Month: August 2018

Women’s rights activist Shafiqa Khpalwak is hoping to change public attitudes in Afghanistan with her newly released Pashto-language translation of Women Who Work, the 2017 book by U.S. President Donald Trump’s daughter and adviser, Ivanka.

“I did translate this book to encourage the Afghan women to take the leadership role in the society,” Khpalwak said in a telephone interview with VOA’s Afghan Service. Ivanka Trump has said she wrote the book to motivate women to come forward and play leadership roles in economic life of their communities. 

By translating the book, Khpalwak hopes to make that message accessible to the Pashto-speaking majority of people in Afghanistan as well as millions more in neighboring Pakistan.

That impact may be limited because Afghanistan is rated by the United Nations as having the lowest literacy rate in the world. An estimated 31 percent of Afghans over age 15 are able to read, a figure that drops to just 17 percent for women, according to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

However, the book’s publishers in Kabul say the reading market has increased recently and that people are showing greater interest in books by Western writers translated into Pashto and Dari. Other American leaders whose books are now available in Pashto include President Trump and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Khpalwak said Women Who Work provides great guidance and recommendations for working women on how to find a balance between their domestic and work lives.

Afghanistan is a patriarchal society where women are seldom seen in positions of authority. However, Khpalwak said, “I have found this book highly motivational. The women of Afghanistan will surely be inspired and motivated to take charge of their own lives, put things in perspective and bring the change they are seeking.”

She described the experience of translating books into her native language empowering and an excellent way to learn about other cultures. “It also has a scope to change one’s perspective about their cultures and traditions and offers you flexibility to adopt and embrace foreign ideas.”

For instance, she said, she learned from translating the book about Ivanka Trump’s roles as a mother, a politician and a businesswoman.

“Women don’t only work for themselves, but for coming generations, a woman could be a mother, a leader, a wife, and an ideal, nothing can stop them.”

Translations called ‘a gift’

Khpalwak said young Afghan women especially are showing an interest in reading books from other cultures and that these books “could help them find their way in a conservative society like Afghanistan.”

Safia Wardak, a young women’s rights activist who has read the Pashto version of Women Who Work, spoke to VOA about what foreign books mean to her.

“I enjoy reading international books in my mother language. Pashto versions of such books for people who can’t read English is a gift by the translators. After reading Ivanka’s book, I am feeling motivated to work and to lead,” she said.

There are hundreds book publishers and stores in Afghanistan, and the business seems to be flourishing.

Ikram, the owner of Khatez Book Publishing Association in the eastern city of Jalalabad, says he increasingly hears from readers looking for new books translated from English and other languages into Pashto and Dari. However, there are no centrally compiled statistics to show how many such books exist.
…

Women’s rights activist Shafiqa Khpalwak is hoping to change public attitudes in Afghanistan with her newly released Pashto-language translation of Women Who Work, the 2017 book by U.S. President Donald Trump’s daughter and adviser, Ivanka.

“I did translate this book to encourage the Afghan women to take the leadership role in the society,” Khpalwak said in a telephone interview with VOA’s Afghan Service. Ivanka Trump has said she wrote the book to motivate women to come forward and play leadership roles in economic life of their communities. 

By translating the book, Khpalwak hopes to make that message accessible to the Pashto-speaking majority of people in Afghanistan as well as millions more in neighboring Pakistan.

That impact may be limited because Afghanistan is rated by the United Nations as having the lowest literacy rate in the world. An estimated 31 percent of Afghans over age 15 are able to read, a figure that drops to just 17 percent for women, according to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

However, the book’s publishers in Kabul say the reading market has increased recently and that people are showing greater interest in books by Western writers translated into Pashto and Dari. Other American leaders whose books are now available in Pashto include President Trump and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Khpalwak said Women Who Work provides great guidance and recommendations for working women on how to find a balance between their domestic and work lives.

Afghanistan is a patriarchal society where women are seldom seen in positions of authority. However, Khpalwak said, “I have found this book highly motivational. The women of Afghanistan will surely be inspired and motivated to take charge of their own lives, put things in perspective and bring the change they are seeking.”

She described the experience of translating books into her native language empowering and an excellent way to learn about other cultures. “It also has a scope to change one’s perspective about their cultures and traditions and offers you flexibility to adopt and embrace foreign ideas.”

For instance, she said, she learned from translating the book about Ivanka Trump’s roles as a mother, a politician and a businesswoman.

