Latest news with #Samra
Daily News Egypt
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily News Egypt
‘Acting isn't a game': Bassem Samra on art, integrity, and speaking his mind
Bassem Samra remains one of Egyptian cinema's most distinctive talents — unpredictable, uncompromising, and utterly authentic. With his commanding voice, magnetic presence, and chameleon-like versatility, he can inhabit any role, whether leading man or scene-stealer. Recently, Samra's work — and his candid public comments — reflect an artist at the height of his confidence and clarity. Daily News Egypt sat down with Samra at the set of his latest film 'Banat Faten' for an unfiltered conversation about his craft, the industry, and what lies ahead. How is filming on Banat Faten going? It's intense, but I'm really enjoying it. We're making a different kind of social drama with strong emotional depth. The entire cast and crew are giving their all, and the director is steering the ship with confidence. I'm happy with my role — it's fresh, not repetitive, and it reveals new sides to my acting. There have been rumours of tension between you and Yousra. Any truth to that? Not at all. Yousra is a huge star and a consummate professional. We've worked together before and have great chemistry. The atmosphere on set is calm and respectful. Sometimes people just like to stir up drama from nothing. Some claimed you walked off set due to her lateness. Is that true? No comment on things that never happened. Anyone who knows me knows I'm punctual and professional. I don't like wasting time, but I also respect my colleagues and avoid idle talk. You've criticised the influx of social media celebrities into acting. Is this a declaration of war? Not war — more of a rescue call. Acting isn't a game or a numbers contest. It's an art form with structure and rules. When fame gets confused with talent, someone has to speak up. I'm defending the craft I love, and the generations of artists who earned their place through hard work. You've been compared to the lead actor in 'Squid Game.' How did that feel? Honestly, I laughed. People notice the smallest details! I shared the post because I found it funny. We live in stressful times — a little humour goes a long way. You recently reconciled with the singer 'El-Oumda' after years of tension. How did that come about? Conflicts happen, but reason should win in the end. After five years, we sat down and cleared the air. Mistakes aren't shameful — what's shameful is refusing to move past them. Honesty and goodwill matter more than pride. What's next after 'Banat Faten'? I have a new film called 'El-Krash' with Ahmed Dawood and Mirna Gamil — totally different in tone and style. I'm also working on a TV project, but I prefer to prepare quietly and make a strong entrance. You served on the jury at the Casablanca Arab Film Festival. How was that? It was fantastic — a week in Casablanca watching diverse, high-quality films from across the Maghreb. I was honoured to serve alongside Iraqi director Ahmed Al-Daraji, Moroccan actress Nisrine Radi, and Tunisian critic Hend Hawala. Festivals unite people for the love of cinema, and I'm proud Egypt always has a strong presence. Your film Restart with Tamer Hosny is in cinemas now. How was that experience? It brought me a great new friend. Tamer is talented, dedicated, and a joy to work with. The set was full of energy and laughter — and that chemistry is on screen. For those who haven't seen it, how would you describe 'Restart'? It's a smart blend of comedy and emotion that looks at how social media and trends shape our lives. It's relevant to everyone, and I believe cinema should reflect real life while raising meaningful questions. What drew you to the story? The script — it was fresh, challenging, and had a clever take on social media's influence. I'm no social media expert, but its effects are everywhere. The film sparks conversation in a fun, engaging way. Your series 'El-Atawla' had two hit seasons. Why not a third? I think two is enough. Both seasons left a strong impression. No one has approached me officially for a third, but even if they did, I believe in ending on a high so people remember it fondly. Now that you're an A-list star, what's the biggest challenge? Choosing roles without repeating myself. Good scripts are rare, and the industry needs more private-sector investment to fund quality projects. Do you handle criticism well? I read audience feedback and respect it, but I have my own convictions. I take what's constructive and leave the rest. Do you insist on working during Ramadan? Ramadan is a tempting season with lots of great content, but quality matters more than timing. Strong storytelling works any time of year. When will we see you back on stage? I think about it all the time. Theatre is the real school of art, and I miss it. If the right script and team come along, I'll be back. Theatre demands full commitment, which is harder to balance with film and TV. You started in theatre, right? Yes, I began in college theatre and independent groups, then moved to television for wider opportunities. The stage taught me discipline and improvisation, but TV reaches more people. What does theatre need to compete with television? Support and funding. Theatre is closest to the people but often neglected. We also need bold ideas — not just famous faces on posters. Is there a stage role you dream of playing? At one point, I dreamed of portraying figures like Saad Zaghloul or Gamal Abdel Nasser. But more than a name, I want a script that truly deserves the stage.
