Latest news with #Kandil
CairoScene
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Coccinelle Studios Debuts in Cairo With Soulful Home Details
Coccinelle Studios Debuts in Cairo With Soulful Home Details Founded by Cairo-based creatives Engy Kandil and Yasmine Montasser, Coccinelle is a home decor studio that favours a detail-first approach over fleeting trends. Their debut collection, composed of five cushions and two runners, captures the studio's core philosophy: design that respects tradition while speaking a contemporary language. 'We don't see modern and traditional as opposites. For us, they're part of the same conversation,' the founders said. This idea highlights the meeting point that shows up in every layer of Coccinelle's pieces: patchwork that feels both curated and intuitive, colour palettes that mix depth with lightness, and a balance of precision and imperfection only handmade work can offer. The brand's name - French for ladybug - was first suggested during a conversation about the launch collection's vibrant patterns. Minutes later, a ladybug landed on Kandil's hand. 'It felt like the clearest sign that this wasn't just the name of a debut collection - it would be the entire essence of what the brand would become,' Kandil told SceneHome. Montasser's artistic foundation and intuitive feel for materials and composition, combined with Kandil's spatial sensitivity and eye for design, materials, and details, formed the backbone of their brand. Early on, they visited places like Khayameya, Wekala, Darb 1718, and Khan El Khalili to immerse themselves in what local artisans were working on and to fully understand the range of techniques and materials available - ensuring they stayed grounded in their design context rather than creating in a bubble. That collaboration extends to the ground level of the process -selecting fabrics from Cairo's markets, coordinating with artisans, even testing out filling densities for the cushions. 'Our backgrounds complemented each other so well – from interiors and art to visuals and storytelling, we were able to handle almost everything in-house,' Montasser explained. While 'handcrafted' and 'heritage-inspired' have become marketing buzzwords, Coccinelle's work feels refreshingly grounded in its context. Their process often begins with a single fabric - sometimes one with personal meaning, like the vintage textile from Kandil's late grandmother that inspired their 'Eternal' cushion - and unfolds from there, one of their most meaningful pieces as proof of how something deeply personal can spark a whole creative journey. Colour, too, is not an afterthought but a core part of their identity. With anchor shades like plum, mustard, and olive, the team builds visual tension through contrasting tones, layered textures, and unusual combinations. 'We're obsessed with how colours interact, how they photograph in different lighting, and how they play out across various textures and patterns. The end result might look effortless, but the process behind it is anything but,' they added. Another key value is scarcity. By producing in limited batches, Coccinelle ensures each item maintains its individuality, allowing space for variation and artisanal nuance. As they explained, 'In a world where mass production often overshadows individuality, it's a reaction to the way mass production flattens everything.' In a landscape where design often races toward novelty, Coccinelle Studios slows things down - offering a thoughtful, tactile, and deeply personal vision of what the pieces your home holds can look like when you let colour, craft, and memory lead the way.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hezbollah watches on as Iran and Israel battle, for now
Beirut, Lebanon – When Israel attacked Lebanon in September 2024, Fatima Kandil left her home in Beirut's southern suburbs, known colloquially as Dahiyeh. As the area sustained wide-scale Israeli air strikes, many Lebanese fled Dahiyeh for other parts of the country or, like Kandil, sought refuge in Iraq. Nearly seven months after the November ceasefire between Israel and the armed Lebanese group Hezbollah – an agreement Lebanon says Israel has repeatedly violated – rockets are lighting up the night sky once again. But this time, Hezbollah is not involved. Instead, Israel and Iran are exchanging direct military attacks. 'We don't know how this will all end, so we are undoubtedly tense,' Kandil, now back in Lebanon, told Al Jazeera. However, she added that she had a feeling of satisfaction seeing missiles rain down on Israel. 'Our revenge is being taken,' she said. While Kandil's sentiment is shared by some in Lebanon, others – those who see Iran's support for Hezbollah, a group that has dominated Lebanon militarily and politically for two decades, as nefarious – cheered on the Israeli attacks against Iran. Many people in Lebanon told Al Jazeera they hoped that stability would prevail and that their country wouldn't be dragged back into a prolonged conflict or subjected to the ferocity and frequency of the Israeli attacks it suffered last year. 