“Women don’t only work for themselves, but for coming generations, a woman could be a mother, a leader, a wife, and an ideal, nothing can stop them.”

Translations called ‘a gift’

Khpalwak said young Afghan women especially are showing an interest in reading books from other cultures and that these books “could help them find their way in a conservative society like Afghanistan.”

Safia Wardak, a young women’s rights activist who has read the Pashto version of Women Who Work, spoke to VOA about what foreign books mean to her.

“I enjoy reading international books in my mother language. Pashto versions of such books for people who can’t read English is a gift by the translators. After reading Ivanka’s book, I am feeling motivated to work and to lead,” she said.

There are hundreds book publishers and stores in Afghanistan, and the business seems to be flourishing.

Ikram, the owner of Khatez Book Publishing Association in the eastern city of Jalalabad, says he increasingly hears from readers looking for new books translated from English and other languages into Pashto and Dari. However, there are no centrally compiled statistics to show how many such books exist.
…

Joel Robuchon, a master chef who shook up the stuffy world of French haute cuisine by wowing palates with the delights of the simple mashed potato and giving diners a peek at the kitchen, has died. He was 73.

A spokeswoman for Robuchon confirmed his death, with French TV station BFM and newspaper Le Figaro reporting that he died in Geneva on Monday from cancer, citing his entourage.

His career was one of superlatives: Named among the best craftsmen in France in 1976, crowned cook of the century in 1990, one of the cooks at the “dinner of the century,” and, for years, holder of the most Michelin stars in the world.

Robuchon was known for his constant innovation and even playfulness in the kitchen — a revelation to the hidebound world of French cuisine.

He had built an empire of gourmet restaurants across the world.

“To describe Joel Robuchon as a cook is a bit like calling Pablo Picasso a painter, Luciano Pavarotti a singer, Frederic Chopin a pianist,” Patricia Wells, a cook and food writer, wrote in “L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon,” a book about the chef and his students. “Joel Robuchon will undoubtedly go down as the artist who most influenced the 20th-century world of cuisine.”

While he was no stranger to the fancy — truffles and caviar were among his favorites — his food was often described as simple because he preached the use of only three or four ingredients in most dishes and his goal was always to show off, not mask, their flavors.

He started a revolution with his “Atelier” — workshop in French — model: small, intimate restaurants where diners sat at a counter surrounding the kitchen. It didn’t take reservations and it didn’t have tables [for the most part].

His goal, he said, was to make diners feel comfortable, let them interact with the chef and, above all, put the focus back on the food. It was partially a rebuke to the Michelin star regime, which awards points not just for technique but also for the ambiance and service.

But Michelin, and just about everyone else, gobbled it up. And thanks to Ateliers around the world — from Las Vegas to Tokyo — Robuchon reached a total of 32 Michelin stars in 2016 — a record — and still held 31 stars this year, including five three-star restaurants.

 
…

Joel Robuchon, a master chef who shook up the stuffy world of French haute cuisine by wowing palates with the delights of the simple mashed potato and giving diners a peek at the kitchen, has died. He was 73.

A spokeswoman for Robuchon confirmed his death, with French TV station BFM and newspaper Le Figaro reporting that he died in Geneva on Monday from cancer, citing his entourage.

His career was one of superlatives: Named among the best craftsmen in France in 1976, crowned cook of the century in 1990, one of the cooks at the “dinner of the century,” and, for years, holder of the most Michelin stars in the world.

Robuchon was known for his constant innovation and even playfulness in the kitchen — a revelation to the hidebound world of French cuisine.

He had built an empire of gourmet restaurants across the world.

“To describe Joel Robuchon as a cook is a bit like calling Pablo Picasso a painter, Luciano Pavarotti a singer, Frederic Chopin a pianist,” Patricia Wells, a cook and food writer, wrote in “L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon,” a book about the chef and his students. “Joel Robuchon will undoubtedly go down as the artist who most influenced the 20th-century world of cuisine.”

While he was no stranger to the fancy — truffles and caviar were among his favorites — his food was often described as simple because he preached the use of only three or four ingredients in most dishes and his goal was always to show off, not mask, their flavors.

He started a revolution with his “Atelier” — workshop in French — model: small, intimate restaurants where diners sat at a counter surrounding the kitchen. It didn’t take reservations and it didn’t have tables [for the most part].

His goal, he said, was to make diners feel comfortable, let them interact with the chef and, above all, put the focus back on the food. It was partially a rebuke to the Michelin star regime, which awards points not just for technique but also for the ambiance and service.

