Meteorologists targeted in climate misinformation surge

Meteorologists targeted in climate misinformation surge
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People walk on the dried banks of the reservoir of Sau, located in the province of Girona in Catalonia, Spain, on April 16, 2023. (AFP)
Meteorologists targeted in climate misinformation surge
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This photo taken on April 16, 2023 shows the low water-level and the dried banks of the reservoir of Sau, located in the province of Girona in Catalonia, Spain. (AFP)
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Updated 13 May 2023

Meteorologists targeted in climate misinformation surge

Meteorologists targeted in climate misinformation surge
  • Accused of engineering a drought, Spain’s weather agency find its workers threatened in Twitter messages, phone calls and emails
  • Australia’s weather agency is falsely accused of doctoring its thermometers and France’s of exaggerating global warming

PARIS: Once trusted faces on the news, meteorologists now brave threats, insults and slander online from conspiracy theorists and climate change deniers who accuse them of faking or even fixing the weather.

Users on Twitter and other social media falsely accused Spain’s weather agency of engineering a drought, Australia’s of doctoring its thermometers and France’s of exaggerating global warming through misplaced weather stations.
“The coronavirus is no longer a trend. Conspiracy theorists and deniers who used to talk about that are now spreading disinformation about climate change,” Alexandre Lopez-Borrull, lecturer in Information and Communication Sciences at the Open University of Catalonia, told AFP.
“These scientific bodies are seen as part of the establishment, so anything they say may get disputed on social networks.
“They are providing evidence against what the climate deniers claim, so the latter try to discredit them.”

In a harsh drought and with local elections looming, Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) spoke out after its members were threatened in Twitter messages, phone calls and emails.
“Murderers,” “Criminals,” “You’ll pay for this,” “We’re watching you,” the messages shouted.
They came from people who believe the widely debunked theory that aeroplane condensation trails are really “chemtrails” sprayed by the authorities to poison people or create weather disasters.
Some referred to the “2030 agenda,” a debunked theory that global elites are plotting to subjugate people through Covid and climate policies.
“Do you want us to publish your contact details and those of your family?” read one Tweet aimed at an AEMET employee.
“Crooks! You are destroying nature on the orders of the damned 2030 agenda,” said another.
“We have seen an increase in insulting messages as a result of a thread we published about condensation trails” on April 10, AEMET spokesperson Estrella Gutierrez-Marco told AFP.
“What makes no sense is that they are insulting an institution that is constantly watching out for their interests, whose aim is... to contribute to people’s safety.”
Lopez-Borrull noted a “significant increase” in climate change denial — particularly among far-right supporters who see it as a leftist cause and oppose reforms aimed at curbing its impacts.
“People distrust politicians, judges and the media, and the cost of living is rising,” he said.
“In this context people feel alienated and end up listening to people they never listened to before, with messages appealing directly to the emotions.”

In another case investigated by AFP Fact Check, conservative media and Facebook users shared unfounded claims that Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) doctored its temperature readings.
In an analysis of data obtained via a freedom of information request, prominent climate skeptic Jennifer Marohasy said BOM’s electronic probes returned readings up to 0.7 degrees Celsius warmer than those of its older mercury thermometers.
Experts who analyzed the data said the claims were inaccurate.
Monash University emeritus environment professor Neville Nicholls said the difference between most readings on the electronic probes and the mercury thermometers was negligible — between zero and 0.1C (0.18 degrees Fahrenheit).
“This difference is very small compared to the strong warming trend in average temperature over Australia” — about 1.4C over the past century — Nicholls told AFP.
The World Meteorological Organization told AFP that the BOM’s measurements were in line with its standards, contrary to Marohasy’s allegation.

