STOCKHOLM: A Swedish-Eritrean journalist held incommunicado without charge in Eritrea for more than 23 years won a Swedish rights prize on Monday for his fight for freedom of expression, the jury said.
Dawit Isaak was among a group of around two dozen people, including senior cabinet ministers, members of parliament and independent journalists, who were seized in a purge in September 2001.
He was awarded the Edelstam Prize “for his outstanding contribution and exceptional courage in standing up for freedom of expression, one’s beliefs, and in the defense of human rights,” the Edelstam Foundation said in a statement.
Amnesty International considers Isaak a prisoner of conscience, and press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says he and his colleagues detained at the same time are the longest-held journalists in the world.
UN rights experts have demanded Asmara immediately release him.
Eritrea has provided no news about him, and there are fears he may no longer even be alive. He would be 60 years old.
His daughter Betlehem Isaak will accept the award on his behalf in Stockholm on November 19.
Isaak fled to Sweden in 1987 during Eritrea’s struggle against Ethiopia which eventually led to independence in 1993.
After obtaining Swedish citizenship, he returned to Eritrea in 2001 to help shape the media landscape, and co-founded Setit, the country’s first independent newspaper.
He was arrested shortly after the paper published articles demanding political reforms.
Asmara has not provided any information about his whereabouts or health over the years, which UN experts in 2021 deemed “extremely concerning.”
But they said a credible source had indicated Isaak was still alive in September 2020.
The Edelstam Prize is awarded in memory of Swedish diplomat Harald Edelstam, who as ambassador to Chile at the time of Augusto Pinochet’s 1973 military coup granted thousands of Chileans and other Latin Americans safe conduct to, and political asylum in, Sweden.
Jailed Swedish-Eritrean journalist wins rights prize
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Jailed Swedish-Eritrean journalist wins rights prize
- Dawit Isaak has been held incommunicado without charge in Eritrea for more than 23 years
Google must divest Chrome to restore competition in online search, US prosecutors say
- Such changes would essentially result in Google being highly regulated for 10 years
- Google controls about 90% of the online search market and 95% on smartphones
Alphabet’s Google must sell its Chrome browser to restore competition in the online search market it dominates, and take a broad range of other corrective actions, including sharing data and search results with competitors, US prosecutors argued to a judge on Wednesday.
Such changes would essentially result in Google being highly regulated for 10 years, subjecting it to oversight by the same Washington federal court that ruled the company maintained an illegal monopoly in online search and related advertising.
Google controls about 90 percent of the online search market and 95 percent on smartphones.
Court papers filed Wednesday night expand on an earlier outline for what prosecutors argued would dilute that monopoly. Google called the proposals radical at the time, saying they would harm US consumers and businesses and shake American competitiveness in AI. The company has said it will appeal.
The US Department of Justice and a coalition of states want US District Judge Amit Mehta to end exclusive agreements in which Google pays billions of dollars annually to Apple and other device vendors to be the default search engine on their tablets and smartphones.
Google will have a chance to present its own proposals in December.
Mehta has scheduled a trial on the proposals for April, though President-elect Donald Trump and the DOJ’s next antitrust head could step in and change course in the case.
Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris to launch digital business platform for ‘next generation of entrepreneurs’
- MONIIFY newsroom will focus on emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, India, and the GCC
- Platform will launch on Nov. 26, and provide daily business updates to ‘help young people become rich,’ Sawiris says
LONDON: Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris is set to unveil MONIIFY, a new digital business newsroom designed to cater to millennials and Gen Z audiences with a focus on emerging markets.
Scheduled for launch on Nov. 26, MONIIFY aims to become the “go-to space for business, tech, and finance updates” tailored to young entrepreneurs navigating the modern economic landscape.
“Young people today need more than traditional business and finance news,” said Sawiris. “MONIIFY speaks directly to the next generation of entrepreneurs, in their language, on the platforms they want”.