Express Tribune
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Monsoon in waiting: Karachi's test for resilience
Every year, with the start of the monsoon season, apprehension grips Karachi's residents. Even though rains symbolize life and the blooming of flowers, the locals view them differently. The 2020 monsoon season saw the city flooded with rainwater, leaving people stranded at work, or stuck at home or in traffic jams, with the streets and roads hardly visible. The financial artery of the metropolis looked like Venice, with water swooping in from all directions. Samra, a banker by profession was stranded on the busy road termed as the 'Wall Street of Pakistan', I.I Chundrigarh road for hours, cars were ineffective as the water flooded the lower flowers and the water level continued to rise as the deluge continued, having left with no other option, she had to go on a truck praying all the time that she would reach home safely. 'It was a nightmare, I mean in this arid land, rain is always welcome, but the 2020 rains, they were another thing, it took four hours to get to my house but everywhere we looked, there was water.' It is to be noted that on August 24, 2020, Karachi experienced 231 mm of rain in a single day, according to Pakistan Meteorological Department, which resulted in urban flooding. Some things are preventable, but the wrath of nature can wipe everything clean: Hurricane Katrina of 2005 and Super Typhoon Haiyan of 2013 not only destroyed the infrastructure but also claimed thousands of lives. The main reason for unprecedented rainfall is the effects of climate change. Pakistan has been declared the fifth most vulnerable country to face the dire consequences of climate change. It is not surprising for people living in Pakistan to witness erratic weather patterns, the hailstorm in Islamabad in the month of May is a clear indication of how unpredictable the weather has become. Karachi, which stands below sea level, is a coastal belt that bears the brunt of nature's fury. In 2022 the city received 62mm of rain in a single day, according to the Met Office — a 260 per cent increase in precipitation. Initially an arid land, Karachi falls in the tropical climate zone, but usually has a drier weather compared to other tropical areas. However, when it rains here, it pours. Climate Change: A Cause for Concern A victim of climate change and population explosion, the city is being served by an old drainage system, which is mostly clogged due to garbage, with the outfalls facing the same problem, resulting in suffering for the residents. When Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab was the city administrator in 2022, The New York Times had quoted him as saying that the city was not ready for such a heavy deluge as the sewerage system was very old. Given the severity of the situation, the Sindh government has undertaken the task of restoring some semblance of normalcy in the city that was submerged by water. Compared to the rest of the metropolis, DHA fared better, but it does not mean that there was no water in and around the low-lying areas. Areas like Nishat Commercial, Badar Commercial and Phase II were flooded by rainwater. However, with the help of dewatering pumps, the DHA administration managed to drain the water. Arshad has a shop in Nishat Commercial and he recalls how the water came rushing into the shop. 'It was quite bad, that rain and some of the goods were affected, luckily I had shifted the goods to a higher place, and then DHA Karachi came with dewatering pumps which was a great gesture.' Arshad says, 'rain is a blessing but in the case of Karachi, we can do well without the blessing. My residence is at Korangi and that entire area was submerged.' This is what led to the Storm Water Drain Project, which began in September 2022. It focuses on building and expanding the drainage system extensively. Most of the work has been completed, with dewatering pumps dealing with different cusecs of water on standby, fire brigades on high alert, and ambulances and relief camps on standby. As of now, 74 km of new drains have been constructed. However, after 2024 rains, where some areas were still affected as they were in lower ground, additional drains (5.06km) are under construction, which are to be completed shortly. CBC is also ensuring the functionality of old drains which is (43 km) for optimized/ integrated use of drain system by removing of illegal sewerage connection by CBC. DHA seems to be prepared for monsoon. What little one could gather about their preparedness was witnessed during the unpredicted rain on March 1, showing that the low-lying areas were not affected as in 2022. As dealing with monsoon remains a collective responsibility, the onus lies on the people as well, they should ensure that no garbage is thrown in the Storm Water Drain and no sewage is connected to it. The task is immense, but only the monsoon rains can give a clearer picture of how well the entire city can deal with a possible deluge. One can only hope for the best for Karachi. Beena Khan is a journalist based in Karachi Beena Khan is a journalist based in Karachi
