SUDAN : Renowned Sudanese folkloric singer Asia Madani passes away in Cairo

Well-known Sudanese singer and percussionist Asia Madani, who lived in Cairo, passed away on Sunday, the Sudanese Artists Union in Egypt reported.

Madani was born in Wad Madani, the capital of the Gezira State in central Sudan.

She started her career in her early years, moving to Egypt in the early 2000s, and quickly found her place in the country’s music scene.

Her initial breakthrough was on the Cairo Opera House stage.

Later, she became best known for presenting Sudanese folk music mixed with modern musical rhythms.

Madani performed with her troupe and joined many ensembles that focused on traditional and folkloric music of the south, earning herself the title of Messenger of Sudanese Folklore.

The star often spoke about her deep love for Sudanese rhythms, explaining that her journey in music began at a young age.

She highlighted how she learned diverse musical and vocal rhythms from different regions of Sudan — from the south to the north and the central areas — which greatly influenced her artistic style.

The singer was deeply influenced by the works of iconic Egyptian singers like Mohamed Abdel-Wahab and Abdel-Halim Hafez and even reinterpreted some of Sayed Darwish’s songs in her unique voice.

Moreover, Madani participated in the Nile Project, which she co-founded and which brought together African musicians from the Nile basin countries.

She was also featured in the documentary Far From the Nile presenting the project. The film was screened in the main competition of the Cairo International Film Festival (2022), winning awards.

Among her best-known songs were Jibal Al-Nuba (Mountains of Nubia), Al-Qamar Badawi (The Moon Shines), and Al-Zul (The Man).

Additionally, Madani participated in many international festivals and founded a children’s choir for Sudanese children in Egypt.

Numerous artists have expressed their sorrow after Madani’s sudden death.

“May God have mercy on you, forgive you, and grant you eternal rest. You were a true artist who loved her country and lived in her second country, Egypt. You were a strong person, never afraid to speak the truth, kind, pure-hearted, and a true artist who sang for the people everything she felt in a genuine way. Goodbye,” singer and songwriter Hani Adel wrote on Facebook. 

Sudanese director Amjad Abu Al-Alaa wrote on his Facebook account: “A great loss, Asia.”

“To be an artist with a beautiful voice and a following is a normal thing, but what is extraordinary is to have a message in what you present, to have your own artistic project based on Sudanese identity, the unity of the Sudanese people, its uniqueness, enriching and renewing its heritage, presenting it in an attractive way, and touring the world proudly and persistently,” Sudanese media personality Dalia Al-Tahir wrote on her X account. 

“This is what the true artist, the revolutionary soul from the heart of the country, Asia Madani, excelled in,” she expressed.

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg (headline edited)

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SUDAN / EGYPT

MOROCCAN Professor Anasse Bari Wins NYU’s Martin Luther King Faculty Award

Moroccan professor Anasse Bari has received the Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Faculty Award for 2025 at New York University (NYU).

The award recognizes faculty members whose work demonstrates leadership and commitment to justice and fairness, all values that the American civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. promoted.

Speaking to Morocco World News, Bari expressed his pride in receiving the award. “I dedicate this award to my fellow Moroccans,” he said.

According to NYU’s website, the award is given to professors whose research and work contribute to positive social change.

“The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty Award recognizes outstanding faculty who exemplify the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s scholarship, life, and justice work and who promote the principles and ethos of Dr. King’s extensive global contributions in their research, teaching, leadership, and/or community-building efforts,” the university said.

It added that the process of selecting the faculty awardees involves significant student involvement. This includes students taking part in various stages such as award development, nomination, selection, and recognition.

This means that students play a role in identifying and honoring faculty members who have made a meaningful impact within the classroom, on student research, co-curricular activities, and broader community engagement.

Professor Bari, who leads NYU’s Predictive Analytics and AI Research Lab, has been involved in developing AI tools for healthcare, climate change, misinformation, and pandemic preparedness. 

Professor Anasse Bari and his AI researcher at NYU, Sana Sajjad (right) and Dr. Hua-Yu Sebastian Cherng, NTU’s Vice Dean of Research and Equity (left)

During an award ceremony on Wednesday, Bari said this recognition highlights the importance of working to serve communities while holding onto values of fairness and justice.  

The Moroccan professor teaches over 700 students annually, with focus on ethical AI and mentoring research projects that apply AI to solve social issues.

“Every day in my classroom, I encourage my students to use the skills they have learned at New York University to serve the world,” Bari said, noting that his students are finding “new ways” to use AI and data science to improve the world.

