Photo Credit:&nbsp;Siebbi, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0">CC BY 3.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
Berlin International Film Festival revealed the complete lineup for its upcoming 75th edition, which is scheduled to take place from the&nbsp;13th to the 23rd of February.&nbsp;
The lineup includes many highly anticipated movies such as Richard Linklater's new film "Blue Moon",&nbsp;Michel Franco&rsquo;s &ldquo;Dreams&rdquo;, and&nbsp;&nbsp;Bong Joon-Ho's "Mickey 17".&nbsp;
Checkout the full lineup below&nbsp;
Berlinale 2025 Competition
- "Ari", directed by L&eacute;onor Serraille France / Belgium (2025)
- "Blue Moon", directed by Richard Linklater USA / Ireland (2025)
- "La cache (The Safe House)", directed by Lionel Baier Switzerland / Luxembourg / France (2025)
- "Dreams", directed by Michel Franco Mexico (2025)
- "Dr&oslash;mmer", directed by Dag Johan Haugerud Norway (2024)
- "Geu jayeoni nege mworago hani (What Does That Nature Say to You)", directed by Hong Sangsoo South Korea (2025)
- "Hot Milk", directed by Rebecca Lenkiewicz United Kingdom (2025)
- "If I Had Legs I&rsquo;d Kick You", directed by Mary Bronstein USA (2024)
- "Kontinental &rsquo;25", directed by Radu Jude Romania (2025)
- "El mensaje (The Message)", directed by Iv&aacute;n Fund Argentina / Spain (2025)
- "Mother&rsquo;s Baby", directed by Johanna Moder Austria / Switzerland / Germany (2025)
- "O &uacute;ltimo azul (The Blue Trail)", directed by Gabriel Mascaro Brazil / Mexico / Chile / Netherlands (2025)
- "Reflet dans un diamant mort (Reflection in a Dead Diamond)", directed by H&eacute;l&egrave;ne Cattet and Bruno Forzani Belgium / Luxembourg / Italy / France (2025)
- "Sheng xi zhi di (Living the Land)", directed by Huo Meng People&rsquo;s Republic of China (2025)
- "Strichka chasu (Timestamp)", directed by Kateryna Gornostai Ukraine / Luxembourg / Netherlands / France (2025)
- "La Tour de Glace (The Ice Tower)", directed by Lucile Hadžihalilović France / Germany (2025)
- "Was Marielle wei&szlig; (What Marielle Knows)", directed by Fr&eacute;d&eacute;ric Hambalek Germany (2025)
- "Xiang fei de nv hai (Girls on Wire)", directed by Vivian Qu People&rsquo;s Republic of China (2025)
- "Yunan", directed by Ameer Fakher Eldin Germany / Canada / Italy / Palestine / Qatar / Jordan / Saudi Arabia (2025)
Berlinale Special 2025
- "After This Death", directed by Lucio Castro USA (2025)
- "A Complete Unknown (Like A Complete Unknown)", directed by James Mangold USA (2024)
- "Heldin (Late Shift)", directed by Petra Volpe Switzerland / Germany (2025)
- "Islands", directed by Jan-Ole Gerster Germany (2025)
- "K&ouml;ln 75", directed by Ido Fluk Germany / Poland / Belgium (2025)
- "Das Licht (The Light)", directed by Tom Tykwer Germany (2025)
- "Lurker", directed by Alex Russell USA / Italy (2025)
- "Mickey 17", directed by Bong Joon Ho USA / South Korea / United Kingdom (2024)
- "The Thing with Feathers", directed by Dylan Southern United Kingdom (2025)
- "Ancestral Visions of the Future", directed by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese France / Lesotho / Germany / Saudi Arabia (2025)
- "Das Deutsche Volk", directed by: Marcin Wierzchowski Germany (2025)
- "Honey Bunch", directed by Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli Canada (2025)
- "Je n&rsquo;avais que le n&eacute;ant &ndash; &ldquo;Shoah&rdquo; par Claude Lanzmann (All I Had Was Nothingness)", directed by Guillaume Ribot France (2025)
- "Kein Tier. So Wild. (No Beast. So Fierce.)", directed by Burhan Qurbani Germany / Poland / France (2025)
- "Leibniz &ndash; Chronik eines verschollenen Bildes (Leibniz &ndash; Chronicle of a Lost Painting)", directed by Edgar Reitz, Anatol Schuster Germany (2025)
- "A melhor m&atilde;e do mundo (The Best Mother in the World | Die beste Mutter der Welt)", directed by Anna Muylaert Brazil / Argentina (2025)
- "Michtav Le&rsquo;David (A Letter to David)", directed by Tom Shoval USA (2025)
- "My Undesirable Friends: Part I &ndash; Last Air in Moscow", directed by Julia Loktev USA (2024)
- "Pa-gwa (The Old Woman with the Knife)", directed by Min Kyu-dong South Korea (2025)
- "Shoah", directed by Claude Lanzmann France (1985)
- "Friendship&rsquo;s Death", directed by Peter Wollen United Kingdom (1987)
Berlinale Perspectives 2025
- "Al Mosta&rsquo;mera (The Settlement)", directed by Mohamed Rashad Egypt / France / Germany / Saudi Arabia / Qatar (2025)
- "Baksho Bondi (Shadowbox)", directed by Tanushree Das, Saumyananda Sahi India / France / USA / Spain (2025)
- "BLKNWS: Terms &amp; Conditions", directed by Kahlil Joseph USA (2025)
- "Come la notte (Where the Night Stands Still)", directed by Liryc Dela Cruz Italy / Philippines (2025)
- "El Diablo Fuma (y guarda las cabezas de los cerillos quemados en la misma caja) (The Devil Smokes (and Saves the Burnt Matches in the Same Box)", directed by Ernesto Martinez Bucio Mexico (2025)
- "Duas Vezes Jo&atilde;o Liberada (Two Times Jo&atilde;o Liberada)", directed by Paula Tom&aacute;s Marques Portugal (2025)
- "H&eacute; m&aacute;n (Eel)", directed by Chu Chun-Teng Taiwan (2025)
- "How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World", directed by Florian Pochlatko Austria (2025)
- "Kaj ti je deklica (Little Trouble Girls)",&nbsp;directed by Ur&scaron;ka Đukić Slovenia / Italy / Croatia / Serbia (2025)
- "Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo)", directed by Joel Alfonso Vargas USA (2025)
- "Minden Rendben (Growing Down)", directed by B&aacute;lint D&aacute;niel S&oacute;s Hungary (2025)
- "Mit der Faust in die Welt schlagen (Punching the World)", directed by Constanze Klaue Germany (2025)
- "On vous croit (We Believe You)", directed by Arnaud Dufeys, Charlotte Devillers Belgium (2025)
- "Le rendez-vous de l&rsquo;&eacute;t&eacute; (That Summer in Paris)", directed by Valentine Cadic France (2025)
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Berlin International Film Festival Unveils The Lineup For Its 75th Edition

Photo Credit: El Gouna Film Festival / Facebook&nbsp;
El Gouna Film Festival unveiled on its official Facebook page, the dates for its upcoming 8th edition.&nbsp;
The upcoming edition of the festival will run from the 16th of October till the 24th of October.
<iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FElGounaFilmFestival%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0H4Bpb4nfA1NUDm8MGdUpGsu4DUrWnpfhqTMZfKc8egAVymTx2qiigE3QyqzmD4dql&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="673" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
The festival announced the news on its official Facebook page saying, "Mark your calendars! The 8th edition of El Gouna Film Festival returns to the magical shores of El Gouna, October 16-24, 2025. Get ready for another unforgettable celebration of cinema".
It's worth mentioning that the 7th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival took place last year from the 24th of October to the 1st of November, and it&nbsp;showcased over 80 films from 40 countries.&nbsp;

El Gouna Film Festival Announces The Dates For Its 8th Edition

Photo Credit: Freepik&nbsp;
Macklemore
Rapper&nbsp;Macklemore, who showed his support before to Palestine in the singles "Hind&rsquo;s Hall" and "Hind&rsquo;s Hall 2" in benefit of Palestinian aid, shared his happiness on social media with a clip of children hearing the news, and captioned it with, &ldquo;Tears&hellip;.CEASEFIRE!!! FREE PALESTINE&rdquo;.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE3CFv1yYnT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14">
<div style="padding: 16px;">
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE3CFv1yYnT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by BEN (@macklemore)</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
Melissa Barrera
Actress Melissa Barrera, who was dropped from the horror film franchise, "Scream" after sharing a social media post in support of Palestine, continued her support of Palestine as she wrote "Until Liberation" in her Instagram story after the news of the ceasefire was announced.&nbsp;
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/RNMmM8M/Capture-2.png" alt="" />
Paloma Faith
British actress and singer, Paloma Faith took to social media to share her feelings about the ceasefire deal, and she expressed her concerns saying in a statement she shared on her Instagram stories, "almost sad and scared about the ceasefire now. It worries me what they will do before the ceasefire and the aftermath and trauma endured by all those families who have witnessed unspeakable things, been tortured, lost family members, all the orphaned children, the childless parents, the PTSD they will live with forever".
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/2gppjPK/Capture-3.png" alt="" />&nbsp;
Guy Pearce&nbsp;
Guy Pearce who's getting a lot of attention lately for his performance in "The Brutalist", one of the biggest movies in this year's award season, showed his support for Palestine by wearing a&nbsp;pro-Palestine badge in the premiere of "The Brutalist".&nbsp;
In his interview with <a href="https://news.sky.com/video/guy-pearce-reacts-to-ceasefire-news-while-wearing-pro-palestine-badge-13289969">Sky News</a>, he also reacted to the ceasefire during the premiere, saying, "Thankfully all those people in Gaza can go back to their homes and live freely like they did on October the 6th".&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hollywood Celebrities React To News Of Gaza Ceasefire

Photo Credit: CIFF
The Cairo International Film Festival, presided over by the esteemed star Hussein Fahmy, announced in a statement released by the media center of the festival, that its upcoming 46th edition will take place from the 12th to the 21st of November, 2025, at the Cairo Opera House.
According to the statement, Hussein Fahmy stated: "With the announcement of our upcoming edition, we recognize the immense effort required to face its challenges and achieve the success we aspire to, while also learning from past experiences. We are confident that this edition will leave a distinctive mark on the history of the Cairo International Film Festival. I am particularly excited as we began preparations the day after the previous edition concluded."
The Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest festivals in the Arab world and Africa and stands out as the only festival in the Arab and African regions classified as a Category A event by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) in France.
&nbsp;

Cairo International Film Festival Announces The Dates For Its 46th Edition

Photo Credit: BAFTA / Youtube
The nominations of the EE BAFTA Film Awards were announced today from the British Academy&rsquo;s headquarters in London, in an event hosted by last year&rsquo;s BAFTA Rising Star winner, and &ldquo;The White Lotus&rdquo; star Will Sharpe, a BAFTA TV award winner in 2020.
&ldquo;Conclave&rdquo; led the nominations with 12 nods, and &ldquo;Emilia P&eacute;rez&rdquo; followed with 11 nominations.&nbsp;
The BAFTA Film Awards ceremony will take place on the 16th of February from London&rsquo;s Royal Festival Hall with&nbsp;&ldquo;Doctor Who&rdquo; star David Tennant returning as host.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The full list of nominations:
EE Rising Star Award
Marisa Abela
Jharrel Jerome&nbsp;
David Jonsson
Mikey Madison
Nabhaan Rizwan
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer
Luna Carmoon - "Hoard"
Rich Peppiatt - "Kneecap"&nbsp;
Dev Patel - "Monkey Man"
Sandhya Suri, James Bowsher, and Balthazar De Ganay - "Santosh"&nbsp;
Karan Kandhari - "Sister Midnight"
Best Original Screenplay
"Anora"&nbsp;
"The Brutalist"&nbsp;
"Kneecap"&nbsp;
"A Real Pain"&nbsp;
"The Substance"&nbsp;
Best Adapted Screenplay
"A Complete Unknown"&nbsp;
"Conclave"
"Emilia Perez"&nbsp;
"Nickel Boys"&nbsp;
"Sing Sing"&nbsp;
Best Film Not in English Language
"All We Imagine As Light"
"Emilia Perez"&nbsp;
"I'm Still Here"
"Kneecap"&nbsp;
"The Seed of The Sacred Fig"
Best Children &amp; Family Film
"Flow"
"Kensuke's Kingdom"&nbsp;
"Wallace &amp; Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl"
"The Wild Robot"
Best Director
Sean Baker - "Anora"
Brady Corbet - "The Brutalist"&nbsp;
Edward Berger - "Conclave"&nbsp;
Denis Villeneuve - "Dune: Part Two"&nbsp;
Jacques Audiard - "Emilia Perez"&nbsp;
Coralie Fargeat - "The Substance"
Best Supporting Actress
Selena Gomez - "Emilia Perez"&nbsp;
Ariana Grande - "Wicked"&nbsp;
Felicity Jones - "The Brutalist"&nbsp;
Jamie Lee Curtis - "The Last Showgirl"&nbsp;
Isabella Rossellini - "Conclave"&nbsp;
Zoe Saldana - "Emilia Perez"&nbsp;
Best Supporting Actor
Yura Borisov - "Anora"&nbsp;
Kieran Culkin - "A Real Pain"&nbsp;
Clarence Maclin - "Sing Sing"&nbsp;
Edward Norton - "A Complete Unknown"&nbsp;
Guy Pearce - "The Brutalist"
Jeremy Strong - "The Apprentice"&nbsp;&nbsp;
Best Leading Actress
Cynthia Erivo - "Wicked"&nbsp;
Karla Sofia Gascon - "Emilia Perez"&nbsp;
Marianne Jean-Baptiste - "Hard Truths"&nbsp;
Mikey Madison - "Anora"&nbsp;
Demi Moore - "The Substance"&nbsp;
Saoirse Ronan - "The Outrun"&nbsp;
Best Leading Actor
Adrian Brody - "The Brutalist"&nbsp;
Timothee Chalamet - "A Complete Unknown"&nbsp;
Colman Domingo - "Sing Sing"&nbsp;
Ralph Fiennes - "Conclave"&nbsp;
Hugh Grant - "Heretic"&nbsp;
Sebastian Stan - "The Apprentice"
Outstanding British Film
"Bird"&nbsp;
"Blitz"&nbsp;
"Conclave"&nbsp;
"Gladiator 2"&nbsp;
"Hard Truths"&nbsp;
"Kneecap"&nbsp;
"Lee"&nbsp;
"Love Lies Bleeding"&nbsp;
"The Outrun"&nbsp;
"Wallace &amp; Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl"
Best Film
"Anora"&nbsp;
"The Brutalist"&nbsp;
"A Complete Unknown"&nbsp;
"Conclave"&nbsp;
"Emilia Perez"&nbsp;&nbsp;

EE BAFTA Film Awards 2025: Full List Of Nominees

All the latest entertainment news from Nile FM. TV Shows, Movies, Trailers, Clips, International & Arab Celebrity Gossip, Awards, Events & Best Dressed Lists.