Winnipeg Free Press
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada cricketers celebrate T20 World Cup qualification with win over Bermuda
KING CITY – Teenage batsman Yuvraj Samra scored 45 runs Sunday as Canada celebrated qualification for next year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup with a six-wicket win over Bermuda in the final game of the four-country Americas Qualifier. Canada's seven-wicket win over the Bahamas on Saturday, coupled with Bermuda's nine-wicket loss to the Cayman Islands, sealed the Canadian qualification on the penultimate day of the four-team qualifier. Sunday's win, which improved Canada's tournament record to 6-0-0, was the icing on the qualifying cake. Bermuda won the toss and elected to bat at the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground where it was 32 C feeling like a steamy 39 for the mid-afternoon start. After a storming inning of 70 runs by No. 3 batsman Delray Rawlins, Bermuda's batting order crumbled. Bermuda finished at 131 all out midway through the 19th over. That set Canada a victory target of 132 from its 20 overs. Canada put up its half-century in the fifth over with Samra accounting for 40 of the runs. But the 18-year-old was bowled by Dominic Sabir in the sixth over with Canada at 63 for one. Samra finished with three sixes and five fours in his 23-ball knock. Fellow opener Dilpreet Bajwa was caught two balls later on 12 runs off 10 deliveries. And Pargat Singh was run out the next over with Canada at 65 for three. The Canadians were 85 for three after 10 overs. Harsh Thaker (33 runs) and captain Nicholas Kirton (17 runs) steered Canada over the victory line at 132 for four wickets in the 16th over. Canada is the 13th country to qualify for the 20-team T20 World Cup in February-March 2026. The other qualified sides are. Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the U.S., West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand and Pakistan plus co-hosts India and Sri Lanka. Seven more teams — two from the Europe Qualifier (to be played July 5-11), two from Africa Qualifier (Sept. 19 to Oct. 4) and three from the Asia-Pacific Qualifier (Oct. 1-17) — will book their ticket through regional qualifiers. Canada made its T20 World Cup debut last year, failing to advance out of the group stage after beating No. 11 Ireland and losing to No. 8 Pakistan and co-host United States, ranked 17th. A match against No. 1 India was abandoned due to inclement weather. Canada defeated Bermuda by 110 runs in its June 15 opening match at the Americas Qualifier. Bermuda was 100 for two after 10 overs Sunday, before losing the next eight wickets for just 31 runs. Rawlins' fine innings ended when he was caught at the boundary by Shivam Sharma off Saad Bin Zafar's last delivery of the 11th over with Bermuda at 102 for three. Kaleem Sana and Zafar each took three wickets. Sana removed Bermuda opener Tre Manders with Canada's first ball. But Rawlins, the No. 3 batsman, came out swinging, scoring 14 balls off Dilon Heyliger's first three deliveries of a third over that produced 16 runs for Bermuda. Rawlins punished Jaskaran Buttar in the fourth over, with 10 runs of his first two deliveries of a 14-run over. And Rawlins attacked the spin of Thaker the next over, reaching his half-century with a four-six-four off the first three balls. Canada had a slight chance to remove Rawlins on 64 in the eighth over but a diving Singh was unable to get to a moonshot when it came down. Rawlins and Alex Dore put on an 83-run partnership before Dore, on six, was caught by Zafar off Buttar's last delivery of the eighth over. The 27-year-old Rawlins, who made his debut for Bermuda at 15 and went on to make 138 appearances for Sussex in England, slammed six sixes and four fours in his 42-ball knock. Onias Bascome added 20 runs. Canada, the Bahamas, Bermuda and Cayman Islands were competing in an eight-day double round-robin format that sent the tournament winner advance to the T20 World Cup. Canada is ranked 19th in T20 play by the International Cricket Council, compared to No. 27 for Bermuda, No. 41 for the Cayman Islands and No. 56 for the Bahamas. The Cayman Islands and Bahamas were recently promoted from the Subregional Qualifier. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 22, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Yuvraj Samra's half-century powers Canada past the Bahamas in T20 World Cup qualifier
