Day: April 18, 2024

Since its launch, the podcast content industry has witnessed a huge development, constant growth and strong competition in the Arab region in the last few years, with some of the leading ones being Saudi-based podcasts.

Saudi podcasts excelled in the Arab region in terms of the number of viewers, and ideas presented, as well as the diversity and quality of the themes addressed.

A joint study made by Northwestern University and the Doha Film Institute shows that three out of ten Arab citizens, aged between 18 and 45, listen to podcasts.

Saudi Arabia ranked first in the Arab region in regards to the number of podcast listeners per population with a rate of 56 percent, followed by Oman with 14 percent, and then the UAE with six percent, as shown in the study.

According to multiple interviews KUNA conducted with Saudi podcast presenters, the quality of content provided and how much it matters to people are important factors in the popularity of the podcast.

The presenter of (Socrates) Omar Al-Jeraisy has rev
ealed that podcasts accommodate everyone. It is a platform that helps create rich and sensational stories and hold discussions, popular among many viewers.

He has also pointed to the Socrates podcast being distinguished, among other identical Saudi programs, because of hosting government leaders and officials, giving it reliability and attraction.

Story-telling and conducting a dialogue is an inherent part of the Saudi culture, which explains the popularity of podcasts, he has pointed out, also noting that not all the Saudi podcasts are special but the ones that have become so because they address the Saudi audience.

Al-Jeraisy believes companies’ entry into the sector of producing and publishing podcasts has made it easy for so many people to make a podcast without any difficulties.

Editor-in-Chief of Independent Arabia Adhwan Al-Ahmari has confirmed that Saudi Arabia is considered one of the most important Arab countries with a media influence, adding that it has become home to the most famous Arabic an
d English podcast programs in the Middle East.

Al-Ahmari pointed out that Saudi Arabia owns the two largest media groups, MBC and the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), indicating that the largest advertising share is taken from the Saudi market.

He has also stated that the spread of podcasts is not surprising but has happened gradually, adding that podcasts can be watched any time.

According to the presenter of the (Jawalan) podcast Mohammad Al-Shathri, what distinguishes podcasts in particular is the availability of a number of them in different genres, something for everyone.

He also pointed to statistics conducted by Radio Eight in 2020, showing that the number of Arabic podcasts reached 500, adding that this number had doubled since then.

Al-Ahmari has reaffirmed that podcasts have contributed to raising awareness, as evidenced by the entry of government agencies in the realm nowadays because it has become an influential platform

Source: Kuwait News Agency

His Highness the Caretaker Prime Minister, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, has sent a cable of congratulations to the President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa on his country’s national day.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has sent a cable of congratulations to the President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa on his country’s national day.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad has wished President Mnangagwa lasting good health, the friendly people of the nation optimal progress and prosperity.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

The United States announced Thursday a plan to distribute USD 1 billion-worth of surplus American agricultural products to people in need in 18 countries worldwide.

In a statement, Administrator of the US Agency of International Development (USAID) Samantha Power and US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said they will begin to use the USD 1 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funding to purchase, ship, and distribute agricultural commodities from American farmers to those in need around the world.

USAID has selected 18 countries to support with this vital emergency food aid, including Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Yemen.

“During this time of staggering global hunger, America is extending a hand to hungry communities around the world – and American farmers are crucial to that effort,” said Administrator Samantha Power.

“USAID is honored to collaborat
e with USDA to purchase, ship and distribute our surplus food supplies to people in urgent need across the globe.” “America’s farmers are the most productive and efficient in the world, and we rely on them to supply safe and nutritious food not only to our nation, but to the global community,” Secretary Vilsack said.

“With many millions of people in dire need worldwide, the US agricultural sector is well positioned to provide lifesaving food assistance. The United States produces more commodities than are consumed, and therefore has the opportunity to partner with USAID and extend this food to those in our global community who are struggling.” This action builds on Secretary Vilsack’s October 2023 announcement about the planned collaboration. In September 2023, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) made the extraordinary decision to utilize these funds in partnership with USAID to meet emergency needs around the world by purchasing commodities produced by US farmers.

The USD 1 billion will primarily be us
ed for the purchase, shipment, and distribution of US commodities that align with traditional USAID international food assistance programming.

USDA will purchase the US commodities and transfer them to USAID – the lead federal coordinator for international disaster assistance – for distribution.

A separate pilot project, of up to USD 50 million, will also be set up to utilize US commodities that have not traditionally been part of food assistance programming but that are shelf stable and suitable for use in feeding food-insecure populations.

USAID is working with humanitarian organizations to develop this limited pilot project, and details will be released once they have been developed.

With an estimated 205 million people in need of life-saving food assistance globally, these commodities will be used to provide emergency food assistance to people facing dire food insecurity.