Entertainment

By Hassan El Seddiq&nbsp;
Rob van der Aar, the distinguished Dutch kayaker and advocate for heart health, recently concluded an extraordinary 500-kilometer kayaking journey, traversing the Nile River from Aswan to Cairo over the course of 25 days. This groundbreaking expedition was not only a personal test of endurance but also a mission with far-reaching impact.
The roots of Rob&rsquo;s inspiring journey trace back to a pivotal moment in 2012 when he underwent open-heart surgery. The experience was a turning point in his life, prompting him to overhaul his lifestyle, prioritize health, and commit to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
"Paddle for Egypt 2024" was meticulously planned and executed in collaboration with key partners, including The Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Tourism, Magdi Yacoub heart foundation Foundation, and the Dutch Embassy in Cairo.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Rob van der Aar told us all the details about the incredible journey he embarked on across Egypt, the challenges he faced along the way, and his plans for&nbsp;future endeavors.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I&rsquo;m from the Netherlands, and I&rsquo;m a mechanical engineer, I&rsquo;ve worked in the automotive industry, I&rsquo;ve worked in the aircraft industry, and have been working for a while in the IT industry. I&rsquo;m married, I have 2 kids, and I&rsquo;m 66 years old.
Kayaking is such a unique and interesting sport, why did you choose it as your preferred type of sport?
I&rsquo;ve done many sports in my life, when you&rsquo;re 66 you can try things out.
I used to be a runner, I ran half-marathons for a long time but training for marathons is kind of boring, it takes a lot of time, I&rsquo;ve done car racing, I&rsquo;ve done paramotor flying, but in the end, I came back to what I really like which is watersports.
I was born and raised close to the sea, during my high school education years I spent a lot of time doing all kinds of different watersports, and about 3 years ago approximately I decided to do something different and I picked up kayaking at some tryout lessons, and it&rsquo;s like a virus you either love it or hate it, and when I go for a sport, I go all the way.
Kayaking is so low profile, The whole concept is simple, you just buy a boat, and you put the boat in the water and you can go almost in any direction you wish.
The Netherlands has a lot of water, we have lakes, we have the sea, we have rivers, so the choices of where to go with your kayak are endless.
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/bPgQ5Yx/Be-Funky-collage-2024-11-27-T153058-421.jpg" alt="" />&nbsp;
Is this your first time in Egypt, or did you come before?
My wife came here for the first time in 1977, and it took a long time before she could convince me to come to Egypt.
My first visit was in 1999, and for the last 25 years we visited Egypt every year sometimes 2 times, sometimes 3 times, and we&rsquo;ve been to most of the places here in Egypt but there are certain areas we still want to visit.
Which places do you like the most in Egypt?
I like the sea, so I like Dahab, which for me is a quiet and easygoing place, and me and my wife really like Aswan as well, I like the food, the people, and the whole atmosphere there.
You&rsquo;ve mentioned that you had heart surgery which inspired you to do the Nile trip, can you tell us more about that?
In 2012 I had a life-changing event, I was mountain biking, I felt dizzy, and when I googled what&rsquo;s wrong, and my wife was reading it as well and she told me &ldquo;You need to go to the hospital right now&rdquo;.
I had to do open heart surgery, and then I realized that I&rsquo;m still smoking every now and then, I was a little bit overweight, and some things needed to change, so I changed my lifestyle basically, I changed my diet, I started to do sports much more than I did before, and I realized over the years how easy it is for us to get access to healthcare.
We just walk into a hospital, nobody is asking questions, you only have to show your ID, and you get the help needed, I know that in some parts of the world, healthcare is expensive and not available for everybody.
How did the idea of the 25-day trip from Aswan to Cairo come about?
As I mentioned in the past I did paramotor flying, and the original idea was in 2015, at that time I was flying, and my idea was that I take my flying equipment which also fits into a backpack, the plan was to start in Aswan and fly over the Nile for charity.
After half a year I shelved the idea when I realized that It was going to be difficult to execute, until the moment that I started kayaking then the idea came back.
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/ccVT8Nv/Be-Funky-collage-2024-11-27-T153110-830.jpg" alt="" />&nbsp;
What were the biggest challenges that you faced during the trip?
The challenge wasn&rsquo;t physical, because I trained a lot and I was well prepared, maybe I could&rsquo;ve done a little bit better, but you start training and your condition grows day by day.
But the mental challenge was the biggest one because when I do 50 kilometers I&rsquo;m in the boat for like 5 to 6 hours, and after 2 hours it becomes really boring, no matter what, no matter how nice the scenery is, but it&rsquo;s becoming boring.
There&rsquo;s always wind around 11 O&rsquo;clock, there&rsquo;s wind coming from the north trying to push you back from the day you started, but what helps is the flow of the river, however, the mental challenge is the biggest one.
When did you first hear about Dr. Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation, and what made you want to collaborate with it?
I read about it 15 years ago, but 5 years ago I got the chance to visit the hospital and talk to the people there.
I chose it because I can easily relate to heart disease, because of my previous experience with it.
Can you tell us more about your preparations for this journey?
The preparations were something else, I&rsquo;d never done an adventure like this big before.
I contacted the Egyptian Canoe &amp; Kayak Federation, and they were very cooperative.
Then I contacted the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and they were the pivot point of &ldquo;Paddle for Egypt 2024&rdquo;, they talked to the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and so on.
The Dutch embassy in Cairo also played a very important role in keeping things going and moving in the right direction.
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/HzDM9LM/Be-Funky-collage-2024-11-27-T153121-199.jpg" alt="" />&nbsp;
What was your motive behind this journey?
First of all, it&rsquo;s a personal test, can I do it, because the longest distance that I&rsquo;ve done up until that point was 220 kilometers.
Goal number two was to raise awareness for Dr. Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation because I believe in what they&rsquo;re doing. Underprivileged people don&rsquo;t have access to good health and what that team is doing really fantastic, I&rsquo;m amazed that something exists like that.
Goal number three is to promote kayaking as a sport in Egypt because you have this wonderful Nile River.
After this initiative, are you planning for similar journeys in the future?
We&rsquo;re now brainstorming what can be done better and what have we learned, and there will definitely be a follow-up.
The concept will stay the same because I still believe in kayaking, and I believe in the cause of the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation.
I learned from this experience and I see it as a very good rehearsal for what&rsquo;s coming next year.
I&rsquo;ve learned a lot about Egypt, I&rsquo;m looking at Egypt with different eyes and I&rsquo;m grateful for that learning experience, I appreciate the country much more and the support that I got from the ministries, the Dutch embassy, from Cairo Yacht Club, also from the people in Dr. Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation made all this possible.
I believe in what Sir Magdi Yacoub has set up, I believe in his team and they&rsquo;re doing a wonderful job, I salute them big time.

Nile FM Exclusive: Dutch Kayaker Rob Van Der Aar On His 500-Kilometer Kayaking Journey From Aswan To Cairo

By Hassan El Seddiq
The award-winning Egyptian documentary "The Brink of Dreams" will premiere in Egypt today, after screening in multiple prestigious film festivals around the world including Cannes Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Biarritz Film Festival, &Eacute;tats g&eacute;n&eacute;raux du film documentaire in France, DokuFest in Kosovo, Afrika Film Festival in Germany, and DER NEUE in Austria.&nbsp;
The movie received international acclaim, as well as various awards, most notably the Golden Eye Documentary Prize at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Egyptian movie to receive this prestigious award.
The film tells the story of a group of girls in a small village in Upper Egypt who form a theater troupe called "Panorama El Barsha", which roams the streets in defiance of the traditions of their conservative environment.
Nada Riyadh, who co-directed the celebrated documentary along with&nbsp;Ayman El Amir, told us all about the journey of making "The Brink of Dreams" and the importance of shedding light on the artistic scene in Upper Egypt.&nbsp;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/liG9sUp0LnA" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
How did the idea for the movie first come about?
Between 2016 and 2018, Ayman and I were working with a group of Cairo-based organizations supporting women in the arts in Upper Egypt. We traveled frequently to places like Minya, Assiut, and other governorates, where we met the girls -Panorama El Barsha Troupe- who were performing in a nearby village, their performances captured our attention, and we kept in touch with them over the years.
In 2018, they invited us to come to El-Barsha village to screen one of our films, and we did, they were incredibly curious about cinema, and they asked many questions about it. They felt it was a new means of expression they wanted to explore. By that time, we had formed a bond with them and felt like we could make a film about them in&nbsp;El-Barsha.&nbsp;&nbsp;
From all the groups that you saw, why did you decide that your film is going to be about Panorama El Barsha Troupe?&nbsp;
What really drew our attention wasn&rsquo;t just their talent; it was their desire to impact their community, to express their ideas in an authentic, artistic way.
These were young women, mostly in their late teens, full of energy and enthusiasm. Their street performances were interactive&mdash;they weren&rsquo;t only presenting creative and bold ideas but they also were actively trying to engage with the audience in the street, prompting responses and encouraging them to think along with them. This approach was striking for us, as it was something we rarely saw in Upper Egypt.
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/bHmcP2m/a18c5ed3-2379-491b-b53b-d87d772e47e8.jpg" alt="" />&nbsp;
The film took four years to make; could you tell us about the challenges you faced during that time?
The long timeframe presented many challenges. We had to adapt our filming techniques to the environment and the conditions around us, as we knew from the start that we&rsquo;d be following them over several years, so we needed to keep the crew small, use cameras that weren&rsquo;t too bulky and didn&rsquo;t attract too much attention, and find cinematic solutions that allowed us to capture real, intimate moments without disrupting their daily life.
I think it also took time for us, the girls, and their families to get used to the camera&rsquo;s presence. Our goal was to be there without interrupting the everyday rhythm, capturing the emotions and the dramatic moments unfolding before us.
It took a long time for everyone&mdash;the girls, their families, and the surrounding community&mdash;to grow accustomed to our presence. Eventually, we could walk around without anyone asking who we were or where we were going.
This process required a lot of adaptation, particularly in terms of the crew and filming methods. It was also important to maintain a consistent crew over the years so the people we were filming didn&rsquo;t have to keep rebuilding trust with a new crew.
How did the extended filming period benefit the film?
In the film itself, you watch this talented group grow up before your eyes on the screen. I don't think we could have achieved this without the time we spent there and the filming approach we developed.
In a way, time is the main antagonist in the film, you see it passing, and you watch the four young girls grow, fall in love, and figure out how to pursue their artistic careers.
I don&rsquo;t believe we could have created a film like this without that extended time and the trust we built.
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/pdJ0sV7/69c762b9-d6d2-4e95-b75d-7b47b8671072.jpg" alt="" />
People from Upper Egypt, especially women, are often stereotyped in cinema. Do you think there are opportunities for Upper Egyptian voices to be portrayed in a way that moves beyond these past stereotypes?
This is something we&rsquo;re testing right now, today is the movie premiere in Egyptian cinemas, and I hope that the film, along with the girls&rsquo; presence on the big screen, will help break the stereotype and inspire people to ask for similar portrayals in TV shows and films.
We&rsquo;re incredibly excited about this and we feel that audiences are eager for Egyptian stories about communities we rarely get the chance to see on screen.
How do you see the film's global success and the warm reception at various Egyptian and international festivals impacting the girls of Panorama El Barsha Troupe and their community in Upper Egypt?
The success success of the film exceeded all our expectations. After the girls returned from Cannes, the people from their village welcomed them with a grand celebration at the entrance of the village.
I think for the girls it was a huge moment of triumph. After years of doubts&mdash;questioning whether what they were doing mattered, if their art had real value, or if they were real artists&mdash;they received such an extraordinary welcome from their own community.
Being honored by so many Egyptian institutions also uplifted their spirits immensely and sent a message to other young men and women that they, too, can dream, create art, and have their voices heard and valued.
We&rsquo;ve learned that you and director Ayman El Amir have a new project titled Armstrong, which is also related to Upper Egypt. Could you tell us more about it?
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/Gn5KtH4/2b3afb1d-5f10-40b7-97b8-34fea9bf3b17-1.jpg" alt="" />&nbsp;
Your new project with director Ayman El Amir,&nbsp;"Armstrong" is also taking place in Upper Egypt.&nbsp;Could you tell us more about it?
"Armstrong" is directed by Ayman El Amir, and it's our upcoming feature film project, and a significant part of it takes place in the village of El-Barsha in Upper Egypt. However, not the entire movie takes place there. However, this time, the focus is on the boys in the village and their dreams. I think we&rsquo;re very attached to Upper Egypt, and we&rsquo;ll continue for some time to tell its stories.
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/YkytXdB/77c754b5-c465-4448-b19e-ad06bb666d04.jpg" alt="" />&nbsp;
Can you tell us more about how film festivals provide support to young filmmakers?
Festivals, in general, are the primary platform that drives the global film industry. Being selected for festivals is crucial&mdash;it supports the film and provides it with a real opportunity, especially when it comes to distribution.
Support comes in many forms, whether through development programs, financial backing, or other avenues, and in the Arab world, there are several festivals, such as El Gouna Film Festival, Red Sea International Film Festival, Marrakech International Film Festival, and Cairo International Film Festival, all of which provide valuable support to filmmakers, especially Arab filmmakers. This support is essential for the continued growth and success of the film industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nile FM Exclusive: Nada Riyadh On "The Brink of Dreams" And Giving Voice To Upper Egypt’s Art