KING CITY – Teenage opening batsman Yuvraj Samra put on a show Wednesday as Canada made short work of the Bahamas, winning by 10 wickets in a rain-shorted game at the Americas Qualifier for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Samra scored 50 not out off just 15 balls with Canada finishing at 54 with no outs in just 4.3 overs. Named player of the match, the 18-year-old reached Canada's victory total with his fifth sixth of the inning. Samra's impressive knock erased the Canadian record for fastest T20 half-century set earlier in the week by Harsh Thaker, who scored 50 in 16 balls against the Cayman Islands. 'He's in really good form,' Canada captain Nicholas Kirton said of Samra. 'Obviously he's a special talent.' Rain restricted the teams to 11 overs each, with the Bahamas finishing at 52 for seven. Samra opened the Canadian innings with a six and added another off the first ball of the second over. The teenager should have been removed the next ball but a Bahamian fielder fumbled the catch at the boundary. Samra continued his batting onslaught in the third over, hitting six, four, six and one off the first four balls. He hit eight boundaries in total, including three fours. Fellow opener Aaron Johnson finished on four runs. Canada, the Bahamas, Bermuda and Cayman Islands are competing in an eight-day double round-robin format that will see the group winner advance to next year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Canada made its T20 World Cup debut last year, failing to advance out of the group stage after beating No. 11 Ireland and losing to No. 8 Pakistan and co-host U.S., ranked 17th. A match against No. 1 India was abandoned due to inclement weather. Canada won the toss and elected to field Wednesday at the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground. The Bahamas were at 34 for three after six overs when the umpires halted play due to rain. Staff covered the pitch with a tarp and waited. Play resumed after a break of two hours 10 minutes, with the teams each given 11 overs, down from the originally allotted 20 overs. Back at bat, the Bahamas lost three wickets in rapid succession. Festus Benn was removed in the first over back, lbw off a Kirton delivery with the Bahamas at 39 for four. Eugene Duff was stumped and Julio Jemison run out, leaving the Bahamas at 40 for six. Captain Gregory Taylor was the first Bahamian batsman dismissed on the day, caught for one run with the Bahamas at 16 for one. Fellow opener Marc Taylor departed four runs later, bowled for nine runs. No. 4 batsman Kervon Hinds slammed three successive fours off Thaker before being caught behind for 12 runs off a Shivam Sharma delivery with the Bahamas at 33 for three with two balls remaining in the fifth over. Canada had earlier defeated both Bermuda, by 110 runs Sunday, and the Cayman Islands, by 59 runs Monday. Canada faces the Cayman Islands on Thursday, Bahamas on Saturday and Bermuda next Sunday. The Cayman Islands and Bahamas were recently promoted from the Subregional Qualifier. Canada is ranked 19th in T20 play by the International Cricket Council, compared to No. 27 for Bermuda, No. 41 for the Cayman Islands and No. 52 for the Bahamas. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025
Style Blueprint
15-06-2025
- Business
- Style Blueprint
The Woman Behind She Well Read & More: Meet Samra Michael
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit Samra Michael wears many hats … And you can be sure that no matter which one she's sporting, she's doing so with style. Known for both books and looks, Samra is one-half of the dynamic duo behind She Well Read, a podcast and online book club. She's also behind Xdressin, an online shop offering vintage and upcycled pieces. Most recently, she launched Samra, the Curator, a boutique marketing agency to help celebrate her love for Birmingham and local creatives. We caught up with Samra to hear how her many passions align, her favorite places in Birmingham, and more! Pin Pin What inspired you to start your marketing agency, and what sets it apart? I started it because I noticed the lack of diversity in advertising. I got my degree in marketing at UAB in 2019. Since then, I've worked on world-class, international brands and in agencies. I noticed the system wasn't necessarily set up for minorities to thrive, and I was working with clients who weren't local. I've always lived in Birmingham, and I feel extremely passionate about planting my roots here. So, I wanted to take all my marketing knowledge (gathered working for companies in Oregon, Texas, and other places) and really invest it in Birmingham. A lot of young people graduate and then leave for better opportunities. What sets me apart is the network I've built … I've been lucky enough to work with so many creative people here that I know there's talent in Birmingham, and I don't need to look elsewhere for creatives. Tell us more about your second-hand online store Xdressin. Xdressin started out of the need for my passion for fashion to be expressed in some way. Going into college, before I settled on marketing, I