'People are taking precautions,' Karim Safieddine, a Lebanese political writer and academic, told Al Jazeera. 'Some are readying their bags.'Early Friday, Israel struck Iran and assassinated several top commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) along with top nuclear scientists. Numerous civilians were also killed, including children, according to Iranian state media. Hours later, Hezbollah released a statement condemning the Israeli attacks and offering condolences for the slain Iranian officers. But analysts say the statement was a clear sign that Hezbollah would not be entering the battle in support of Iran. 'Currently, there is no need for Hezbollah to intervene, as Iranian missiles are capable of confronting the Israeli occupation,' said Qassem Kassir, a Lebanese political analyst supportive of the group. 'However, if the situation escalates into a full-scale war, nothing prevents the situation from changing.' Hezbollah, founded amid the Lebanese civil war in 1982 with Iranian backing and funding, draws much of its support from Lebanon's Shia Muslim community. The group began firing rockets at Israel on October 8, 2023, after the start of Israel's war on Gaza. Israeli attacks in Lebanon between October 2023 and November 2024 largely targeted areas where Shia live, killing around 4,000 civilians and fighters, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health. Many Lebanese are still reeling from the damage left by Israel's attacks. Some remain displaced from their villages in southern Lebanon, which was razed. Hezbollah's priority is to ensure that homes and towns are built in the area. While Israel is still hitting targets around the country, mostly in southern Lebanon but occasionally in the Beirut suburbs as well, any resumption of military activity by Hezbollah would likely draw an even more intense Israeli response and further disrupt reconstruction efforts. Much of Hezbollah's military arsenal was reportedly destroyed during the Israeli attacks, though analysts believe they have retained some arms, including ballistic missiles. Still, Hezbollah's lack of intervention in the current Israel-Iran conflict is 'evidence of their lack of capacity', Safieddine said. Hezbollah may not have the means to intervene militarily. The Israeli campaign on Lebanon also left Hezbollah's political leadership battered. Many of the group's most senior military figures, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, were assassinated. The group's political hegemony is now being challenged by the Lebanese state, with pressure from the United States and Israel, as it moves to disarm Hezbollah and bring the use of force under the state's exclusive authority. For now, analysts believe there is a consensus and understanding between Tehran and Hezbollah that the group will not intervene. 'Domestic political circumstances make it extremely difficult for Hezbollah to join in Iranian retaliation,' Nicholas Blanford, a nonresident senior fellow with the US-based think tank Atlantic Council, told Al Jazeera. 'And the Iranians recognise they can't call on them.'While Hezbollah is sometimes referred to as an Iranian proxy, many experts say the group is more accurately described as a close ally of the IRGC and the Iranian government with shared interests and a similar ideology. During Israel's heavy bombardment of Lebanon between September and November 2024, Iran's intervention was relatively limited. Israel invaded southern Lebanon, and while Israeli troops have pulled out of most of the Lebanese territory they entered during the war, they still occupy five points. 'There's resentment and unhappiness toward Iran by Hezbollah because they feel Iran let them down in the recent conflict,' Blanford said. Iran reportedly asked Hezbollah not to use some of its more lethal weapons, which analysts linked to fears of an Israeli response on Iranian territory. As for Israel's attacks on Iran, there's no indication that Tehran has asked Hezbollah to get involved yet, according to Kassir, the analyst thought to be close to Hezbollah. But that might change if a protracted war draws in actors from around the region. Blanford said he doesn't expect to 'see Hezbollah joining in full scale', but noted that if Israel starts to struggle in its fight against Iran, it could lead to 'some activity along the Blue Line', the line traversing Lebanon's southern border. If that happens, Blanford said, Hezbollah may look to carry out operations in the Israeli-occupied areas of Lebanon. Israel's plans for Lebanon and Hezbollah remain unclear, but the sound of Israeli drones, an ever-present buzz during the most severe days of the war, has returned to Beirut's skies in the last few days. 'I wouldn't rule out [Hezbollah's intervention] entirely,' said Blanford. 'But for now, it looks like they will stand on the sidelines and keep an eagle eye on what is going on.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Kurdish PKK Says Held 'Successful' Meeting on Disbanding
The outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) held a "successful" meeting this week with a view to disarming and disbanding, a Kurdish news agency close to the armed movement said on Friday. The meeting resulted in "decisions of historic importance concerning the PKK's activities, based on the call" of founder Abdullah Ocalan, who in February urged the movement to dissolve, the ANF agency said. The congress, which was held between Monday and Wednesday, took place in the "Media Defense Zones" -- a term used by the movement to designate the Kandil mountains of northern Iraq where the PKK military command is located, the agency reported. The PKK did not explicitly say it was dissolving but added that it would share "full and detailed information with regard to the outcome of this congress very soon", it said. On February 27, Ocalan urged his fighters to disarm and disband, ending a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. In his historic call -- in a letter read out by pro-Kurdish delegates at a news conference in Istanbul -- Ocalan urged the PKK to hold a congress to formalize the decision. Days later, the PKK's leadership accepted Ocalan's call, declaring a ceasefire. Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned there will be harsh consequences "if the promises are not kept" or the militants delay disarming. The pro-Kurdish Equality and Democracy party (DEM), the third largest party in Türkiye's parliament, hailed the news in a statement on Friday. "With the PKK's historic congress decisions, we are one step closer to the horizon of peace after fifty years of conflict," it said. "This is a step towards the re-emergence and development of peace and democratic politics that have been longed for, for centuries, in the heart of our ancient lands." DEM's spokesperson Aysegul Dogan had told a news conference before the announcement of the congress: "We are ready to fulfill all our responsibilities with courage, devotion and determination for a Türkiye where we can all breathe together, where an equal, fair and permanent peace is achieved and where our vision of a democratic society is realized." A DEM delegation held talks with Ocalan in his prison island off Istanbul, as well as with Turkish political parties and contacts in Iraq. Turkish media reported that the PKK delayed announcement of the congress because DEM delegation member Sirri Sureyya Onder died on Saturday aged 62. Onder was a veteran politician who won respect across Türkiye's political spectrum for his efforts to end years of Kurdish conflict. "It is highly probable that PKK already gathered its congress and delayed the announcement because of Onder's death," a DEM source told AFP. "This also fits the calendar previously announced" by nationalist MHP party leader Devlet Bahceli, a strong ally of Erdogan and a key figure in efforts to resume talks, the source added. Bahceli had proposed the PKK meet in Malazgirt near Lake Van in Türkiye's far east on May 4.
Arab News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Kurdish PKK says held ‘successful' meeting on disbanding
ISTANBUL: The outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) held a 'successful' meeting this week with a view to disarming and dissolving, the Kurdish agency ANF, which is close to the armed movement, announced on Friday. The meeting resulted in 'decisions of historic importance concerning the PKK's activities, based on the call' of founder Abdullah Ocalan, who called on the movement in February to dissolve. The congress, which was held between Monday and Wednesday, took place in the 'Media Defense Zones' — a term used by the movement to designate the Kandil mountains of northern Iraq where the PKK military command is located, the agency reported. The PKK will share 'full and detailed information with regard to the outcome of this congress very soon,' it said. In February, Ocalan urged his fighters to disarm and disband, ending a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. In his historic call — which took the form of a letter — Ocalan urged the PKK to hold a congress to formalize the decision. Two days later, the PKK announced a ceasefire, saying it was ready to convene a congress but said 'for this to happen, a suitable secure environment must be created,' insisting it would only succeed if Ocalan were to 'personally direct and lead it.' The PKK leadership is holed up in Kurdish-majority mountainous northern Iraq where Turkish forces have staged multiple air strikes in recent years, targeting the group which is also blacklisted by Washington and Brussels.
