YouTube collaborates with Egypt’s National Council for Women on Safer Internet Day

YouTube collaborates with Egypt’s National Council for Women on Safer Internet Day
President of Egypt's National Council for Women (NCW) Dr. Maya Morsy. (Twitter Photo)
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Updated 08 February 2023

YouTube collaborates with Egypt’s National Council for Women on Safer Internet Day

YouTube collaborates with Egypt’s National Council for Women on Safer Internet Day
  • National council 1st Egyptian entity to enrol in YouTube’s Trusted Flagger program
  • NCW will provide tailored workshops for content creators focused on creating content that is sensitive to women’s needs

DUBAI: YouTube has partnered with the National Council for Women in Egypt to introduce a series of initiatives aimed at promoting a safer experience for women using the platform and encouraging more female content creators to share their stories.

Announced on Safer Internet Day, Feb. 7, the collaboration includes a series of workshops and meet-ups to set up a community of content creators, YouTube experts, and representatives from the NCW.

Council president, Dr. Maya Morsy, said the organization was pleased to partner with YouTube, “especially in light of what women suffer from exposure to various types of cyberviolence via social media that have become an open space for people to engage in violence against women.”

She noted that in recent years, Egypt had been taking steps to introduce legislation that protected women from all forms of violence.

“We are proud to encourage more women content creators and support them to develop their skills, to further understand women’s issues, and promote meaningful and useful content,” she added.

The workshops, which will take place throughout the year, aim to help more women content creators benefit from available resources to grow their channels, and learn about the different tools and features to stay safe online.

NCW will provide tailored workshops for content creators focused on creating content that is sensitive to women’s needs, raising awareness about women’s empowerment, and staying safe from cyberviolence against women and girls.

The workshops will also feature sessions focused on #IamRemarkable, a Google initiative that aims to empower women and other under-represented groups celebrate their achievements.

As part of the collaboration, the NCW will become the first entity in Egypt to enrol in YouTube’s Trusted Flagger program, which allows government bodies and non-profit organizations to directly report content to YouTube and have visibility on the decisions made.

Tarek Amin, director of YouTube partnerships in the Middle East and North Africa region, said: “Together, we aim to continue developing a safe experience for women creators in Egypt by equipping them with the skills needed and inviting them to join a wider support circle of other content creators and experts of the platform.”


Russia arrests Wall Street Journal reporter for espionage

Russia arrests Wall Street Journal reporter for espionage
Updated 30 March 2023

Russia arrests Wall Street Journal reporter for espionage

Russia arrests Wall Street Journal reporter for espionage
  • Evan Gershkovich was detained in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg while allegedly trying to obtain classified information

MOSCOW: Russia’s top security agency says a reporter for the Wall Street Journal has been arrested on espionage charges.
The Federal Security Service (FSB), the top domestic security and counterintelligence agency that is the top successor agency to the Soviet era KGB, said Thursday that Evan Gershkovich was detained in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg while allegedly trying to obtain classified information.
Gershkovich is the first reporter for an American news outlet to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War. His arrest comes amid the bitter tensions between Moscow and Washington over the fighting in Ukraine.
The security service alleged that Gershkovich “was acting on the US orders to collect information about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military industrial complex that constitutes a state secret.”
The FSB didn’t say when the arrest took place. Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of espionage.
Gershkovich covers Russia and Ukraine as a correspondent in the Wall Street Journal’s Moscow bureau. The FSB noted that he had accreditation from the Russian Foreign Ministry to work as a journalist.
His last report from Moscow, published earlier this week, focused on the Russian economy’s slowdown amid Western sanctions imposed when Russian troops entered Ukraine last year.


Report: North Korean hackers impersonate journalists to gather nuclear intelligence

Report: North Korean hackers impersonate journalists to gather nuclear intelligence
Updated 30 March 2023

Report: North Korean hackers impersonate journalists to gather nuclear intelligence

Report: North Korean hackers impersonate journalists to gather nuclear intelligence
  • ‘Sophisticated’ group linked to Pyongyang known as APT43
  • Targeted US and South Korea organizations, academics, think tanks

LONDON: North Korean hackers are impersonating journalists to gather intelligence about nuclear security policy, according to a new report.

Research published on Tuesday by Mandiant, a cybersecurity firm and a subsidiary of Google, found that in recent months a prolific cyber-espionage group associated with Pyongyang, known as APT43, has attempted to collect sensitive information by posing as journalists.

