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Ankara aims to help the new Syrian administration rebuild its infrastructure after its 13-year civil war.
Turkey will restore parts of the historic Hejaz Railway in Syria, reconnecting Turkish rail lines to Damascus, Turkish Transportation Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said on Tuesday during a meeting with journalists.
The comments by the Turkish official come as Ankara works on helping rebuild its southern neighbour after 13 years of civil war.
“We will quickly assess the situation and take steps to restore the railway connection to Damascus as a first stage,” Uraloglu said during a meeting with the Anatolian Broadcasters Association in Ankara, according to a transcript.
“There are sections of the railway stretching from Turkey to the Hejaz region. We know that these lines have not been operational for a long time as part of a larger network,” Uraloglu added.
“From 2009 to 2010, we sent passenger trains there and even took a journey ourselves.
“There’s existing infrastructure in place… However, in some areas, such as Iraq, we’ve seen railway tracks stolen and sold as raw iron. We may face similar issues in Syria.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a cabinet meeting on Monday that every minister with a specific portfolio will study the shortcomings and problems in Syrian infrastructure and offer help to the new Syrian administration.
A caretaker government has been established in Damascus to maintain state services following the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country earlier this month in the face of a rebel offensive.
‘Ambitious dream’
The legendary Hejaz Railway was the ambitious dream of Sultan Abdulhamid II of the Ottoman Empire, who, in 1990, envisioned a train line connecting Istanbul to Mecca.
Named after the Hejaz region in the western Arabian Peninsula, home to Islam’s two holiest cities – Mecca and Medina – the railway was constructed with remarkable speed, funded entirely by Muslim donations. While some donations were voluntary, others were coerced.
The line, which was already connected to Istanbul, extended from Damascus to Medina, with a branch line to Haifa in Palestine.
It was primarily intended to facilitate the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and to strengthen Ottoman control over its distant provinces. The railway also served as a military transport route for Ottoman forces.
However, the railway faced frequent sabotage, particularly during the British-backed Arab Revolt, led by the intelligence officer TE Lawrence, famously known as “Lawrence of Arabia”.
The project came to an abrupt halt with the outbreak of World War One.
The Hejaz Railway never reached its ultimate destination of Mecca, ending in Medina – approximately 400km short of the holy city.
Nimco Mahamud-Hassan is considering moving to Wales, another in a series of dramatic relocations that have shaped her life. The 1900s cast-iron stove and thousand-plus cookbooks in her kitchen complicate things.
First, there is the cast-iron stove, which is enormous, runs on gas and was made in early 20th century England. Beside it is a shelf of ceramic Turkish coffee pots, which climb to the ceiling, their vibrant colors reflecting sunlight. And then, of course, there are the cookbooks – Nimco has more than a thousand.
Nimco’s kitchen is as warm as her smile, her stove as British as her accent and her tools as multicultural as her cooking. From her corner of Tennyson Street in Somerville’s Winter Hill, Nimco can make an entire diaspora out of food, blending her native Somalian recipes with flavors and cooking methods from around the globe. It’s a unique skill set that Nimco brought to classes taught through the City of Somerville and Milk Street Cooking School, and to her catered events. In 2018, she was a Somerville Arts Council artist of the month. This year, she quit everything to start writing a cookbook.
“I often feel that cookbooks that are written of African food in general have a lot of irrelevant pictures,” Nimco said. “You know, a broken car, a hungry child.” Her own cookbook will be different, she said. It will be beautiful.
When Nimco was a child, she would make beautiful Somali pancakes. Her mother taught her how to cook, and by the time Nimco was 8 she would make breakfast over an open fire, as is the Somali tradition. It was around then that a family of missionaries started taking an interest in her, pressuring her family to let them take Nimco out of the country and give her a better education.
Nimco was a curious girl. She wrote consistently in her diary and loved to cook even then, though she couldn’t make much on her own. She laughed easily, and was obedient in school, as every Somali child learned to be.
