocs.
Al-Huwaizi urged for intensified efforts to eliminate regulatory, customs, and procedural barriers that hinder trade among Arab nations.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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The Union of Arab Chambers appointed Hassan bin Moejeb Al-Huwaizi, President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, as its first Vice President. (SPA)
Emirati student Ali Humaid Al Loughani received the Leadership Sash and Medal at the 6th International Exhibition of Inventions and Trade held in the British capital, London, in which he participated under the patronage and support of the Dubai Digital Authority, outperforming 285 inventors from different countries of the world, despite being the youngest participant in the international event.
Emirati inventor Ali Al Loughani presented two of his inventions: the “Ship Accident Prevention Project,” which relies on artificial intelligence technologies and aims to protect ships and enhance safety in the maritime navigation sector to high levels, in addition to the “Hydropower” project for generating hybrid energy, which combines solar energy and hydrogen fuel cells, and employs Internet of Things technologies.
for the two projects he participated in, and was honored by the Inventors Association of Romania, Norton University of Cambodia, and the National University of Science and Technology in Bucharest.
Al Loughani’s project, a ship accident system based on artificial intelligence technologies, is an advanced innovation that aims to enhance safety levels in the maritime sector through advanced technologies that monitor and analyze potential risks during navigation.
The technology of this project relies on collecting detailed data on sea conditions, ship speed, and weather conditions in real time, and analyzing them using artificial intelligence techniques.
Based on these analyses, the system can make proactive decisions to avoid collisions and marine accidents that could threaten the safety of passengers and cause significant damage to ships and marine infrastructure.
This innovative project can be part of global efforts to enhance sustainability in maritime transport, as it contributes to reducing the environmental impacts of marine accidents, such as oil spills and the resulting pollution. In addition, the system contributes to protecting marine life and ensuring the smooth and safe continuation of global trade.
combining solar energy and hydrogen fuel cells to provide a sustainable and efficient energy source.
The project depends on converting solar energy into electrical energy using solar panels, and then using this energy to produce hydrogen through the electrolysis process.
The hydrogen is stored and later used to generate electricity through hydrogen fuel cells, which contributes to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions.
The project consists of solar panels that convert sunlight into electrical energy, hydrogen fuel cells that generate electricity by reacting hydrogen with oxygen, a charge controller to regulate the electrical voltage, batteries to store electrical energy, and an electrolysis generator to produce hydrogen from water.
The project aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, enhance energy sustainability, improve energy storage efficiency, and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals, especially in the field of clean energy and climate action. It is considered a model for renewable energy that can be widely applied in the future.
Student Ali Al-Loughani has a long record of creativity and invention, as he has previously won a number of awards and honors for his efforts and achievements.
Last year, 2023, he won the 34th edition of the Technology, Innovation and Invention Exhibition in Malaysia for his invention of a robot that helps senior citizens in their daily lives using Internet of Things technologies.
He won second place in the Young Inventors category out of 700 competing inventors from 19 countries around the world.
The award comes after a pro-Israel nonprofit organisation criticised the nomination of the short film documenting the initial days of Israel’s war on Gaza.
Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda and Al Jazeera’s AJ+ have won an Emmy in the Outstanding Hard News Feature Story category for their documentary, It’s Bisan From Gaza – and I’m Still Alive.
Owda has been at the forefront of reporting from Gaza since Israel launched its assault on the territory last October, bringing the stories of Palestinians to a global audience amidst 11 months of war and devastation.
“This award is a testament to young Palestinian journalists and their professionalism. Bisan’s reporting has humanised the Palestinian story after decades of mainstream media’s systematic dehumanisation of Palestinians. Winning this Emmy is a win for humanity. We feel extremely proud of this bright moment amidst ongoing genocide, and Bisan will continue reporting,” Dima Khatib, Managing Director of AJ+ Channels, said on Thursday.
The award came a month after Creative Community for Peace, a pro-Israel nonprofit organisation, issued a letter criticising the nomination of the 25-year-old’s short film documenting the initial days of Israeli bombardment and its devastating impact on everyday people in the Gaza Strip.
The letter alleged Owda was affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which she has denied. The PFLP is a left-wing Palestinian political movement, and is designated a “terrorist organisation” by several Western countries, including the United States.
In August, Adam Sharp, the president and chief executive of the National Academy of Television and Arts and Sciences (NATAS), defended the nomination, saying that two panels, including experienced journalists, had made the decision and that the academy had not found any evidence that Owda was affiliated with the PFLP.
He said that past nominees had “been controversial, giving a platform to voices that certain viewers may find objectionable or even abhorrent”, but they were honoured “in the service of the journalistic mission to capture every facet of the story”.