Based in the UAE, the platform will spotlight industries shaping the future, such as technology, artificial intelligence, private equity, cryptocurrency, and energy, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia, India, and the GCC — regions described by Sawiris as “bursting with potential.”
The platform promises daily updates, including breakdowns of investment trends and business opportunities, along with interviews featuring successful entrepreneurs.
It will also offer content formats such as short videos, explainers, deep-dive interviews, and a masterclass series featuring industry leaders sharing their success blueprints.
CEO Michael Peters, former head of Euronews, said MONIIFY represents a collective effort by top media professionals.
“We have brought together the best media talent from international markets as well as emerging markets who believe strongly in the MONIIFY movement, and who represent our brand,” said Peters.
MONIIFY creators will feature leading voices in financial content, including Eisa Al-Habib (UAE), Uptin Saiidi (US), Anushka Rathod (India), Felicia Putri Tjiasaka (Indonesia), Osamah Essam El-Din (Saudi Arabia), and Sara and Aaron Wee (Singapore).
In a teaser interview, Sawiris, chairman of Egypt-based Orascom TMT Investments with an estimated net worth of $3.8 billion, said he was inspired by his desire to help young people achieve financial success.
“I want to help young people become rich — even richer than me,” he said.
Sawiris has a history of high-profile initiatives. In 2011, he sold Orascom Telecom to Russian telecom firm VimpelCom (now Veon) in a multibillion-dollar transaction. In 2015, he offered to buy a Greek or Italian island to house Syrian refugees, a plan that was ultimately rejected by both governments.
Netflix showcases Ittihad and Ahli episodes of new docuseries at exclusive Jeddah screening
- Six-part “Saudi Pro League: Kickoff” will be available for streaming on the platform from Thursday
- Al-Ittihad’s episode is titled, “The struggle to achieve glory,” while Al-Ahli’s is “Counterattack”
JEDDAH: Ahead of its official launch on Nov. 21, Netflix gave an exclusive first look at its new documentary series, “Saudi Pro League: Kickoff,” on Tuesday night with two viewing events in Jeddah that showcased episodes covering the city’s two giant clubs.
The screenings were attended by club officials, members of the media, sports bloggers and Al-Ahli’s German coach Matthias Jaissle.
Al-Ittihad’s episode is titled, “The struggle to achieve glory,” while Al-Ahli’s is “Counterattack.”
Two more exclusive screening events will take place in Riyadh on Wednesday to unveil episodes on Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr.
Attendees at the Muvi theater in Jeddah were treated to storylines on Karim Benzema’s experiences during his first season at Al-Ittihad, and Jaissle’s leadership at Al-Ahli as the club battled to gain qualification to the AFC Champions League on their return to the Saudi Pro League after relegation two season earlier.
As well as shining a spotlight on Jeddah’s big-name players, the episodes also showcased emerging local talents from the two clubs, such as Al-Ahli’s forward Feras Al-Buraikan, and the 16-year-old striker Talal Hajji of Al-Ittihad.
Jaissle said that he was impressed with the first look at “Saudi Pro League: Kickoff,” and described Al-Ahli’s episode in three words: “Overwhelmed, emotional and authentic as well.”
“I really enjoyed the special documentary on Al-Ahli, and it offers an exclusive look into the world of Saudi league, showcasing Al-Ahli dynamics and individual player journeys,” he said.
Adnan Jastania, a renowned Saudi football analyst who watched Al-Ittihad’s episode, said: “It really shows the drama, excitement and passion for football in Saudi Arabia. I enjoyed the intra-history of Al-Ittihad and the culture of the oldest sports in Saudi.”
Set to launch on Thursday, the docuseries will have six episodes in total and will focus on the battle for the 2023-24 SPL title with focus on then-reigning champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq.
Advertising network Publicis Groupe partners with Dubai Business Women Council to support female businesses
- Publicis Groupe to host workshops focusing on public relations, brand communication, digital marketing
DUBAI: Advertising network Publicis Groupe Middle East has partnered with the Dubai Business Women Council to support female-founded micro, small and medium-sized businesses.