But Michelin, and just about everyone else, gobbled it up. And thanks to Ateliers around the world — from Las Vegas to Tokyo — Robuchon reached a total of 32 Michelin stars in 2016 — a record — and still held 31 stars this year, including five three-star restaurants.

 
…

Tom Cruise sped past Winnie-the-Pooh at the box office to lead all films for the second straight week with an estimated $35 million in ticket sales for “Mission Impossible – Fallout.”

The success of Paramount Pictures’ sixth, stunt-filled “Mission: Impossible” installment, along with muted enthusiasm for the Walt Disney Co.’s “Christopher Robin,” made for a seldom-seen result: A Disney movie debuting in second place.

In a year where the studio has already notched three $1 billion films worldwide (“Black Panther,” ″Avengers: Infinity War” and, as of this week, “Incredibles 2”), the more modest Winnie-the-Pooh live-action revival opened with a relatively ho-hum $25 million. As a reminder that “Christopher Robin” was a minor release for Disney, “Black Panther” on Sunday became the third film to ever cross $700 million domestically, a feat only previously accomplished by “Avatar” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Made for an estimated $75 million, Marc Forster’s “Christopher Robin” stars Ewan McGregor as a grown-up Christopher Robin reunited with the beloved characters of the Hundred Acre Wood: Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and the rest (who are rendered digitally but convincingly felt-like). While reviews were mixed, audiences gave it an “A″ CinemaScore.

Cathleen Taff, head of distribution for Disney, said there’s room for non-tentpole releases in the Disney slate.

“It’s one of our smaller films and it’s really focused on character and emotion,” said Taff. “We’re happy with where it’s at and we think it’s got some runway being one of the only family options going forward.”

Taff confirmed that “Christopher Robin” has been denied a release in China, locking the release out from the world’s second largest film market. While China provides no reason for the films it doesn’t select for its theaters, government sensors have recently been blocking images of Winnie-the-Pooh after bloggers began using him to parody Chinese president Xi Jinping.

The late-summer success of “Mission: Impossible” — which has made $124.5 million thus far along with $205 million internationally — is helping solidify a comeback summer for Hollywood. The summer box office is up 10.6 percent from last year’s record-low season, according to comScore, and year-to-date ticket sales are up 8 percent.

“As we head into what is almost always the slowest month at the summer box office, we have some nice momentum going,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for comScore. “With a 10.6 percent increase over the summer last year, we’re going to maintain a solid advantage when we get to the end of the month.”

Not all the news was great. Comedy continues to struggle at the box office. The R-rated action-comedy “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” starring Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon, debuted in third with $12.4 million for Lionsgate.

And a pair of poorly reviewed releases sputtered in nationwide release. Fox’s young-adult dystopian thriller “The Darkest Minds” (19 percent “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes) opened with $5.7 million on 3,127 screens. And right-wing filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza’s “Death of a Nation” (0 percent “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes) debuted with $2.3 million on 1,032 screens.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday also are included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. “Mission: Impossible — Fallout,” $35 million ($76 million international).

2. “Christopher Robin,” $25 million ($4.8 million international).

3. “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” $12.4 million.

4. “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” $9.1 million ($19.3 million international).

5. “The Equalizer 2,” $8.8 million.

6. “Hotel Transylvania 3,” $8.8 million ($18 million international).

7. “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” $6.2 million ($11.2 million international).

8. “The Darkest Minds,” $5.8 million ($4.1 million international).

9. “Incredibles 2,” $5 million ($19 million international).

10. “Teen Titans Go! To the Movies,” $4.9 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada), according to comScore:

1. “Mission: Impossible — Fallout,” $76 million.

2. “Hello Mr. Billionaire,” $64.5 million.

3. “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days,” $37.3 million.

4. “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” $19.3 million.

5. “Incredibles 2,” $19 million.

6. “Hotel Transylvania 3,” $18 million.

7. “Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings,” $12.5 million.

8. “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” $11.2 million.

9. “The Wind Guardians,” $8.8 million.

10. “Skyscraper,” $8.2 million.
    …

Tom Cruise sped past Winnie-the-Pooh at the box office to lead all films for the second straight week with an estimated $35 million in ticket sales for “Mission Impossible – Fallout.”

The success of Paramount Pictures’ sixth, stunt-filled “Mission: Impossible” installment, along with muted enthusiasm for the Walt Disney Co.’s “Christopher Robin,” made for a seldom-seen result: A Disney movie debuting in second place.