By Salma Khaled and Hassan El Seddiq
Belgian-Egyptian singer/songwriter, Tamino, returned to Egypt once again in his highly anticipated concert, to conclude the tour of his sophomore album &ldquo;Sahar&rdquo; in the main garden of the AUC Tahrir Square.
After the show got sold out in no time, a second show was added on the next day, where Tamino&rsquo;s majestic tunes and atmospheric music blended in with the historical and magical place he was performing at, with a setlist that included many of his most popular and beloved songs, such as &ldquo;The Flame&rdquo;, &ldquo;The First Disciple&rdquo;, &ldquo;Indigo Night&rdquo;, and &ldquo;Habibi&rdquo;.
Nile FM got the chance to chitchat with Tamino and delve deeper into his sophomore album and his returning to Egypt.&nbsp;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Tf0MEW_Z9w8" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
This is your second time performing in Egypt, how does it feel like to come back here?
"I&rsquo;m honored, and I was nervous last night, and I think I will be nervous tonight as well. Usually, I don&rsquo;t get nervous anymore, so I think it means something, I think it&rsquo;s just because I really wanna do extra well for Egypt.
Even though I lived here for 2 years&hellip;but I didn&rsquo;t really grow up here, still it feels like home, it&rsquo;s the country of my father, it&rsquo;s a country that I wanna explore more throughout my life, I wanna learn the language. I&rsquo;ve been saying that for years but I&rsquo;m actually learning a bit.
It means a lot to also bring my band and my crew here because a lot of them have never been in here, last time we had a smaller band and crew.
It&rsquo;s great on many levels."
Since recording each album is its own unique experience, what was unique about recording &ldquo;Sahar&rdquo;?
"The time in which it was recorded, I think for everybody it was a weird time, because of the pandemic and everything.
When the album came out I didn&rsquo;t want it to be stamped as a lockdown record, it&rsquo;s just my second record, I didn&rsquo;t want it to be bound forever with the pandemic, but then looking at it now, it of course affected it, immensely.
I was not on tour anymore, I was home for a long time, it was such a change in my life, my life changed very drastically."
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3wVTmlD86a8" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
The majority of the album was recorded during the pandemic, did that affect the sound or the subject matter of the album?
"For sure, because I think in terms of the subject matter, I think all of these songs are quite reflective, because it was a reflective time for probably many people, as we could look at our life from another perspective.
And because I was not on big stages anymore at that time, and usually in my room writing songs, that&rsquo;s probably why the record sounds quite roomy, instead of big like the first one [Amir], which was recorded in-between touring, we would tour a week and then we would be home for a week. If I was not on the stage, I was in the studio, and the experience from the stage would influence our time in the studio, cause we would think about the show we just played for a lot of people.
Also those years before &ldquo;Amir&rdquo; included the first shows that I ever did for big crowds, before releasing &ldquo;Habibi&rdquo;, I was playing in pubs, like small gigs, and let&rsquo;s say if I started recording my debut album then it wouldn&rsquo;t have sounded that big, because I couldn&rsquo;t imagine being in front of a big crowd like that."
Your debut album &ldquo;Amir&rdquo; is titled after your first name, why did you choose the title &ldquo;Sahar&rdquo; for your second album?
"Because of that state of reflection in the subject matter.
I asked my father is that a good title? and he said &ldquo;Yeah yeah, it&rsquo;s a first name, a lot of people will think it&rsquo;s about a girl&rdquo; but it means just before dawn, which is this nice in-limbo, transitional moment, sort of an in-between realm, and to me that album sits in that world.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/g5QOqOK2fXE" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ve mentioned before that Colin Greenwood has been part of your band, and he&rsquo;s also been a big part of this album, so can you tell us more about your experience working with him?
So firstly, they [Radiohead] were a huge influence as a band, and when I met him [Colin Greenwood], I wouldn&rsquo;t have dreamt of actually working with him, but then was so kind and so open, and I just felt I can really ask him to play on this song, I didn&rsquo;t dare to do more than one, and he said, &ldquo;Yeah, of course&rdquo;.
And when he came to the studio he was nervous, he was more nervous than we were, and we were already quite nervous, because Colin was coming to the studio, but he nailed it of course as you can hear in &ldquo;Indigo Night&rdquo;, I love that bassline.
One thing led to another, and we just asked him to play some songs in a gig, and he learned how to play them all, and before we knew it he was in our band, he was just with us on tour, and then when we started recording &ldquo;Sahar&rdquo; it was just very clear to us that we had to get into the studio with Colin and Ruben [Vanhoutte], and then we included other musicians, but that was the core, Ruben, Colin and me."
Oud is such a prominent instrument in &ldquo;Sahar&rdquo;; why did you include it specifically?
&ldquo;Because it was the instrument I was studying really hard at that time. I used the pandemic to really dive deep into it, and actually, my teacher is with us. He&rsquo;s playing on stage with us tonight. It was the instrument I picked up first in the morning every day. Two years before the pandemic, I already started playing a bit, but always in between touring, and I never really got the time to go at it. There were some songs that would have never been there without the instrument like &ldquo;The First Disciple&rdquo;. It started with an oud melody, I was playing a melody of the chorus and I really liked it, then I started playing the guitar on top of that melody and that became the song. I think I can incorporate the instrument way more in future songs.&rdquo;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vO5Ma9NmM4w" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
Where do you usually draw inspiration from?
&ldquo;From all over. When I write a new song, it is all about starting the work because if I wait for inspiration, nothing really comes. I really have to start working, and then hope for it to come. I do think that in the end, stories really inspire me. I love reading and love narrative. Somehow, it is like you&rsquo;re leading a second life, like a portal to this other dimension. I feel like that can bleed into your work, more than music even, for me.
Music is of course a huge inspiration for me, but also the narrative in my own life and the experiences and the way my life unfolds and the way I can have new experiences, that really is important to me. For example, living in Antwerp in Belgium, but in two weeks, I am moving to New York because I need a new place. New York, for me, I&rsquo;ve been exploring it a bit and I always felt sad when I had to leave because I felt like there&rsquo;s so much more to explore.
So for now that&rsquo;s a good place for me to be in I think, and I will always listen to that. I always wanna be searching. I&rsquo;ve also realized that the artists that inspire me the most are the artists that search throughout their whole life as they keep an open mind and they never arrive, they&rsquo;re never there. They always keep looking and they&rsquo;re curious, that means sometimes having to leave your comfort zone because if you&rsquo;re too comfortable as an artist, I don&rsquo;t think this art comes from that. I think it is important to face your fears and indulge in them.&rdquo;
You&rsquo;ve collaborated with Belgian singer/songwriter Angele on your track &ldquo;Sunflower&rdquo;, which marks your first collab, why specifically did you choose to collaborate with her?
&ldquo;Because we are friends. For me, it is very abstract to ask somebody that I don&rsquo;t know yet, so it was just something that very naturally happened in the pandemic where we got to know each other better a bit better. And when I wrote that song my mind just went to her because we already had the connection. Apart from that, I really love her voice and I love her work, it&rsquo;s a very different world from mine of course.
I think, therefore, even more interesting to see the contrast between the worlds and to see them come together, but I think in the future, if I ever collaborate with other people, for me, it&rsquo;s important to get to know them as it&rsquo;s very weird to step into the studio and start working immediately because I don&rsquo;t know them. I hope that in New York maybe I will meet some people that I will wanna work with eventually after of course we hang out and have fun together.&rdquo;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zznlf3ZKQi0" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Nile FM Exclusive Interview With Tamino 

Jordanian actress Rakeen Saad is known for her shapeshifting abilities to transform as an actress from role to role. Behind Rakeen&rsquo;s dazzling performance is a journey that has spanned more than 10 years. She has been part of the most popular projects including, &ldquo;Rivo,&rdquo; &ldquo;El Rawabi School For Girls,&rdquo; and most recently, the trending show &ldquo;Safah El Giza&rdquo;.
&ldquo;Safah El Giza,&rdquo; follows Ahmed Fahmy, who embodies the character of Gaber, the serial killer with rigid features and a steady hand in killing. We also follow Zeina, played by Rakeen Saad, who is a girl who dreams of being a successful actress. As the story of both characters intertwined, Zeina falls into the claws of Giza&rsquo;s most dangerous serial killer, Gaber.
In a special interview, Rakeen takes us through that journey and into the depths of her latest project &ldquo;Safah El Giza&rdquo;.
&nbsp;<img src="https://i.ibb.co/gF0cq4y/2d4d061e-cf84-4423-b68a-59cef44d9219.jpg" alt="" />
How did you get ready for your role as Zeina in Safah El Giza?
&ldquo;I read the script and I sat down with Hady El Bagoury, the director, Ahmed Fahmi, and Ingy Abu el Seoud for table reads to discuss the character&rsquo;s details, what are her motifs and what is real and what is not. We did lots of trials with stylist Reem El Adl and make-up artist, Amr Abdullah to reach what&rsquo;s best for Zeina.
Also, on a personal level, I read a lot, researched more, and practiced with my acting coach Rana Rawaya to improve my physicality and help understand her motifs.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvfVcbVI5Pm/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14">
<div style="padding: 16px;">
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvfVcbVI5Pm/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by ركين سعد سيلاوي Rakeen Saad (@rakeensaad)</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
How were you able to sympathize and find the human in Ahmed Fahmi&rsquo;s character Gaber, Safah El Giza?
&ldquo;Zeina&rsquo;s character is split into two parts:&nbsp; the one inside Gaber or Mohy&rsquo;s mind and the real one. With the help of Hady El Bagoury&rsquo;s direction, I found myself able to understand both characters, and I was able to understand which Zeina am I playing. The real one or the made-up one. This was a challenge, but a very fun one.
The thing is Gaber believes that Zeina is sympathetic towards him, but that&rsquo;s not true. She&rsquo;s not. Zeina makes it very clear that she doesn&rsquo;t understand him and doesn&rsquo;t want anything to do with him.
He manipulated her and she was pushed by her belief that she deserved more and that she was stuck in a place that had no chances for her. That&rsquo;s the main reason she believed Mohy and that&rsquo;s when she became the victim. She&rsquo;s rebellious by nature and wants to be seen and get the attention she thinks she deserves. Mohy saw that she was young and she dreamed big and used that against her.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Recently, you&rsquo;ve been working with a lot of streaming-services-based projects, how do you feel towards streaming services and what makes them special?
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m really happy to work with streaming services because this is the natural progression of media. What makes it special is that we had time to perfect the scenes. I didn&rsquo;t feel pressured because of a set time frame like in the Ramadan season. Also, the idea that an audience can binge-watch a show, and have the full control to play and stop it, is amazing. That&rsquo;s an interrelation between streaming services and TV, now you can access TV series on streaming services at your own pace.&rdquo;
&nbsp;<img src="https://i.ibb.co/X5hyBJR/6cc290f5-66fa-4347-ae54-9d372dfdd972.jpg" alt="" />
Can you describe your characters (Noaf- Zeina- Mariam) in a few words?
&ldquo;Noaf is a unique character and a very smart one. Zeina is a rebellious spirit with a sensitive personality and she&rsquo;s also both a dreamer and a victim. On the other hand, Mariam&rsquo;s character is really close to mine. She is really close to my heart. I believe she&rsquo;s an emotional character, who is also stubborn yet sensitive.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Previously, you&rsquo;ve acted in serval languages and accents. Which of these accents are you most familiar with and comfortable with?
&ldquo;My mother tongue, the Jordanian language, is where I feel most comfortable as I can express myself the most. However, in general, I really like to experiment with accents. At this very moment, I&rsquo;m also very familiar with the Egyptian accent and I&rsquo;m used to it by now.&rdquo;
&nbsp;<img src="https://i.ibb.co/QNP5BfZ/c998e56d-ba16-439a-814e-2dc4ddaa669e.jpg" alt="" />
You&rsquo;ve collaborated with some of the biggest names and some of the most successful projects, do you consider yourself a lucky person, existing at the right time in the right place, or a very calculated person?
&ldquo;Of course, I feel like I hit the Jackpot and that I&rsquo;m extremely lucky to be able to work on such projects with huge names. I&rsquo;ve learned a lot from them and am very thankful to be part of the Egyptian film industry.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Which celebrities would you love to work and collaborate with?
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a long list! The people I worked with already are much less than those I want to work with. I don&rsquo;t wanna name names because this is just the beginning of the road.
Currently, I&rsquo;m in the middle of a few very exciting projects and I&rsquo;m thrilled to talk about them. I should add that there might be a huge surprise very soon so stay tuned. I can&rsquo;t get into much detail but it&rsquo;s a movie and a TV show.&rdquo;
&nbsp;