Zawya
17-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt's PM inspects development projects in 10th of Ramadan, inaugurates Kandil Steel expansion
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly visited 10th of Ramadan City to inspect key developmental and residential projects, beginning with the expansion of Kandil Steel factory. Accompanied by senior ministers, he reaffirmed the government's commitment to enhancing services and improving living standards nationwide. Madbouly emphasized the state's focus on industrial growth as a key driver of economic expansion. The government's strategy prioritizes the development of industrial zones, the establishment of new factories, and the localization of production to meet market demands with high-quality, competitive products. He also underscored the government's ongoing support for the private sector, fostering a business-friendly environment, encouraging investment, and eliminating barriers through continuous factory inspections. The Prime Minister commenced his tour in 10th of Ramadan City with a visit to Kandil Steel factory, joined by Vice Prime Minister for Industrial Development, Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir; Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Sherif El-Sherbiny; and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib. Upon arrival, Amr Kandil, Chairperson of Kandil Steel, welcomed the delegation, noting that Kandil Steel Group is a leading player in flat steel rolling and galvanizing across the Middle East. The Kandil family holds a majority stake in the company, with Japanese partners MISI and JFE owning a minority share. Kandil detailed the company's legacy, highlighting its founding in Egypt in 1865 as the country's sole producer of large-sized flat steel products. Specializing in cold-rolled, galvanized, and coated steel, the company boasts an annual production capacity of 900,000 tonnes, catering to both local and international markets. Reham Abou El-Soud, Executive VP for Markets, outlined the company's core production lines, which include cold rolling, hot-dip galvanizing, and color-coated sheet manufacturing. Kandil Steel supplies critical materials to various sectors, including construction, infrastructure, and home appliances, offering high-quality, cost-effective alternatives to imports. Regarding the engineering industries sector, Abou El-Soud explained that Kandil Steel serves a broad range of manufacturers, supplying flat steel for products such as storage systems, fire protection systems, and irrigation systems. Additionally, the company provides cold-rolled steel to automotive assembly companies for buses, pickup trucks, and spare parts, including fuel and oil filters, cooling pipes, and brake systems. She further highlighted that exports constitute 50% of total production. As of January 2025, the company's workforce has expanded to 1,400 employees, following factory upgrades and increased production. Investments have reached $25m, with rolling, galvanizing, and color-coating production lines modernized, and total sales reaching EGP 25bn in 2024. Ahmed Mokhtar, CEO of Strategic Projects, presented an overview of the company's investment in production line development and its new factory expansion. He explained that the factory's upgrade and renewal plan, initiated in 2021, aims to boost production capacity from 600,000 to 900,000 tonnes per year in two phases. This expansion is designed to meet local demand, localize industry, and reduce reliance on imports, thereby alleviating pressure on foreign currency reserves. Following the inauguration of Kandil Steel's expansion, Prime Minister Madbouly proceeded to inspect the industrial wastewater treatment plant in 10th of Ramadan City to review progress on the project. During transit, he assessed ongoing road development and infrastructure upgrades in the city's heavy industrial zone. These works include the rehabilitation of water, sewage, and road networks in Industrial Zone A1 and the renewal of roadways. Additionally, emergency solutions are being implemented to backfill random ponds in the area, involving the filling of two water inlets and the construction of an emergency basin for Pumping Station (4) with 600mm and 700mm pipelines to handle excess discharge from the 1200mm industrial wastewater pipeline. Upon arrival at the wastewater treatment plant, the Prime Minister received a comprehensive briefing from Alaa Abdallah Mostafa, Head of the 10th of Ramadan City Authority, on the project's development. Mostafa detailed that the new treatment plant is designed with a civil capacity of 130,000 cubic meters per day and an electromechanical capacity of 65,000 cubic meters per day. The project also includes a new screening building and two 1400mm discharge pipelines. He further elaborated on the plant's components, which include anaerobic ponds, a preliminary treated water pumping station, an aeration basin distribution chamber, aeration tanks, sedimentation basins with pumps and a pump well, a chlorine mixing basin, chlorination equipment, sludge thickening tanks with dedicated pumps, sludge drying beds, a sludge storage area, an air blower building, electrical and control buildings, an administration and laboratory building, a workshop and storage facility, and a general site drainage pump well. At the conclusion of his visit, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of accelerating the project's completion while maintaining the highest quality standards and adhering to the established timelines. © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Daily News Egypt