He explained that his students are using AI to combat misinformation, create automated tutoring tools, assist doctors in pandemic prevention, develop cleaner energy sources, and build “ethical, fair, and privacy-preserving” AI solutions.

“The remarkable work of our NYU students embodies the spirit of service and justice that Dr. King envisioned. This award gives me the opportunity to express my gratitude to my students—not only for their incredible contributions but also for the lessons they have taught me,” Professor Bari concluded.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCO

SAUDI ARABIA’s Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel appointed WTO General Council president for 2025–2026 creating history – First Arab & First Middle East Delegate

Becomes first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to hold the position.

The General Council of the World Trade Organization unanimously appointed Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term on Wednesday.

His appointment marks a milestone for the region, as he becomes the first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to hold the position, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The WTO General Council plays a role in overseeing the organization’s operations between its biennial ministerial conferences.

Under Al-Moqbel’s presidency, the council is expected to address a range of critical global trade issues, with preparations for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, set to take place in Cameroon in March 2026, high on the agenda.

Other priorities will include advancing essential WTO reforms, particularly concerning its dispute settlement mechanism, and progressing negotiations on the second phase of the Fisheries Subsidy Agreement.

Additionally, discussions will focus on key areas such as agriculture, food security and development concerns, while efforts will also be made to integrate multilateral agreements, including the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and the E-Commerce Agreement, into the WTO framework, SPA added.

Commenting on his appointment, Al-Moqbel hailed the significance of Saudi Arabia’s leadership within the WTO, stating that it reflected the Kingdom’s growing role in the international economic landscape.

He emphasized that the Kingdom would leverage its global economic influence to strengthen multilateral trade cooperation and drive meaningful reforms within the WTO.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The General Council of the World Trade Organization unanimously appointed Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term on Wednesday. (SPA)

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SAUDI ARABIA

IRAQ : Actress Awatef Naeem Receives Award at Eazees International Women’s Theatre Festival

The activities of the International Eazees International Women’s Theatre Festival have kicked off in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, with Arab and international participation.
 
‘The festival organizers announced the honoring of the esteemed Iraqi artist Awatef Naeem, within its second edition, which is being held from May 16 to 22 in Cairo, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency-INA.
 
“Actress Awatif Naim is one of the most prominent stars in the Arab world,” festival chairwoman Abeer Lotfi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA), noting that “Naim’s talent did not limit her to a specific role, but unleashed her to fly in the sky of art through acting, writing, directing and scientific research, which reflects the ability of women and their ability to prove themselves in difficult fields that require great effort.”
 
She pointed out that “the artist is scheduled to be honored for the play “I am my face”, which was written and directed by her, and co-starring artists and artists (Shatha Salem, Samar Mohammed, Shaima Jaafar and Ali Al-Sudani),” explaining that “the events of the play revolve around three women who embody the suffering that women endure in family, social and political life, to reach their essence and their true face.”
 
It’s to be mentioned, Awatif Naim, an Iraqi actress, director and academic researcher, was born in 1949. She obtained a doctorate in theater directing, and began her artistic career by writing and directing many programs and series for Iraqi radio and television, in parallel with her work in the field of criticism and academic research in theater, and she is a founding member of the Theater Critics Association in Iraq.


She was awarded the French Order of Arts and Letters in 2022 by the French Ministry of Culture. She founded the Children’s Theater Department at the Department of Cinema and Theater in 1996 and held its first festival in 2002.

source/content: ina.iq (headline edited)

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IRAQ

UAEU researchers enhance non-surgical blood flow monitoring technology

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have developed a new technology for non-surgical blood flow monitoring using piezoelectric pressure sensors.

The technology relies on special materials that generate electric fields when subjected to mechanical stress, helping to measure vital physiological parameters such as blood flow velocity and viscosity.

This enhanced version provides greater accuracy in interpretation and is more cost-effective, making it suitable for use in both hospitals and home settings. This technology also provides real-time data that can help detect conditions such as blood clots.

Professor Mahmoud Al Ahmad from the Department of Engineering and coordinator of the research team said, “Our goal is to improve an existing technology to make it more accurate and user-friendly, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers. It is worth mentioning that this project provided a training opportunity for four undergraduate students in scientific research.”

He added that the team plans to incorporate artificial intelligence technologies to further enhance the system and expand its use.