Exclusive Interview With Rakeen Saad “Safah El Giza” Star

By Hassan El-Seddiq and Salma Khaled
Award-winning comic artist Deena Mohamed celebrated the release of the English version of &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo; with a book signing and a discussion, in which she talked about her journey translating her highly-acclaimed debut graphic novel and the obstacles she faced while translating the deep-rooted Egyptian cultural nuances in order to reach English-speaking readers.
After her success with the webcomic series, &ldquo;Qahera&rdquo;, Deena Mohamed's debut novel&nbsp;&ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo; was awarded Best Graphic Novel and the Grand Prize of the Cairo Comix Festival in 2017. &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo; was originally released in Arabic and split into 3 parts, before getting picked up by the esteemed publishing house, Pantheon Books, which is responsible for publishing many distinguished graphic novels, such as &ldquo;Persepolis&rdquo;, &ldquo;Habibi&rdquo;, and &ldquo;Maus&rdquo;.
&ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo; embraces and celebrates the kiosk culture while fusing it with urban fantasy in a whimsical alternate version of Egypt where wishes can be purchased. The story follows 3 individuals from radically different backgrounds: Aziza, Nour, and Shokry, who are only linked by a modest Kiosk where the three of them buy a first-class wish from.
The Genesis Of &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo;
Deena explained that her admiration for the Egyptian kiosk culture was the starting point for &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo;, she said, &ldquo;Originally I wanted to write a story about Kiosks, I wanted to draw them actually, more than to write about them, and I wanted to write a story that was more based on fantasy because I have just finished doing a webcomic and the webcomic was very satirical and I wanted to do something that was more of a narrative, more of a longer story. When I started with "Shubeik Lubeik". She added, &ldquo;I wanted to do a kiosk and I wanted it to sell a magical object, and then I thought of a wish, and then I had to think of what kind of a world where you could sell a wish in.&rdquo;
The meticulous world-building of &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo; was an easier task for Deena to create, but bringing it all to life was the real challenge, Deena said, &ldquo;I just came up with the world and then I put the rules for it and I came up with the story, it was like in three hours I outlined all of it and then I spent six years drawing it. You always pay for your ideas.&rdquo;
&ldquo;It was from the beginning I knew that the Kiosk would be the link between the stories.&rdquo; Deena said, &ldquo;When I was coming up with the concept of wishes I was thinking of what people would wish for, so I immediately was thinking about grief, and then I was thinking about happiness, and I was thinking about health, so I already know what the stories are going to be about.&rdquo;
<iframe title="Deena Mohamed on Creating Believable Worlds and Her Graphic Novel SHUBEIK LUBEIK" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XMhmilzpQ2w" width="1904" height="768" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Expansion Of &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo;
The first version of &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo; which Deena self-published in 2017, went through many changes over the years, with added pages expanding the story, Deena explained that by saying, &ldquo;In terms of editorial, the first part you can kind of see it grow because when I self-published it, it was around 80 pages, and then when I published it with Dar El-Mahrousa after it won the award, it was 120 pages because the award was a residency in France with other comic artists. When I went to France I realized that other comics artists put a lot of effort into their work and I was kind of jealous, and I felt like I could do better, so I decided to go back and add maybe 30-40 pages, and then for the English [version] I added another 20 pages.&rdquo;
She also talked about why the first part was the one that got the most expansion of the three, &ldquo;From the stories&rsquo; perspective, the first part was so hard to reach the final edition for it, but the second and third parts were very planned, so the third part nothing changed in the English [version] because I had already put in my maximum effort for the Arabic [version]. In the second part, there are a few changes in the English [version] but it&rsquo;s also not that significant. So actually I&rsquo;m interested now in the people who have read the Arabic [version], how they feel about the English [version].&ldquo;
The Journey Of Publishing &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo;
Deena talked about her journey of publishing her debut novel, and how strenuous it is to pursue a career in such a niche market &ldquo;You still can&rsquo;t make a living publishing graphic novels, so the only reason I was able to publish &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo; in Arabic was because of the translation. I actually sold the translation before I sign the contract with El-Mahrousa in Egypt.&rdquo; Then she added, &ldquo;We have several really amazing Egyptian comic artists here, and they also have to sell translations or get a grant in order to finish [making] graphic novels in Arabic. Some people can draw a page a day, and some people take a week to draw a page, so if you imagine how long it takes to draw a graphic novel, it&rsquo;s a very time-intensive task and it needs a lot of money actually&rdquo;.
Translating &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo; &amp; The Decision To Keep It From Right-To-Left
Deena also shared her taxing experience of translating &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo;, she said, &ldquo;Translating is really hard because when I was writing the Arabic parts I wasn&rsquo;t thinking about how I would translate it, it was a problem for my future self, so I didn&rsquo;t really consider how difficult it&rsquo;s going to be because they [the characters] speak in lots of different dialects and there&rsquo;s a lot of localized things in it."
The English &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t published like the traditional from-left-to-right English graphic novels, but it&rsquo;s read from right to left just like its Arabic counterpart, Denna talked about what led her to this decision saying, &ldquo;Keeping it right to left for me was important because when I was translating it, I realized that it&rsquo;s always going to feel like a translation, and I liked that.&rdquo; She continued, &ldquo;When I read manga or when I watch something that is subtitled I like the feeling that it&rsquo;s translated. Like no one reads manga and thinks it&rsquo;s originally in English like you know it&rsquo;s originally in Japanese and you can tell it&rsquo;s a translation and you still enjoy it, so I wanted to keep the same feeling, that you know it&rsquo;s a translation but you still enjoy it&rdquo;.
She also talked about how she convinced Pantheon of that decision, &ldquo;I asked Pantheon if we can keep it right to left and they actually didn&rsquo;t mind at all. They kind of care about the production a lot, Pantheon has published a lot of nice looking books, and they&rsquo;ve also published a lot of Japanese hardcover books and they published them from right to left, so it wasn&rsquo;t too difficult to convince them&rdquo;.
However, the most crucial reason for keeping the graphic novel from right to left was the Arabic calligraphy, Deena clarified, &ldquo;The short answer for why I had to keep it from right to left is because the wishes in &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo; are made of Arabic calligraphy, and you can&rsquo;t flip it", she continued, &ldquo;the flow of the story kept stopping at the wishes, so I think that&rsquo;s part of the decision to keep it right-to-left, and I think it made a big difference, even in the way people receive it, it&rsquo;s like a novelty to them.&rdquo;
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CnOlZmcr3wJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14">
<div style="padding: 16px;">
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CnOlZmcr3wJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Deena Mohamed (@itsdeenasaur)</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
The Difference Between The Reception Of The Arabic &amp; The English Versions
When Deena was asked about the difference between the reception of the book in the Eastern and Western cultures, she replied, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve learned through my career so far to stop predicting my audience because I will always think people will receive it in a certain way. I was aware, at least for the Arabic [version], I know what people like about it because it&rsquo;s been 3 parts and we have conversations about it, especially at Cairo Comix I see how people react to it every year, people message me online all the time about what they think of this part or that part. For the Arabic [version], people focus on the story more, they tend to focus on the characters, and the wishes, and the events, in the English [version] there were a lot of discussions about the infographics, so like the world itself.&rdquo;
She also opened up about her worries that English-speaking readers will face some sort of cultural barrier, she said, &ldquo;Before the English version came out I was definitely a little nervous because I was worried that the English-speaking readers wouldn&rsquo;t like it the same way the Egyptian readers would. It shouldn&rsquo;t be a good Egyptian comic; it should just be a good comic.&rdquo; Then she added, &ldquo;That was the part right before it came out, but now it&rsquo;s been out for a while and I know that people who have no experience with Egypt, or people who have no familiarity with the characters or the story still enjoy it, so I feel like in this part it worked out.&rdquo;
What&rsquo;s Next For Deena Mohamed After &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo;?
Finally, Deena talked a little bit about her future plans, and what is the next step after &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo;, &ldquo;I think with &ldquo;Shubeik Lubeik&rdquo;, the challenge was just to make it and then to publish it, for the next step, the challenge is to write something that you&rsquo;re proud of to an extent,&rdquo; she continued, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s not a measurement of quality, but a measurement of my own skill to be able to do something that is ambitious in a different way.&rdquo;

Nile FM Exclusive: Shubeik Lubeik’s Author Deena Mohamed On Fusing Kiosk Culture With Urban Fantasy & Crossing Cultural Barriers

Nile FM Exclusive  

If you want to stay up to date with the biggest hits of the week, tune in with Kenzy every Wednesday from 11 am to 1 pm on "Hit 30 Egypt", and listen to the official chart countdown and the latest celebrity gossip. All of that and more on Egypt's&nbsp;Number&nbsp;1 for hit music NileFM.&nbsp;
Checkout the full list below
30) Heartbreaker From Tennessee&nbsp;- Dasha
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dsVDh6Rf-Wk" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
29) 360 - Charli XCX
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/O_HoOpJ60C0" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
28) It's Ok I'm Ok- Tate McRae
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Bpaf6Dm9iRc" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
27) Water - Tyla
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/al7j8rwDF3I" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
26) Stick Season -&nbsp;Noah Kahan
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JKrDdsgXuso" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
25) Beautiful Things - Benson Boone
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Oa_RSwwpPaA" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
24) Close To You &ndash; Gracie Abrams
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PmJuMNGp5YE" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
23) Too Sweet - Hozier
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aezstCBHOPQ" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
22) Bad Dreams - Teddy Swims&nbsp;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Qh8QwVYOSVU" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
21) I Love You, I&rsquo;m Sorry - Gracie Abrams
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uxjhN_Donfw" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
20) Stargazing&nbsp;- Myles Smith
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tKml80alH3Y" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
19) Bed Chem&nbsp; &ndash; Sabrina Carpenter
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/x8VkB8ap_FQ" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
18) APT. - ROSÉ &amp; Bruno Mars&nbsp;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ekr2nIex040" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
17) We Can&rsquo;t be Friends &ndash; Ariana Grande
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KNtJGQkC-WI" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
16) Push 2 Start - Tyla
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TcknaZhnO88" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
15) Messy - Lola Young
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/y2iNnjPY8ao" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
14) Popular (From Wicked The Soundtrack)&nbsp;&ndash; Ariana Grande
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5VjTswqyHdA" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
13) What Don&rsquo;t Belong To Me &ndash; Post Malone
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qvfssW5U_Ig" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
12) Hot to Go &ndash; Chappell Roan
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xaPNR-_Cfn0" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
11) Please Please Please -&nbsp;Sabrina Carpenter
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cF1Na4AIecM" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
10) That&rsquo;s So True&nbsp;&ndash; Gracie Abrams 
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/W_YOJWZIjxo" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
9) Taste&nbsp; &ndash; Sabrina Carpenter&nbsp;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KEG7b851Ric" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
8) Good Luck, Babe!&nbsp;&ndash; Chappell Roan
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1RKqOmSkGgM" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
7) I Had Some Help (ft.&nbsp;Morgan Wallen) -&nbsp;Post Malone
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4QIZE708gJ4" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
6) Luther &ndash; Kendrick Lamar
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HfWLgELllZs" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
5) Lose Control -&nbsp;Teddy Swims
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FkOpwodhROI" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
4) Espresso&nbsp;-&nbsp;Sabrina Carpenter
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eVli-tstM5E" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
3) Birds of a Feather - Billie Eilish
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/d5gf9dXbPi0" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
2) A Bar Song &ndash; Shaboozey
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/t7bQwwqW-Hc" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
1) Die With A Smile&nbsp;&nbsp;- Lady Gaga &amp; Bruno Mars
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kPa7bsKwL-c" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&nbsp;

This Week's Hottest Tracks On NileFM's "Hit 30 Egypt"

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Nicolas Padovani, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0">CC BY 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
1) The Weeknd - Hurry Up Tomorrow (January 24)
"Hurry Up Tomorrow" is the sixth studio album by the Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye.
The Weeknd has been teasing the album with many singles, including "Dancing in the Flames", "Timeless", and "S&atilde;o Paulo". The production will be handled by the Weeknd himself,&nbsp;Max Martin,&nbsp;Oscar Holter,&nbsp;Pharrell Williams,&nbsp;Mike Dean,&nbsp;Ojivolta, Twisco, and Sean Solymar, among others.
The album will be supported by the&nbsp;upcoming psychological thriller film of the same name directed by Trey Edward Shults.
It's worth mentioning that "Hurry Up Tomorrow" will conclude the trilogy that included Weeknd's previous two studio albums, "After Hours" (2020) and "Dawn FM" (2022).
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MLlSSJ0z7xM" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
2) Mac Miller - Balloonerism&nbsp;
"Balloonerism" is the upcoming seventh&nbsp;studio album&nbsp;by American rapper&nbsp;Mac Miller and his second posthumous album since his death in 2018.
Miller recorded the album between 2013 and 2014, around the same time as his mixtape "Faces" was released.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/M7_rmNkM_BY" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
3) Ringo Starr - Look Up&nbsp;
Legendary artist and former band member of The Beatles, Ringo Starr is releasing a new&nbsp;country music album, titled "Look Up"&nbsp;produced and co-written by T Bone Burnett.&nbsp;
The album will include features from Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Lucius, Larkin Poe, and Alison Krauss.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2rjWYp67v4g?list=PLSBWvYm8t6uaOz_Fj2RwL0bZYkjS16Hol&quot; title=&quot;Time On My Hands&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; allow=&quot;accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share&quot; referrerpolicy=&quot;strict-origin-when-cross-origin&quot; allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
4) Manic Street Preachers - Critical Thinking
Iconic alternative and Britpop band&nbsp;Manic Street Preachers, also known simply as&nbsp;the Manics are returning in 2025 with their 15th studio album "Critical Thinking".&nbsp;
"Critical Thinking"&nbsp; was initially inspired by a line from the poet Anne Sexton ("I am a collection of dismantled almosts"), &lsquo;Hiding in Plain Sight&rsquo;&nbsp;contrasts a fearful midlife nostalgia - one in which the writer longs to&nbsp;&ldquo;keep the curtains drawn all day&rdquo;.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QZHRegOddcQ" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
5) The Weather Station - Humanhood
Canadian&nbsp;folk music&nbsp;band fronted by&nbsp;Tamara Lindeman, The Weather Station is coming out with a new album titled "Humanhood" and it's the follow-up to 2021&rsquo;s "Ignorance" and its companion, 2022&rsquo;s "How Is It That I Should Look at the Stars".
The band started teasing the album with the 5-minute track, "Neon Signs".
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GMbii8lEjII" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;

5 Albums To Listen To In January 2025

Photo Credit: Public domain
1) &ldquo;Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)&rdquo;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ah-U9ECRZog" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
From "Merry Christmas (1994)", this upbeat and lively track is Mariah&rsquo;s take on the Darlene Love classic. Her energetic performance, combined with festive production, brings holiday cheer and makes it a great song for parties and celebrations.
2) &ldquo;O Holy Night&rdquo;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BEJmP8T07JU" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
From the album Merry Christmas (1994), Mariah&rsquo;s rendition of &ldquo;O Holy Night&rdquo; showcases her incredible vocal range. This gospel-inspired version of the classic carol builds to a powerful crescendo, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a more traditional yet soul-stirring holiday experience.
3) &ldquo;Oh Santa! (ft. Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson)&rdquo;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/G2bx3FzgJ6o" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Released originally in 2010 on her "Merry Christmas II You" album, &ldquo;Oh Santa!&rdquo; is a playful, modern original Christmas song with an infectious beat. The upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it an instant holiday favorite, showcasing Mariah&rsquo;s ability to craft timeless holiday hits.&nbsp;&nbsp;
4) &ldquo;Lil&rsquo; Snowman&rdquo;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Nl6YEW1s7x8" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Featured on the soundtrack for the animated film Mariah Carey&rsquo;s "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (2017), this playful and jazzy original song is a fun addition for younger audiences or anyone looking for a whimsical holiday tune.&nbsp;
5) &ldquo;Santa Claus Is Comin&rsquo; to Town&rdquo;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OsyxFkYZ-aU" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
This spirited rendition from "Merry Christmas" (1994) captures the fun and excitement of the holiday season. Mariah&rsquo;s playful performance and jazzy arrangement make it a standout version of the beloved Christmas classic.