The missionaries were her neighbors, and as part of their sponsorship of Nimco’s education, they wanted to unofficially adopt her.
Egypt and England
Nimco’s father opposed this; like more than 99 percent of Somalia, Nimco and her family were Muslims, and he was sure the missionaries meant to convert her. On the other hand, Nimco was one of seven daughters among 13 siblings, and Somalia was on the brink of war. Her mother thought that it was a good opportunity for Nimco to leave, and eventually she had her way.
Nimco moved to Egypt when she was just 12, where the missionaries sponsored her schooling. At first, it was difficult. Nimco was living with her brother, who was not much older than her, and neither knew how to speak Arabic. Every day, Nimco would go to school where, week by week, she would pick up the language. The missionaries’ promised education was nowhere to be seen – it was only after two years that they sponsored Nimco to attend three weeks of English lessons. Thus, Nimco and her brother picked up Arabic from their black-and-white television and their Egyptian neighbors. Every evening Nimco would make spaghetti and sauce, the only dish she knew how to cook. This went on until the neighbors started asking Nimco questions.
After three years, the missionaries invited Nimco to visit them in England. She packed a small suitcase, leaving behind her diary, her brother and almost all her belongings. She flew up for what was supposed to be a three week trip; Somalia’s civil war erupted in the middle of it. Suddenly, Nimco’s life was flipped upside down – everyone that she’d known from Somalia was in danger, and the missionaries felt that it would be safest for her to stay in England, sending her to live with a British foster family, the Mitchells.
Nimco was 15, with a funky afro and mismatched clothes, alone in a new country with a language she didn’t speak. It was a familiar sensation, but this time she was utterly bereft of her family. When she stepped into the Mitchells’ front door, she didn’t know what to expect. Would she be welcomed? Would the family be nice?
They were not.
Among the English
Nimco spent her first day in the Mitchells’ family home cleaning, a pastime she quickly understood no one else in the family had ever taken on. Liquids were congealed on the kitchen counter. When she tried to lift some cans up, to organize, she realized they were stuck. She had to pry them off,.
The family quickly fell into a routine, relying on Nimco to clean everything for them. She even had to clean the rooms of the Mitchells sons, who were barely younger than her.
At school – where her grades were better than the Mitchells boys, despite them going to a posh private school – Nimco’s teachers were kind, inviting her to Christmases at their homes and giving her private English lessons for no pay. One teacher was friends with the principal of a private girls school and managed to provide Nimco a year’s education there for free. To do her schoolwork, Nimco would have to hide from Mrs. Mitchell, who would force her to do chores whenever she caught her studying.
One morning, Mrs. Mitchell’s sister, Margaret, came to visit. She had a daughter of similar age to Nimco and like Mrs. Mitchell, wasn’t a kind woman. Nimco was listening idly to the two sisters’ conversation, Margaret effusing over the cleaning that Nimco had done. “Sue,” she finally said, “do you think I could borrow Nimco?” Nimco stood there aghast, then left and walked to a park to cry.
It was as if the woman were talking about borrowing a vacuum cleaner instead of a human child.
Like her father had predicted, Nimco’s life in England was also marked by weekly Sundays in church. The Mitchells were born-again Christians, and so Nimco was required to sit with them, and behave nicely as the pastor would preach, “Let’s crush Islam.” Even the nicer sermons – “Love thy neighbor,” for example – were uncomfortable. Church felt like a too-small dress foisted upon Nimco by an insistent mother: It itched, it was painful, the seams were splitting, and she’d never wanted to wear it in the first place. It didn’t fit. She wasn’t Christian.
Still, without church, Nimco would never have met Jo.
Jo was one of Nimco’s first friends in England, and she would communicate with her through a dictionary, flipping through the pages to translate conversations. They didn’t always need the words.
“It’s like, when you like somebody, I think language is just one part of how you communicate as human beings,” Nimco explained. “You can just look at the person and just know.”
The two would wander London together, stopping in secondhand shops and sift through clothes, giggling together. It was seamless.