After a series of heat records in March in southwestern France, a critic on social media published a thread alleging that the country’s national weather service overstated warming by relying on readings from stations in urban districts, where temperatures are typically higher.
The thread received more than 139,000 views and spread to Facebook.
“Yet another way of making us feel scared and guilty,” one woman commented on the thread, referring to the weather service, Meteo-France.
“Luckily fewer and fewer people believe them after the Covid business. I’m glad not to watch their forecasts on France TV.”
Climatologists consulted by AFP debunked the claims, pointing out that the limited network of 30 weather stations referred to in the thread is not what scientists use to measure climate change, and the climate is also observed to be changing in rural districts.
“Meteo-France researchers use all possible measures and create computer models with various hypotheses and a longer timeframe for analysis,” said Christine Berne, a climatologist in the service.
“You can be sure we don’t just have our 30 little weather stations.”
One Twitter user accused Dutch broadcaster RTL Nieuws of exaggerating a late-April heatwave in Spain, posting as evidence a screenshot showing moderate temperatures in the Costa Blanca.
However, his screenshot was taken three days after the heatwave, in the cool of the morning.
Some of AFP’s full fact-checks on these topics are available at u.afp.com/ibQg, u.afp.com/ibQj and (in French) u.afp.com/ibwv.


Three Middle Eastern brands make it onto YouTube’s global list of year’s top 10 adverts

Three Middle Eastern brands make it onto YouTube’s global list of year’s top 10 adverts
Updated 23 sec ago

Three Middle Eastern brands make it onto YouTube’s global list of year’s top 10 adverts

Three Middle Eastern brands make it onto YouTube’s global list of year’s top 10 adverts
  • Telecom Egypt, Orange Egypt and Qatar Airways earned places on the eighth annual YouTube Cannes Ads Leaderboard
  • Collectively, the commercials that earned places on this year’s list streamed in a total of 28 countries across five continents

DUBAI: Three brands from the Middle East appear on the eighth annual YouTube Cannes Ads Leaderboard, which was unveiled on Tuesday and features the top 10 most-watched adverts globally on the video-streaming platform over the past 12 months.

Collectively, the commercials that earned places on this year’s list streamed in a total of 28 countries across five continents.

Telecom Egypt’s “WE Summer Campaign,” featuring Akram Hosny, ranked second. Qatar Airways’ official FIFA World Cup song “C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S” featuring DJ Rodge and Cheb Khaled took fifth spot; and Orange Egypt’s “Crazy about Football” commercial was seventh.

“It’s great to see the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region’s diversity and creativity shine through on YouTube this year, which exemplifies the different formats on YouTube that allow brands to explore different styles and approaches to storytelling on the platform,” said Anthony Nakache, Google MENA’s managing director.

Mohammed Abutaleb, Telecom Egypt’s commercial vice-president, said that “agility is key to product success” in a “competitive technology marketplace.” The company is always ready to “test, adjust and reshape” its digital strategy, and “Google ad technology has been integral to our success on that front,” he added.

A spokesperson for Qatar Airways said: “YouTube is a great place for driving brand awareness and one of the key channels to communicate to a wide audience of football fans from around the world.”

Orange Egypt described YouTube as “one of the main platforms that help us increase top-of-mind awareness.”

The selection of the ads on the leaderboard was based on an algorithm that uses internal YouTube data to measure audience engagement and retention. Only one advert from each brand can appear, to “better reflect the broad range, quality and popularity of YouTube ads throughout the year,” according to YouTube.

Netflix took the top spot on the list with an advert featuring a prank in New York City to promote its “Addams Family” spin-off show, “Wednesday.” Apple’s “Introducing iPhone 14 Pro” was in third place, followed by the official trailer for the Max (formerly HBO Max) streaming show “The Last of Us.” The remaining brands that made the top 10 were Samsung, Bulgari, streaming service Peacock, and Burger King.

The ads on the list have cumulatively racked up 213.5 million views, 2.5 million likes and 70,000 comments.


Filmmakers invited to apply for Red Sea Fund grants toward movie production

Filmmakers invited to apply for Red Sea Fund grants toward movie production
Updated 06 June 2023

Filmmakers invited to apply for Red Sea Fund grants toward movie production

Filmmakers invited to apply for Red Sea Fund grants toward movie production
  • 3rd funding round offers financial backing to directors in Arab world, Africa

LONDON: Officials behind a fund offering grants to help toward the production of Arab and African films are inviting new applications for financial backing.