5 Mariah Carey Christmas Songs Other Than "All I Want For Christmas Is You”

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Essential Homme, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0">CC BY 3.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
2024 introduced a slew of new artists that helped in revitalizing the music scene throughout the year, however, many incredible artists passed away in 2024, leaving behind them rich legacies that will continue to inspire generations to come.
1) Liam Payne (1993&ndash;2024)
Liam Payne, a former member of the global phenomenon One Direction, tragically passed away in 2024. Known for his charismatic performances and smooth vocals, Liam played an integral role in shaping the band&rsquo;s success and later pursued a solo career. His contributions to pop music have left an indelible mark.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/idFUUOyPEso" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
2) Quincy Jones (1933&ndash;2024)
Music&rsquo;s ultimate maestro, Quincy Jones, left an unparalleled legacy as a composer, producer, and arranger. Over his illustrious career, Quincy worked with legends like Michael Jackson, producing iconic albums such as "Thriller". His influence extended beyond music, shaping cultural movements and breaking barriers in the entertainment industry.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4V90AmXnguw" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
3) Kris Kristofferson (1936&ndash;2024)
Legendary country singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson bid farewell at the age of 87. Kris&rsquo;s career spanned music, acting, and activism. He penned timeless classics like &ldquo;Me and Bobby McGee&rdquo; and &ldquo;Sunday Mornin&rsquo; Comin&rsquo; Down,&rdquo; earning him a place among the greatest songwriters of all time.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TXSl-cuv_iE" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
4) Tito Jackson (1953&ndash;2024)
The founding member of Jackson 5 passed away this year, at the age of 70. Tito Jackson played a pivotal role in crafting the sound that defined a generation. His contributions to the group&rsquo;s legendary hits and his solo ventures showcased his versatility as a musician. Tito&rsquo;s passing marks the end of an era for fans of Motown and pop music.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/E3No6cHELLg" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
5) Nell Smith (2007&ndash;2024)&nbsp;
Canadian singer-songwriter, and frequent collaborator of The Flaming Lips, Nell Smith, passed away tragically this year, at the age of 17.&nbsp;In 2020, Smith joined the Flaming Lips family as she recorded an album of Nick Cave covers, and In November 2021 Smith and the Flaming Lips released &ldquo;Where the Viaduct Looms,&rdquo; which featured new reiterations of Cave&rsquo;s &ldquo;Weeping Song,&rdquo; &ldquo;The Ship Song&rdquo; and &ldquo;We Know Who You Are,&rdquo; among other tracks.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5QZlUpgTRtg" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

5 Musicians We Lost In 2024

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Kamenysloup, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
Ariana Grande said in a recent interview that she is planning to put her music career on hold for a while to focus more on acting.&nbsp;
Speaking to&nbsp;<a href="https://variety.com/2024/film/news/ariana-grande-wont-be-touring-official-title-wicked-part-2-for-good-1236252561/">Variety</a>, Ariana said, "I feel so grateful to the acting, and I think my fans know that music and being on stage will always be a part of my life, but I don&rsquo;t see it coming anytime soon. I think the next few years, hopefully we&rsquo;ll be exploring different forms of art, and I think acting is feeling like home right now".&nbsp;
Grande has been receiving a lot of praise lately for her role as Glinda in the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical "Wicked", she even got nominated for her first Golden Globe award.&nbsp;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6COmYeLsz4c" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
The popstar's latest album "Eternal Sunshine" was released earlier this year, however, her label announced in a statement that there are no plans for Grande to tour the album next year,&nbsp;&ldquo;There are no plans for a tour next year, but Ariana remains deeply appreciative of her fans and all the continued love, support and excitement".&nbsp;
This will mark the sixth consecutive year for Ariana without touring, as the last time she toured was in 2019 in support of her album "Sweetener".&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

 Ariana Grande Says That She Won't Go Back To Music "Anytime Soon"

Egypt’s #1 destination for ALL THINGS MUSIC. Nile FM brings you News, Music Reviews, Music Videos, Celebrity Gossip, Live Music sessions and Egyptian Musicians.

Beats

Lamia Kamel, Founder, and Managing Director of CC Plus and Founder of Narrative PR Summit was NileFM's guest on "The Big Drive", and she told us all about the Storytellers Awards.&nbsp;
Can you tell us more about the Storytellers Award and what inspired its creation?
The Storytellers Award was inspired by our long-standing partnership with media platforms like NileFM and NogoumFM, which have supported us since the launch of the Narrative Summit in 2016. The Narrative Summit is a nation-branding platform aimed at positioning Egypt differently on the global stage.
Over the past eight years, we've brought together leaders from politics, business, government, and the arts to discuss ways to enhance Egypt's global image&mdash;through increasing tourism, foreign direct investments (FDIs), and promoting industries like fashion and art.
This year, we wanted to take a different approach by including young Gen Z storytellers. These young individuals often feel disconnected from the national narrative, and we wanted to create a platform for them to participate. The award was designed to encourage their involvement and help them become part of Egypt's story. The response has been incredible, and we've assembled a diverse and distinguished jury to ensure fairness and inclusivity.
Who are the jury for the award?
The jury includes prominent figures from various fields of storytelling. Tarek Nour, a renowned advertising guru and chairman of United Media Services, leads the jury. Other members include:
Tarek El Ganainy, producer of the movie Al-Harifa, Amy Mowafi, beloved media personality,&nbsp;Ahmed Wahba, photographer and director, &nbsp;Kareem Abou Gamrah, founder of&nbsp;Peace Cake, and Ahmed Ebied, brand management expert.
We intentionally selected a diverse jury to cover multiple storytelling disciplines and perspectives.
Who is eligible for the award, and what kind of content is recognized?
The award is aimed at young content creators under the age of 40. We kept the categories simple and inclusive to encourage participation. The five categories are:
Long Film: Videos up to five minutes. Short Film: Videos of one minute or less. Pictures: A carousel of static photos. Speak to the Camera: A short video (under one minute) where participants talk, share a joke or tell a story that represents how they see Egypt. Multimedia: Creative content using various media formats.
From each category, we will select three finalists, making a total of 15 finalists. Ultimately, five winners will be chosen from these finalists.
How does the Storytellers Awards contribute to nation branding?
Storytelling is fundamental to shaping a nation's image and identity. Egyptians have a rich history of storytelling, dating back to the Pharaohs, who documented their lives and beliefs on temple walls. In modern times, Egypt thrived in the 1950s and 60s through media, literature, and the arts, cementing its place as a cultural hub.
The younger generation, with access to technology and global connections, has the potential to continue this legacy. Storytelling helps document, connect, and inspire, creating a legacy that highlights the country's strengths and unique attributes. The award aims to bridge the gap between Egypt's heritage and how the youth perceive and represent it today.
What do the finalists and winners gain from the award?
All 15 finalists will be invited to the Narrative Summit, giving them the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and participate in discussions about Egypt&rsquo;s future. The five winners will receive special recognition and awards.
This initiative is about giving young storytellers a voice, inspiring them to showcase the positive aspects of their country, and encouraging them to contribute to its story through their creativity.
Will this be a recurring initiative?
Yes, the Storytellers Awards will be an annual event, evolving each year to remain relevant and impactful. We hope it becomes a recognized brand of its own, inspiring young people to express their perspectives and continue Egypt&rsquo;s storytelling legacy.
Any final thoughts on the importance of storytelling?
Storytelling is a powerful tool to preserve culture, connect generations, and inspire pride. By engaging young people, we hope to ensure that Egypt's rich history and vibrant future are communicated compellingly to both local and global audiences. Through their stories, we can showcase why Egypt is a nation worth exploring, admiring, and cherishing.

Lamia Kamel, Founder, And Managing Director Of CC Plus And Founder Of Narrative PR Summit On The Storytellers Awards

Ms. Yosr Gado, Head of Non-Formal Education Programmes - British Council Egypt was NileFM's guest on "The Big Breakfast" with Rob and Nadine, and she told us all about&nbsp;the importance of Non-Formal Education and how the British Council in Egypt is fostering leadership, inclusion, and social responsibility among young people, while also addressing the needs of underrepresented groups such as women and people with disabilities.
What do Non-Formal Education Programmes mean?&nbsp;
Non-Formal Education as the name implies, is something that is not in the classroom or the university. It's the subtle way of providing young people with skills needed for their lives, to thrive within their communities and their societies.
Youth are often at the forefront of societal change, how does the British Council in Egypt connect with and inspire young people to take action or participate in Non-Formal Education&nbsp;Programmes?
The youth represent around 60 percent of our population, so our mission as The British Council is to empower Egyptian youth and equip them with the right transferable skills to thrive within their societies, and to lead the positive change they want to see within their communities.
We work across different sectors, education, non-formal education, creative economy, arts, and English, so we have a diverse offer that can support young people in their societies to thrive and meet global challenges.
Could you give us an example of one of the projects that you've been&nbsp;working on recently?
We have for example a programme for Non-Formal Education called "Youth Connect" and it's a global programme but we have our tailored version here in Egypt, where we implemented it with&nbsp;Civil society actors, we work with communities&nbsp;governmental sectors, we partner with officials partners such as the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Inclusion is a key value for many organizations today, how does your work under Non-Formal Education ensure that inclusion, especially of women, people with disabilities, or other underrepresented groups?
We try to practice what we preach, we adapt our cultural relations approach to building understanding and trust between different stakeholders within any community we work with.
Our approach or the way we work is built around community engagement, and support the young leaders in their community-identified issues, so&nbsp;not working in silos and working collaboratively within our communities is our main target.&nbsp;
What are the strategies or partnerships that the British Council has taken to&nbsp;empower women through its work under Non-Formal Education?
At the British Council empowering women is mandatory in all our programmes.
We do this by planning for this before we work, all our outputs and objectives are both gender and inclusive, and we study carefully how the impact of our work is going to have on our societies specifically people with disabilities and women.&nbsp;
The solutions that come from young leaders are usually inclusive as well, it doesn't have to be something that focuses on women, but whatever we are implementing we need to consider how this will affect different and diverse people, specifically women and people with disabilities.
We allocate different resources even within the implementation, we provide technical support to young people to ensure that they tackle the issues sensitively And professionally when it comes to women and people with disabilities.
Can you share some examples of the initiatives or success stories where youth have played a leading role?
Whatever we're doing we are promoting social leadership which indicates that the youth adopting both social responsibility and intercultural dialogue, to do the things that they are doing with understanding and triangulating the relationship between their community and their action&nbsp;and their issues.&nbsp;
We have several examples where young leaders work with marginalized communities with illiterate women, for example, work on waste management, or produce products that can be&nbsp;resold again, which gives them skills in other fields so they can continue with their lives.&nbsp;
How is it possible to join the programmes that you do?&nbsp;
We have different approaches one of them is an open call where people are encouraged to participate, and we don't have standards, it's non-academic, so if you want to contribute to positive change within your community, please join us.&nbsp;
Also, we make sure that you are&nbsp;committed to the journey because it's not a workshop that will take four days and off you go, you have all the skills you need. It's like a complete journey. It could take up to two years.&nbsp;
We take some skills in a course structure, like how to do intercultural dialogue, we organize intercultural dialogue events, and we open the pathway for the young people to implement the acquired skills.&nbsp;
How does the British Council address the needs of people with disabilities and&nbsp;Ensure that they are active participants in our initiatives?
When we talk about people with disabilities, we are not talking about part of the community in silos, we are talking about a cohesive community so we don't address them separately.
This is what we are going to do with people with disability, make sure that they are part of whatever we're doing and we are going to adjust whatever we're doing to meet their needs.

Ms. Yosr Gado, Head Of Non-Formal Education Programmes - British Council Egypt On Youth Empowerment And Driving Social Change

Ms. Yosr Gado, Head of Non-Formal Education Programmes - British Council Egypt will be NileFM's guest on "The Big Breakfast" with Rob and Nadine&nbsp;on Wednesday the 11th of December from 7 to 10 am.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The British Council's Non-Formal Education (NFE) programmes are all about creating positive pathways and opportunities for young people outside of formal learning spaces, By connecting young people and enabling them to work across cultural differences, as well as acting positively on the big global challenges that affect their lives and communities.

Ms. Yosr Gado, Head Of Non-Formal Education Programmes - British Council Egypt Will Be NileFM's Guest On "The Big Breakfast"