America
Shortly afterward, Nimco left the Mitchells. She started to cook again, to work for a paper called The Voice and to volunteer for the human rights organization Africa Watch, where she met Alex, the associate director. They hardly saw each other for almost 10 years, but eventually reconnected, traveling together in East Africa. A few years later, the couple married. Together they moved to Somerville. She took cooking classes – later complemented by lessons in China and Thailand and working alongside friends from India and Pakistan – and around 2010, started to cook professionally.
The first person who hired Nimco to cook for him was an MIT graduate student. After the first meal that she brought him, he told her, “I would like to keep this going, whatever it takes.” A few weeks later his girlfriend begged Nimco to let her learn her recipes, and Nimco began teaching. Today, Nimco is the godmother of their oldest daughter.
Throughout her time in Somerville, Nimco has taken in five young women who needed a place to stay while they got on their feet. It was always by chance: a receptionist Nimco met at Goodwill, a sick student in her husband’s class – Nimco opened her arms first, and asked questions later. She gave these women what the Mitchells never gave her: kindness; love; a home.
Maybe that’s the true secret to Nimco’s cooking, beyond the cultural combinations, the cookbook collection and the beautiful tools – Nimco makes her food so that she can share it with others.
Dubai-based DP World has commenced work on the $1.2 billion Port of Ndayane, with the aim of transforming Senegal into a major centre for global trade.
The Willem Van Rubroeck vessel is set to dredge a five km-long shipping channel to build a high-capacity port.
The project’s first phase also includes an 840m quay to accommodate the world’s largest container ships.
This phase will build capacity to handle 1.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually. Phase Two will add a further 410m quay, positioning Ndayane as a logistics hub in West Africa.
The Port of Dakar, a DP World asset in Africa, has expanded significantly to handle 800,000 TEUs in 2023 from 300,000 TEUs in 2008.
However, the Dakar port’s location within a densely urbanised area limits expansion, making Ndayane a strategic port to support Senegal’s long-term trade and economic growth.
DP World group chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said the Port of Ndayane will elevate Senegal and boost trade across the African continent.
He said the company would also develop an economic zone near the port and Blaise Diagne International Airport.
DP World is working with British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance agency, to fund the project.
BII estimates the port will boost Senegal’s GDP by 3 percent through increased trade flows, potentially adding $15 billion in trade value by 2035.
During construction, the project will create over 1,800 jobs and once operational is expected to support 22,000 jobs in Senegal tied directly to expanded trade.
Last month, Liz Bains wrote in AGBI that the UAE ports operators AD Ports Group and DP World are showing an unquenchable thirst for acquiring new assets in Africa.
DP World’s extensive list of ports and terminals in Africa comprises Djen Djen and Djazair in Algeria; Ain Sokhna in Egypt; Berbera in Somaliland; Bosaso in Somalia; Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania; Maputo in Mozambique; Luanda in Angola; Dakar and Ndayane in Senegal; Banana in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); and inland container terminals at Kigali in Rwanda and Komatipport in South Africa.
source/content: agbi.com (headline edited)
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The Willem Van Rubroeck dredger is starting work on a 5 km-long shipping channel for DP World’s Ndayane port in Senegal
For Mohammad Warrad, olive oil is more than a kitchen staple – it’s a link to 400 years of tradition. The family-run brand preserves heritage while sharing a family’s story and culture.
For Palestinian-American Mohammad Warrad, olive oil isn’t just a kitchen staple – it’s a link to his family’s history and Palestinian heritage. Growing up, the family olive oil was simply “grandma’s thing,” always present but something he never thought much about. That changed as he got older and tasted other oils, realising just how special his family’s product was.
“Everything on the market felt super profit-driven, sacrificing taste through low-quality or unready olives. You could really taste the difference,” Warrad tells CairoScene. “One day, I thought everyone should try our family’s oil. There’s no gatekeeping here – my family’s gate-kept it for long enough.”