This innovation aligns with the UAE’s vision to advance medical technology and reduce reliance on imports. It also strengthens the local medical device manufacturing sector and supports the UAE’s shift towards a knowledge-based economy.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

Arab youth honoured for creativity at Mentor Arabia’s Youth Empowerment Awards

Youth from various Arab countries were honoured in Doha yesterday in recognition of their creative talents, with the presence of HM Queen Silvia of Sweden, President of Mentor International.

Some 12 talented young people aged between 18 and 30, were honoured during the Mentor Arabia’s 5th Youth Empowerment Film and Song Competition Award Ceremony in partnership with the Doha Film Institute and Qatar Museums.

Swedish Ambassador to Qatar H E Gautam Bhattacharyya; Qatar Ambassador to Sweden H E Nadya Ahmad Al Shaibi; CEO of Qatar Museums Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi and several other dignitaries were present during the ceremony.

Mentor Arabia’s Youth Empowerment Film and Song Competition encourage young people to create artistic works that rise awareness about pressing social and humanitarian issues: as well as the opportunities and challenges they face. The competition also provides a safe space for youth to express their concerns, aspirations, and opinions on urgent social and humanitarian topics.  

The fifth edition competitions were held under the theme ‘Towards Sustainable Societies.’ 

Head of Communication and Fundraising and Deputy CEO at Mentor Arabia, Bechara Ghaoui speaking toThe Peninsulasaid that the initiative aims at encouraging youth to adopt healthy lifestyles, inspiring them to excel in their professional journeys, and providing them with mentorship and guidance opportunities.

“This is very important for young people, for them to unleash their creativity, to let the whole world know about the importance of their voices. So, it’s a platform that can help them towards a better future. It opens for them lots of networking opportunities, give them a platform also to advocate about very important topics that are really addressed internationally,” he said.

The awards ceremony recognised outstanding creators of short narrative films, short documentary films, promotional films, songs, and animated films. 

Elle Moon from Lebanon was recognised for her song ‘Prodigy’ an English- Arabic rap song.

“The song is essentially an anthem of empowerment for the Lebanese community during times of suffering. It serves as a reminder that everything we aim to accomplish comes from a place of love and compassion. If we believe in ourselves and continue working hard towards our goals, we will succeed,” she said.  

Sarah Bitar from Lebanon won the award for her short film ‘The windows that I hate’ said, “My passion has always been filmmaking and acting. I used to think that this dream was out of reach, so I decided to bring it closer by starting my own YouTube channel and posting short films.” 

“At first, it was just a passion project, but then I realised that being recognised by amazing organisations like Mentor Arabia meant I had an opportunity to keep pushing myself further. Nothing is impossible to achieve if you stay focused and keep doing what you love. I was once at a point where I thought a dream was just that—a dream. But now I see that a dream is a purpose,” she added. 

Another award winner, Houcem Slouli from Tunisia, was recognised for his short film In Three Layers of Darkness, which explores the theme of freedom of movement around the world. Slouli, as both the director and producer of short films, views the recognition from Mentor Arabia as encouragement to continue pursuing his passion for film making.

Mentor Arabia is a regional non-governmental and non-profit organization dedicated to empowering children and youth and protecting them from harmful behaviors, enabling them to live healthy lives and make sound decisions. Founded in 2006, it is chaired by Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz. It is part of Mentor International, established in 1994 and chaired by HM Queen Silvia of Sweden, with branches in Sweden, Latvia, Germany, the United States, and Jordan.

Names of the 12 artists honoured during the Mentor Arabia’s 5th Youth Empowerment Film and Song Competition Award Ceremony: 


– Best Director in the Narrative Film Category: Ahmed Khalil for the film “Farikh Al-Asafeer” from Egypt.


-Best Narrative Film: “Fi Zolomat Thalath” (In Three Darkneses) by Houcem Slouli from Tunisia.


-Best Director in the Documentary Film Category: “Ardaha” (Her Land) by Ahed Najib and Mariam Benasser from Morocco.


-Best Documentary Film: “Dhakirat Muhamasha” (Forgotten Memory) by Hayat Laban from Palestine.


-Best Director in the Awareness Film Category: Anas Yahya from Jordan for the film “Taht Al-Ihtilal” (Under Occupation).


-Best Awareness Film: “The Windows That I Hate” by Sarah Bitar from Lebanon.


-Best Director in the Graphic Film Category: Asil Khalifa from Yemen for the film “Bara’a” (Innocence).


-Best Graphic Film: “Majbour” by Ghadeer Abu Jamous from Jordan.


