Latest news with #CultureBites
The National
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Spiralling therapist or kitchen chaos? What to watch first from Emmy nominations
This week on Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews discuss their favourites from this year's Emmy nominations. From dramas to comedies, some of the most highly rated TV series from 2025 have made the list, including Adolescence, The Last of Us and the latest season of The White Lotus. Some of the shows that Enas and Farah have recommended before on the podcast made the cut, such as The Bear 's new season, and Shrinking, a comedy about a grieving therapist who says too much. Also in this episode, the hosts explore the Arabic roots of common English words and trace their journeys. Coffee, for example, originated in Yemen and evolved from the Arabic word ' qahwa '. Others are less commonly known, such as candy – which evolved from the word 'qandi' meaning sugar, and hazard, taking its root from 'al-zahr', or dice, an object used in games of chance. Enas and Farah talk about the spread of the Arabic language through ancient trade and how it reflects the region's golden era of knowledge and innovation.
The National
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Is it a bird? Superman and 'winged' Zayed National Museum
In this week's episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews give a preview of the Zayed National Museum which is set to open in December. The building has already become a landmark of Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Cultural District. Its five steel structures are shaped like feathers, inspired by the country's tradition of falconry, and the museum itself will tell the story of the UAE over 300,000 years. Enas and Farah highlight some of the main galleries to visit and notable pieces to view, including a full-scale replica of a Bronze Age Magan boat and an Iron Age stamp etched with a camel motif. On the big screen, James Gunn's new Superman has audiences drawing parallels between its storyline and real-life events. Social media users have drawn links from the film to Israel's war in Gaza, with references to military might and political dynamics. Farah has watched the film and talks to Enas about the scenes that appear to resemble the conflict.
Mid East Info
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
The National's Culture Bites Podcast Wins Best Entertainment Podcast at Publisher Summits and Awards 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
Culture Bites podcast, produced by The National, has won Best Entertainment Podcast in the 2025 Publisher Podcast Awards. Now in its fifth year, the Publisher Summits and Awards recognise excellence across the global publishing industry, honouring innovation and achievement in journalism across digital, print, video and audio. The National, the leading English-language news outlet headquartered in Abu Dhabi, was the only media outlet from the Middle East to be recognised among this year's winners, with three of its podcasts shortlisted: Culture Bites in the Entertainment category, Beyond the Headlines in Political, and Trending Middle East in News. Hosted by Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews, Culture Bites offers a dynamic take on the region's arts, culture and entertainment scene through compelling conversations and insightful storytelling. This is the second award for Culture Bites in less than two years since its launch. Having invested and expanded its video offering, this is the 6th podcast award for The National's popular podcasts in the past two years. Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief at The National, commented: 'This award is an important acknowledgement of The National's commitment to original and captivating journalism elevating regional stories. We are proud to be recognised by the Publisher Awards not only as a trusted news source but as a creative force in audio storytelling. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our podcast hosts, editors and producers who continue to innovate and expand the possibilities of how we engage with our audiences.' Doaa Farid, Podcast Editor at The National, commented: 'We are honoured to be among this year's winners. Culture Bites was created to spotlight the vibrant cultural conversations happening across our region, and this award reflects how strongly that has resonated. The National's podcast portfolio continues to grow in strength and reach, with six awards in the past two years alone. We look forward to continuing to connect with diverse audiences through storytelling that informs, inspires and reflects the region we represent.' Publishing across digital platforms, with video, audio and text, in addition and produced in print edition five days a week, The National delivers the latest in news, business, arts, culture, lifestyle and sports, while leading the region in analytical content and commentary. The National is part of IMI, a leading global privately-owned media group headquartered in the UAE. About: The National, an IMI company, was founded in 2008, setting a new standard for quality journalism in the Middle East. Each day The National reaches an influential, English-speaking audience from our headquarters in Abu Dhabi to deliver the latest in news, business, arts, culture, lifestyle and sports, while leading the region in analytical content and commentary. The National is committed to serving the local UAE community while delivering a strong international perspective to a growing audience. With bureaux in Beirut, Cairo, London and Washington, and correspondents in key cities in the MENA region and worldwide, The National has developed a reputation for providing in-depth coverage and a window into the region. The National has been extensively awarded for its design, reporting, photography and video work. Publishing across all digital platforms – reaching millions of readers, listeners and viewers each month – The National harnesses the latest multimedia tools while continuing to produce a print edition five days a week, distributed in the UAE. About IMI: IMI is a privately-owned, leading global media conglomerate headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with operations across 15 countries. Established to enrich lives and connect communities through innovative storytelling, IMI oversees an extensive portfolio of prestigious media brands including The National, Sky News Arabia, Al-Ain News, CNN Business Arabic, and Euronews. Committed to digital innovation and journalistic excellence, IMI operates state-of-the-art facilities, including the IMI Media Academy at IMI HQ in twofour54's Yas Creative Hub, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of media professionals. IMI continues to set industry standards, driving impactful content creation and engagement across diverse audiences worldwide. IMI's investment arm, RedBird IMI—a joint venture with RedBird Capital Partners—focuses on global investments in media, entertainment, and sports. Some of Redbird IMI's most prominent investments include All3Media, Media Res Studio, EverWonder Studio, Hidden Pigeon Company, Front Office Sports, and UFL.
The National
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Who are the pilgrims riding from Spain to Makkah on horseback?
In this episode of Culture Bites, hosts Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews trace the journey of pilgrims reviving an Andalusian tradition
The National
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
How Abu Dhabi is attracting Hollywood
In this episode of Culture Bites, Enas Refaei and Farah Andrews share some of their picks from The National 's list of the 50 most important Arabic novels of the 21st century. The compilation reflects the diversity of the region's modern literary scene and the influential authors whose works have impacted audiences near and far. Enas talks about the impression Alaa Al Aswany's The Yacoubian Building left on her and draws attention to the message behind Frankenstein in Baghdad, set in post-US invasion Iraq. Farah highlights the award-winning novel A Mask, the Colour of the Sky by imprisoned Palestinian author Basim Khandaqji. She also discusses Maha Gargash's book That Other Me, about a prominent Emirati family consumed by secrets and betrayals. This week the hosts also take a close look at how Abu Dhabi is incentivising big Hollywood productions to film in the emirate. A cashback rebate scheme launched more than a decade ago became even more attractive this year when Abu Dhabi Film Commission increased its subsidy on film and television production. The most recent production to benefit is Now You See Me: Now You Don't which wrapped its shoot in April. Enas and Farah talk about the benefits the scheme brings to the economy, tourism and local talent. The co-hosts also discuss new documentary Louis Theroux: The Settlers, which has been much discussed online. In the BBC show, the British documentarian returns to the occupied West Bank – where he filmed a documentary in 2011 – speaking to Palestinians, Israeli settlers and peace advocates.
