Features

AMMAN — In line with its mission to empower and highlight success stories from Jordan and the region, Al Marji’ Publications, publishers of Family Flavours and Nakahat ‘Ailiyeh magazines,held today a recognition ceremony to honour Jordanian individuals and companies for their outstanding achievements.

Patronised by Princess Rajwa Bint Ali, the ceremony recognised 18 individuals and entities who have contributed to Jordanian society, including Minister of Culture Haifa Najjar, regional and local rally champion Nancy Majali, women’s empowerment facilitator Lina Nuqul and long-standing supporter and partners to Al Marji’ Publications: The Jordan Times, NatHealth, JRTV and Mazaj FM.

“We thank our long- standing partners and always strive to highlight, in our digital and print publications, success stories who are a source of inspiration,” said Managing Director at Al Marji’ Publications Hind-Lara Mango. She emphasised that it is these successes that empower others.

The event included empowerment sessions by the magazine’s experts on stress management, aromatherapy and stress and skin-care routines by Rania Sa’adi, Zenab Ishtay and Natalie Bani ‘Atta, respectively.

The cast of the global and regional award-winning film Farha was also recognised. The movie, which is about the 1948 Palestinian Nakba, achieved a historic first win for Jordan by receiving the Best Youth Film award at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (the Asian Oscars). The film also started streaming on Netflix in 2022. It was also selected as Jordan’s entry in the International Feature Film category at the Oscars.

In line with the magazines’ slogan “Healthy People, Happy Lives”, the event included health booths for free medical check-ups for invitees powered by NatHealth.

Dr Abeer Annab and Dr Nadima Sheqem were commemorated for their long years of service in the health sector and raising awareness about breast cancer and diabetes.

Flavourful bites were offered by Chef Zaina Bayari, the magazines’ culinary artisan, and coffee by BLK. This event falls in line with a series of events slated for this year focused, as always, on empowerment, by Al Marji’ Publications.

DUBLIN — Hundreds of Irish artists urged Ireland’s Eurovision entrant on Monday to be on the “right side of history” by boycotting the song contest over Israel’s participation in the event in Sweden next month.

“We are asking you to withdraw from Eurovision 2024, to heed the call from Palestinians to boycott the competition due to the participation of Israel,” said a letter signed by more than 400 Irish artists.

“By participating in Eurovision you will be standing with the oppressor,” it said.

The letter pointed to Irish artists and musicians like Irish-language rap group Kneecap, who pulled out of the SXSW Music Festival in the United States last month in protest over the US military’s sponsorship of the event.

“You have the chance to be on the right side of history and to be remembered as an artist of conscience, who, in a time of genocide, chose to do no harm, to truly stand with the oppressed,” the letter said.

Normally associated with rhinestones and kitsch, this year’s Eurovision has become a more controversial affair as the war in Gaza enters its seventh month, with critics calling for Israel to be banned from competing by the organisers, the European Broadcasting Union together with Sweden’s public broadcaster SVT.

“I stand with anyone doing the boycott. I think if I wasn’t in the competition, I would also be boycotting,” Ireland’s entrant Bambie Thug told an chatshow on Friday.

“At the end of the day, without the group of us who is pro-Palestine, it is less competition for the other side [Israel] to win and it’s less of solidarity there,” said the 31-year-old who hails from Cork.

Ireland’s entrant faces counterparts from Ukraine, Cyprus, Poland, Serbia, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia, Iceland, Finland, Portugal, Luxembourg, Australia and Moldova in the first of two semifinals on May 7.

The final takes place in Malmo on May 11.

RIO DE JANEIRO — In Brazil, where about 16 wild animals become roadkill every second, a computer scientist has come up with a futuristic solution to this everyday problem: using AI to alert drivers to their presence.

Direct strikes on the vast South American country’s extensive road network are the top threat to numerous species, forced to live in ever-closer proximity with humans.

According to the Brazilian Centre for Road Ecology (CBEE), some 475 million vertebrate animals die on the road every year — mostly smaller species such as capybaras, armadillos and possums.

“It is the biggest direct impact on wildlife today in Brazil,” CBEE coordinator Alex Bager told AFP.

Shocked by the carnage in the world’s most biodiverse country, computer science student Gabriel Souto Ferrante sprung into action.