-Best Qatari Film: “Bint Al-Sayyad” (The Fisherman’s Daughter) by Abdulrahman Al-Mana.


-Best Lyrics: “Kohk Sagheer” (A Small Hut) by Fadi Arabini from Syria.


-Best Performance: “Prodigy” by Elle Moon from Lebanon.


-Best Song: “Shu Bhib” (How Much I Love) by Sama Nasr from Lebanon.

source/content: thepeninsulaqatar.com (headline edited)

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HM Queen Silvia of Sweden, President of Mentor International (fourth right); Swedish Ambassador to Qatar H E Gautam Bhattacharyya (first right); Qatar Ambassador to Sweden H E Nadya Ahmad Al Shaibi (eighth right); CEO of Qatar Museums Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi (sixth right) and other dignitaries during the Mentor Arabia’s 5th Youth Empowerment Film and Song Competition Award Ceremony held in Doha yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula

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QATAR

SAUDI ARABIA : Minister of Communications Honors Scientists and Innovators at LEAP25 as Innovation Authority Launches National Initiatives for Future Economies

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha honored 12 scientists and innovators with the Research Excellence Award in Future Economies, recognizing outstanding research and innovation efforts aligned with national priorities.

The honorees included Professor Carlos Duarte, Professor Mohamed-Slim Alouini, Professor Ghulam Muhammad, Professor Tareq Al-Naffouri, Professor Bernard Ghanem, Professor Abdullah Abusorrah, Professor Osman Bakr, Professor Saleh Alshebeili, Professor Obaid Al-Saqqaf, Professor Ahmed Al-Qarni, Professor Donal Bradley, and Professor Khalid Al-Mashouq.


During the Innovation in Future Economies event, held alongside the LEAP25 conference in Riyadh, the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority announced the launch of several national initiatives aimed at advancing research and innovation in key economic sectors. These initiatives focus on unifying efforts in future economies and enabling the Kingdom to shape a prosperous economic future.
Among the announced initiatives is the development of a general, reliable, and human-centric artificial intelligence by 2050, the creation of a scalable and fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2045, and the establishment of five knowledge cities in Saudi Arabia by 2040, moving beyond traditional smart city concepts.


Additionally, the authority announced the establishment of the first private-sector Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis for health research and development. This initiative, launched in collaboration with Fakih Group, involves an investment of SAR 100 million and aims to position the Kingdom as a global hub for AI-driven healthcare innovation. By strengthening partnerships between academic institutions and the industrial sector, the initiative seeks to accelerate research breakthroughs and maximize their impact.


The Future Economies Innovation event also featured an announcement by the National Semiconductor Hub, unveiling plans for a design center and manufacturing facility for semiconductors in Saudi Arabia. This initiative includes the participation of 10 specialized companies in electronic chip design and a strategic partnership with RCM to develop the first Saudi-designed electronic chip for both local and global markets.


These initiatives, launched by the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority, reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering an innovative ecosystem that supports the growth of a knowledge-based economy. By investing in emerging economic fields, the Kingdom continues to strengthen its international position in line with its ambitious national targets for vital sectors.

source/content: spa.gov.sa (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA

KUWAITI businesswomen shine in Forbes Middle East’s 2025 Power List

Kuwaiti businesswomen have once again earned recognition on Forbes Middle East’s prestigious list of the 100 most powerful female business leaders in the Middle East for 2025.

Forbes Middle East emphasized the significant and ongoing impact these women have across diverse sectors. Their leadership within prominent local and international companies demonstrates their influence in the region’s business landscape.

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar

  • Company: National Bank of Kuwait Group (NBK Group)
  • Title: Deputy Group CEO
  • Sector: Banking & Financial Services

Ranking 2nd on the list is Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar who assumed her current role in 2014, where she leads the NBK Group in 13 countries. In the first nine months of 2024, the group reported profits of $1.6 billion and had $128.5 billion in assets. In November 2024, it launched the second edition of NBK RISE, to help empower women in leadership. Al Bahar’s board memberships include the board of trustees of the Al-Ojeiri Scientific Center and the Egyptian Kuwaiti Cooperation Council. She is also the vice chairperson of the Turkish Bank in Türkiye.

