There have been numerous incidents of stray dogs or “street dogs” appearing in Egypt during a number of important events and places, the most recent of which was the appearance of a dog on the red carpet of the 47th Cairo International Film Festival, which opened on Wednesday. It sparked widespread interaction, accompanied by a torrent of sarcastic comments on social media sites, and local media outlets also addressed it with a degree of wit.
This incident was preceded by other scenes, such as the appearance of a dog on a football field during a local match, as well as the appearance of a group of dogs climbing the pyramids, amid an interaction characterized by amazement and sympathy from the visitors of the archaeological area.
The head of animal welfare societies in Egypt, Dr. Mona Khalil, believes that “the appearance of an Egyptian street dog inside the corridors of the Cairo Film Festival is not an event that warrants all this uproar, and it does not deserve to be turned into an issue or a subject for ridicule and controversy.” She added to Asharq Al-Awsat: “It is simply very normal. The festival is held in open spaces directly connected to the street, and it is natural for animals in the vicinity of the place to pass or enter it. This is something that happens in many countries of the world, but dealing with it there is automatic and humane, and the situation becomes just a pleasant and fleeting snapshot of the atmosphere of the event.” This was reflected in the video clips circulating, which showed some attendees interacting with the dog by smiling, showing sympathy, and patting its head.
Mona Khalil points out that “the presence of animals in our surroundings is not an exceptional matter, nor is it a crime or a disaster. They are creatures that live among us, and they have a right to life, and dealing with them must be based on awareness, compassion, and humanity, not on intimidation, incitement, and hatred.” The Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture had previously announced the implementation of expanded campaigns in partnership with civil society to combat the spread of street dogs and strengthen sterilization and vaccination programs. It also established the first shelter for these dogs (Schlatter), after the increase in cases of barrenness.
The entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia recorded a qualitative leap during the third quarter of 2026, driven by an increase in the total number of entertainment destinations to reach 1,094 destinations, in conjunction with the holding of 466 events in 109 cities and governorates, and achieving a general visitor satisfaction index of 90 percent, according to the results of the regulatory affairs sector report issued by the General Entertainment Authority.
The results of the report revealed the diversity of entertainment experiences and the wide scope of their spread, in addition to the continued growth of destinations and the development of sector indicators. According to the report, the percentage of increase in the total number of active entertainment destinations reached 18 percent, compared to the third quarter of 2025, which recorded 924 destinations, an indication of the continued expansion of options available in various regions of the Kingdom.
When Nihad Damous, founder of Hospitality Services and the Horeca Forum, passed the torch to his daughter Jumana Damous Salama, he knew that she was the most capable of continuing his path and preserving and developing his legacy over many years. Since 1994, it has succeeded in expanding the horizons of the company and the forum, and transferring the expertise of the Lebanese hospitality and food industries sector to the region.
Today, Horeca celebrates its 30th year, launching its new edition with the participation of 400 exhibitors and 2,500 brands, and it continues until November 13, from three in the afternoon until nine in the evening. The forum's activities opened on the Beirut waterfront, at the Seaside Arena. It was attended by Minister of Tourism Laura Khazen Lahoud, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Nizar Hani, and Governor of Beirut Judge Marwan Abboud, along with a number of ambassadors and heads of chambers of commerce, associations, councils and unions.