That realisation sparked an idea: to present the family legacy to the world while preserving its traditions. “Although tradition is extremely important to the brand – we still hand-harvest and press our oils as we did over 300 years ago – I didn’t want the brand to feel stale,” Warrad explains. “Capturing that thin line of tradition and modernity was something I grew very passionate about.”
This balance is reflected not only in the olive oil itself but also in the brand’s design. Warrad designed everything from the packaging to the website to the bottles, ensuring each element reflected the brand’s values,such as this year’s choice of introducing tins instead of bottles for sustainability. From a design lens, the logo’s handwritten font captures an organic, authentic and relatable feel, with varying thicknesses and proportions for a playful and nostalgic touch. Hand-drawn olives in the product descriptions evoke childhood memories, while the use of yellow – a colour known for its attention-grabbing qualities – perfectly reflects the warmth of the land.
The brand’s olive oil comes from the family’s groves in Deir Dibwan, a small village with a population of under 8,000 in the central West Bank, east of Ramallah. These groves were planted by their family nearly 400 years old, and for Sitti Othmana, Mohammad Warrad’s grandmother and the brand’s namesake, every tree captures a spiritual connection to Palestine, as well as her past, present and future.
“When I was a kid, we took trips to see my grandmother in the grove, but I never quite understood the profound history and culture or what it meant to even be Palestinian,” Warrad reflects. “Starting the business really took me deep into understanding my roots, my family’s roots, and, of course, my grandmother. What she continues to do at 87 years old is so important to me – it’s the preservation of our roots, literally.”
The annual harvest season is a labour-intensive process that could easily be automated, but Sitti insists on maintaining tradition. “She goes in by hand and pulls out every single olive, refusing to let them fall into the bags that eventually go into the press,” Warrad shares. “It’s an act of love, respect and service to the land.”
As with many Palestinian families, maintaining the groves isn’t without its challenges. “There’s always a fear that our groves will be impacted by the political strife in the region. We’ve seen it happen to others in town, but I think our mission is beyond that,” Warrad says. “The brand does not want to be tied solely to war and sadness, nor should the identity of Palestinian people only be tied to war. The brand is our love language to anyone who tries the olive oil. It’s a testament to the preservation of Palestinian culture and heritage – our family’s story and my people’s story all wrapped up in a bottle.”
The family’s brand embodies the history, beauty and resilience that have shaped Palestinian culture. It tells a universal story of connection and the importance of honouring one’s past, even in diaspora. At 25, Mohammad recently returned to Palestine to help his grandmother during the harvest season, a journey that spanned 48 hours of travel and three weeks immersed in the land.
“The land has this mysterious, ancient air there that’s not captured in any modern city. It’s funny that the air radiating from the land is peaceful, given the conflict that humans create, but I see the land separate from the qualms and people. It’s much larger than us. The sheer labour that went into the harvest is something I’ve never experienced,” Warrad shares. “The experience changed my perspective on how I want to lead my life forward.”
Salman Al Jaidah hopes to see his vision of a thriving Qatari presence within the hospitality industry.
As Qatar’s first graduate from the prestigious Swiss Culinary Arts Academy, Chef Salman Al Jaidah is eager to see more Qataris embrace the rich traditions of the hospitality industry.
In between answering questions, the young chef deftly balanced his attention preparing his rendition of a fusion steak mosaic with Japanese nori and an accompanying cauliflower puree.
“I can’t say I started my journey cooking,” Al Jaidah told Doha News, admitting that he was initially fascinated by the workings of professional kitchens.
“The yelling, the running, the organised chaos – all of this was intriguing to me.”
Born and raised in his native Qatar, the young chef studied in Canada for his secondary school before enlisting in culinary school in Switzerland. Despite being miles away from home, his innate sense of hospitality never left his side.
Al Jaidah would often host friends at his home after school, where guests were expected to eat and drink to their fill.
“I wouldn’t say I made anything gastronomical,” he admitted. “Whatever was around was what I would make, whether it was chicken wings, or a simple stir fry – just something simple we could all enjoy.”
