Arabs & Arabian Records Aggregator. Chronicler. Milestones of the 25 Countries of the Arabic Speaking World (official / co-official). AGCC. MENA. Global. Ist's to Top 10's. Records. Read & Enjoy./ www.arabianrecords.org
Egyptian actor Youssef Omar will join the cast of the British-Chinese production Shashou, set in Hong Kong.
Youssef Omar is a rising Egyptian actor known for his versatile roles in film and TV series, including, most recently in Ramadan, TV series A Woman’s Youth (Shabab Emraa, 2025), where he co-starred opposite Ghada Abdel Razek.
He gained widespread recognition with his breakthrough in the 2018 drama Rahim (dir. Mohamed Salama) and has since starred in popular series like Sittat Bayt Al-Maadi (Women’s Maadi House, 2021), where he played Timo El-Badry (Timo), acting alongside Mira El-Helbawi, Tara Emad, and Enjy Kiwan.
Both series were directed by Mohamed Salama, with the latter catapulting Omar to fame.
Youssef has also successfully transitioned to the silver screen in high-grossing movies such as Awlad Hareem Kareem (2023) and El-Hareefa (2024), starring Nour Ehab, Khaled El-Zahaby, and Bayoumi Fouad.
In 2024, Omar starred in Meen Yasadaq (Who Would Believe?), a film directed by Zena Ashraf Abdel Baky. The film was screened during the 45th Cairo International Film Festival, further solidifying Omar’s status as an up-and-coming talent to watch out for.
Produced and directed by UK producer, screenwriter, and filmmaker Bizhan Tong, Shashou offers Omar his first international role.
Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, co-founders of MAD Solutions, which distributes the film in the MENA region, described the film as a thriller that is “an Arab spin on the packaging strategy that Hollywood has long deployed.”
Shashou is set in the shady world of ex-special forces, where outcasts Kelly Frost, Rachel Chan, and Inferno unite to stop a billionaire’s plot to destabilize Hong Kong.
After exploring the Iraqi keffiyeh in their first collection, Suez spotlights a forgotten art in ‘Common Thread’.
Three thousand years ago, the art of khayamiya lined the streets of Egypt. Translating to “tent-making,” this ancient hand-stitching practice was once used to fashion tents for royalty, aristocracy, and the wealthy. Today, the practice nears extinction; the only image the word “khayamiya” evokes in our minds is one of cheap printed Ramadan-themed tablecloths. Only 18 khayamiya artisans remain on Egypt’s Khayamiya Street in Bab Al Khalq. Their work is now far from central to the city’s fabric.
Returning the forgotten khayamiya to the spotlight, the London-based Egyptian-Iraqi label Suez is reviving the art in its new collection, “Common Thread.”
“Khayamiya has been something I’d been wanting to incorporate for some time now—since we last spoke,” Suez founder Serag El Meleigy tells Scene Styled. “I think it was the perfect next step for Suez; me being half Egyptian and spending a lot of time in Egypt also made it that much more special.”
As a pursuit, Suez is archival. The label seeks to immortalize crafts that were once popular but have been lost on the road to modernity. Suez, observing that our attire has become synonymous with that of the colonizer, rejects homogeneity and sifts through millennia of historical archives to return culture to our costumes.
“We utilized the khayamiya in two forms: first in its true hand-stitched form, and secondly in a printed form—both of which we purchased from the artisans on Khayamiya Street,” shares El Meleigy. “The first khayamiya blanket I bought was back in 2023, so my ideas have been brewing with the khayamiya for some time now.”
Shortly after his first purchase, El Meleigy returned to Khayamiya Street for more. This is when “Common Thread” was born. The two blankets, both created by the same khayamiya artist, Esaam Ali, were fashioned into two beautiful single-piece collared jackets in two colorways—red and blue.
