Latest news with #Boutros
Watani
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Watani
Catholic Film Centre debates TV series: The silent scourge
On 21 June 2025 the Catholic Film Centre shed light on a TV series that was broadcast last March and focused on a dreaded but rarely publicised social plague: the sexual molestation of children. The TV drama was titled Lam Shamsiya , literally 'L of the Sun', an expression that draws attention to 'silent or silenced features', given that the letter L in the Arabic word for 'the sun' — 'al-Shams' pronounce 'a-shams', with a silent L, is used in Arabic grammar to denote all words that include silent L's. The drama achieved wide viewership and was greatly applauded for having had the courage to tackle a thorny, sensitive issue more often than not swept under the carpet. The TV series tells the story of Nelly, a schoolteacher, who finds out that her stepson was being molested by his father's best friend. The story depicts the emotional trauma she goes through attempting to prove herself right as she faces disbelief and suspicion starting from her own husband. Finally, she proves herself right, and manages to rescue the child and ensure that justice is served. Outstanding narrative Lam Shamsiya and its stars and makers were feted by the CCC in the recent symposium to discuss with them and with the public the significance of the work. The symposium was held at the Nile Hall of the Franciscan Brothers, and witnessed the participation of the drama's stars and makers. Fr Boutros said he was keen to honour the team in recognition of their outstanding contribution to Egyptian TV drama, sending out an effective, humane, direly-needed message that was well received by critics and the public alike. Fr Boutros said the makers of the TV series put a mirror in front of our faces, exposing our inaction and failure before the scourge of child molestation. 'We have been unable to confront the challenge,' he said, 'because of our fear for our image in society. The drama comes with an outstanding plot and a coherent, integrated narrative that bring to life the tragic reality of child molestation.' Among the drama makers who attended the symposium were its director Karim al-Shennawi; writer Mariam Naoum; scriptwriter Ragia Hassan; artistic producer Ahmed Farghali; film editor Baher Rashid; and Nabil al-Qutt, medical and psychological consultant of the series. The actors: Muhammed Shaheen, Yusra al-Lozy, Thara Jubail, Yasmine Al-Abd, Yara Gobran, Faten Saeed, Salma Zaki, and Mustafa Askar; and the talented child and rising star Ali al-Biali were also present. At the close of the symposium, Fr Boutros handed special certificates of appreciation to all the makers and actors of the TV series, and presented to them the CCC shield. The Catholic Cinema Centre stands out for its focus on values of humaneness and human dignity. Through its annual film festival, CCC has been centering on films with humanitarian and moral values. The Catholic Cinema Centre was founded in 1949 at the hands of Mr Mazzaoui who was a critic, cinema historian and prominent figure among those who built Egyptian cinema. Mr Mazzaoui encouraged the Franciscan Friars in Egypt to establish a cinema centre to educate the young. The Catholic Centre Film Festival was born in Cairo in 1952, with the purpose of encouraging and supporting the production of films that carry humanitarian and moral focus. As such, it has always held a distinct, warm-hearted character among film festivals in Egypt. Watani International 2 July 2025 Comments comments
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Emirates airline aims to create jobs, build wealth for Dubai, says top official
Dubai-based Emirates' objective is to build an airline and make money, create jobs, and wealth for the city, said Boutros Boutros, executive vice president, corporate communications, marketing and brand at Emirates Group. While speaking during the TRIBE – The CMO Connect 2025 event hosted by Khaleej Times, Boutros said Dubai's flagship carrier is run like a private entity, rather than a government firm. "We don't have a board of directors and shareholders who come every three months, and we have to produce enough figures to keep our jobs. This is a strength for us. This is a strength because our motive is not only to make money. We have to be profitable, but more than profitable, to build an airline; it is to create jobs and wealth for the city. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. "This mentality doesn't exist in many other companies, because we are a unique company in terms of ownership. It's run like a private company, not run as a government," Boutros said during a fireside chat on "Marketing Beyond Borders: How a Homegrown Brand Became Truly Global." He stressed that Emirates' success should be attributed to teamwork and the environment it provides to its employees. "Emirates is a unique airline for a unique city. You cannot say it's a Dubai company. It's a global company. We cater for everybody." Key highlights of TRIBE – The CMO Connect 2025 were the exclusive announcement of the GCC's Most Influential Marketing Leaders, recognising excellence, innovation, and leadership in the field. The summit also featured a networking lunch, providing opportunities for attendees to foster strategic partnerships and engage with top marketing visionaries. Loan repaid Last week, Emirates said its 2024-25 revenues increased