“Mandiant tracks tons of activity throughout the year, but we don’t always have enough evidence to attribute it to a specific group,” the firm said in a blog post.

“However, as we continue to observe more activity over time and our knowledge of related threat clusters matures, we may graduate it to a named threat actor. Such is the case with APT43.”

The group used the fabricated personas to contact organizations, academics and think tanks mainly in the US and South Korea, to obtain information by enquiring about nuclear security policy and weapons proliferation.

In one instance, the group contacted experts by posing as Voice of America journalists.

One message that appeared to be from a Voice of America correspondent asked an unnamed individual whether they expected Japan to increase its defense budget amid North Korean nuclear tests.

“I would be very grateful if you could send me your answers within five days,” the writer said.

In a similar campaign revealed in March, Mandiant said suspected North Korean hackers also distributed a fake email attachment that appeared to be from a recruiter for the New York Times.

“Anybody could be a victim of this. They’re just incredibly innovative and a scrappy group,” said Sandra Joyce, vice president and head of global intelligence at Mandiant.

In the report, Mandiant said that the hackers used a variety of tactics that focused on “creating numerous spoofed and fraudulent, but convincing personas” and leveraged stolen personally identifiable information to create accounts and register domains meant to look like legitimate websites and boost the credibility of the hackers’ cyber-espionage work.

The hackers also offered to pay scholars hundreds of dollars in exchange for writing research papers.

They also used malicious apps to generate cryptocurrency, steal usernames and passwords and conduct espionage focused on international negotiations about nuclear policy.

Mandiant is confident the group works on behalf of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, North Korea’s primary intelligence service.

“Although the overall targeting reach is broad, the ultimate aim of campaigns is most likely centered around enabling North Korea’s weapons program.” This included collecting information about international negotiations, sanctions policy, and other countries’ foreign relations and domestic politics “as these may affect North Korea’s nuclear ambitions,” Mandiant stated in the report.

According to Mandiant, the group is well-funded and has a sophisticated understanding of cyber-espionage techniques, and expects APT43’s activities to continue and even escalate.

The firm warned that organizations should be aware of APT43’s tactics and take steps to protect themselves, including implementing strong security measures and educating employees about the dangers of phishing attacks.


Manga Productions signs partnership agreement with Tsubasa Co. 

Manga Productions signs partnership agreement with Tsubasa Co. 
Updated 29 March 2023

Manga Productions signs partnership agreement with Tsubasa Co. 

Manga Productions signs partnership agreement with Tsubasa Co. 

RIYADH: Saudi company Manga Productions recently announced a partnership with Tsubasa Co., which will see the two entities collaborate on production, the distribution of “Captain Tsubasa” and various other projects. 

Attending the signing ceremony was world-renowned mangaka and creator of “Captain Tsubasa,” Yoichi Takahashi. 

CEO of Manga Productions Essam Bukhary told Arab News: “Generations have been inspired by ‘Captain Tsubasa’ for more than 30 years. The partnership of Manga Productions with Tsubasa Co. aims to extend our vision of inspiring the heroes of tomorrow and enriching the creative content industry both locally and globally.”

“Captain Tsubasa,” known as “Captain Majid” in Arabic, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takahashi in 1981 and beloved by the Arab world, especially in Saudi Arabia in the 90s. The series revolves around an 11-year-old student with a deep passion for football.

Known as Tsubasa Ozora in Japan, Captain Majid follows his dreams of one day winning the FIFA World Cup in Japan and takes viewers on a journey of rivalry, friendship and talent.

According to the “How Arabs View Japan survey” conducted by Arab News and YouGov, 75 percent of respondents ranked “Captain Majid” as their favorite anime of all time. 

“Captain Tsubasa” became one of the most memorable manga and anime series worldwide, most notably in Japan, due to how it popularized association football. Many real-life players have been reportedly inspired to become professionals after seeing the series.

CEO of Tsubasa Co. Yoshiro Iwamoto said: “I’m delighted to see the ever-growing popularity of ‘Captain Tsubasa’ internationally and especially in Saudi Arabia and (the Middle East and North Africa) region throughout different generations. We look forward to our partnership with Manga Productions, the regional pioneers in the creative content industry, and building future successes through ‘Captain Tsubasa’ and business opportunities.”

“Captain Tsubasa” was first released as a Japanese manga series, which then transitioned into an anime series that aired between 1983-1986. 