The 25-year-old started by identifying the five medium- and large-sized species most likely to fall victim to traffic accidents: the puma, the giant anteater, the tapir, the maned wolf and the jaguarundi, a type of wild cat.

Souto, who is pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Sao Paulo (USP), then created a database with thousands of images of these animals, and trained an AI model to recognise them in real time.

Numerous tests followed, and were successful, according to the results of his efforts recently published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Souto collaborated with the USP Institute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences.

For the project to become a reality, Souto said scientists would need “support from the companies that manage the roads”, including access to traffic cameras and “edge computing” devices — hardware that can relay a real-time warning to drivers like some navigation apps do.

There would also need to be input from the road concession companies, “to remove the animal or capture it”, he told AFP.

It is hoped the technology, by reducing wildlife strikes, will also save human lives.

‘More roads, more vehicles’

Bager said a variety of other strategies to stop the bloodshed on Brazilian roads have failed.

Signage warning drivers to be on the lookout for crossing animals have little influence, he told AFP, leading to a mere 3-per cent reduction in speed on average.

There are also so-called fauna bridges and tunnels meant to get animals safely from one side of the road to the other, and fences to keep them in — all insufficient to deal with the scope of the problem, according to Bager.

In 2014, he created an app called Urubu with other ecologists, to which thousands of users contributed information, allowing for the identification of roadkill hotspots.

The project helped to create public awareness and even inspired a bill on safe animal crossing and circulation, which is awaiting a vote in congress.

A lack of money saw the app being shut down last year, but Bager is intent on having it reactivated.

“We have more and more roads, more vehicles and a number of roadkill animals that likely continues to grow,” he said.

LOS ANGELES — “Civil War”, the disturbing story of a divided and dystopian America sometime in the near future, narrowly held on to the top spot in North American theaters this weekend, earning an estimated $11.1 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported on Sunday.

The A24 film stars Kirsten Dunst as an outwardly hardened but increasingly tormented photojournalist as she and her colleagues travel through a blood-soaked country on their way to Washington in hopes of interviewing a besieged third-term president.

Focusing more on gut-wrenching violence and the highs and lows of war reporting than on politics (it posits California and Texas entering an unlikely alliance against the federal government), the movie “has succeeded in uniting both blue states and red states”, as the Hollywood Reporter put it.

Its two-week domestic take of $44.9 million makes it one of A24’s top all-time grossers.

Not far behind in second spot was Universal’s new film “Abigail”, at $10.2 million — “a solid opening for a new horror film”, according to analyst David A. Gross.

If you thought the bad guys in “Home Alone” had a tough time, imagine the criminals who kidnap 12-year-old Abigail, daughter of an underworld figure, only to learn she is a killer vampire. Alisha Weir stars in this reimagining of 1936’s “Dracula’s Daughter”.

Also crowding the top of the list was Warner Bros.’ “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire”, at $9.5 million. The enormous gorilla and reptilian giant team up this time to save their species — and ours.

In fourth was Lionsgate’s new Guy Ritchie espionage thriller “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”, at $9 million. Ritchie has directed some giant films in the past, including Disney’s 2019 “Aladdin” live-action remake, which took in over $1 billion worldwide.

Henry Cavill, Eiza Gonzalez and Henry Golding star in a heavily fictionalised recounting of a daring operation conducted by British special forces during World War II.

And in fifth was Sony’s new animated action comedy “Spy x Family Code: White”, at $4.9 million. Gross called that a weak opening given “super critics’ reviews and audience scores”.

By Rania Sa’adi,
Rapid Transformational Therapist
& Clinaicl Hypnotherapist

10 routes to the empowerment avenue

Embracing continuous learning: One of the most effective ways to add value to oneself is through continuous learning. Stay curious and seek opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills. Attend workshops, enroll in courses and read extensively. Whether it’s acquiring new professional skills or exploring personal interests, the act of learning enhances your capabilities and enriches your life.

Boosting your self-confidence: Self-confidence is a powerful tool that adds considerably to your sense of worth. Know your strengths and embrace your unique qualities. Identify weaknesses as well and areas of improvement. Set realistic goals and get yourself outside your comfort zone. As you conquer new challenges, your confidence will grow naturally, adding layers to your self-worth.