However, one of his Canadian friends happened to have previously lived in the United Arab Emirates, and had a hankering for one of the region’s popular hot beverages. One day, she asked Al Jaidah if he knew how to make chai karak.
“I said to her: ‘I can make you the best karak!’” he recalled.
Despite not being formerly taught the steps of making the famed drink, he knew the ingredients needed.
“I guessed how to make it and it turned out how it should be,” he said. “It was a happy moment for me. When I made the tea and all my friends fell in love with it, I got a sense of cooking being so much more than that.”
The Swiss connection
When the time came to further his education, he chose to study at the number one culinary arts institute in Switzerland, which also ranks seventh in the world for hospitality.
“I chose the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland because of its world ranking. I knew I would get an all-round background, not just in the culinary arts, but also hospitality. Even though my degree is in culinary arts, I was still able to explore hospitality courses,” he explained.
While studying, he seized this opportunity. He also noted that a kitchen at industry level and hospitality go hand-in-hand, drawing parallels with the restaurant and hotel settings.
“While there may be less amenities in a restaurant and certainly no rooms, there’s always people, relations and service,” he pointed out.
As part of his degree, Al Jaidah returned to Doha for a month’s internship during the region’s first FIFA 2022 World Cup games.
“Who wouldn’t want to work in Doha during the World Cup, especially When it comes to my industry, right?”
His internship was at Nobu Doha, which also happens to be the world’s largest branch. Al Jaidah explained that on a typical day, would see upwards of 600 “covers”, or diners, from across the globe entering the restaurant’s doors.
“The kitchen was very diverse too – there were chefs from Spain, India, Nepal and the list goes on. It was enriching for me to see the different mentalities and talents that the chefs had from different esteemed kitchens,” he added.
Now in the kitchen himself, the young chef experienced first hand the lack of local representation in the industry.
“This was probably the only thing that bothered me during the experience,” he said.
Dreams beyond the kitchen
The young culinary talent concluded by expressing his eagerness to return to the kitchen full-time, despite the challenges. He also shared his long-term vision of exploring the broader world of hospitality, saying: “It’s not just about opening my own restaurants or hotels.”
Instead, he hopes for the industry’s future to extend beyond his personal aspirations.
“I believe if local people join the hospitality world, it will help the future of this country in a way that when you walk into a hotel, you see Qataris doing the hospitality that we are known for,” he explained.
Although admitting that the industry comes with its challenges, he added that he aspires to be at the forefront of efforts to inspire more Qataris to venture into the industry.
“There’s still so much more to come from me,” he said. “I’m always called ‘Chef Salman,’ but I haven’t necessarily paid all my dues yet to earn that title.”
The young culinary talent concluded by saying he looks forward to the days of being back in the kitchen full time, despite all the chaos, and sees himself someday exploring the world of hospitality in all its form – “not just opening my own restaurants or hotels.”
source/content: dohanews.co (headline edited)
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Qatar’s Salman Al Jaidah photographed alongside the world renowned Japanese Chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa. [Source: Salman Al Jaidah/Instagram]
Arab League established body following proposal from Saudi Arabia
Aim is to enhance collaboration among Arab nations
Saudi Arabia is hosting the first meeting of the Council of Arab Ministers of Cybersecurity in Riyadh on Monday, featuring officials and experts from a variety of Arab League countries.
The Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit will participate in the meeting to discuss cooperation in cybersecurity and joint cyber frameworks, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Arab League established the council in September 2023 following a proposal from Saudi Arabia to consolidate Arab efforts in the sector due to increasing cyber threats and computer-related attacks.
The Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority is hosting the event. Established in 2017, the body aims to protect Saudi national security and interests from cyber breaches and attacks.
The Riyadh meeting’s primary objective is to enhance collaboration among Arab nations on all cybersecurity-related matters.