In respect to the amount of work, skill, and creativity poured into their making, whether as the original khayamiya blanket by Ali or the jacket itself by El Meleigy, the khayamiya jackets are special pieces. Surely, they could be dressed down, but something about the fabric, the common thread that holds them, demands a more prestigious welcoming of the pieces.
“The 1-of-1 khayamiya jackets are obviously statement pieces. We’ve seen them worn for a live recording performance, and we’ve had people say they’d save theirs for big events. I love the idea of these 1-of-1 jackets evolving into some form of suit for big occasions—but the Egyptian version.
Besides participating in the cultural evolution of our occasion wear, Suez’s “Common Thread” weaves the khayamiya practice into daily casual wear.
“The meander garments made way for the incorporation of ‘loud patterns’ in subtle ways—they are made for every occasion,” explains El Meleigy. “The elastic waist of the pieces gives them the benefit of comfort, but the straight-leg structure creates an illusion of formality that can be dressed up or down.”
“I heard one girl wore her keffiyeh meander trousers, from our previous collection, to a wedding, and someone else wore the full keffiyeh set at her dad’s MBE receival ceremony at a royal palace.”
To El Meleigy, “Common Thread” is an exciting pursuit, one he is consistently looking for ways to make even more tailored. In the future, he hopes to work more directly with khayamiya artisans, involving their work directly in garment-making, and potentially seeing them embroider on clothes, rather than refashioning their blankets. Before we know it, the art of khayamiya will be back on hoodies, tracksuits, shorts, and more.
Hanan Sultan, a young Omani jewellery designer based between Muscat, Dubai and London, is passionate about fine arts and fashion, but has found ‘jewellery design’ as the perfect middle ground. Skillful at combining traditional and contemporary materials in her creations, Hanan, however, is personally fond of yellow gold and rubies. “Creativity has no limits and… I have yet many miles to go…” she tells Hubert Vaz in an exclusive chat. Excerpts:
What, according to you, defines the value of a piece of jewellery?
The value of a piece of jewellery, to me, lies within its design execution. As a bench-trained jewellery designer, I’m very detail-oriented and committed to craftsmanship by blending traditional making skills with modern technology to achieve an unparalleled level of quality and luxury. I’m truly dedicated to creating timeless pieces that capture a balance of luxury, comfort, and emotional value using the finest materials – precious metals and stones.
When did you figure out that this was your cup of tea?
I realised that it was my cup of tea at an early age when I felt a strong passion for creativity. This passion led me to study (foundational) Fine Arts at Pratt in New York, followed by (foundational) Fashion Studies at the London College of Fashion. I recognised that the world of jewellery was perfect for me when I comprehended that it encapsulated both, fine arts and fashion. I eventually did my BA in Jewellery Design at Central Saint Martins in London. During my summer holidays, I did internships and courses with different institutes and jewellery brands in Dubai, London and Paris. This expanded my early industry knowledge and provided me with invaluable experiences.
To deepen my expertise, I pursued an MA in Jewellery and Metal at the Royal College of Art in London, which allowed me to refine my creative process and technical skills. Through hands-on experiences and continuous learning (as an Omani jewellery designer), I’ve developed a design approach that blends innovation with traditional jewellery design.
What distinguishes your creations from the rest in the fray in UAE/Oman or elsewhere?
My designs stand out for their precision and craftsmanship, achieved through CAD and CAM technologies, which allow for intricate details and consistent finishing. While I value the cultural significance of traditional handmaking techniques, I focus on blending modern innovation with timeless aesthetics to create unique and enduring pieces.
How differently, do you think, the Western world view jewellery unlike those in Asia and the Middle East?
I find that some of the western world’s overview on jewellery includes accessories, conceptual ‘wearable objects’, incorporating all sorts of contemporary non-precious materials, whilst Asians and Middle Easterns think of jewellery as ‘high/fine jewellery’ that usually incorporates precious metals and stones, most popularly, 18, 22, 24 carat gold, natural diamonds and precious gemstones.
Are the tastes of Arab women changing – is there a need for novelty and wow factor among the younger generation?