Saudi company Manga Productions announced, on March 28, a partnership with Tsubasa Co., including production collaboration and distribution of "Captain Tsubasa" and various other projects. (SUPPLIED)

The series was then dubbed into multiple languages, airing in Arabic in the Middle East in 1990 and gaining international popularity. 

By 2010, the manga had been translated into English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.

Since 2017, several volumes have been available in an official Arabic translation, and one-third of the first print run of these were donated to Syrian refugee children by the publisher, Kinokuniya.

“Captain Tsubasa” has sold over 82 million copies worldwide and is among the best-selling manga series in the world, with the anime series ranking 41 in a list of top 100 anime series.


MBC Group launches MBC Anime initiative with TOKYOPOP

MBC Group launches MBC Anime initiative with TOKYOPOP
Updated 29 March 2023

MBC Group launches MBC Anime initiative with TOKYOPOP

MBC Group launches MBC Anime initiative with TOKYOPOP
  • MBC Anime is led by renowned anime and manga expert, and founder and CEO of TOKYOPOP, Stu Levy
  • MBC Anime will commission, produce, and invest in a series of world-class quality anime titles

RIYADH: At Anime Japan in Tokyo, MBC Group, the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), announced the formation of MBC Anime — a brand-new hub dedicated to the licensing, promotion, and production of anime content in the region.

MBC Anime is a venture led by renowned anime and manga expert, Stu Levy, founder and CEO of TOKYOPOP, a leading international distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime and manga.

Through the new initiative, MBC Anime will commission, produce, and invest in a series of world-class quality anime titles. Often aimed at adults, anime refers to the wide range of Japanese animation that reflects multiple genres and features a distinctly recognizable visual aesthetic and storytelling approach.

MBC Group has revealed plans to heavily invest over the next several years in the venture, with an ambition to expand further after this time frame. During the first investment period, MBC Anime aims to forge substantive relationships with key anime studios in Japan, supporting and investing in a multitude of compelling projects.

Sam Barnett, CEO of MBC Group, commented: “Anime and manga are incredibly popular in the Middle East and North Africa, with Saudi Arabia being the leader in terms of viewership in the region. In recent years, there has been a huge increase in events and activities related to this art form.

We are thrilled to announce that Stu Levy has joined us to head up MBC Anime. Stu is a renowned figure in the anime industry, known for his expertise in distribution, licensing, and publishing. We’re very excited about the prospects for this cooperation.”

TOKYOPOP’s Levy added: “Having worked with the talented team at MBC Group over the past couple of years, I’ve been impressed by their licensing approach and dedication to the space. Their commitment to not only anime, but building long-term relationships in Japan made me confident of the real potential for exciting growth opportunities working together.”


E-vision acquires exclusive MENA broadcast rights to Indian Premier League 2023

E-vision acquires exclusive MENA broadcast rights to Indian Premier League 2023
Updated 29 March 2023

E-vision acquires exclusive MENA broadcast rights to Indian Premier League 2023

E-vision acquires exclusive MENA broadcast rights to Indian Premier League 2023
  • IPL will be aired only on CricLife1 available on TV and streaming
  • Move expands sports content, which includes world and Asia cups

DUBAI: E-vision, the media and entertainment arm of e& life, has acquired the exclusive broadcast rights for the TATA Indian Premier League 2023 slated to start on March 31.
The IPL is one of the most anticipated cricket events of the year with 70 league matches over 52 days.
The top four teams will compete in the playoffs, with the final scheduled for May 28.
The matches will be aired on CricLife1, which is available on ELife, and streaming platforms Switch TV and StarzPlay.
“The acquisition of the exclusive broadcast and media rights for the TATA IPL 2023 is a significant milestone for E-Vision,” said Olivier Bramly, CEO of E-vision.
“We are committed to providing the best possible coverage of the event and delivering the best in sports and entertainment from local and international content providers,” he added.
The move expands E-Vision’s slate of sports content, which includes events such as the ICC world cups and the Asia Cup.
“Cricket is a huge part of our sports offering,” said Danny Bates, chief operations officer of StarzPlay, which has witnessed a spike in subscribers for tournaments like the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
This year’s IPL teams are the Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and the Lucknow Super Giants.
Matches will be played across 12 different venues in India, following a home-and-away format for the first time in four years.
“The 16th season of the IPL will revert to the home-and-away format, where all the teams will play seven home games and seven away games respectively in the league stage,” India’s cricket control board said in a statement.