At the time, Al Jazeera issued a statement, saying it stood with Owda “in the face of efforts to silence her reporting from Gaza”.
The media group described Owda as a “renowned journalist and influencer” who “has significantly contributed to bringing news from Gaza to the world with her unique style”.
Al Jazeera said the allegations were “baseless” and “an attempt to silence Bisan and present a real threat to her safety on the ground”.
“The call for the Emmy nomination to be rescinded is nothing more than an attempt to deny an important perspective to the global audience on the war and its devastating impact on innocent civilians,” the statement read.
In the past 11 months, more than 130 journalists, including three from Al Jazeera, have been killed by Israeli forces, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Other media rights groups have different numbers based on their own criteria, however, the Government Media Office in Gaza count of the number of dead journalists and media workers is 173.
“We urge the international journalistic community to support Bisan and other media professionals, ensuring they can carry out their essential work without fear of being targeted, intimidated or killed,” Al Jazeera’s statement said.
In May, Owda and AJ+ also won a Peabody Award for coverage of the devastating impact Israel’s war on Gaza has had on Palestinians in the besieged enclave.
Additionally, Al Jazeera English’s Fault Lines received the News Emmy for Outstanding Climate, Environment, and Weather Coverage for its film “Shark Fin Hunters,” which exposes wildlife trafficking that poses enormous risks for the future of the oceans.
“We are delighted and honoured to win this prestigious award,” said Issa Ali, Acting Managing Director of Al Jazeera English. “The great journalism that we do, and that done by our colleagues in other media organisations, is more important than ever in today’s world. This award is a wonderful recognition of the talent, dedication, and hard work of our teams.”
source/content: aljazeera.com (headline edited)
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source: youtube.com / ‘It’s Bisan from Gaza and I’m Still Alive’
For the eighth time in history and for the third consecutive time, Egypt secured the title at the CAHB African Men’s Youth Handball Championship, displaying a flawless performance in Mahdia, Tunisia, taking six wins in six matches to secure yet another gold medal, the eighth in 10 editions of the competition.
The eight participating teams at the 2024 CAHB African Men’s Youth Handball Championship were divided into two groups of four teams each, with all teams progressing to the quarter-finals, but Egypt and hosts Tunisia taking three wins in three matches in the preliminary round.
Egypt clearly outplayed their opponents in their group, taking wins against Guinea (46:22), Burundi (66:15) and Algeria (42:22) to secure the first place, being followed by Guinea, Algeria and Burundi in the final standings.
In the other group, hosts Tunisia took wins against Libya (30:17), Kenya (44:16) and Morocco (26:17), to set up a path towards a final against Egypt, with Morocco, Libya and Kenya finishing second, third and fourth respectively.
The reigning champions, the big favourites to take another gold medal, had no issues against Kenya in the quarter-finals, 55:14, while Tunisia also easily disposed of Burundi, 48:27, to progress to the semi-finals.
The closest match in the quarter-finals was the one between Morocco and Algeria, with Morocco taking a 25:20 win, while Guinea dominated Libya, 34:22, as the top two sides in each group went into the semi-finals.
The semi-finals saw the two big favourites take control again, with Egypt sealing their fifth double-digits win in a row, this time against Morocco, 40:15, while Tunisia slowly followed suit, setting up the final against Egypt, with a 31:22 over Guinea.
However, in the last act of the competition, Egypt did not have an easy mission. After the first half, the hosts had a 16:15 lead, which morphed into a two-goal lead after 35 minutes, 19:17. But in the next 25 minutes, Egypt doubled the number of goals scored, adding another 17, to cruise to yet another win.
With their sixth win in the competition, 34:29, Egypt, the future hosts of thr 2025 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, secured the eighth title in 10 editions of the CAHB African Men’s Youth Handball Championship, delivering a pitch perfect performance, to consolidate their status as a powerhouse of the continent, as Tunisia secured the fifth silver medal in the continental competition at this age category.
The bronze medal was sealed by Guinea, with a 20:11 win over Morocco, their maiden medal in the history of the competition, after their best performance was the fifth place in 2018.
2024 CAHB African Men’s Youth Handball Championship – final standings
Lack of historical resources means that there is some debate over which club is officially the oldest in the nation.
Football is such an integral part of culture in the Kingdom that the history of the game in the country dates back to the era before the formation of the modern Saudi state.
However, a lack of historical resources means that there is some debate over which club is officially the oldest in the nation.
Al-Wehda in Makkah is one that claims to be the first. Though the club acknowledges it was officially registered in its current form in 1946, its official website quotes historian Mohammed Ghazali as saying it was originally founded under the name Al-Hizb in 1916.