Arab women’s tastes, like women everywhere, are constantly evolving. This is due to the rise of the Internet, journalism, social media exposure and easy accessibility to global travel. There’s always a desire for novelty and ‘wow factor’, especially amongst younger generations. It’s human nature to seek fresh and exciting perspectives.
Do you like religious symbols used in jewellery or would you rather keep it creatively different?
Religion, like jewellery, is extremely personal. I appreciate how jewellery can help people of many different backgrounds connect to their faith. Some religious symbols are especially meaningful precisely because they are private and intimate.
As an Omani jewellery designer, which is your best creation so far, and was it sold to any affluent/prestigious buyer?
My favourites include pieces from my frankincense inlay collection. I’ve had buyers from the Gulf, America, Canada and the UK approach me to acquire some of these pieces.
When you customise jewellery, do you follow the client’s requirement or educate them about what’s best for them?
It is important for me to listen to my clients’ wants and needs as well as present them with different options and solutions, ultimately educating them to make the decision that would suit them best.
How popular is your business?
Working in Dubai has been great for me, professionally, because I’ve been able to share my work with a global audience. The global accessibility of Dubai has meant that I’ve been able to make in-person sales to American, British, and European clients, as well as cultivate existing relationships in the Middle Eastern and Asian markets. Muscat is much quieter, on the whole, but provides a clarifying balance from the bustle of doing business in Dubai. Oman will always be my home and it would be very fulfilling to one day be able to showcase my work in Muscat, my hometown, as an Omani jewellery designer.
Do you also shoulder management/business promotion tasks?
At the moment, I’m managing all aspects of the business, from creative direction to production to logistics, marketing and sales. This is to be expected for young designers at the beginning of their career. But I’m looking forward to being able to focus even more exclusively on the creative processes as the brand grows and I develop my team.
If not in this field which other profession is close to your heart?
If not jewellery design, I would love to explore more of fine arts, arts education, academic arts, or research – something deeply creative and thought-provoking. Fashion design and journalism also intrigue me, they share a similar focus on storytelling, aesthetics, and pushing boundaries, which all align with my passion for design and creativity.
As a young designer entrepreneur have you reached anywhere close to your ultimate goal?
I believe, that creativity has no limits and endless possibilities, so I for sure think that I have yet many, many miles to go.
Red is timeless…
Asked about her personal preference of jewellery, Hanan Sultan struck a unique note. “Yellow gold and rubies are my personal favourites. My friends even call me ‘the queen of rubies’. They hold a special place in my heart because they’re a part of my familial heirlooms, and I love the idea of carrying that legacy into the future. Rubies, to me, resemble their colour – red is timeless and powerful.
His team’s research benefits industries such as automotive, power grids, satellites, military, and healthcare.
Khalil Amine, a Moroccan materials scientist, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering of the United States for his contributions to battery and energy storage technologies.
The recognition comes for his leadership in the field of materials science, specifically in the development of batteries and energy storage devices.
Amine, who also serves as a professor at the University of Chicago, is among 128 members and 22 international members inducted into the NAE class of 2025.
“I am very delighted to be selected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering,” said Amine. “This is a recognition not only for me, but also for all my co-workers and collaborators around the world, as well as Argonne, which has provided an unmatched, state-of-the-art capability to do excellent work.”
Amine leads the Advanced Battery Technology team at Argonne, where his research focuses on the development of advanced chemistries, materials, and battery systems. His team’s work spans several industries, including automotive, power grids, satellites, military, and medical applications.
A key focus of Amine’s research is the creation of new cathodes, anodes, solid-state electrolytes, and additives for lithium-ion batteries, as well as exploring “beyond-lithium” batteries that use alternative chemistries for energy storage.
Amine’s significant contributions to the field of battery technology have made him a leading figure in materials science. He holds more than 200 patents or patent applications in the field, and he was for 23 years the most cited scientist in battery technology globally.