Seifeldin Fawzy, Co-Founder &amp; COO Of The TriFactory was NileFM's Guest On "The Big Drive" with Zeinab and Sami and he told us all about the upcoming&nbsp;Pyramids Half Marathon.&nbsp;
Can you give us an introduction about yourself and what The TriFactory is all about?
I&rsquo;m the co-founder of The TriFactory, and for those who don&rsquo;t know, The Tri Factory is Egypt&rsquo;s leading organizer of endurance sports events and mass participation sports events.
The sports events world is split into two, events that you watch, like if you go to a football match or a basketball match, and events that you take part in, which is what we do. Like the races, the triathlons, and the running events, including the Pyramids Half Marathon.&nbsp;
Your biggest annual event is the Pyramids Half Marathon, can you tell us more about that?
this is something we&rsquo;ve been building for years now, since 2019. It actually started as the Pyramids Marathon&mdash;a full marathon, 42 kilometers.&nbsp;
And then we brought it down to a half marathon. I think that was a huge step in its advancement. It really kicked off after we did that in 2020. We were a little bit unlucky, of course. The second edition was in February 2020, and then COVID hit.&nbsp;The event took a bit of a hit, but it has rebounded really strongly.
We are building something fantastic a race at the Great Pyramids of Giza. There are three different distances: 21K, 10K, or 5K. This year, we have a record number of participants six and a half thousand.
When you had the dream of this particular marathon how did you turn it into a reality?
I have to give credit to our partner, Mahmoud Abdel-Hakim, because he dreamt up this&nbsp;idea. He pushed us all to do it.&nbsp;
From day one,&nbsp;the idea was to have a global-level event at the Pyramids, and when we had that dream,&nbsp;we started off with a marathon, and then we brought it down to a half marathon.
What that has done is that it made this race accessible. It made this race something that's&nbsp;on the global calendar now, and it made it something that has the potential to grow into&nbsp;the future as, you know, a major half marathon in the world, one of the biggest and one of&nbsp;the best.&nbsp;
We had a vision&nbsp;for it at the beginning. What we have today correlates with that vision, and it's moving&nbsp;in the right trajectory. As I said, a record number of participants this year, a record&nbsp;number of nationalities as well taking part.&nbsp;
What we're seeing is that more and more&nbsp;people from across the world are asking about this race. "How can we come? How can we take&nbsp;part?" And more and more people right here in Egypt are taking part. And that just gives&nbsp;us so much encouragement that we're on the right path.&nbsp;
You mentioned there are over 6,000 participants. We wanted to know&nbsp;how many nationalities are participating this year?&nbsp;
More than 80.&nbsp;which is really impressive, honestly, because it really shows how multicultural this race is.&nbsp;&nbsp;
We're very proud, I mean, the number one nationality by far is Egypt, and we see&nbsp;so many of the best Egyptian runners take part in this race of all ages and abilities.
We have runners as old as 80, and we also have runners that are as young as eight years&nbsp;old. So we have everyone across the board.
We have runners who have never&nbsp;taken part in a race ever, and this is their first race and they come and they do something&nbsp;that they've never done before, and we have people who don't miss a race and they don't&nbsp;miss the Pyramids Half Marathon. The idea is that we bring everyone together in a&nbsp;very family-friendly and very positive environment.
Yes, that competitive&nbsp;element is there. Yes, the Pyramids Half Marathon is certified by AIMS, which is the&nbsp;Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, which is a really big deal.&nbsp;
So, yes, it has that competitive element, everyone is timed, and you get a timing chip&nbsp;on your race number that gives you your exact time down to the millisecond, but the other element that's there is that we have the three distances.&nbsp;
Someone&nbsp;who's kind of a bit more advanced can take part, someone who's less advanced can take part, and people&nbsp;can take part together. We have a lot of corporate companies that come together.
Can you tell us about your role during the marathon?
I hold the mic and I cheer everyone on, which is a really&nbsp;special part of the job because it's really great to see the emotions on people's faces.
Either first-timers or veteran runners or whatever their story might&nbsp;be, and everyone kind of gets a very special finish line moment.
I mean, they have that sense of achievement, and then they earn their medals.
At the awards ceremony, I kind of cheer every single person on and recognize their achievements, because it's hard to win a race like this, the amount of training and the sacrifice you make, I can only imagine.&nbsp;
You don't win just by training for a race like this, and you deserve a special&nbsp;cheer at the finish line.&nbsp;
This year marks the sixth edition of the marathon. How does this one differ from the previous ones?&nbsp;
Well, in the world of marathons, what you're trying to do is we're trying to kind&nbsp;of build on the success of each one.&nbsp;
It's not a brand-new thing where you're&nbsp;coming up with something completely different. So we're building on the success of the previous&nbsp;editions. This one has grown almost 50 percent in size, so people can expect a much bigger scale.&nbsp;
For the first time, every single runner will have their name on their&nbsp;running bib, which again goes back to cheering people on and having that&nbsp;feeling of personalization.&nbsp;We have a major partnership with Puma and we have major athletes coming from abroad.
What makes the Pyramids half marathon special compared to other marathons?
The Pyramids and I know that this sounds very obvious.&nbsp;
We see the Pyramids maybe every day here in Egypt and so on, but we have&nbsp;thousands of runners from abroad, and for them, seeing the Great Pyramids of Giza, the last remaining&nbsp;ancient wonder of the world is an insane experience.&nbsp;
This is something that's legit, and not only to see them but to run around them&nbsp;and to experience them in that way, completely pedestrianized roads,&nbsp;no cars on the road.&nbsp;
I'm just trying to think, if I'm someone who's not from Egypt&nbsp;and I'm coming to Egypt specifically to run through history,&nbsp;that in itself is a life-changing experience, I can see someone kind of like running and thinking&nbsp;how many people previous to this, thousands and thousands of years ago&nbsp;were in the same place that I am at this moment.&nbsp;
Even if you are not from abroad and you are Egyptian,&nbsp;that is still an experience that you're not going to get every day.&nbsp;You're going to be running somewhere that very few people&nbsp;have gotten the opportunity to run in before, and you're going to get a view of the pyramids that you don't get&nbsp;as a normal visitor.&nbsp;You're going to be surrounded and supported by 6,000 other people&nbsp;on the exact same journey as you.&nbsp;
What kind of feedback have you had from participants over the years? And how do they describe their experience?
We have around 80 runners who haven't missed an event.&nbsp;They haven't missed a Pyramids Half Marathon.
They haven't missed the Pyramids Half Marathon since 2019.&nbsp;So those guys are super, super special.&nbsp;
We're doing something special for them this year as well, and we have, a couple hundred&nbsp;who have done four out of the five past editions.&nbsp;So they've just missed one for whatever reason.&nbsp;
So we have a lot of regulars and the feedback from them,&nbsp;obviously, is great and it's very constructive&nbsp;because these are our hardcore kind of runners&nbsp;who are great supporters of what we do,&nbsp;but will also give us constructive feedback
And we're always very receptive to hearing what people are saying, and at the same time, the feedback that we're getting&nbsp;from people who have come in from abroad&nbsp;and it's the first time they experienced the Pyramids in this way,&nbsp;that's super special, it keeps us wanting to make this race bigger every single year.&nbsp;
The Pyramids Half Marathon is part of the Race Through History series.&nbsp;What does that mean exactly?
At the very beginning,&nbsp;the Pyramids Half Marathon was just the Pyramids Half Marathon, and Race Through History was the slogan.&nbsp;
But with time, that has really grown and developed&nbsp;into a kind of something much bigger, and we now have another race that's underneath that same umbrella, which is the Saqqara Pyramid race, and that takes place on the 21st of February.&nbsp;
what we're trying to do is to really showcase Egypt's amazing historical monuments&nbsp;and cultural heritage in a positive way through sports&nbsp;and specifically through running, and the Race Through History series is what that is.
With time and in the years to come,&nbsp;we hope to add more and more races under that slogan&nbsp;and build it into a complete series all year long, not just two races per year.&nbsp;
How can people participate in the&nbsp;Pyramids Half Marathon?
It is officially sold out, and the reason is that we have a record number of participants, like I said,&nbsp;and we've gotten everything prepared for them,&nbsp;the race numbers with their timing chips,&nbsp;the t-shirts, special race t-shirts that have come in from abroad.&nbsp;And it's a whole thing to get all of the packs prepared in advance.&nbsp;
Is there a way for people to just come as spectators?&nbsp;
Yes.&nbsp;Spectator tickets are open and anyone can get them on <a href="https://www.thetrifactory.com/">thetrifactory.com</a>,&nbsp;which is our website.&nbsp;And we really encourage spectators to come,&nbsp;friends and family and even anyone who just wants to have a good time.&nbsp;
We have lots of F&amp;B vendors, awesome food and coffee, and everything.&nbsp;
It's an awesome morning at the pyramids, the last remaining wonder of the ancient world.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Seifeldin Fawzy, Co-Founder & COO Of The TriFactory On Revolutionizing Sports Events & The Global Appeal Of The Pyramids Half Marathon

Kaltham Mohammad Salem Bashait Alshamsi, Assistant Manager, Retail Festivals &amp; Events, Dubai Economy and Tourism was NileFM's guest on "The Big Breakfast" with Rob and Nadine and she shared with us&nbsp;exciting insights about the upcoming 30th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF).
We are all excited for the 30th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival. What should listeners expect this year from the world&rsquo;s longest-running retail festival?
We're actually quite excited and busy this weekend as we're launching the 30th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival, which starts on the 6th of December and will run till the 12th of January.&nbsp;
People who had the chance to book this weekend, have almost six weekends to come and join us.&nbsp;
Can you give us more details on the new and exciting additions to the Dubai Shopping Festival?
Starting a festival in Dubai is very challenging because there's always something new happening during the year, however, DSF is one special festival.&nbsp;
In regards to the new elements, we're adding this year the DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall, for those who love concerts.&nbsp;
We have 7 concerts, every weekend throughout the festival, we also have X-Factor, which is a new addition this year, in partnership with Dubai Stadium, so it's a nice opportunity to catch the artists performing at Dubai Festival City Mall, every Sunday from the 8th of December till the 12th of January.&nbsp;
And for those who would like to have some kind of a different experience in the desert, we have for the first time ever, The Uncommon, which is a desert camp at&nbsp;Al Marmoom, and it will take place from the 20th of December till the 12th of January.&nbsp;
Also, one more exciting event that's happening in the desert is&nbsp;Hatta, launching on the 6th of December, and it's about enjoying the amazing nature of Hatta.&nbsp;
Apart from the Dubai Shopping Festival, what can we look forward to when we visit Dubai during the winter season?
Dubai is known for its amazing winter season, we have the festive season, so the city will transform into a holiday paradise, there are so many festive markets happening at Jumeirah, we have El Habtoor City Winter Garden, and we have&nbsp;Expo Winter City, in addition to the amazing fireworks during the new year's in Dubai.&nbsp;
For our listeners who are planning to spend their holiday in Dubai during the winter season, how we can get more information?&nbsp;
In order to plan your visit properly, I highly recommend going to <a href="visitdubai.com">VisitDubai.com</a>&nbsp;to learn more about the different winter offers, you can also check the Dubai calendar, and if you want to get a quick glimpse at what's happening you can go to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/visit.dubai/?hl=en">Visit Dubai on Instagram.&nbsp;</a>
What is the one thing that you're looking forward to the most during DSF?&nbsp;
One of the major events that we have is the drone show.
We have a show every night at 8 pm and 10 pm, and what makes this very special is that we have 1000 drones flying every single night, in addition to PyroDrones and skydivers. So that's something to really look forward to.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kaltham Mohammad Salem Bashait Alshamsi, Assistant Manager, Retail Festivals & Events, Dubai Economy And Tourism On The Exciting Highlights Of The 30th Dubai Shopping Festival

Nile FM's Guests

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Egypt, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons&nbsp;
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi arrived on Wednesday 22/1/2024, at the headquarters of the Police Academy in New Cairo to attend celebrations marking the 73rd anniversary of Police Day, according to <a href="https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/204425/President-El-Sisi-Witnesses-Celebration-Marking-73rd-Anniversary-of-Police-Day?lang=en-us">MENA</a>
The ceremony started with a recitation of verses of the Holy Quran.
The ceremony was attended by Parliament Speaker Hanafy Gebaly, Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb, and Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.
Earlier, President Sisi arrived at the premises of the Police Academy where he was received by Interior Minister Mahmoud Tawfiq.
Upon arrival, the national anthem was played and President Sisi laid a wreath on the memorial of police martyrs.
During the ceremony, President Sisi will honor the names of some police martyrs in appreciation of their precious sacrifices for the country.

President El-Sisi Attends Celebrations Marking 73rd Anniversary Of Police Day

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Solen Feyissa, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0">CC BY-SA 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
TikTok, one of the most popular social media apps in the world, went offline in the United States, almost two hours ahead of the ban&nbsp;which was scheduled to take effect on the 19th of January, according to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-biden-china-bdc79b7ce741a81761f67ea56d410103">The Associated Press</a>.&nbsp;
More than 170 million American users of TikTok were met with the message, &ldquo;Sorry, TikTok isn&rsquo;t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can&rsquo;t use TikTok for now.&rdquo; when they launched the app on their phones.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Supreme Court upheld a ban last Friday that was passed with broad bipartisan support in Congress and signed into law in April by President Joe Biden, which prevents American companies from hosting or serving content for the Chinese-owned social media platform unless it sells itself to a buyer from the United States or one of its allies.
<img src="https://i.ibb.co/cwHrY8W/Capture.png" alt="" />Photo Credit:&nbsp;Users attempting to access TikTok in the US were met with this message late on Saturday.&nbsp;Photograph: Blake Montgomery/The Guardian
However, the company posted a pop-up message for users who launched the app starting late Saturday night, suggesting that the app might be back soon, "We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office, Please stay tuned!&rdquo;.
It's worth mentioning that US President Donald Trump declared in a phone interview with <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-likely-give-tiktok-90-day-extension-avoid-ban-rcna188258">NBC News</a> that he will "most likely" delay the ban for 90 days after he takes office on Monday, saying "I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it&rsquo;s appropriate. You know, it&rsquo;s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It&rsquo;s a very big situation".

TikTok Shuts Down In The US

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency / Facebook
The spokesman for the Egyptian presidency stated on his official Facebook account that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is heading today to the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, to meet His Highness&nbsp;Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
The spokesperson for the Presidency stated that the meeting between the two leaders will include a number of priority files for both countries, notably the current regional situation and ways to restore security and stability in the region.
<iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FEgy.Pres.Spokesman%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0qC5BS7jQvP2c9gXqgUDKCZSGZtEQgxeKv2hcN82oSiYm6VDkRwWRzbKapaJANeZjl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="369" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
The Presidents will also discuss ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Heads To The UAE Capital Abu Dhabi To Meet His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed 

Photo Credit: Egyptian Cabinet / Facebook&nbsp;
Egyptian Prime Minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly announced in a statement posted on the Egyptian Cabinet's official Facebook page, that Saturday the 25th of January, 2025, will be an official paid holiday, on the occasion of the January 25 Revolution Day and Police Day.
Madbouly said that the holiday will be applied to employees of ministries, government institutions, public authorities, local administration units, public sector companies, and public business sector companies.
If any exams coincide with the date of the holiday, they won't&nbsp;be affected by the holiday and will resume normally.&nbsp; &nbsp; It's worth mentioning that The public holiday&nbsp;marks both the 14th anniversary of the 2011 Revolution, as well as the Police Day.&nbsp;

Egyptian PM Announces Saturday January 25th As Public Holiday On The Occasion Of January 25 Revolution, Police Day

Photo Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities / Facebook
"Archaeology Magazine" selected Aswan&rsquo;s Great Necropolis, which was discovered in the vicinity of the Aga Khan Mausoleum at Aswan&rsquo;s west bank, as one of the Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries Of 2024.
The American Magazine said about the discovery, "Not every notable discovery consists of a single extraordinary artifact, a previously unknown structure, or a newly revised date for an ancient technology. Some of the most significant discoveries result from ongoing work that allows archaeologists to fully comprehend a site&rsquo;s scope and importance over time. Novel realizations can change what researchers thought they knew".
It's worth mentioning that Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khalid, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities had announced in June that the discovery was made by the joint Egyptian-Italian archaeological mission, headed by Dr. Patrizia Piacentini, professor of Egyptology at the University of Milan, during its work in the vicinity of the Aga Khan Mausoleum at Aswan&rsquo;s west bank.
<iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftourismandantiq%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02ymrKMRGuAKZDg51Hoi4qhnHre5WzHjpyVqgYmzroFhtbMhoJvJvRLWFTFdh7Erq8l&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="719" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
As reported by the magazine, the previously unknown necropolis extends over 25 acres, with more than 400 cemeteries containing the remains of thousands of men, women, and children from the second century BC. to the second century AD, along with artifacts such as statuettes and brightly painted cartonnage, the layers of plaster and linen used to encase mummified people.
The team behind the discovery has learned that the top levels were reserved for wealthy people, including the chief of the Egyptian army in the second century BC, and the lower levels explored in 2024 were used to bury members of the middle class.