The Biden Administration is working urgently to address emergency food assistance needs around the world, including in Sudan, Gaza
, and Ethiopia. USAID and USDA are committed to working closely to leverage all available resources to mitigate the worst impacts of food insecurity around the world.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

The World Bank Group Thursday announced an ambitious plan to support countries in delivering quality, affordable health services to 1.5 billion people worldwide by 2030. This is part of a larger global effort to provide a basic standard of care through every stage of a person’s life: infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, the bank said in a statement.

For decades, the World Bank Group has helped provide health services for women and children in more than 100 countries.

A focused effort to become faster, work better with partners, and bring in the private sector has enabled the 80-year-old institution to pursue greater scale and impact.

The strategy to reach 1.5 billion people is focused on three core elements: Expanding focus from maternal and child health to include coverage throughout a person’s lifetime, including non-communicable diseases, it noted.

Expanding operations to hard-to-reach areas, including remote villages, cities, and countries.

Working with governments to cut unnecessary fees
and other financial barriers to health care. To be counted toward this goal, a person must be seen and treated by a health-care worker via an in-person visit or telehealth.

“Providing a basic standard of care for people throughout their lives is critical for development,” said Ajay Banga, World Bank Group President.

“This ambition won’t be realized with a solo effort. It will require partners, a coalition of public and private sector, working together to expand access to health care services.” Today, around two billion people face severe financial hardship when paying for health services. Intertwined challenges, such as climate change, pandemics, conflicts, societal aging, and a projected shortfall of 10 million health-care workers by 2030, exacerbate the cycle of poverty and inequality.

The World Bank Group will combine financing, knowledge, and partnerships to address this challenge.

All elements of the Bank’s financing capabilities are positioned to be called upon depending on a country’s unique need a
nd stage of development to reach 1.5 billion people.

For countries most in need, the International Development Association (IDA) financing will make it possible to bring health-care workers into communities where people may otherwise have no access to services.

In middle-income countries, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will deploy financing to incentivize government investments in health and regulations that move a country forward, it stated.

With regulatory certainty and reliable governance in place, it opens the door for more private sector investments, especially in local production of medications and protective gear.

Strong partnerships will be critical for the World Bank Group to achieve results in health.

The World Bank Group will fall short if it does not work hand-in-hand-faster and better-with non-government organizations, the private sector, and civil society.

The World Bank Group welcomes Japan’s announcement to launch a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Knowle
dge Hub to enhance health and finance ministries’ capacity, an initiative supported by the Bank and the World Health Organization

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Kuwiat’s Rahma Worldwide organization announced Thursday that its humanitarian aid convoy, the largest since February, reached northern Gaza as part of a campaign aiming to to support Palestine.

Speaking to KUNA, head of the Kuwaiti charity in the Gaza Strip Shadi Thatha said the Kuwaiti convoy included meat, foodstuff and groceries which meet the needs of thousands of Gazans.

He added that the organization moved to northern Gaza and started distributing the relief items to those vulnerable and displaced people.

He lauded Kuwait’s big humanitarian role in aiding those vulnerable in Gaza, Palestine and countries all over the world.

He affirmed continuation of sending urgent relief aid convoys to Palestinian people that include thousands of tons of medical supplies and food baskets as well as fuel, meals, clothes and tents through 22 flights and some ships.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Kuwait’s Youth Public Authority affirmed on Thursday UN Youth Forum 2024 was an important event positively contributing to the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

Speaking to KUNA, Acting Director General of the Youth Public Authority Nasser Al-Sheikh told KUNA that Kuwait’s participation in the event, held on April 16-18, reflected the state interest in sharing the world’s youth inspirations and concerns.

He indicated that the Kuwaiti delegation to the event took part in sideline meetings such as the regional meeting for Arab countries, which focused on supporting youth in the region through numerous strategies and plans of action.

On the issues discussed during the forum, the Kuwaiti official indicated that environmental issues and the youth role in bolstering sustainable development took center of discussions in addition to other important matters.

He noted that influence of AI on youth as well as preparations for the upcoming UN Future Summit in September were discussed during the course o
f the youth forum.

Al-Sheikh thanked the Kuwaiti mission at the UN headquarters in New York for facilitating the Youth Public Authority’s participation in the forum.

The forum saw the participation of various officials, including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, and organizations from across the globe.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Indian defense authorities on Thursday announced successful flight-test of an indigenous technology cruise missile.

The Indian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the Defence Research and Development Organisation conducted successful flight-test of Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur off the coast of eastern Indian state of Odisha.

The performance of the missile was monitored by several range sensors including radar, electro optical tracking system and telemetry deployed at different locations, it said.

The Su-30-Mk-I aircraft of the Indian Air Force also monitored the flight. All subsystems performed as per expectation, added the statement.

“The missile followed the desired path and demonstrated very low altitude sea-skimming flight,” it said.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the successful flight-test of the missile and congratulated the scientists for successful development of indigenous long-range subsonic cruise missile, saying it is a m
ajor milestone for Indian defence research and development.

India is engaged for decades in an arms race with its rivals China and Pakistan as New Delhi conducts periodic testing of missiles developed to strengthen its arsenal against any possible enemy attacks of its cities.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Amman: Jordan joins the countries of the world in celebrating World Heritage Day, which falls on April 18 of each year.