His accomplishments have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Global Energy Prize in 2019. Amine is also a member of several prestigious scientific organizations, including the National Academy of Inventors, the European Academy of Sciences, and the Electrochemical Society, among others.
Born in Morocco, Amine earned degrees in chemistry and materials science from the University of Bordeaux. After his academic training, he joined Argonne in 1998, bringing with him experience gained from research positions in Belgium and Japan.
His innovative work has played a pivotal role in advancing energy storage technologies that have far-reaching applications in today’s technological landscape.
The National Academy of Engineering, founded in 1964, provides independent analysis and advice on engineering matters, offering leadership and insight into complex global challenges. Amine, along with other members of the NAE class of 2025, will be formally inducted at the Academy’s annual meeting in October.
Emirati publisher, author, and women’s advocate Bodour Al Qasimi has made history by becoming the first woman from an Arab Gulf state to receive a prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award for Fiction.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi received the prize for her groundbreaking children’s book ‘House of Wisdom’ at a ceremony in the impressive Farnese Chapel, at Palazzo d’Accursio, in Bologna.
Reflecting on the honour, Sheikha Bodour said, “For me, this award signals a shift towards a more inclusive children’s publishing sector. Amid heightened global tensions, stories like ‘House of Wisdom’ carry a message that books can occasion unity, progress, and a deeper understanding between cultures. It’s a timely statement about literature’s power to build bridges and keep the bigger human picture in view.”
She added, “The House of Wisdom was a library that symbolised how knowledge and collaboration across cultures can build sturdy bridges. Its loss in 1258 is a tragic allegory for the fragility of intellectual freedom – a lesson of undiminished relevance today.”
Feted for its engaging approach to encouraging critical thought, scientific curiosity, and compassion, the success of ‘House of Wisdom’ marks progress in international recognition of the value of Middle Eastern children’s literature.
The book is illustrated by Majid Zakeri Younesi, whose evocative art provides a breathtaking complement to the story.
Although unable to be in Bologna to collect the award with Sheikha Bodour, he said, “Working on ‘House of Wisdom’ was a unique opportunity to visually capture the spirit of curiosity and innovation that drives humanity’s infinite quest for learning and dialogue, something Sheikha Bodour has so deftly portrayed in her narrative.”
The day after the prize giving, Sheikha Bodour spoke on a thought-provoking panel with other BolognaRagazzi Award winners and joined a celebration reception at the Kalimat Group stand.
On both occasions, she shared her inspiration behind ‘House of Wisdom’, emphasising the importance of preserving cultural and intellectual legacies, the role of storytelling in bridging cultural divides, and Sharjah’s commitment to promoting knowledge, including through the creation of its own House of Wisdom.
Before receiving the award, Sheikha Bodour signed copies of her book at the Giannino Stoppani Children’s Bookshop, which she helped restore after it was destroyed by fire in 2022. To support the renovation, Sheikha Bodour allocated significant funds from the Sharjah World Book Capital Office.
Honoring the Rich Heritage, Celebrating the Next Generation
This event is a tribute to our culture, featuring music, dance, comedy, and inspiration, uniting us in pride and resilience”
— Warren David, President, Arab AmericaWASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, March 12, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ —
On Wednesday, April 9th, the Arab America Foundation will present its ninth annual National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration at Amazon HQ Theater, “Honoring the past, inspiring the future.”
Each year, we honor the invaluable contributions of Arab Americans and commemorate National Arab American Heritage Month with community leaders, cultural performances, and authentic Arab cuisine.
This year, we honor the legendary Umm Kalthoum, marking 50 years since her passing in 1975. Known as the Nightingale of the Arab World, her iconic voice inspires generations.
Performers include: –Mohanad Elsheiky, a Libyan stand-up comedian based in Queens who is a digital producer on the TBS late-night comedy series Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, has appeared on Conan and Late Night with Stephen Colbert.