It also aims to function as a platform for exchanging expertise and creating a reliable Arab cyberspace that enables growth and prosperity for all member states of the Arab League.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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The Arab League established the council in September 2023 following a proposal from Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Modon Holding P.S.C today said it has completed the acquisition of 100% of La Zagaleta S.L (“La Zagaleta”), the owner of the exclusive La Zagaleta residential estate in Costa del Sol, Spain, marking a significant milestone for Modon Holding’s entry into Europe’s luxury real estate market.
La Zagaleta, located in the hills of Benahavís and 20 minutes from the historic city of Marbella, is an ultra-luxury gated residential development in the heart of Costa del Sol, providing an exclusive, safe and private lifestyle to its residents, with easy access to the breathtaking coastline, vibrant beach towns, and warm Mediterranean waters.
Jassem Mohammed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of Modon Holding, said: “The acquisition of La Zagaleta is an important milestone in Modon Holding’s strategy to pursue international growth, supporting our vision to develop new possibilities for scaled luxury living. La Zagaleta ranks among the world’s most prestigious and exclusive private communities and is a remarkable addition to the Modon Holding portfolio. This acquisition sets a benchmark for future expansion that is fully aligned with Modon Holding’s ambition to consistently surpass expectations, and brings new potential and capability to our international real estate strategy.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has congratulated artist Dia Al-Azzawi on winning the Great Arab Minds Award in the Literature and Arts category.
In a post on “X”, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said, “We congratulate the winner of the Great Arab Minds Award in the Literature and Arts category, artist Dia Al-Azzawi from Iraq. He has drawn inspiration from the rich heritage of Mesopotamia to create numerous works displayed in the world’s most prestigious museums and galleries. His art addresses important Arab humanitarian issues and combines calligraphy, poetry, and tradition in a contemporary artistic form.”
In a video call with Al-Azzawi, Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Great Arab Minds Higher Committee, informed him of his win in the Literature and Arts category of the Great Arab Minds Award and praised his global contributions, which have elevated the profile of contemporary Arab art internationally.
Al Gergawi emphasised that the Great Arab Minds Award is a strategic initiative that reflects Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision, providing a platform for the most creative Arab minds and celebrating their impactful contributions. It also aims to inspire emerging talents and motivate young Arabs to contribute positively to the advancement of humanity.
For over fifty years, Dia Al-Azzawi, a visual artist specialising in contemporary Arab art, has been a leading figure in the field. He has showcased Arab culture and heritage to the world through his innovative and diverse works.
He has produced hundreds of artworks and organised and participated in numerous art exhibitions worldwide, significantly bridging contemporary art with Arab culture, history, and its most pressing issues. His works embody Arab identity and heritage through a creative style that seamlessly blends modernity with tradition.
Al-Azzawi is distinguished for his use of visual art, Arabic calligraphy, and sculpture to highlight events and challenges relevant to the Arab world in a contemporary style that resonates with global audiences. His innovative approach integrates Arabic letters and poetry into modern artistic expressions, skillfully blending text and imagery in a unique and creative manner.
The Great Arab Minds Award is the largest of its kind in the Arab world, recognising pioneering contributions across six key areas: Natural Sciences (Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry), Economics, Medicine, Literature and Arts, Engineering and Technology, and Architecture and Design.
Frantz Fanon’s revolutionary ideas, shaped in North Africa’s colonial battlegrounds, take centre stage in a new biopic exploring his pivotal years as a psychiatrist in French-ruled Algeria.
Premiering at the Marrakesh International Film Festival, “Fanon” examines how his work and activism during the Algerian war of independence forged enduring theories on decolonisation and resistance.
Fanon began his Algerian journey in 1953 at Blida psychiatric hospital, where he served as chief physician.
There, he was appalled by the systemic neglect of Algerian patients, who were treated as second-class citizens under French colonial rule.
Determined to challenge this, he introduced a humane, empathy-driven approach to psychiatric care, addressing both the mental and societal wounds of his patients.
At the same time, he secretly treated and supported members of the National Liberation Front (FLN), whose armed struggle against colonial rule was escalating.
The film vividly captures the brutal realities of colonial Algeria, portraying systemic violence, repression and the deep-seated contempt for native populations.
