Latest news with #Dymond
Axios
23-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
A beautiful new French country restaurant takes shape in Algiers
A new restaurant and event space from chef Melissa Martin and developer and restaurateur Cassi Dymond has taken shape like a dreamy French fairytale in Algiers. Why it matters: The restaurant is now taking reservations for seatings beginning June 26. The big picture: Martin has developed a now-national reputation for her Uptown restaurant, Mosquito Supper Club, and a pair of James Beard Award-recognized cookbooks that bear her thoughtful, environmentally conscious approach to the Cajun cuisine she grew up learning to cook from family. And Dymond co-owns Maple Street's Satsuma Cafe and Kalimera Construction, a commercial construction company that specializes in beautiful restaurant build-outs like Dakar NOLA, the Tell Me Bar and N7. The friends had long kicked around the idea of creating a restaurant in the country, Martin tells Axios New Orleans exclusively. Still, she laughs, "I don't think anybody's ever ready for the next phase." But then, the property at 1300 Richland Road came on the market. With its four acres of land dotted with towering oak trees and a century-old home at its core, the decision felt obvious. First, the pair rented the West Bank property, wanting to better get to know the 1920s historical home that once served as a WWII-era internment camp. They spent time learning about its history and the neighborhood — it sits adjacent to a parcel slated for a future bed and breakfast — before making the sale official. As they did, the concept for Saint Claire unfolded around them. "We were looking for a little bit of romance and just a lot of relaxation," Martin says, adding that they're exploring ways to weave in the property's complex history as they steward its future. The vibe: Though Martin and Dymond got some design help from Logan Killen Interiors, the vision for Saint Claire has always felt familiar. A center hall opens into a warm bar room and French country kitchen to one side, and an open dining space to the other. At the back, they've added a near-wraparound porch where you can imagine pouring glass after glass of wine as you listen to the frogs come alive in the yard at sunset, just a stone's throw from the Mississippi River levee. Inside, the space is filled with creamy whites and lived-in blues, simple French antiques, and mismatched porcelain plates and silverware. As guests sit for their meal, servers light a golden-yellow taper. "It's like somewhere I've never been but have always been," Martin muses. Zoom in: To start, Saint Claire will be open for dinner Thursday through Saturday and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. But Martin and Dymond already have expansion plans for the future. With a space like they have on Richland Road, it's hard not to imagine them: live music on the sweeping lawn, picnic baskets packed and ready to go for guests to enjoy the green space and, maybe one day, a pool installed off to the side. Unlike Mosquito Supper Club's communal dining standard, Saint Claire guests will be seated individually with their party, though the space lends itself beautifully to gatherings large and small: Whether that's a solo glass of wine on the porch to "a 12-top to a wedding," Martin says. Dig in: Saint Claire offers a French country-inspired menu with around a dozen or so items. Some will be familiar, Martin says, for guests who frequent the a la carte bar menu at Mosquito Supper Club. During one night of the restaurant's soft opening, they included a dish I'm still thinking about, of beets that had been smoked overnight and served with créme fraiche and trout roe. I'm also going back for the oversized gnocchi that came swimming in lemony butter and laden with jumbo lump crab, and a chocolate semifreddo that arrived atop a drizzle of orange-scented olive oil. If you go: Saint Claire is at 1300 Richland Road in Algiers, which is about a 10-minute drive from the Warehouse District.