In an effort to raise awareness of the value of the diversity of cultural heritage, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized this day in 1983 after it was selected by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982. And advancing the idea of heritage for all humankind everywhere.

Director General of the Department of Antiquities (DoA) Fadi Balawi told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the Kingdom was among the first Arab nations to nominate and register its archaeological sites for inclusion on the World Heritage List.

“Jordan was successful in adding Qusayr Amra and the ancient city of Petra to the World Heritage List in 1985, during the reign of His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal,” he continued. Then, by registering four more locations, these efforts were carried out under His Majesty King Abdullah II’s rule.” Umm al-R
asas in 2004; Wadi Rum in 2011; Al-Maghtas in 2015; and, lastly, Al-Salt, the City of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality, which was inscribed in 2021, are all listed on the World Heritage List.

“Fifteen archaeological sites were registered on the preliminary list for the purpose of registering them on the World Heritage List, starting from 2001 until 2023, where the sites of Umm Qais, Quwayba, and Qasr al-Mushta were registered,” Balawi went on. “This is part of the Department of Antiquities’ efforts in the field of protecting and developing archaeological sites.” The reserves of Mujib and Azraq, Dana and Umm Al-Jimal, the Jordanian Harra, Tabaqat Fahel, Bashir Palace, Shobak Castle, Prophet Lot’s Cave, Al-Qastal, the archaeological city of Jerash, and the Aqaba Marine Reserve.

Balawi emphasized that as part of an ongoing set of actions in this area, the DoA will keep up its efforts to protect cultural property. These actions include updating and creating legal legislation, creating suitable scientific plans t
o preserve archaeological sites, and assigning qualified human cadres to oversee them.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi said on Thursday it is essential to keep pushing joint Arab action forward and harness political, economic and military capabilities to address various challenges.

Al-Budaiwi made the remark while giving a lecture at Mubarak Al-Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College in the presence of several high-ranking army officers, according to a Kuwaiti Army statement.

He reviewed the crucial role of the GCC member countries amid global changes and polarizations that have contributed to cementing and solidifying the Gulf bloc, stressing that the GCC has always been keen on serving the interests of its countries and people, and promoting its strategic partnerships in all fields.

For his part, Commander of Mubarak Al-Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College Maj. Gen. Fahad Fahiman said the GCC chief’s lecture is part of the college’s program for students from sisterly countries.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Amman: In the presence of Serbian Nenad Lalovic, the president of the International Wrestling Federation, the General Authority of the Asian Wrestling Federation decided, on Thursday, to bestow upon the Jordanian Wrestling Federation (JWF) the title of the most accomplished and developed national federation on the Asian continent.

This honor was bestowed upon the Jordanian Wrestling Federation when its President, Eng. Muhammad Al-Awamleh, and Secretary, Dr. Muzaffar Al-Abdallat, attended meetings of the Asian Federation’s Executive Office in the Kyrgyz Republic during the country’s hosting of the Asian Wrestling Qualifying Championship, which serves as a qualifying event for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Lalovic expressed his gratitude to the Jordanian Wrestling Federation for its efforts in growing the sport locally and among the nations of the Middle East and Arabian Gulf.

As for the Jordanian Wrestling Federation, Daulat Trelikhanov, a Kazakhstani who serves as President of the Asian Wrestling Federa
tion and a member of the International Wrestling Federation Board of Directors, praised it for the tremendous revival it has brought about at the sport’s level and emphasized that Jordan has turned into a success story that federations around the world should emulate in order to grow their wrestling industries.

Jordan’s great technical and logistical skills in organizing major sporting events are reflected in this award, which the Jordanian Wrestling Federation President, Eng. Muhammad Al-Awamleh, congratulated Jordan on receiving. This award will encourage the JWF to keep moving forward with its planned development and sustainability of the sport.

On receiving this award, Engineer Abdullah Qtaishat, Vice President of the JWF and Spokesperson said, “This is a great testimony from the Asian and International Federations, and a sincere appreciation for the size of the recent achievements achieved by the Jordanian Wrestling Federation, which would not have been achieved without the great support provided by th
e Olympic Committee headed by His Highness Prince Faisal Bin Al-Hussein.” A number of continental and foreign hosts were moved into the Kingdom’s territory by Prince Faisal, who was instrumental in forging his close ties with the International Federation.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Zionist settlers charged into Al-Aqsa mosque under the protection of the Israeli occupation’s police, said a media source on Thursday.

A statement by the media department of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) governorate indicated that 225 Zionist settlers stormed into Al-Aqsa via Al-Maghariba (western) gate.

Israeli occupation’s media outlets said that the occupation’s government was on the verge of issuing laws to allow so-called Jewish prayers inside Al-Aqsa mosque.

Extreme Jewish groups called for preparing sacrifices at Al-Aqsa during Passover holiday next week amid Palestinian mobilization efforts to foil such heinous plans.

Source: Kuwait News Agency