Fanon’s growing activism put him at odds with colonial authorities, and in 1956, he was pressured to leave Algeria.
By then, the Algerian war for independence was in full swing, a conflict that lasted until 1962 and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
Director Jean-Claude Barny uses evocative imagery, voice-over narration and flashbacks to delve into the inner world of the Martinican thinker.
“We wanted to immerse viewers in his psyche, making them feel part of his journey,” Barny told AFP in an interview during the festival.
The film avoids conventional, dialogue-heavy storytelling, instead relying on visual and emotional cues to reflect Fanon’s intellectual and personal struggles.
Barny spent a decade bringing the project to life, citing the need for meticulous research and financial constraints that delayed production.
“I needed time to fully grasp his philosophy and refine the script,” said Barny, 59, who storyboarded every scene to ensure the film captured Fanon’s essence.
Unable to film in Algeria, the production recreated settings in Tunisia, where Fanon relocated in 1957 after his activism put him at risk.
In Tunis, he continued working with the FLN, aiding their political and military campaigns against French rule while writing prolifically on the psychology of colonisation.
Barny hopes the film resonates with modern audiences by drawing parallels between Fanon’s ideas and today’s struggles against systemic injustice.
“His work provides tools to understand and confront ongoing issues like occupation and discrimination,” Barny said.
The biopic is set to release in France in April, aiming to provoke critical reflection while reaching a wide audience.
“This film proves that visually stunning cinema can also tackle deep, thought-provoking issues,” Barny said.
Egypt on Tuesday celebrated the launch of the first batch of locally produced insulin glargine, a much-needed medication for millions of diabetes patients in the country.
The long-acting insulin, which will treat millions of diabetes patients, is the result of a 2022 partnership between Egyptian firm Eva Pharma and global pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company.
“Egypt is prioritizing the localization of pharmaceutical production,” said Health Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, speaking at the launch event held at the Eva Pharma factory in Giza.
The initiative is a significant step towards self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical manufacturing, Abdel-Ghaffar added.
Blood sugar levels
Insulin is a hormone that helps the body convert food into energy. In people with diabetes, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
Insulin glargine works gradually over approximately 24 hours and, like other types of insulin, helps maintain near-normal blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Minister Abdel-Ghaffar noted that 15.5 percent of Egyptians are diabetic, a figure that matches the global statistics of the disease prevalence, according to a statement by the health ministry.
Furthermore, Abdel-Ghaffar added that the number of diabetes patients in Africa has reached 24 million, with projections indicating a rise to 55 million by 2045.
He emphasized the urgent need for affordable medications, the statement added.
Affordable insulin
In a joint statement issued today, Eli Lilly and Eva Pharma said they aim to provide high-quality, affordable insulin to over one million people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes annually by 2030.
The partnership focuses on low- to middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, the statement added.
As part of the collaboration, Eli Lilly supplies its insulin active ingredient at a reduced price and provides pro bono technology transfer.
This will enable Eva Pharma to locally formulate and package insulin vials and cartridges for production, according to the statement.
During today’s event, the health minister emphasized that localizing drug production is national security.
He noted that 90 percent of the country’s pharmaceutical needs are currently met domestically, with only 10 percent imported.
Milestone!
Ali Al-Ghamrawy, head of the Egyptian Drug Authority, described the move as a major national achievement.
He explained that the focus on localising insulin production is crucial, as insulin is an essential medicine for millions of diabetes patients.
Highlighted its economic benefits, Al-Ghamrawy said that the move will significantly reduce Egypt’s import costs.
By the end of September, these costs for insulin alone amounted to $30 million.
He added that Eva Pharma’s production capacity, which can reach 100 million insulin vials, will contribute to the sustainability of the Egyptian pharmaceutical market.
Egypt currently has 10.9 million people with diabetes, Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, a spokesperson for the health ministry told Al-Masry Al-Youm last week.
He added that this number is projected to rise to 13 million by 2030 and 20 million by 2045.