-Marwa Morgan, Arab American and Egyptian classic vocalist, will perform a special tribute to the legendary nightingale of the Arab World, Umm Kulthum with the New York Umm Kulthum Ensemble.
–Anas “Andy” Shallal, Iraqi-American artist, activist, philanthropist, entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Busboys and Poets.
–Shirin Rajaee, Emmy-nominated news anchor and MC of the event.
–DJ Basbousa, a DC-based Arab DJ pop culture designer.
–Faris El-Layl Folkloric Dance Troupe will perform traditional Arab dances.
“During this year’s National Arab American Heritage Month, we honor our rich heritage while celebrating the next generation. This event is a tribute to our culture, featuring music, dance, comedy, and inspiration, uniting us in pride and resilience,” said Warren David, president of Arab America.
About National Arab American Heritage Month 2025 Arab America and the Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2017, but only a handful of states recognized it. Each year, our grass-roots network of over 250 Arab American volunteers in 26 states gathers hundreds of proclamations from their states, counties, municipalities, and local school districts.
If you want to help us mobilize the community for NAAHM, request proclamations, or plan events, please contact Dr. Amal David or call 877-272-2944.
Proclamations Arab America Foundation state teams are acquiring proclamations from governors, state legislators, mayors, and county executives nationwide. New proclamations for 2025 will be announced in the coming months.
Sponsorship of National Arab American Heritage Month 2025 (including Diversity Training Workshops) The Arab America Foundation welcomes corporate participation as a sponsor to celebrate Arab American heritage and enhance the understanding of Arab identity and culture in America through the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative. Sponsorships include the Arab America Foundation’s diversity training workshop designed to help corporations educate their workforce about the Arab American community. Through this workshop, participants can gain insights into the community’s history, immigration, culture, traditions, and other significant issues.
Or call the Arab America Foundation at 877-272-2944 or email info@arabamerica.com
Educator’s Curriculum Kit Arab America Foundation offers The Educator’s Curriculum Kit, which highlights the history of Arab migration to America, geographic understanding of the Arab world, Arab American diversity in faith and language, interesting customs and traditions, issues affecting our community, and our many achievements in business, politics, education, and more. The Kit is available for school educators. For more information, please get in touch with Dr. Amal David.
Resources Arab America Foundation is committed to gathering and promoting the community’s events and stories through https://www.arabamerica.com/resources/ and social media platforms during April. Every week, Arab America will feature cultural events throughout the US on our events page and share compelling success stories of Arab Americans on our blog page. Additionally, Arab America has compiled a resource guide listing resources and content regarding the Arab and Arab American identity and culture.
About the Arab America Foundation The Arab America Foundation (www.arabamericafoundation.org) is a non-profit educational and cultural organization that promotes the Arab heritage in the U.S., educates Americans about the Arab heritage and identity, and connects and empowers Arab Americans
For National Arab American Heritage Month, SWE recognizes some of the Arab women engineers making their mark in the industry.
National Arab American Heritage Month was first recognized at the federal level in the U.S. in April 2021, though celebrations recognizing the Arab community and their contributions in the United States were observed in previous years.
Here at the Society of Women Engineers, we are excited to celebrate some of the amazing Arab women engineers from around the world who are paving the way for others to pursue a future in STEM and thrive in their careers.
Diana Alsindy
Diana Alsindy is a propulsion engineering manager at Blue Origin where she leads a team of engineers building the next rocket to the moon. She is also the founder of The Arabian Stargazer, a bilingual educational platform that promotes science and space in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Diana is an Iraqi refugee who fled the Iraq war in 2004 with her family and now calls Los Angeles home. She frequently hosts lectures and seminars with schools that do not have access to engineering resources and aspires to continue paving the way to space and advocate for others to look up. Diana earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with a focus in mechanical and aerospace engineering from University of California San Diego. Hear her speak as a panel member on From the Classroom to the Cosmos: How Educators Can Help Girls Succeed in Space available in the Advance Learning Center.