In a year where the studio has already notched three $1 billion films worldwide (“Black Panther,” ″Avengers: Infinity War” and, as of this week, “Incredibles 2”), the more modest Winnie-the-Pooh live-action revival opened with a relatively ho-hum $25 million. As a reminder that “Christopher Robin” was a minor release for Disney, “Black Panther” on Sunday became the third film to ever cross $700 million domestically, a feat only previously accomplished by “Avatar” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Made for an estimated $75 million, Marc Forster’s “Christopher Robin” stars Ewan McGregor as a grown-up Christopher Robin reunited with the beloved characters of the Hundred Acre Wood: Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and the rest (who are rendered digitally but convincingly felt-like). While reviews were mixed, audiences gave it an “A″ CinemaScore.

Cathleen Taff, head of distribution for Disney, said there’s room for non-tentpole releases in the Disney slate.

“It’s one of our smaller films and it’s really focused on character and emotion,” said Taff. “We’re happy with where it’s at and we think it’s got some runway being one of the only family options going forward.”

Taff confirmed that “Christopher Robin” has been denied a release in China, locking the release out from the world’s second largest film market. While China provides no reason for the films it doesn’t select for its theaters, government sensors have recently been blocking images of Winnie-the-Pooh after bloggers began using him to parody Chinese president Xi Jinping.

The late-summer success of “Mission: Impossible” — which has made $124.5 million thus far along with $205 million internationally — is helping solidify a comeback summer for Hollywood. The summer box office is up 10.6 percent from last year’s record-low season, according to comScore, and year-to-date ticket sales are up 8 percent.

“As we head into what is almost always the slowest month at the summer box office, we have some nice momentum going,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for comScore. “With a 10.6 percent increase over the summer last year, we’re going to maintain a solid advantage when we get to the end of the month.”

Not all the news was great. Comedy continues to struggle at the box office. The R-rated action-comedy “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” starring Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon, debuted in third with $12.4 million for Lionsgate.

And a pair of poorly reviewed releases sputtered in nationwide release. Fox’s young-adult dystopian thriller “The Darkest Minds” (19 percent “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes) opened with $5.7 million on 3,127 screens. And right-wing filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza’s “Death of a Nation” (0 percent “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes) debuted with $2.3 million on 1,032 screens.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday also are included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. “Mission: Impossible — Fallout,” $35 million ($76 million international).

2. “Christopher Robin,” $25 million ($4.8 million international).

3. “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” $12.4 million.

4. “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” $9.1 million ($19.3 million international).

5. “The Equalizer 2,” $8.8 million.

6. “Hotel Transylvania 3,” $8.8 million ($18 million international).

7. “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” $6.2 million ($11.2 million international).

8. “The Darkest Minds,” $5.8 million ($4.1 million international).

9. “Incredibles 2,” $5 million ($19 million international).

10. “Teen Titans Go! To the Movies,” $4.9 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada), according to comScore:

1. “Mission: Impossible — Fallout,” $76 million.

2. “Hello Mr. Billionaire,” $64.5 million.

3. “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days,” $37.3 million.

4. “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” $19.3 million.

5. “Incredibles 2,” $19 million.

6. “Hotel Transylvania 3,” $18 million.

7. “Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings,” $12.5 million.

8. “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” $11.2 million.

9. “The Wind Guardians,” $8.8 million.

10. “Skyscraper,” $8.2 million.
    …

To many, Washington, is solely about politics, lobbying and all things administration. But to one man, the U.S. capital is a canvas that is just waiting to be filled with smiles and mysterious characters. Mural artist Kelly Towles has spilled some color on Washington’s manicured streets and turned a controversial occupation into a profitable business that leaves everyone happy. Anna Rice has the story.
…

To many, Washington, is solely about politics, lobbying and all things administration. But to one man, the U.S. capital is a canvas that is just waiting to be filled with smiles and mysterious characters. Mural artist Kelly Towles has spilled some color on Washington’s manicured streets and turned a controversial occupation into a profitable business that leaves everyone happy. Anna Rice has the story.
…

Churches, temples and synagogues are built to reflect the perfection of the God or gods people worship. They depict beauty through paintings, colored glass or the images that portray deities and stories from holy books. But mosques present a different challenge. Images are forbidden in Islam, so beauty is often depicted in the ornate calligraphy of passages from the Quran. VOA’s Rebaz Majeed spent a day with a Persian calligrapher in Sulaymaniyah in Iraq. Bezhan Hamdard narrates.
…