thought about working in retail as a buyer … But after learning about the fashion industry, I realized that my morals didn't align with how the industry is run. So I started to learn more about sustainable fashion (what it was called then). Now, we've moved on to calling it 'circular fashion.' Ultimately, I just wanted to fight injustice in the fashion industry. So, I started reselling clothes. I've always collected clothes with a focus on upcycling, which is working with a piece that has been gently used and bringing new life to it. I thought that was one way to be a part of the industry without creating more waste. Pin What's something you wish more people understood about sustainable or circular fashion? It doesn't have to break the bank. If your budget allows, it is fantastic to support small-batch fashion designers. But the price is sometimes out of my budget. I'm just a regular girl in her 20s. So, for me, it's all about thrifting and finding interesting ways to get more life out of my clothes. I think looking at it as more of a lifestyle change is really important because sometimes we have these moments where we're like, 'I need to change everything in my closet.' Our culture encourages that — a 'rebrand' or jumping on board a new trend. But try not to purchase things. Live with what you have and challenge yourself to re-wear things. What inspired your podcast and book club, She Well Read? First of all, we were trying to get back into reading. And second of all, we wanted community. Alana Baumann and I were both very active in school and had been a part of so many organizations. That loss of community we had on campus made us feel like all we did was get up and go to work every day. We needed something else. We want to encourage a love for reading in everybody, even people who don't necessarily see themselves as readers. We'd like to encourage everybody to read whatever is available to them. We also like to speak to Black women to encourage them to be well-read, know what's going on, and support each other. Pin How do you see your love for reading, fashion, and marketing intersecting? In each of the businesses, I'm coming from a place of 'I don't see myself represented here.' With She Well Read, we try to raise awareness about injustice. We stopped a whole season of our podcast to focus on George Floyd. One of the things I'm most proud of doing is book drives to support a youth detention center. We've posted on our Instagram about Adriana Smith and issues of reproductive justice in the South. And one of the first things Xdressin did was upcycle T-shirts to donate money to Black Lives Matter. With Samra, the Curator, my indie marketing agency, I really want to give credit to Black creators and creatives who aren't often tapped by other agencies. Who is inspiring you right now? An artist named Aminé just dropped an album called 13 Months of Sunshine, and I have had it on repeat. As an East African, I always look out for other East African artists, and he's been around for quite some time. I've always respected him, but I think he really tapped into something authentic on this album. Pin What do you like to do when you're not working? Rest. That looks different at different times. It may be meditation. It may be sitting on my porch. It may be taking a walk, exercising, or sweating. It may not seem like resting, but it allows my mind to rest. What are some of your favorite places in Birmingham? For food, I love Trattoria Zaza and Automatic Seafood. For coffee, I love Grounds and Honest Coffee in Homewood. And when I want to enjoy nature, I like the Vulcan Trail. What's the best advice you have to offer? Don't make yourself small to make others comfortable. Name three things you can't live without. Coffee, gardening, and music. Lightning Round! Last great book you read: Nothing Personal by James Baldwin Bucket list travel destinations: I've never been to where my parents were born, so I would love to see Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Also, Europe, as a whole, and Tokyo, Japan. Go-to birthday gift to give: A Village Apothecary candle Favorite place to thrift: America's Thrift Store in Roebuck As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. ********** Southern women are doing remarkable things. Meet more of them in our FACES archives! About the Author Javacia Harris Bowser Javacia Harris Bowser is a Birmingham-based freelance writer and the founder of See Jane Write, an online community and coaching service for women who write. With over 20 years of journalism experience, Javacia has received awards from the National Federation of Press Women, Alabama Media Professionals, Alabama Press Association, and the Alabama State Council on the Arts. When she's not writing, she's usually practicing Pilates, getting her 10K steps a day, or watching crime shows. Follow Javacia on Instagram @seejavaciawrite.