Alshaima Abduallah Alshayeb
Alshaima Abduallah Alshayeb is the founder and chairperson of the Saudi Women Engineers Society (SWES) and the first Saudi engineer specializing in structural engineering. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of Technology Sydney and is the first engineer to hold a Certified Mostadam Accredited Professional license, a groundbreaking sustainable framework she led development on, which focuses on green building practices aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. She is an advisor with the Saudi Association of Sustainability Professionals and founder of the Urban Heritage Association, presenting at World ESG Summit and Global Project Management Forum and promoting diversity and women in engineering. Under her leadership, SWES has forged partnerships with organizations such as Bechtel and Saudi Arabia Parsons Corporation to promote opportunities for Saudi women in engineering fields.
Dr. Habiba Alsafar
Dr. Habiba Alsafar is dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences and professor of genomics at Khalifa University, one of the United Arab Emirates top universities for STEM education. She earned a BS in biochemistry at San Diego State University, an MS in biomedical engineering from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom, and Ph.D. in medical and forensics science from the University of Western Australia. She is credited with establishing the Emirates Family Registry — the first study of its kind in the Middle East — which was instrumental in discovering diabetes risk factors unique to the area’s Bedouin population. She is the recipient of the UAE’s First Honor Model award and the International L’Oréal-UNESCO Fellowship for Women in Science, as well as the International L’Oréal-UNESCO Rising Talents award in recognition of her trailblazing work in genetics.
Dr. Chiraz Ennaceur
Dr. Chiraz Ennaceur is the CEO and co-founder of Cambridge-headquartered CorrosionRADAR Ltd, a technology startup in the predictive corrosion monitoring and assets management space. The organization has received recognition for its groundbreaking Predictive Corrosion Under Insulation Monitoring System, and Dr. Ennaceur received the 2024 Women in Excellence Achievement Award from the International Maintenance, Reliability, and Asset Management conference (MAINTCON) in recognition of her outstanding contributions and leadership in her field. Born in Tunisia, Dr. Ennaceur completed her schooling there, earning a civil engineering degree at Ecole National d’Ingénieurs de Gabès (National Engineering School of Gabes), where she was only one of two girls in a class of 20 students, and then a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at the University of Technology of Compiègne in France.
Marwa Al Mamari
The first aerospace engineer in the history of the United Arab Emirates, Marwa Al Mamari is pursuing a Ph.D. studying artificial intelligence in aviation at Coventry University, where she also earned a Master of Science in aviation safety and a Bachelor of Applied Science in aerospace engineering. She has previously worked with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, specializing in accident prevention and safety recommendations. This mother of two is also an adjunct lecturer in engineering at New York University Abu Dhabi. In 2024, she was honored as an Emirati Woman Achiever, an award recognizing visionary Emirati women leading entrepreneurship and innovation in the UAE. She has spoken at TEDx and other events globally on changing the narratives, the power of STEM, and women’s empowerment in shaping the future.
Dr. Raida Al-Alawi
As the president of the Bahrain Society of Engineers, Dr. Raida Al-Alawi is the first woman to lead the organization in its 50+ year history and the first Bahraini woman to earn a Ph.D. in engineering. Her professional experience includes serving as dean of Student Affairs at Manama’s Ahlia University, and as associate professor in the department of electrical and electronics engineering at the University of Bahrain, where she also chaired the department of computer engineering. Dr. Al-Alawi is a Fellow of both the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Academy of Engineering and Technology of the Developing World, and senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the International Association of Engineers. She holds a Ph.D. in Computational Intelligence from Brunel University London, an MSc in Computer Engineering from King’s College London, and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Kuwait University.
Numbeo, the world’s largest cost of living database, has released its Quality of Life Index by City 2025. With a score of 178.7, Doha ranks 3rd overall in Asia and 77th globally.
The Quality of Life Index by City is calculated based on purchasing power index, safety index, healthcare index, cost of living index, property price to income ratio, traffic commute time index, pollution index, and climate index.