Prioritising self-care: Taking care of yourself is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Make self-care a priority in your routine. Ensure you get enough rest, engage in regular physical activity and maintain a healthy diet. Nurturing your physical and mental well-being enhances your energy levels, and therefore transmits more confidence while interacting with the world around you.

Building meaningful relationships: Surround yourself with supportive and uplifting individuals who contribute positively to your life. These connections provide emotional support, encouragement and valuable perspectives. As you build a strong support system, you reinforce your sense of belonging and worth. 

Developing effective communication skills: Effective communication is a fundamental skill that can significantly impact how others perceive you. Embrace your ability to express yourself clearly and assertively, while listening carefully to the other person. Express your thoughts and feelings in a respectful way. 

Strong communication skills contribute highly to building confidence and credibility.

Set and enforce boundaries: Establishing healthy boundaries is crucial for maintaining your well-being and asserting your worth.

Learn to say “no” when necessary and communicate your limits assertively.

Setting and enforcing boundaries in both personal and professional spheres fosters a sense of self-respect and communicates to others how you expect to be treated.

Investing in your passions: Take the time to identify your passions and invest in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Whether it’s a hobby, a creative pursuit, or a cause you believe in, dedicating time to what you love enhances your sense of purpose and adds depth to your character.

Seeking mentorship and role models: Seeking out mentors and role models can provide guidance in life. They often share experiences and offer valuable insights.

Additionally, identify women who inspire you and serve as role models, it could be someone you know or simply follow on social media.

Learning from the experiences of others can offer perspective and motivation on your own journey.

Embracing resilience: Life is filled with challenges, and building resilience is key to navigating them successfully.

Acquiring the confidence in your abilities to conquer any challenge is key to enhance resilience.

View setbacks and unwanted outcomes as learning opportunities, where you can develop and grow more as a person. Resilience is a powerful skill that enhances your ability to adapt and overcome obstacles, contributing to your overall empowerment and self-worth.

Celebrating your achievements: Take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, both big and small. Reflect on your progress, express gratitude for your journey, and recognise the effort you put into reaching your goals. Celebrating achievements reinforces a positive self-image and encourages continued growth.

Adding value and worth to yourself, especially if you are a woman reading this article, is an ongoing journey of self-discovery, learning and empowerment. Embrace the process, celebrate your uniqueness and recognise that your worth is inherent. As you invest in yourself, you not only enhance your own life, but also contribute positively to the world around you.

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine

RUFISQUE, Senegal — Members of a 200-strong audience struggle to hold back tears as the credits roll on the film “Io Capitano” in a small auditorium in the outskirts of Senegal’s capital Dakar.

The crowd has spent two hours following a pair of Senegalese teenagers as they risk their lives to reach Europe, facing a gruelling journey across the Sahara, torture in Libyan jails and Europe’s indifference to their plight.

After winning awards at the Venice Film Festival and receiving nominations at the Oscars and the Golden Globes, the film has now returned to where the story began.

The director, actors and wider team are embarking on a twelve-date tour of screenings across the West African nation with the Cinemovel foundation, scheduled to run until the end of April.

“This film teaches us that there are enormous risks involved in illegal immigration. The question I want to ask the audience is whether it’s worth risking your life to try to reach another continent,” asked an audience member after the film had finished, garnering a round of applause.

Mamadou Kouassi, whose own story inspired the script, responded from the stage.

“Everyone will have a different point of view. But my opinion is that there should be no hiding. Everyone should be free to move from one continent to another,” he said.

‘Bodies thrown into the sea’ 

Illegal immigration is a daily reality for thousands in Senegal, where barely a day goes by without a report of an arrival in Spain’s Canary Islands, an interception or a shipwreck.

While some take the treacherous Atlantic route, others travel through the Sahel and then cross the Mediterranean — the route taken by the film’s protagonists.

“This film is very powerful and has left a deep impression on me because I lived the story myself,” said El Hadji Issa Diouf, a 42-year-old fisherman.

“I’ve been on a pirogue three times trying to get to Europe. I saw with my own eyes a woman give birth in a pirogue, I saw people vomit to the point of losing their lives, I saw bodies thrown into the sea during my illegal journeys. This film makes me relive a reality of the African continent,” he added.

