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Egyptian Artists Hail Decision to Name Bridge in Cairo after Adel Emam

Adel Emam is one of Egypt's best-known actors [Getty]
Adel Emam is one of Egypt's best-known actors [Getty]
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Egyptian Artists Hail Decision to Name Bridge in Cairo after Adel Emam

Adel Emam is one of Egypt's best-known actors [Getty]
Adel Emam is one of Egypt's best-known actors [Getty]

The decision to name a bridge in the Egyptian capital after star Adel Emam, also famed as “The Leader”, was widely celebrated in the artistic circles.

Emam’s name went viral on Egypt’s social media platforms, including X, after the official page of Cairo Governorate on Facebook announced the decision. According to the announcement, the governorate’s executive council presided by the governor, approved to “name some schools and public projects after Egyptian martyrs and symbols, among them is Adel Emam, whose name will be given to the bridge near the Salah Salem intersection, eastern Cairo.”

Egyptian artists described the decision as a merited tribute to Emam, who has piled great works since his debut in the 1960s, and represented Egypt in myriads international platforms. Actress Majida Zaki said “Emam’s name is like a medal. He’s the model actor who supported and inspired a whole generation of artists.”

“My first work was with him in a series named ‘Dreams of the Flying Boy’, and people knew me in this production. Everyone loves and respects the family of Adel Emam. They are known with their compassion. Emam is the mentor and compass not only for his family, but also for the entire artistic community,” she told “Asharq Al-Awsat”.

Actress Lebleba, who partnered with Emam in many works, said that “naming a public project after him is an honor and a source of pride and happiness for all artists,” adding that “he is incomparable. He captivated his audience with a diverse range of artistic creations that continue to resonate in the hearts and minds of his fans. Emam's enduring legacy as a remarkably distinctive artist has elevated him to the status of an icon. His commitment to creativity and years devoted to the world of art have solidified his unique place in the realm of artistic brilliance, she added.

For her part, Actress Sherine described “the decision as a thoughtful gesture" adding that “honoring the name of the leader is an appreciation of art and its value. Naming cinemas and theaters after artistic symbols is an esteemed tradition that the Egyptian state is accustomed to.”

Artist Salah Abdullah said he was delighted with the decision, “a great surprise that the leader deserves.” “Paying tribute to our mentor is an honor to the entire artistic movement and an appreciation of symbols who gave a lot to the Egyptian art,” he told “Asharq Al-Awsat”.

Actress Elham Shahein applauded the tribute and described it as “a triumph for all artists.”

Hani Ramzi also commented on the decision, highlighting that it’s an appreciation of the art’s role and message. “Paying tribute to the legend Adel Emam is a tribute to every Egyptian artist and to the role of soft power,” he wrote on Facebook. Artist Khaled Sarhan also hailed the decision and addressed the leader on Facebook, saying: “Your name is a landmark in itself, master.”

Egypt's Acting Professions Syndicate and the Emam family also applauded the decision, while his brother producer Issam Emam described it as “an honor for his name and family.”

Before “the leader”, the names of many stars in Egypt were given to public facilities, including Samir Ghanem, Mahmoud Abdelaziz and Mahmoud Yassine.

Back in August, the National Festival of Egyptian Theater celebrated Adel Emam by naming its 16th edition after him as a tribute to his 60-year-old journey.

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Varieties

Food Giants in India Call for Reconsidering Red Color of Warning Labels

A man walks near a grocery shop in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, September 18, 2026. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh
A man walks near a grocery shop in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, September 18, 2026. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh
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Food Giants in India Call for Reconsidering Red Color of Warning Labels

A man walks near a grocery shop in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, September 18, 2026. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh
A man walks near a grocery shop in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, September 18, 2026. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh

India should reconsider the red color of its proposed food warning labels as it can confuse consumers who associate the color with non-vegetarian ingredient markings, food companies in India have told the Supreme Court.

India is in the midst of an unprecedented food safety crackdown, including nationwide raids against eateries, amid concern over poor hygiene and standards. The government's plan for front-of-pack red warning labels came after heated public debate on the lack of ⁠such measures.

The warning ⁠labels proposal has coincided with India's push to ban junk food sales to children in schools and within 50 meters (164 feet) of schools, measures that will take India close to stricter food regulation approaches adopted in Chile and Mexico.

In India, the food regulator has proposed a red hexagon warning label system to mark high salt, sugar or fat in packaged items, despite the more than $100 billion industry's multi-year campaign to ⁠oppose the labels.

In a court filing dated September 24, All India Food Processors Association, which represents dozens of Indian and foreign food giants, said the color and symbol used for the warnings "require careful consideration in the Indian context.”

"The average Indian consumer is habituated to associating the color red with the mandatory non-vegetarian identification mark," the industry group said in the filing, which was reviewed by Reuters.

The group said it had told the food regulator that "introducing another prominent red warning symbol may create confusion among consumers," the filing said.

A modified label pasted over the original nutrition facts information on a packet of Maggi, during a raid by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at a warehouse in Turbhe, India, August 25, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas

India is a top growth market for global consumer giants like PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Mondelez and Nestle, and also ⁠thousands of small Indian ⁠companies which sell traditional savories and sweets.

The lobby group told the Supreme Court it was not against front-of-pack warning labels, but the thresholds must be decided in a scientific manner. It said it objected to the "indiscriminate application of the thresholds presently proposed.”

India is proposing a red warning if added sugar is in excess of 3% of solid products by weight, and fat in excess of 4.2% - stricter than many foreign markets.