Top 10 in Quality of Life Index by City 2025: Asia
Ashraf Mahrous, known also as Kabonga, pulled a 279-ton train using only his teeth, while also observing the Ramadan fast.
An Egyptian wrestler has received recognition in three categories by Guinness World Records , including for breaking the world record for heaviest rail pull using only his teeth.
Ashraf Mahrous, known by his nickname Kabonga, also received certificates for the heaviest locomotive pull and fastest 100-metre road vehicle pull.
The successful world record attempts took place at Cairo’s Ramses train station on Wednesday and Thursday, where Kabonga pulled a 279-ton train using a rope held by his teeth. The wrestler pulled the train for a distance of close to 11 metres.
“On the first day, I was able to pull a two-ton cart, while fasting, for a distance of 107 meters in 37 seconds, breaking another record by pulling a one-ton cart for 100 meters and surpassing the 60-second barrier,” Kabonga told Anadolu, highlighting that he had been abstaining from eating and drinking due to the Ramadan fast, which lasts from pre-dawn to sunset.
“The next day, on Thursday afternoon, I pulled a train weighing 279 tons with my shoulders, while fasting, for a distance of 10 metres and 66 centimeters,” he added.
Kabonga, who is the president of the Egyptian Federation for Professional Wrestlers, previously pulled a 15,730-kilogram truck with his teeth in 2021. In February 2024, he cracked and ate 30 raw eggs in 30 seconds in a feat that was also recognised by Guinness World Records.
Dawlet Elnakeb, an organiser of Thursday’s event in Cairo, said Kabonga had trained for just 20 days prior to the record breaking event.
source/content: newarab.com (headline edited)
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Ashraf Mahrous, known as Kabonga, is president of the Egyptian Federation for Professional Wrestlers [Getty]
Scopely, a US-based firm backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has signed a deal worth $3.5 billion to acquire the video game division of Niantic Labs.
In a press statement, Scopely said that the team employed to make games such as Pokemon GO, Monster Hunter Now and Pikmin Bloom are included in the acquisition.
This takeover aligns with the Kingdom’s ambitions to establish itself as a global gaming destination, with a national strategy aiming to ensure that the sector will contribute $13 billion to gross domestic product by 2030.
In April 2023, Savvy Games Group, wholly owned by PIF, acquired Scopely for $4.9 billion.
“Few games in the world have delivered the scale and longevity of ‘Pokemon GO,’ which reached over 100 million players just last year. The experience also stands apart for its unique ability to foster in-person connections, with Pokemon GO live events attracting millions of attendees,” said Tim O’Brien, chief revenue officer and board member of Scopely.
Despite being launched nearly a decade ago, Pokemon GO is still one of the most popular games in the world, with over 20 million weekly active players.
O’Brien added: “After spending time with the Niantic team, it quickly became clear that this organization shares our inclination to create industry-leading outcomes and exceptional player experiences. We look forward to a bright future ahead.”
The games business of Niantic Labs generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2024, according to the statement.
In a separate release, the US-based firm said it would distribute an extra $350 million to its equity holders under the deal, yielding a total value of approximately $3.85 billion for the company’s shareholders.
Niantic added that it will also spin off its geospatial AI business into a new firm named Niantic Spatial, under the leadership of its founder and CEO, John Hanke.
The company will be funded with $250 million of capital, including $200 million from Niantic’s balance sheet and a $50 million investment from Scopely.
“I’m confident our games will thrive with Scopely. I’ve often talked about building ‘forever games,’ and I believe they will continue to be just that,” Hanke wrote on his LinkedIn page.
Since the launch of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has been actively promoting the gaming industry, with PIF already holding stakes in major companies such as Nintendo, Electronic Arts, and Take-Two Interactive.
In 2024, the Kingdom also hosted the eSports World Cup, which carried a prize pool of over $60 million.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Pokemon GO is one of the most popular games in the world, with over 20 million weekly active players. Shutterstock