Archaeology Magazine Picks Aswan’s Great Necropolis As One Of The Top 10 Discoveries Of 2024

Photo Credit:&nbsp;AshyCatInc., <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons&nbsp;
The media center of the Cabinet has confirmed in a statement posted on their official Facebook page that the Grand Egyptian Museum will not be sold and will remain state-owned.
The media center stated that the claims circulating on some social media pages and hostile media regarding the government's intention to "sell the Grand Egyptian Museum following the reformation of the Board of Trustees for a three-year term" are completely untrue and bear no relation to reality. It emphasized that what has been published in this context is merely a new attempt to stir confusion by spreading rumors and lies among citizens, highlighting the state's commitment to preserving all Egyptian antiquities and cultural heritage.
The media center also noted that there is ongoing monitoring of the developments related to the Grand Egyptian Museum and the surrounding area in preparation for its upcoming opening. It indicated that an agreement will be reached on the official opening date of the Grand Egyptian Museum and the commencement of various procedures and steps related to this historic inauguration of this unique edifice.

The Media Center Of The Egyptian Cabinet Refutes Rumors Regarding The Grand Egyptian Museum Being Sold

Photo Credit: Egyptian Cabinet / Facebook
During today's cabinet meeting, chaired by Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, delivered a presentation on the HMPV virus, according to the official Facebook page of the Egyptian Cabinet.&nbsp;
At the beginning of the presentation, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, outlined a set of facts about the HMBV virus, noting that the virus had been known since 2001.
He added that the HMPV virus causes respiratory infections and typically spreads in winter and spring, and the incubation period for the virus ranges from 3 days to 6 days, and symptoms can last from 1 to 3 weeks.
Dr. Khaled Abdul Ghaffar reviewed ways of spreading HMPV infection, explaining that the virus is spread through respiratory spray released when coughing or sneezing, as well as by contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes, he also added that the most vulnerable groups were people with vulnerability, children and the elderly.
The Minister of Health and Population stated that the most visible symptoms among people with the virus are difficulty breathing (in severe cases), cough, nasal congestion, itching, fever, sneezing, and sore throats.

The Minister Of Health And Population Confirms That HMPV Virus Had Been Known Since 2001

The Central Bank of Egypt announced that Tuesday, January 7th is an official holiday for banks across Egypt on the occasion of Coptic Christmas Day.&nbsp;
CBE also stated that regular banking operations will resume on the morning of Wednesday, January 8th.
<iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FEgyptianCabinet%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0NsxwTykTyQMJi3QBGAH2AmPjYJRaeSJJLsUDczEHdBKPeMND5bmNNpFTPgeBETbol&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="443" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
It's worth mentioning that the prime minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly had announced that Tuesday, January 7, 2025, will be a paid official holiday for employees in ministries, government agencies, public authorities, local administration units, and the public and private sectors.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

CBE Announces Tuesday, January 7th Official Holiday For Banks Across Egypt On The Occasion Of Coptic Christmas Day

The Media Syndicate conference to launch the strategy for controlling the chaos of social media took place at&nbsp;Al Manara International Conference Center and was hosted by Dr.&nbsp;Tarek Saada, head of the&nbsp;Media Syndicate and member of the Senate.
The event was attended by Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, and Ambassador Moushira Khattab, President of the National Council for Human Rights.
The conference activities included several key segments, such as a documentary film about the Media Syndicate, a speech by Ambassador Moushira Khattab, followed by a speech by Dr. Tarek Saada.
The conference witnessed the launch of the Anti Rumors Center, alongside the syndicate&rsquo;s strategy to combat misinformation and highlight the role of media in addressing the challenges of the digital age.
Dr. Tarek Saada highlighted during the conference that the strategy of the Media Syndicate is based on three key pillars, the first being the launch Anti Rumors Center, the second focusing on combating circulating misinformation on social media, and the third is holding regular sessions with social media influencers.
He explained that the Anti Rumors Center aims to monitor daily rumors and contact relevant authorities to verify the facts.
He further detailed the administrative structure of the center, which includes a director, a monitoring team comprising social media observers, researchers to trace the origin of rumors, fact-checkers, and direct communication with officials from various entities, such as institutions, official pages, and websites.&nbsp;
Dr. Saada also said that the Media Syndicate will organize training courses to enhance the skills and competencies of media professionals. Additionally, specialized courses will be offered for program producers and anyone interested in learning fact-checking and information verification.
Dr. Saada also revealed the establishment of a dedicated WhatsApp service to receive inquiries about any rumors and respond promptly after verifying the information from reliable sources.
Ambassador Moushira Khattab, President of the National Council for Human Rights stated in her speech that the establishment of the&nbsp;Anti Rumors Center is an outstanding effort as the issue of rumors poses a direct threat to national security and the stability of societies. She continued, saying "Rumors affect all aspects of life. Combating rumors is not the responsibility of one entity but a shared responsibility between the state and the entire society."
Dr. Ashraf Sobhy emphasized in his speech that the Media Syndicate and the Ministry of Youth and Sports have complementary roles, including awareness and training.
He stressed that the ministry is working to launch strategies that are of interest to the youth, saying, "We have initiated programs and awareness campaigns that focus on youth because they are a driving force of ideas and energy".
Additionally, the event featured several honorary recognitions and a panel discussion on the Media Syndicate&rsquo;s strategy to control the chaos of social media, moderated by journalist Ayman Adly, head of the Training and Education Committee at the Media Syndicate.&nbsp;

The Media Syndicate Holds A Conference To Launch A Strategy For Controlling The Chaos Of Social Media

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Ibrahim.ID, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">CC BY 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
As part of Egypt's ongoing efforts to promote digital transformation, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) extended the exemption of all fees and commissions applicable to bank transfer services, conducted through electronic channels in Egyptian pound.
This announcement was part of a series of resolutions issued by the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Egypt. These resolutions are valid from the 1st of January 2025 and for a renewable period of three months. In keeping with the Central Bank of Egypt's efforts to incentivize citizens to use digital financial services.&nbsp;Furthermore, the exemption also applies to all transfers executed by customers through the national Instant Payment Network (IPN).
It's worth mentioning the CBE&rsquo;s national Instant Payment Network, inaugurated in April 2022, is one of the key component payment systems&rsquo; infrastructure projects, as IPN&rsquo;s services offer a convenient and efficient alternative to cash payments, providing instant transfer services 24/7 to all banks&rsquo; customers.
IPN witnessed a significant increase in the volume of transactions implemented through it, nearly 1.5 billion transactions worth up to 2.9 trillion pounds during 2024, and the number of service users has reached approximately 12.5 million customers.&nbsp;

CBE Extends The Exemption Of Transfer Fees Via InstaPay And Electronic Banking Channels For A Renewable Three-Month Period

News

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Omar Marmoush / X
Manchester City have announced in an <a href="https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/manchester-city-sign-omar-marmoush-63873209">official statement</a> that they officially signed Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt on a four-and-a-half-year contract.&nbsp;
In the statement published on the official website of Manchester City, they said about Marmoush "One of the most coveted young forwards operating in the European game, Marmoush is also capable of being deployed on either attacking flank".
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Done deal ️ <a href="https://t.co/6zHbrjtn6Q">pic.twitter.com/6zHbrjtn6Q</a>
&mdash; Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1882375223653159061?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
Marmoush also expressed his excitement about joining Manchester City in a <a href="https://x.com/ManCity/status/1882352576772940212">video</a> published on the club's official page, saying "City is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I'm honored to be here", he added, "I'm proud to be Egyptian, showing what my country has, representing my country in a club like this".
It's worth mentioning that the 25-year-old Egyptian striker has had an impressive season with Frankfurt, netting&nbsp;20 goals from just 26 appearances alongside 14 assists.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Omar Marmoush Officially Joins Manchester City

Photo Credit: Liverpool FC / Website
Mo Salah and his Liverpool teammates made a surprise visit to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in order to bring joy to the children in the hospital and their families before Christmas.
Liverpool player wore festive clothes, presented gifts, and engaged in various activities with children in the hospital.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ygjfpTLQbU4" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
They also met with Alder Hey staff, took photographs, and signed autographs to thank them for the amazing work they do throughout each year.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said, &ldquo;For us to be here and to make these kids smile is such a good thing to do. I know it&rsquo;s a nice surprise for all of them", he added, &ldquo;Alder Hey is an amazing hospital with amazing people that work here. It&rsquo;s a special place where obviously hopefully everyone gets better. To have the people working here being there for the people that are struggling, and the kids especially, it&rsquo;s amazing what they do. I have a lot of respect for them.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Mo Salah And Liverpool Stars Visit Alder Hey Children's Hospital Before Christmas

Photo Credit: Liverpool FC / X&nbsp;
Liverpool defeated Manchester City 2-0 in the match that took place&nbsp;at Anfield in&nbsp;the Premier League.&nbsp;
Dutch left winger, Cody Gakpo scored the first goal for the Reds in the 12th minute goal, after a brilliant assist from Mo Salah.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
GET IN THEREEE!!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVMCI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVMCI</a> <a href="https://t.co/NEhKA1wIhb">pic.twitter.com/NEhKA1wIhb</a>
&mdash; Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1863280286617722970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
Then Mo Salah&nbsp;sealed the deal with a second goal from the penalty spot in the 78th minute.&nbsp;
After this win, Salah advanced in the ranking of the players with the most assists in Premier League history, as he advanced to 11th place with a combined 76 assists.
&nbsp;

Mo Salah Leads Liverpool To Victory Against Man City

Photo Credit: Liverpool FC / X&nbsp;
Mo Salah Led Liverpool To a 2-3 Victory Against Southampton in the match that took place at St Mary&rsquo;s Stadium in the&nbsp;Premier League.&nbsp;
Dominic Solanke scored the first goal for the Reds in the 30th minute of the match before&nbsp;Adam Armstrong equalized for Southampton in the 42nd minute.&nbsp;
Mateus Fernandes advanced&nbsp;Southampton with a second goal in the 56th minute.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
️ محمد صلاح بلمسة واحدة يُشعل المباراة ويعدل النتيجة لليفربول<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B2%D9%8A_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B2?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#الدوري_الإنجليزي_الممتاز</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%86_%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%84?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ساوثهامتون_ليفربول</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PremierLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PremierLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/ooDjoYLnsv">pic.twitter.com/ooDjoYLnsv</a>
&mdash; beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) <a href="https://twitter.com/beINSPORTS/status/1860707470559039950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
However, Mo Salah led Liverpool to victory as he scored the second goal in the 65th minute, then the winning goal from a penalty in the 83rd minute.&nbsp;
With this goal Salah reaches his 100th goal with Liverpool outside Anfield, becoming the third player to reach this milestone after Roger Hunt and Ian Rush.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Mo Salah Leads Liverpool To Victory Against Southampton

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Doha Stadium Plus Qatar/ Vinod Divakaran, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0">CC BY 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
Spanish tennis legend,&nbsp;Rafael Nadal, retired from tennis after he was defeated in Spain's Davis Cup by Botic van de Zandschulp.
Nadal had already announced his retirement in&nbsp;a video message released on his social media, in which he said "I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don&rsquo;t think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make. But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end".
After his final match in the Davis cup&nbsp;The 38-year-old Spaniard shared a message with the fans saying, &ldquo;I just want to be remembered as a good person and a kid that followed their dreams and achieved more than what I&rsquo;ve ever dreamed,&rdquo; the Spanish great modestly said after playing in his final match".
Rafael Nadal has a long and illustrious career, in which he won 92 titles including 22 Grand Slam titles, and 2 Wimbledon titles, in 2008 and 2010.&nbsp;
it's worth mentioning that the last two years, Nadal was plagued with persistent injuries, which he cited as the key reason behind his decision to retire.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Rafael Nadal Retires From Tennis After Spain's Davis Cup Defeat

Sports

Photo Credit:&nbsp;The Pancake of Heaven!, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons&nbsp;
Google is set to expand Google Wallet services, also known as Google Pay, in 16 countries including Egypt, in January 2025.&nbsp;
Google Wallet will expand Egypt's digital payment ecosystem, as it's&nbsp;a major force in the mobile payment sector, it enables users to safely keep their credit card details on their smartphones and make payments straight from them.
Google launched in 2011, and ever since it has become quite popular, and that's because Google Wallet allows users to integrate a variety of items, including loyalty cards, metro cards, entertainment tickets, and more.&nbsp;
In addition to Egypt, the service will be launched in other countries such as Pakistan, Venezuela, Bermuda, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guernsey, Kosovo, Morocco, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Tajikistan, Dominican Republic, Monaco and&nbsp;Peru.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Google To Launch Google Wallet In Egypt In January 2025

Photo Credit:&nbsp;JD Lasica from Pleasanton, CA, US, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0">CC BY 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons&nbsp;
The founder, chairman, and CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg has released an acoustic cover of&nbsp;Lil Jon&nbsp;and the East Side Boyz&rsquo;s classic &lsquo;Get Low", featuring T-Pain.
This acoustic reiteration of the song was officially released on streaming platforms, and Zuckerberg explained on Instagram that it was his anniversary gift to his wife&nbsp;Priscilla, saying, "&lsquo;Get Low&rsquo; was playing when I first met Priscilla at a college party, so every year we listen to it on our dating anniversary".
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCUov2eT_R4/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14">
<div style="padding: 16px;">
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCUov2eT_R4/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Mark Zuckerberg (@zuck)</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
Zuckerberg added, &ldquo;This year I worked with T-Pain on our own version of this lyrical masterpiece. Sound on for the track and also available on Spotify. Love you P".
This version of the song was acoustically performed and slowed down, with T-Pain contributing with a verse, backing vocals, and ad-libs, while&nbsp;Zuckerberg sings the rest of the song.&nbsp;

Mark Zuckerberg Releases An Acoustic Version Of "Get Low" Featuring T-Pain

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Steve Jurvetson from Menlo Park, USA, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0">CC BY 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has said that until the US presidential election on November 5, he will give away $1 million every day to a registered voter in swing states.
The winner will be selected at random by Musk's campaign organization AmericaPAC, which he founded to back Republican nominee Donald Trump.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The various topics discussed today with the people of Pennsylvania <a href="https://t.co/4cXFcOXYUf">https://t.co/4cXFcOXYUf</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1848240376676536822?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
Voters in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina&mdash;all critical battleground states that will eventually determine the outcome of the election, have the opportunity to win.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The first winner received the $1 Million&nbsp;check was in a Pennsylvania town hall gathering on Saturday night.
&nbsp;