![BBC's Jonny Dymond: Malaysia is a story of economic success, not just 1MDB [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
BBC's Jonny Dymond: Malaysia is a story of economic success, not just 1MDB [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: BBC correspondent Jonny Dymond says the most rewarding part of his journalism career is not the major global stories he's covered — but the chance to speak directly with people around the world about their lives. Dymond, who was in Kuala Lumpur for the BBC World Questions debate earlier this week, said that while covering the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the Sept 11 attacks were defining moments, it is the everyday human stories that have left the greatest impact on him. "It's being able to sit in people's front rooms across the world and talk to them about their thoughts, their losses... that is the privilege of being a correspondent," he said. The veteran journalist, who has also served as BBC's Europe and Middle East correspondent, is the host and moderator of the BBC's World Questions public debate. The series brings politicians and the public together in a live Q&A format that often puts leaders on the spot. Dymond said cost of living issues continue to dominate these events around the world — from Milan to Mongolia — with food, energy, and housing affordability topping the list of public concerns. "In fancy journals and political talk shows, people often miss the real priorities. But when you're in a room with the public, you hear what truly matters — and it's usually the same everywhere: daily life, survival, the environment, and fairness," he said. Asked about his role as moderator, Dymond said he aims to help the public get answers — not to take on politicians himself. "I'm not there to shout at people or score points. I'm there to help the audience get honest answers, even if that means pressing a bit harder sometimes," he said. On Malaysia, Dymond said the country is often viewed in the West through narrow lenses, such as the 1MDB scandal, but deserves broader recognition. "For me, Malaysia represents an incredible economic transformation. Of course, there are challenges — corruption, inequality, and so on — but the broader story is one of success," he said. He added that Western ignorance of Southeast Asia is often the biggest obstacle to better news coverage, with distance and complexity making it harder to tell full stories. "It's a very complicated part of the world, with enormous geopolitical pressures. And yet countries like Malaysia are often asked to 'pick sides' by those who don't understand what they're asking." Dymond declined to assess Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's performance directly, saying it wasn't his place. But he said that the ability to push through difficult policies — such as subsidy reforms — is often a test of leadership. On foreign policy, he acknowledged Malaysia's firm position on Gaza reflects strong public sentiment, adding that many in the West are also increasingly uncomfortable with the war. He also addressed criticisms of Western media double standards when covering conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza. "All reporting is an art, not a science. We try to be as fair as possible and tell both sides. But it's a hard job, and we don't always get access. For example, we're not allowed into Gaza by Israeli authorities," he said. The BBC World Questions: Malaysia debate, recorded on Tuesday (June 10), will be broadcast on Saturday. Among the panellists are Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh and former Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
![Western media struggles to grasp Malaysia's complexities, says BBC man [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F02bbc100625sp_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1749513621.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Western media struggles to grasp Malaysia's complexities, says BBC man [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Western audiences and media often struggle to grasp Malaysia's complexities due to geographical distance and a lack of awareness of its political and historical context, says BBC journalist Jonny Dymond. Speaking exclusively to the New Straits Times ahead of the BBC World Service's World Questions debate in Kuala Lumpur, Dymond said ignorance remains one of the biggest barriers to covering countries like Malaysia, whose realities are shaped by colonial legacies and modern geopolitical pressures. "Most people don't even scratch the surface of what countries like Malaysia are dealing with," he said. "Everything from colonial inheritance to current day tensions. The challenges of geopolitics around here are formidable. You know? "And people, I think, on the other side of the world simply don't understand the balancing act that countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, and other nations in the region simply have to perform all the time. "When countries are told they have to choose between global powers, it's a strange demand to make from 3,000 miles away." Dymond also said the positioning of countries like Malaysia on issues such as the war in Gaza reflects a new divide in global politics. While critical of the term "the global south", which he said oversimplifies diverse countries and perspectives, Dymond acknowledged growing divergence in views between regions. "It's a sign of, a kind of a new division, a different division in the world. I mean, the phrase 'the global south' is a horrible one. "It suggests that there's one lump here and another lump there — but let's use it for the moment." He noted that on issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in Gaza, there was initially a sharp divide between how the West and other parts of the world viewed the situation. "It's worth pointing out, you know, there is a shift also in the West as this war has continued, and more and more people feel uncomfortable, and upset about what has happened. "Again, not my place to judge it, but it is interesting that Malaysia has been so forthright. And, obviously, I think there is a reflection in the government as to what people feel within Malaysia about what's happening in Gaza. "And Malaysia and Malaysia's leadership has made its position very, very clear on Israel and the Palestinians and seems to walk in step with its population there — it seems to speak for many, many Malaysians in their unhappiness at what Israel is doing in Gaza." He also urged Western observers to develop a deeper understanding of Southeast Asia, particularly in light of growing US-China tensions. "It's up to the West to know a lot more about places like Malaysia before it judges them." The BBC World Questions debate series invites members of the public to pose questions directly to politicians and public figures on current political, economic, and social issues. Tonight's debate, which will be broadcast at a later date, will focus on the government's fuel subsidy rationalisation, corruption cases, freedom of speech, and institutional reform. It will also examine Malaysia's foreign policy, especially its efforts to balance ties with the United States and China. Among the panellists are Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh and Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Western media struggles to grasp Malaysia's complexities, says BBC man