“I’m asking the director to show this film in all the coastal towns of Senegal... Maybe this tour will raise awareness, because all these towns have lost a lot of young people trying to reach Europe by sea,” the fisherman said.

Marieme Fall, an audience member in her twenties, said the film “shows us that it’s better to try to succeed in Africa than to go through this journey”.

“I went through all kinds of emotions watching it, I even cried because I told myself that I know people who went through the same journey and died during it. It’s very hard,” she added.

‘An experience’ 

“This is not a film that gives an answer, but one that gives the audience an experience,” the film’s Italian director, Matteo Garrone, told AFP.

“I’m no one to tell someone not to leave,” he added.

Seydou Sarr, the 19-year-old lead who won an award at the Venice Film Festival, expressed pride at showing the film in his own country.

He said he now knew the “reality” of the dangers awaiting would-be immigrants, having known nothing before taking part in the project.

Mamadou Kouassi, who now works as an intercultural mediator, recounted how he set off for Europe in 2005 at the age of 19, experiencing an “atrocious journey” and spending three years in Libya fearing death daily.

“Once a person has decided to leave, no one can stop them,” he said, adding that young people should be able to believe in their dreams but that legislation must be changed “so that they don’t suffer as we have”.

“The public are asking us to make a sequel following the pair’s arrival in Europe,” Kouassi said.

“I was abused [in Italy]. I worked 14 hours earning barely 20 euros ($21) in tomato fields near Naples”, he said, urging Italy’s far-right government to introduce a fairer migrant reception policy.

INDIO, United States — Coachella day two was heavy on alt rock throwbacks including a much-anticipated No Doubt reunion, but it was Taylor Swift — who wasn’t on the lineup and didn’t perform — creating buzz.

Her mere presence at the mammoth music festival set the internet alight, after she made a much-speculated on appearance... as a fan, canoodling and dancing with beau Travis Kelce as Bleachers performed a rollicking set.

Bleachers is fronted by Jack Antonoff, Swift’s friend and longtime producer.

Kelce’s blocking skills came in handy as the 1.96 metres NFL tight end did well to obscure his wildly famous girlfriend from view, as the couple enjoyed the show from just offstage.

Still, an AFP journalist saw the much-discussed lovebirds twirling and singing along during the performance of Antonoff, who’s co-written and produced several of Swift’s albums.

Fan videos quickly started circulating online. Swift’s appearance comes less than a week before her forthcoming album, “The Tortured Poets Department”, drops April 19.

The 34-year-old billionaire is currently on break from her blockbuster Eras tour, and was spotted on a date night in Los Angeles on Friday.

Antonoff founded and has fronted rock band Bleachers since 2014, meanwhile becoming one of the most sought-after producers in pop who has worked with superstars including Swift, Lana Del Rey and Lorde.

Alt-rock roots and Paris Hilton 

Coachella started as a rock festival but in recent years it’s leaned increasingly into pop, rap and the Latino megastars who rule the streaming charts. But Saturday’s lineup offered a portrait of nostalgia: along with No Doubt — the group fronted by Gwen Stefani, which is set to play together for the first time in some 15 years — legendary rockers Blur are set to perform.

Stoner reggae rock group Sublime — the 1990s act beloved for hits including “Santeria” — drew throngs of fans to the main stage for a sunset performance featuring the late frontman Brad Nowell’s son Jakob leading the way.

And Vampire Weekend also made a last-minute return to the desert, having last performed there more than a decade ago.

The veteran indie rockers whose hits including “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” were brought in just last week, and frontman Ezra Koenig, who sported a striped Pogues sweatshirt, told cheering fans he’d been leaning back sipping ranch water — a cocktail of seltzer, tequila and lime — in Texas when he got a text asking if they’d come on board.

The group just released their fifth album, “Only God Was Above Us”, and played a mix of fan favorites and new work, including a 15-minute honky tonk mash-up.

They also randomly brought Paris Hilton onstage to play a quick round of cornhole — a popular North American bean bag-based lawn game — as part of a giveaway of chocolate for front-row fans.

“I haven’t played this game since ‘The Simple Life’”, the cowboy-hat wearing socialite and reality TV icon quipped, a referencing to the cult mid-2000s series she starred in with Nicole Richie.

“Make some noise for ‘The Simple Life!’” yelled Koenig to laughs and applause.