Founded in 2022 by Dr. Raja Easa Al-Gurg, chairperson and managing director of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, the Dubai Business Women Council serves as a platform for the personal and professional development of businesswomen in Dubai.
This partnership will see Publicis Groupe host a series of workshops aimed at providing female business owners with a comprehensive knowledge of brand marketing and communications.
The first workshop, titled “The Power of Founder-Led Brands,” took place on Nov. 14 and was led by Andira Raslan, business director, and Sophia Boudjemaa, business director of strategy and insights, MSL Group Middle East.
During the session, Raslan and Boudjemaa emphasized the importance of personal branding and talked about strategies for building trust, increasing customer engagement, and instilling authenticity and personality in a brand.
Public relations, brand communication, digital marketing, social media strategies, innovation and growth are some of the topics that will be covered during future sessions.
“Effective marketing and communication can transform businesses, yet access to this knowledge and resources isn’t always within reach for small business owners,” said Bassel Kakish, CEO of Publicis Groupe Middle East and Turkiye.
The workshops aim to “democratize these insights and break down barriers for women entrepreneurs so they can elevate their brands,” he added.
Supported by the network’s in-house training and upskilling department Publicis Academy, the workshops are structured based on a survey conducted by the network to identify the challenges faced by micro, small and medium-sized businesses.
Nadine Halabi, head of business development and operations at the Dubai Business Women Council, said: “Empowering female entrepreneurs with the tools to elevate their brands is crucial for fostering innovation and growth within Dubai’s business landscape.
“Working with the experts at Publicis Groupe Middle East provides our members with access to strategic marketing and communication insights typically reserved for larger corporations.”
British MPs to summon Elon Musk over X’s role in summer riots
- Inquiry will examine the impact of generative AI and social media in spreading harmful content
- X is accused of playing an active role in spreading false claims that led to uprisings against minorities across the country
LONDON: Elon Musk, the CEO of X and a new appointee in Donald Trump’s administration, will be summoned by British MPs to testify about the role of his social media platform in spreading disinformation during the riots that shook England and Northern Ireland this summer, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.
The hearing, part of a Commons science and technology select committee inquiry into social media, is set to take place early next year.
Executives from other major platforms, including Meta and TikTok, are also expected to be called to testify.
“(Musk) has very strong views on multiple aspects of this,” said Chi Onwurah, the Labour chair of the select committee. “I would certainly like the opportunity to cross-examine him to see … how he reconciles his promotion of freedom of expression with his promotion of pure disinformation.”
She added that the session could “make up for” Musk’s reported frustration at being left out of a UK government investment summit in September.
The inquiry will examine the impact of generative AI and social media in spreading harmful content, particularly during the riots.
Images and posts shared on X and Facebook falsely claimed the attacker involved in the killing of three schoolgirls in Southport in August was a Muslim asylum-seeker.
These false claims fueled Islamophobic protests and violence targeting minorities, including asylum-seekers.
One individual was arrested under the Public Order Act for inciting racial hatred on X. The platform found the same content did not violate its policies on violent threats.
Musk himself joined the online discussion, controversially claiming that “Civil war is inevitable.”
His remarks drew backlash and accusations of meddling in foreign affairs, a criticism that he has faced again for commenting on Italy’s migration policies.
The inquiry comes as X faces increased scrutiny for its inability to curb misinformation and its updated terms of service, which allow the platform to train AI models on user data. This has led to millions of users abandoning the platform.
In an effort to calm the waters, former Labour minister Peter Mandelson, tipped as a potential UK ambassador to Washington, recently called for an end to the “feud” between Musk and the UK government, arguing that it is “unwise” for Britain to alienate him.
The committee’s investigation will also examine how Silicon Valley’s business models, including algorithmic amplification, contribute to the spread of misleading or harmful content.
Onwurah emphasized the need to “get to the bottom of the links between social media algorithms, generative AI, and the spread of harmful or false content.”