Jeddah side Al-Ittihad believes it is the Kingdom’s oldest club, however, with an official founding date of Dec. 26, 1927, almost five years before the unification in September 1932 that created the modern Saudi state.
Given such uncertainty about the exact origins of the game in the country, in 2023 the Saudi Arabian Football Federation launched the Saudi Football History Documentation Project.
Saudi historians and international experts nominated by FIFA are working to research and record a definitive, agreed-upon history of football in the Kingdom.
The committee announced on Sept. 16 the completion of the first phase of the project, finding that the national team played a total of 92 matches and the clubs played more than 7,000 matches between 1902 and 1982.
But much of Saudi Arabia’s footballing history is clear.
Al-Ahli club, for example, is another one of the Kingdom’s oldest clubs, having been founded in 1937. Other early organizations include Al-Ettifaq (1945), Al-Shabab (1947), Al-Riyadh (1953), Al-Nassr (1955), and Al-Hilal (1957).
The SAFF was established in 1956 as the governing body for the sport in the country. That same year, the Kingdom gained international football recognition when it joined FIFA, allowing local teams to participate in global competitions.
In 1957, the Kingdom’s national team played its first competitive international match, a game against Lebanon in Beirut that ended in a 1-1 draw.
While there have been domestic national leagues in Saudi Arabia since the 1970s, the Saudi Pro League was not established in its current form until 2008.
In 1984, the Saudi national team won the AFC Asian Cup for the first time, with Majed Abdullah and Shaye Al-Nafisah claiming the goals in a 2-0 win over China in the final. The Kingdom retained the trophy four years later.
Saudi Arabia made their debut at the FIFA World Cup in 1994, which was held in the US, and reached the round of 16. Their success continued when they were once again crowned Asian Cup champions in 1996.
In more recent years, the Kingdom has continued to make strides in football, including the introduction of the first domestic women’s league in 2020, followed by the SAFF Women’s Cup in 2023.
Fuad Anwar is a former member of the Saudi national team who began his career in 1991 with Al-Shabab. He is perhaps best remembered for his performances during the 1994 World Cup, in which he scored two goals that helped the Saudis qualify for the knock-out stage. He also participated at the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup with Al-Nassr.
He told Arab News that three football clubs in particular shaped the football scene in the Kingdom.
“There was a cultural shift in sports because of Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Wehda,” Anwar said. “The world became more accepting of Saudi Arabia and the region to be a part of the football scene … football culture became relevant in every part of the country, from Riyadh and beyond.”
Anwar highlighted in particular the efforts of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal, and Prince Faisal bin Fahad to create a successful foundation for sports culture in the Kingdom.
Prince Khaled Al-Faisal played an instrumental role in the development of football in the region, having come up with the idea of launching a tournament for the Arabian Gulf in the late 1960s. Prince Abdullah, meanwhile, served as co-founder and chairperson of Al-Ahli, and Prince Faisal held a number of positions with domestic and regional sporting organizations.
Ahmed Eid Al-Harbi, a former Al-Ahli player who now chairs the SAFF’s board of directors, highlighted Prince Abdullah’s significant role in the development of Saudi football and sport in general.
He told Arab News the prince devoted much of his time to the development of youth to benefit the future of sport not only in the Kingdom but in the wider Gulf and Arab world, and on the continental and international stages.
“He didn’t merely adopt the club (Al-Ahli) for the sake of exercising a sport or achieving trophies, he spoke of the club as a university established to nurture and spotlight sports talents, giving them the attention and care they deserve,” said Anwar.
Nader Al-Sahleh, 61, a Saudi from the Eastern Province, told Arab News that he has witnessed the evolution of football in the Kingdom through the years, all the way back to the 1970s when, as a child, he played the game with neighbors and schoolmates in parks and fields.
“Those were beautiful, irreplaceable days filled with challenges, such as participating in neighborhood football leagues and Ramadan tournaments,” he said.
“These experiences impacted my life, introduced me to friends I still cherish today and created wonderful memories that I wish could return.”
Football in the Kingdom has evolve tremendously over the years, Al-Sahleh said, and “as a result, Saudi teams now compete to win, as seen in our victories in the Asian Cup and our dominance in Asian football.”
He added: “Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated his ambition to make the Saudi League one of the top 10 leagues in the world, which is a testament to the development of Saudi football.
“Currently, Saudi Arabia is constructing massive stadiums to host the Asian Cup and even the FIFA World Cup. This is just a brief overview of the progress of Saudi football, and we are grateful to our government, led by the (king) and the crown prince, for their continued support. May our sports continue to advance and prosper.”