by 6 per cent to Dh127.9 billion ($34.9 billion). The world's largest international carrier hit a new record profit after tax of Dh19.1 billion, outstripping last year's Dh17.2 billion ($4.7 billion). This is the best performance in the airline's history, and in the airline industry for the reporting year 2024-25. "We have been the most profitable airline for the last three years. After the pandemic, we repaid the loans to the government. We were running a tight, good operation (during Covid-19). To be honest, this would not have happened if we were in another country. A lot of people ask why the Emirates is so successful. It is because we are in Dubai. Of course, this is one of the major reasons, and a huge part of Dubai's and the UAE's growth story," said Boutros. Dubai's flagship carrier obtained billions of dollars in loans from the government due to the coronavirus pandemic as the aviation industry came to a halt due to the pandemic. Going from good to better An industry veteran, Boutros relocated from the UK in 1991 to join Emirates. 'We had just seven aircraft and 11 destinations. It was a small airline; nobody took us seriously. I was fortunate enough to have the courage to move from the UK to join the Emirates. I came to Dubai for the first time in 1989, and I could see this place only going from good to better. I strongly believed in Emirates and the vision of Dubai,' he said during a fireside chat with Michal Divon, chief client officer, Khaleej Times. He added that Emirates' strategy is parallel to Dubai's strategy. 'From day one, Emirates management knew that they needed to provide the experience. We, as an airline, carry people from place A to B. But then every other end line does the same. But we are different and that's why we are successful.' Citing an example, he said in 1992, Emirates was the first airline in the world to introduce in-flight entertainment. Smart spending Butrous dismissed the general impression that Emirates spends a huge amount of money on marketing. Instead, he stressed that the airline spends much less than the market rate on marketing, 'In reality, our spending is less than 3 per cent of our total revenue. In our industry, you need to spend between 3 to 7 per cent of your total revenue on marketing. Sometimes I'm challenged internally by our financial department, that I take 3 per cent. This year, my budget is 2.4 per cent. So you have to be smart about how to spend it. Because if you are doing something right, people think we have so much money to spend. In reality, we spend much less. But it seems it's working,' said the executive vice president of corporate communications, marketing and brand at Emirates Group. Contrary to current times when sports and other companies willingly embrace big brands on their shirts, he noted that it was quite a challenge for people to convince to embrace aviation brands on the players' shirts.
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Studioshot Launches Breakthrough Custom Location Feature for AI Headshots
Studioshot Custom Location enables users to create precise, realistic AI-generated headshots in customized environments, simplifying professional photography for businesses and professionals worldwide. United States, April 21, 2025 -- Studioshot today announced the release of its innovative 'Studioshot Custom Location' feature, available immediately on their website starting at $39 per session. This advanced feature empowers users to create accurate, realistic headshots set in precisely customized locations, significantly simplifying professional photography for individuals and businesses. Studioshot Custom Location allows users to realistically place themselves inside their office, in front of a specific building, or at any chosen location by simply providing an address or uploading reference images. Additionally, users can effortlessly adjust lighting conditions to reflect different times of day and even choose customized outfits, providing enhanced personalization and flexibility. The underlying technology powering Studioshot Custom Location is a proprietary diffusion-based AI imaging model, designed specifically by Studioshot's in-house research team. This custom imaging model precisely recreates detailed backgrounds, environments, and even accurately renders textual elements such as signage, branding, or interior decor. By leveraging its own proprietary tools rather than generic AI frameworks, Studioshot maintains superior accuracy and image quality, positioning itself as an industry leader in AI-powered photography solutions. 'Developing Studioshot Custom Location required over a year of dedicated research, iteration, and refinement,' said George Boutros, CEO of Studioshot. 'Our goal was to create a technology capable of accurately representing real-world locations with intricate details and realism. We are excited to offer businesses and professionals a revolutionary new way to visualize themselves in the environments that matter most to them.' Using Studioshot Custom Location is straightforward and user-friendly. Customers simply upload 10 selfies, and the proprietary AI does the rest, generating hyper-realistic, personalized headshots within their chosen custom location. Users receive images quickly and can easily make unlimited edits and adjustments to perfect their visuals, ensuring optimal results for various professional needs, including social media profiles, corporate websites, marketing materials, and more. 