Elon Musk Says He Will Give Away $1 Million A Day To A Registered Voter Until Presidential Elections 

Photo Credit: Public Domain
Alex Proyas, the director of the 2004 sci-fi film, "I, Robot" has claimed that Tesla and SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk is copying his designs from the movie.&nbsp;
These claims came after Musk unveiled&nbsp;Tesla's new Cybercab, which includes winged doors and no steering wheel or pedals, Musk also revealed a new look at&nbsp;Optimus robots.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7Dlo-VB0-HI" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
After Tesla's event, Proyas took to X to voice his concerns about the similarities between "I, Robot" and "Tesla" designs, saying, "Hey Elon, can I have my designs back please".&nbsp;
The production designer of "I, Robot", Patrick Tatopoulos, also reposted an image comparing the designs from the film and Tesla's designs, and he captioned it with&nbsp;"Maybe it is just me? Or should I feel honored that Elon found some inspiration in my I ROBOT designs? Probably my imagination running wild. Well either way it&rsquo;s fun to watch".&nbsp;
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBEbRk-Pnqx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14">
<div style="padding: 16px;">
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBEbRk-Pnqx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Patrick Tatopoulos (@ptatopoulos)</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

"I, Robot" Director Claims That Elon Musk Is Copying His Designs

Photo Credit:&nbsp;The Pancake of Heaven!, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons&nbsp;
Google announced that starting from the 1st of May, 2025, all AdSense, AdSense for YouTube, AdMob, and Ad Manager payouts in Egypt will be made in Egyptian Pounds instead of&nbsp;US Dollars.&nbsp;
This change&nbsp;is part of Google's initiative to transition all payments worldwide into local currencies.
On the 1st of April, a new payment account will be created for all AdSense, Adsense for YouTube, AdMob, and Ad Manager users, and they may need to link a bank account that accepts local currency to it.&nbsp;
It's worth mentioning that the old payment account in US Dollars will be deactivated in April 2025, however, users will still be able to access it from their payment page to view past activities.
&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Google To Change Payment Currency In Egypt From USD To EGP Starting May 2025

Photo Credit:&nbsp;JD Lasica from Pleasanton, CA, US, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0">CC BY 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
Meta revealed improvements to its virtual reality headset and Ray-Ban smart glasses in an effort to showcase its artificial intelligence capabilities and the company&rsquo;s slew of new hardware products.
Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg also showcased Orion, Meta's first real AR glasses, which he called &ldquo;the most advanced glasses the world has ever seen&rdquo;.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PGuAKyBJ8E8" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
The smart glasses can project digital representations of media, people, games, and communications onto the real world, as the user can control Orion with his voice, or hand gestures.
Orion is not yet scheduled for release, but according to Zuckerberg, it will ultimately be the "first consumer full holographic AR glasses" from Meta.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Mark Zuckerberg Unveils Orion Meta's First Augmented Reality Glasses

Photo Credit:&nbsp;NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The creator of the well-known card game Cards Against Humanity is suing Elon Musk's SpaceX&nbsp;for $15m, over claims of damaging and trespassing on land owned by his company in Texas.&nbsp;
The card game creator filed a lawsuit in Texas court claiming that SpaceX has been using the company's land as its own for at least the last six months.&nbsp;
According to the lawsuit, SpaceX, which had already purchased other nearby lands, had placed building materials such as gravel, and other debris on the property without obtaining authorization.
it's worth mentioning that Cards Against Humanity purchased the land mentioned in the lawsuit back in 2017&nbsp;as part of a stunt to prevent President Donald Trump's border wall from being built in the area, and the company said that they purchased the land after 150,000 subscribers had each contributed $15 towards the Cards Against Humanity Saves America campaign.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Elon Musk's SpaceX Is Being Sued By Card Against Humanity Over Alleged Trespassing

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Executive Office of the President, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The acclaimed author of the iconic book series, "Harry Potter", teased on her social media that she has started working on her next book, and it's going to be "Futuristic".&nbsp;
When Rowling was asked on X by a fan if she would consider writing a space odyssey, she replied, "There are three different books I could do after&nbsp;Strike, all of which I&rsquo;ve started because I&rsquo;m a deranged workaholic, the one I&rsquo;m planning to finish first is futuristic, but not a space odyssey, sorry. Definitely earthbound".&nbsp;
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ffF0s5h7VJc" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
Rowling is currently working on the novel series "Strike" under the&nbsp;pseudonym Robert Galbraith, which includes 7 books so far, and the 8th book "The Hallmarked Man" is going to be Rowling's next release.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The "Strike" series follows Cormoran Strike, a war veteran turned private investigator. The series was adapted into a TV Show,&nbsp;Season 6 of which was filmed this year.
&nbsp;

J.K. Rowling Reveals That Her Next Book Is Going To Be "Futuristic"

Photo Credit:&nbsp;Trevor Cokley, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Brazil has blocked access to Elon Musk's social media platform X, after missing a deadline imposed by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to name a legal representative for the company in Brazil.&nbsp;
The feud between Musk and de Moraes started last April when the Supreme Court judge ordered&nbsp;the suspension of dozens of X accounts for allegedly spreading disinformation.
Last Wednesday&nbsp;De Moraes threatened Musk that X would be blocked in Brazil if the company didn't comply&nbsp;with his order to name a representative in Brazil within 24 hours since X&nbsp;hasn't had a representative in the country since earlier this month&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes <a href="https://t.co/eqbowALCeu">https://t.co/eqbowALCeu</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1829624142452195334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
X didn't comply with the order, and Musk wrote on his X account "Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes".&nbsp;
Brazil blocked X after failing to comply with the Supreme Court Justice's order within the deadline,&nbsp;De Moraes also said that the platform will stay suspended until it complies with his orders, and also set a daily fine of 50,000 reais ($8,900) for people or companies using VPNs to access it.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
There is growing evidence that fake judge <a href="https://twitter.com/alexandre?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Alexandre</a> engaged in serious, repeated &amp; deliberate election interference in Brazil&rsquo;s last presidential election. Under Brazilian law, that would mean up to 20 years in prison. And, I&rsquo;m sorry to say that it appears that some former&hellip;
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1830091917654168032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
Musk wasn't happy with the suspension and posted a series of posts on his X account criticizing the decision.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Brazil Blocks Elon Musk's Social Media Platform X

Photo Credit:&nbsp;TechCrunch, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0">CC BY 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
Pavel Durov, the creator and CEO of the messaging app Telegram, was detained on Saturday night at the Bourget airport south of Paris.&nbsp; According to TF1 and BFM, the police believed that the absence of moderators on Telegram allowed illegal conduct to go unchecked, and this was the main focus of the investigation.
With about one billion users, Telegram is especially popular in Russia, Ukraine, and other areas. It is considered one of the biggest social media platforms at the moment such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok.
It's worth mentioning that Durov, and his brother launched Telegram in 2013.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested In France

Check out the most important Business, Tech, Startups, Gaming &amp; Entrepreneurship on Nile FM website

Geekdom

Bringing the best to your weekend and we are putting you right in the Mood for it! Nicole Moudaber is one of the techno world&rsquo;s most iconic and hardworking contemporary artists&hellip; Ignited by an internal combustion engine fueled by raw emotion, Nicole is at the forefront of her own movement. An unstoppable soul who stands in a class of her own!

In the Mood with Nicole Moudaber

A newly created show &ldquo;Nile FM&rsquo;s DJ of the week&rdquo;. opening a window for all performers who have been waiting for an opportunity to reach Nile FM&rsquo;s audience!

DJ of the Week

John will add more dances and much more fun&nbsp;every Saturday! If you&rsquo;re not an avid follower of dance music but are tuned into popular culture at all you&rsquo;ve likely experienced music touched by the hands of John Digweed. One of the most successful dance music shows achieved near cult status with listeners John shares his platform weekly by bringing in worldwide guest DJs.

Transitions with John Digweed

Thursdays will sound even better in 2024, Hassan Rassmy will take you on a journey exploring the higher frequencies of dance music! progressive house, deep House, and tech house, with a 2nd hour of an exclusive international guest mix everyweek.

Pulsar

In an attempt to bring back the hype to your weekends, Joris is taking over for a full hour every Friday! "Spectrum" is Joris Voorn's radion show which allows him to share the full reach of his extensive musical tastes with both his loyal fan base and new listeners alike. The show reflects this with regular premiers of new music from Joris and other artists in his world, as well as regularly featuring live sets captured at some of the world's most iconic dance music venues.

Spectrum with Joris Voorn

Started back in 1999, Hedkandi evolved into a global dance music phenomenon collecting the best funky, happy, and disco house music from all over the world mixed into a 2-hour weekly show hosted by Mark Doyle.

Hedkandi

Every Thursday from 1 to 3 pm, Gazlan will be taking listeners on a two-hour journey around different parts of Egypt and the world. Exploring what each place has to offer, from outdoor activities to watersports to simply relaxing and enjoying mother nature.

Gaz Guides

&ldquo;Homegrown&rdquo; is Nile FM&rsquo;s place for all local singers, bands, and rappers to showcase their talent and reach a wider and more diverse audience. Tune in every Saturday from 9 to 10 pm with one hour of music highlighting the most talented locally grown musicians.

Homegrown

"The Evening Show" presents a wide range of situations that can be considered crazy: The ingenious moments where the funny element solves a curveball that life threw you; the humorous incidents with family members, friends, coworkers, strangers, and life that are out of your hands; the angry moments where you can&rsquo;t believe that a crazy incident is happening to you but later on discover that there was a solution.

The Evening Show

The phunkiest soundtracks to your Friday nights!
Purely PHUNKADELIC, one hour of pure energetic dance music, playing tech house to funky techno grooves. It's guaranteed to get you hyped up with Deeb in the mix, every Friday from 10 to 11 pm.
&nbsp;

Phunkadelics

Join Zeinab and Sami every Sunday to Thursday from 5 to 7 pm on &ldquo;The Big Drive&rdquo; your best companion on your journey home from work or school. The best music, the funniest games, and lots more as Zeinab and Sami help you shake off your Cairo traffic blues.

The Big Drive

Every Wednesday from 11 am to 1 pm, Kenzy will be counting down the week&rsquo;s biggest 30 songs on the only official chart countdown in the nation &ldquo;Hit 30 Egypt&rdquo;
Find out whether your favorite song will make it to the #1 spot each week and how long it will stay there!

Hit 30 Egypt Live

"Brain Busters" is a 1-hour radio show that&rsquo;ll tickle your curiosity, test your trivia skills, and blow your mind with fresh facts about our fascinating world. Tune in, buckle up, and prepare to get your brain busted!&nbsp;Every Sunday to Thursday from 10 to 11 am.&nbsp;

Brain Busters

Every weekday from 3 to 4 pm, Feedo delivers the hottest chart-topping hit music, mixed back to back, non-stop! All the latest tracks for one hour straight, with no interruptions! You know you&rsquo;re in good hands with Feedo and his stellar music taste!

Mixalicious

Your morning commute has never been this fun!
An endlessly entertaining blend of games, news tidbits, and the latest hits, &ldquo;The Big Breakfast&rdquo; is the best place to kick-start your morning. What you listen to in the morning can really set the tone of your whole day and Rob &amp; Nadine are here to make sure you are fresh and ready to conquer the day!

The Big Breakfast Show

An hour of non-stop feel good anthems to get you pumped for the weekend. Whether you're getting ready for a fun night out or heading home for a cozy night in, this upbeat soundtrack is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Turn up the music and sing along to all your favorite happy tunes, every Thursday from 7 to 8 pm.

Feel Good Thursday

Some say &ldquo;They don't make them like they used to", and we certainly agree.
For one hour we spin out all your favorite classic hits from the 60s through the 90s that bring back those good oldies. Fridays and Saturdays from 10 to 11 am, it's the time for some serious nostalgia.

Flashback

Hip-Hop &amp; RNB from the one and only DJ Feedo! With a master&rsquo;s degree in swag, Feedo will give your Friday the kick it needs from 7 to 10 pm.
Your weekly dose of all the newest hip-hop releases, the best old-school jams, East Coast/West Coast, Shack Town, the dirty South &amp; the Middle East just got a whole lot more flavorful with DJ Feedo!

Friday Night Flavas

Sit back and enjoy the chilled-out sounds of oriental-inspired music; the perfect setting for an introspective drive in your car, or just an escape from the stress of your day. It's the show that brings a little dose of local flavor and a whole lot of Zen. Don't miss it every Friday from 11 am to 1 pm.&nbsp;

Nile Bazaar

"AT 40" gives you the inside scoop on everything Hollywood and counting down through the &ldquo;top 40&rdquo; songs on the US charts! Hosted by the one and only Ryan Seacrest, this one is a can&rsquo;t-miss for our pop-culture-obsessed listeners who can&rsquo;t get enough celebrity shenanigans! Every Saturday from 4 to 7 pm.

AT 40  

A him and her show where Mickey &amp; Kenzy will talk about topics that interest us, that are trending, and that everyone can relate to. Two perspectives &amp; two preferences. Simply this show will be a place where people can listen to funny, interesting, and relatable&nbsp;topics, with his two cents and her takes. Music, movies, habits, career talk, pop culture, how-to, why, and why-not, did you know? and the list goes on and on which is what makes this show powerful. It&rsquo;s all about the now, the current, and the relevant with interesting talks about everything for everyone.

Real Talk

Photo Credit: Mahan84848, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) forecasts in a statement posted on its official Facebook account that on Thursday, January 23rd, moderate weather will remain across most parts of the country during the daylight hours with the temperatures decreasing until nighttime.&nbsp;
Light to moderate rain is expected to occur on the North Coast and North Lower Egypt.&nbsp;
The Red Sea waves will range between 2 and 3 meters in height. Meanwhile, the&nbsp;Mediterranean Sea waves are expected to range between 1 and 2 meters in height.
Here are the temperatures predicted for the following cities:
Greater Cairo: 20&deg;C - 12&deg;C
North Coast: 10&deg;C - 19&deg;C
North Upper Egypt: 9&deg;C - 21&deg;C
South Upper Egypt: 11&deg;C - 24&deg;C&nbsp;

On Air Now

Non-Stop Music

Sports

Omar Marmoush Officially Joins Manchester City

life

Moderate Weather Prevails During The Daylight Hours Across Egypt This Thursday