Wadha Ahmad Al-Khateeb

  • Company: Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC)
  • Title: CEO
  • Sector: Oil & Gas

Ranking 4th on the list is Wadha Ahmad Al-Khateeb who joined KNPC in 1994 and assumed her role as CEO in 2022. KNPC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, owns subsidiaries like the Kuwait Aviation Fueling Company and the Kuwait Aromatics Company. It recorded $41.2 billion in revenues for the fiscal year 2023/24 ending March 2024. Wadha Al-Khateeb is also the acting CEO of the Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company, and vice chairperson of the Gulf Downstream Association. Before her current position, she was the deputy CEO of Mina Abdullah Refinery.

Dana Nasser Al Sabah

  • Company: Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) – KIPCO
  • Title: Group CEO
  • Sector: Diversified

Ranking 5th on the list is Dana Nasser Al Sabah who joined KIPCO in 2004 and has been a board member since 2020. She was appointed group CEO in January 2022. The company generated profits of $205.7 million in the first nine months of 2024 and had $41.6 billion in assets. In April 2024, KIPCO’s subsidiary, the OSN Group, closed a deal to combine OSN+, OSN’s content streaming platform, with Anghami, after acquiring 55.45% of Anghami. Dana Al Sabah is also the founder and chair of the board of trustees of the American University of Kuwait, and the chairperson of the United Education Company, Jordan Kuwait Bank, and the OSN Group.

Nadia Bader Al-Hajji

  • Company: Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC)
  • Title: CEO
  • Sector: Petrochemicals

Ranking 17th on the list is Nadia Bader Al-Hajji who joined PIC, a subsidiary of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, in 2019 and assumed her current role in 2022. PIC recorded a net profit of $127 million in the financial year ending March 2024. Al-Hajji is also the chairman of the EQUATE Group and the Kuwait Olefins Company. She is a board member at the Canada Kuwait Petrochemicals Company, and a board member and treasurer at the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association. She is also head of the Diversity and Inclusion Council at the Kuwait Petroleum Company and its subsidiaries, among other roles.

Henadi Al-Saleh

  • Company: Agility
  • Title: Chairperson
  • Sector: Logistics

Ranking 22nd on the list is Henadi Al-Saleh who joined Agility in 2007 to lead investor relations, financial planning, and analysis. She was appointed to her current role in 2014. Agility employs over 65,000 people, with a footprint across six continents. In the first nine months of 2024, it generated $3.7 billion in revenues and had $13.3 billion in assets. In January 2024, its subsidiary Menzies Aviation acquired a 50% stake in Jardine Aviation Services Group in Hong Kong. In May 2024, Agility Global was listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. Al-Saleh is also a board member at GWC and part of the Global Board of Advisors of the U.S.-based Council on Foreign Relations.

Elham Mahfouz

  • Company: Commercial Bank of Kuwait (Al-Tijari)
  • Designation: CEO
  • Nationality: Egyptian
  • Sector: Banking & Financial Services

Ranking 54th on the list is Elham Mahfouz who assumed her current role in 2014. In February 2024, Al-Tijari announced a partnership with Network International to aid its ongoing digital transformation, including fraud detection and prevention, tokenization, and cardholder self-serve application. In the first nine months of 2024, the bank had $15.2 billion in assets and recorded net profits of $290.6 million. Mahfouz has held multiple senior executive positions at Al-Tijari since joining the bank in 2000, including general manager in its New York branch.

Donna Sultan

  • Company: KEO International Consultants
  • Designation: President & CEO
  • Sector: Architecture

Ranking 58th on the list is Donna Sultan who has been at KEO since 1985, becoming CEO in 1991, then eventually president and CEO in 2016. The company launched OPTIMA, a facility management consultancy, in October 2024, and inaugurated its Jordan office in September 2024. In June 2024, the Kuwait Center for Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, which KEO International Consultants designed, became operational.

source/content: arabtimes.com (headline edited)

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KUWAIT

SAUDI teacher Mansour Al-Mansour wins Gems Education Global Teacher Prize at World Governments Summit

 Saudi teacher Mansour Al-Mansour was awarded the Gems Education Global Teacher Prize at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Thursday.

Al-Mansour received the award at the end of the summit, an annual event that draws leaders from across the globe.

An educator known for his charity work and instructing prisoners, Al-Mansour won the prize of $1 million.

Al-Mansour is also an author and is known for work in his community, including a program that helps ensure people have access to air conditioning maintenance during Saudi Arabia’s scorching summer months.

The prize is awarded by the Varkey Foundation, whose founder, Sunny Varkey, established the for-profit GEMS Education company that runs dozens of schools in Egypt, Qatar and the UAE.

– With inputs from AP

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Mansour Al-Mansour received the award at the end of the World Governments Summit in Dubai (AN)

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SAUDI ARABIA