The industry also reiterated its concerns that warnings should be decided on consumption of a single serving of a product, and not 100 grams as currently proposed.

"Indian foods are eaten in widely varying quantities, including approximately 10g of pickle, 15-20g of spread of condiments, 30g of bread," the industry group said.

The Supreme Court is set to review the government's proposal on Monday.

Varieties

Scientists Find New Clues to Reversal of Alzheimer's Brain Damage

Elderly women sit at a park in downtown Shanghai March 16, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
Elderly women sit at a park in downtown Shanghai March 16, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
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Scientists Find New Clues to Reversal of Alzheimer's Brain Damage

Elderly women sit at a park in downtown Shanghai March 16, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
Elderly women sit at a park in downtown Shanghai March 16, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

Scientists studying the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease say they have new clues to how it works and how its damaging effects on the brain could potentially be reversed.

Researchers have found a noninvasive way to identify and study cells in the body that contribute to age-related disorders ⁠such as cancer, tissue degeneration, and inflammatory diseases.

These so-called senescent cells have stopped dividing and growing but for some reason have not died, as would be expected of old cells. Instead, they undergo significant changes to their shape, metabolic processes, and gene activity, according to Reuters.

Earlier methods of studying these cells would destroy them, the researchers noted in a report of the study in Nature Aging.

Using an analytical technique known as Raman microscopy, which reveals the biochemical composition of cells without harming them, and analyzing individual cells’ ⁠genetic activity, the researchers were able to identify unique “barcodes” of senescent cells.

The study was done in mouse cells. The researchers are now working on adapting it for use with human tissue.

“You can imagine that one day we may develop an endoscope that can look inside your body and identify cellular senescence,” Jeon Woong Kang of MIT, one of the senior authors of the study, said in a statement.

Study leader Peter So of MIT noted that senescence “is ⁠not just a pathological condition.”

While it can also contribute to sagging skin and muscle weakness in aging individuals, cellular senescence plays critical beneficial roles in embryonic development and tissue regeneration, the researchers noted.

The research is part of a National Institutes of Health initiative called the Cellular Senescence Network.

“The idea behind the NIH Cellular Senescence Network is to take a very comprehensive approach to understand senescence and identify senescent cells, because it plays a role in so many normal physiological conditions and many pathological conditions,” So said.

Varieties

Growing Privacy Fears in London over Smart Glasses

A pair of smart glasses (Meta)
A pair of smart glasses (Meta)
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Growing Privacy Fears in London over Smart Glasses

A pair of smart glasses (Meta)
A pair of smart glasses (Meta)

The rise of smart glasses equipped with high-definition cameras raised concerns in London surrounding privacy and consumer technology in public spaces.

According to CNN, videos posted on social media without the knowledge of the concerned person have brought questions about consent and whether existing privacy laws can keep pace with technology that allows people to record almost invisibly.

The glasses — which can capture video, photos and audio from the wearer’s perspective — are growing in popularity. They allow users to listen to music, take calls and snap photos hands-free, and some tech companies believe they could one day be the preferred way to communicate with AI assistants.

Recently, London bars, restaurants, theaters, and public institutions have started to restrict or ban camera-equipped smart glasses while some anti-smart glasses advertisements have appeared at bus stops.

Eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, which Meta partners with for its glasses, said 7 million pairs of AI glasses were sold in 2025.

Meta is holding its Connect conference this week, where it’s expected to announce new smart glasses without cameras, according to The Information Samsung and Google are expected to debut new jointly developed smart glasses this fall.

But as the technology becomes more widespread, so too has the backlash. Videos posted on social media showing men who appear to film women without their knowledge have raised questions about consent — and whether existing privacy laws can keep pace with technology that allows people to record almost invisibly.

“It makes it harder and harder to protect yourself by just looking around and screening for things,” Irina Raicu, director of the internet ethics program at Santa Clara University’s Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, previously told CNN. “So, the whole notion of consent is kind of disintegrating.”

London A Bellwether for How People Respond to Growing Tech

London, along with New York and Australia, is emerging as a bellwether for how people and businesses are responding to the growing tech.

Some hospitality and entertainment venues have introduced restrictions or bans, and anti-smart glasses advertisements have begun appearing at some bus stations throughout London.

One skewers Kylie Jenner’s ad campaign for Meta glasses, transforming her into a skeletal X-Ray with the tagline: “We’re Always Watching.”

The sentiment echoes a broader ban across the United Kingdom from August that prohibits smart glasses in the courtroom.

Some Londoners told CNN that smart glasses make them feel uneasy in places where people expect a degree of privacy, like bars, restaurants and other social settings.

‘Turn the cameras off’

Popular pub chain Wetherspoons has prohibited customers from recording using the glasses.
“I don’t really want to be filmed when I’m just out having a couple of pints,” Zak, a student at a Wetherspoons pub in central London, told CNN.

He said he had seen videos on TikTok in which people appeared unaware they were being filmed, adding that covering the glasses’ recording light was “ridiculous.”

Serena, another Wetherspoons customer, said she was particularly concerned about the possibility of being filmed without knowing where the footage might end up.

A Wetherspoons spokesperson told CNN, “With regard to Meta glasses, our instinct was to say, ‘turn the cameras off.’”

And while tech companies continue to develop smart glasses, integrating photography and artificial intelligence, Londoners mainly ask how to protect individual privacy when cameras become virtually invisible and integrated into everyday eyewear.