'We designed this feature with flexibility in mind,' Boutros added. 'The ability to quickly generate and refine professional-grade imagery without complex logistics or high costs sets a new standard in digital photography solutions.' Trusted by more than one million professionals worldwide, Studioshot continues to lead the industry by developing and refining cutting-edge AI imaging technologies. Studioshot Custom Location is the latest step in the company's ongoing mission to empower individuals and businesses with professional-grade visual solutions tailored to the digital age. For additional details about Studioshot Custom Location, visit About Studioshot Studioshot provides AI-generated professional headshots, delivering realistic, brand-consistent photography solutions tailored to modern professional needs. Contact Info: Name: George Boutros, CEO Email: Send Email Organization: Studioshot Website: Release ID: 89157790 If you encounter any issues, discrepancies, or concerns regarding the content provided in this press release, or if there is a need for a press release takedown, we urge you to notify us without delay at [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our expert team will be available to promptly respond within 8 hours – ensuring swift resolution of identified issues or offering guidance on removal procedures. Delivering accurate and reliable information is fundamental to our mission.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Andrew Boutros sworn in as Chicago's US attorney
Veteran Chicago lawyer and former federal prosecutor Andrew Boutros was sworn in Monday as the 42nd U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. U.S. District Chief Judge Virginia Kendall administered the oath of office for Boutros in a customary private ceremony a little over a week after Boutros' selection was announced. 'I am humbled and honored to lead the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago,' Boutros said in a statement Monday, also thanking President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and others involved in his selection 'for their trust and confidence in me.' 'As U.S. attorney, I am committed to working alongside old and new colleagues to tackle the important problems that face our district,' Boutros said. Boutros named veteran prosecutor Morris Pasqual, who has served as acting U.S. attorney since John Lausch's departure in March 2023, to be his first assistant. Boutros, 47, is a first-generation American whose parents emigrated from Egypt. He attended Virginia Tech University and earned a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2001. Boutros spent eight years as a federal prosecutor under then-U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, bringing a number of high-profile and complex prosecutions involving everything from international trade to dark web narcotics conspiracy. He'd most recently served as co-chair of the government investigations and white-collar group at Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP in Chicago. Boutros was selected by the Trump administration after a search process run by Republican U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, of Peoria. Boutros was appointed as an interim U.S. attorney, which means he was not confirmed by the U.S. Senate. His term runs for 120 days or until a permanent replacement is nominated and confirmed. jmeisner@
Chicago Tribune
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Andrew Boutros sworn in as Chicago's US attorney
Veteran Chicago lawyer and former federal prosecutor Andrew Boutros was sworn in Monday as the 42nd U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. U.S. District Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall administered the oath of office for Boutros in a customary private ceremony a little over a week after Boutros' selection was announced. 'I am humbled and honored to lead the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago,' Boutros said in a statement Monday, also thanking President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and others involved in his selection 'for their trust and confidence in me.' 'As U.S. attorney, I am committed to working alongside old and new colleagues to tackle the important problems that face our district,' Boutros said. Boutros named veteran prosecutor Morris Pasqual, who has served as acting U.S. attorney since John Lausch's departure in March 2023, to be his first assistant. Boutros, 47, is a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Egypt. He attended Virginia Tech University and earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2001. Boutros spent eight years as a federal prosecutor under then-U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, bringing a number of high-profile and complex prosecutions involving everything from international trade to dark web narcotics conspiracy. He'd most recently served as co-chair of the government investigations and white-collar group at Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP in Chicago. Boutros was selected by the Trump administration after a search process run by Republican U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, of Peoria. Boutros was appointed as an interim U.S. attorney, which means he was not confirmed by the U.S. Senate. His term runs for 120 days or until a permanent replacement is nominated and confirmed.