KUALA LUMPUR: Western audiences and media often struggle to grasp Malaysia's complexities due to geographical distance and a lack of awareness of its political and historical context, says BBC journalist Jonny Dymond. Speaking exclusively to the New Straits Times ahead of the BBC World Service's World Questions debate in Kuala Lumpur, Dymond said ignorance remains one of the biggest barriers to covering countries like Malaysia, whose realities are shaped by colonial legacies and modern geopolitical pressures. "Most people don't even scratch the surface of what countries like Malaysia are dealing with," he said. "Everything from colonial inheritance to current day tensions. The challenges of geopolitics around here are formidable. You know? "And people, I think, on the other side of the world simply don't understand the balancing act that countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, and other nations in the region simply have to perform all the time. "When countries are told they have to choose between global powers, it's a strange demand to make from 3,000 miles away." Dymond also said the positioning of countries like Malaysia on issues such as the war in Gaza reflects a new divide in global politics. While critical of the term "the global south", which he said oversimplifies diverse countries and perspectives, Dymond acknowledged growing divergence in views between regions. "It's a sign of, a kind of a new division, a different division in the world. I mean, the phrase 'the global south' is a horrible one. "It suggests that there's one lump here and another lump there — but let's use it for the moment." He noted that on issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in Gaza, there was initially a sharp divide between how the West and other parts of the world viewed the situation. "It's worth pointing out, you know, there is a shift also in the West as this war has continued, and more and more people feel uncomfortable, and upset about what has happened. "Again, not my place to judge it, but it is interesting that Malaysia has been so forthright. And, obviously, I think there is a reflection in the government as to what people feel within Malaysia about what's happening in Gaza. "And Malaysia and Malaysia's leadership has made its position very, very clear on Israel and the Palestinians and seems to walk in step with its population there — it seems to speak for many, many Malaysians in their unhappiness at what Israel is doing in Gaza." He also urged Western observers to develop a deeper understanding of Southeast Asia, particularly in light of growing US-China tensions. "It's up to the West to know a lot more about places like Malaysia before it judges them." The BBC World Questions debate series invites members of the public to pose questions directly to politicians and public figures on current political, economic, and social issues. Tonight's debate, which will be broadcast at a later date, will focus on the government's fuel subsidy rationalisation, corruption cases, freedom of speech, and institutional reform. It will also examine Malaysia's foreign policy, especially its efforts to balance ties with the United States and China. Among the panellists are Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh and Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
New Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar's tough policy calls reflect leadership, says BBC journalist [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's push to rationalise fuel subsidies and his stance on foreign policy reflect the kind of leadership needed to navigate a complex and divided world, says BBC journalist Jonny Dymond. Speaking ahead of the BBC World Questions debate in Kuala Lumpur, Dymond said rolling back subsidies is a politically difficult task that many leaders tend to avoid due to pressure from powerful interest groups. "To get it done is a sign of leadership in my book," he told the New Straits Times in an exclusive interview. "It's not that I'm approving or disapproving, but I can just see it (that) as a governmental task, it's quite hard." He said that while subsidies are often seen as a way to help the poor, economists argue they disproportionately benefit higher-income groups. "It's very tough to withdraw them because there are always very powerful constituencies that want them cared for, good or bad," he said. "And to get it through, you have to say that it's a function of leadership." He added that previous administrations had sidestepped the issue, while Anwar had taken the unpopular but necessary step. Dymond also touched on Anwar's firm stance on the Gaza conflict, saying it reflected strong public sentiment in Malaysia. "Malaysia's leadership has made its position very clear on Israel and the Palestinians, and seems to speak for many Malaysians in their unhappiness at what Israel is doing in Gaza," he said. He added that criticism of Western double standards in media coverage — particularly comparing Ukraine to Gaza — was a complex issue and would need to be addressed case by case. The BBC World Service is in Malaysia for its World Questions debate series, which invites members of the public to pose questions directly to politicians and public figures on current political, economic, and social issues. Tonight's debate, which will be broadcast at a later date, will focus on the government's fuel subsidy rationalisation, corruption cases, freedom of speech, and institutional reform. It will also examine Malaysia's foreign policy, particularly in balancing trade ties with the United States and China. Among the panellists are Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh and Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