Red Sea Film Festival Foundation organizers announced on Tuesday the opening of a third round of Red Sea Fund support grants.

Running from June 6 until July 2, applications are being invited for flicks ready to go into production, with up to $500,000 per movie available for filmmakers.

Head of the fund, Emad Eskander, said: “We are truly impressed by the exceptional talent that aspiring and world-renowned filmmakers brought to the table in our second edition.”

The third round of funding will support projects from directors in Saudi Arabia, Africa, and throughout the Arab world, with the aim of helping launch a new generation of movie producers while supporting established filmmakers as they take their work from script to screen.

“It’s clear that the bar has been set high, but we have no doubt that the filmmakers are up for the challenge.

“Looking ahead to the third edition’s production cycle, we are confident that filmmakers will continue to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation,” Eskander added.

The Red Sea Fund has made a significant impact in the film world, supporting movies that have premiered and won awards at prestigious festivals such as Berlin and Cannes.


Media watchdogs demand Kosovo authorities investigate recent violence against ethnic Albanian journalists

Media watchdogs demand Kosovo authorities investigate recent violence against ethnic Albanian journalists
Updated 06 June 2023

Media watchdogs demand Kosovo authorities investigate recent violence against ethnic Albanian journalists

Media watchdogs demand Kosovo authorities investigate recent violence against ethnic Albanian journalists
  • Journalists covering the demonstrations have been attacked with bricks and stones, news reports say
  • 'Kosovo authorities, as well as international NATO-led forces in the area, must ensure that members of the press can safely cover protests,' says CPJ Europe representative

LONDON: Thirteen press freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, on Monday urged Kosovo authorities to investigate violence against ethnic Albanian media crews covering protests in the country’s north last month.

The media watchdogs also called on the authorities to take the necessary measures to protect reporters while performing their duties, according to a CPJ press statement.

Following the election of ethnic Albanian mayors to represent Serb-majority areas in northern Kosovo, several news crews were attacked physically and verbally by protesters, reported multiple news outlets.

Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative, said: “Kosovo authorities must thoroughly investigate the recent attacks on news crews covering protests in the country and hold the perpetrators to account.

“Kosovo authorities, as well as international NATO-led forces in the area, must ensure that members of the press can safely cover protests without fear of harassment or assault.”

The attacks took place in the towns of Zvecan, Leposavic, North Mitrovica, and Zubin, with journalists allegedly having their cars vandalized and equipment knocked violently out of their hands, in addition to getting stoned, shot at, punched, and harassed.

A2 CNN reporter Jul Kasapi, who was allegedly attacked with his colleagues in Leposavic, was quoted by his employer as saying officers with the NATO-led peacekeeping Kosovo Force did not intervene despite witnessing the violence.


Arabs excited for Apple’s latest gadgets, some wary of high price

Arabs excited for Apple’s latest gadgets, some wary of high price
Updated 06 June 2023

Arabs excited for Apple’s latest gadgets, some wary of high price

Arabs excited for Apple’s latest gadgets, some wary of high price
  • Experts predict Apple’s Vision Pro could be game changer, others ask is it worth price tag?

LONDON: Apple’s latest gadgets have sparked excitement among Arabs, although some are raising eyebrows at the hefty price tags.

Along with an upgraded iOS system, new MacBooks range and its most-powerful chips yet, Apple on Monday unveiled a long-rumored headset that will place its users between the virtual and real world, while also testing the technology trendsetter’s ability to popularize new-fangled devices after others failed to capture the public’s imagination.

Apple chief executive officer, Tim Cook, proudly introduced the sleek Vision Pro goggles at the annual developers’ conference in Cupertino, California, a campus co-designed by the late Steve Jobs.

“This marks the beginning of a journey that will bring a new dimension to powerful personal technology,” Cook said.

The Vision Pro is Apple’s maiden voyage into the mixed reality market, boasting a high-resolution display, eye-tracking technology, and a formidable processor.

For some Arabs, the Vision Pro could revolutionize work, learning, and play with potential applications in remote collaboration, education, and gaming.

Emkwan, a UAE-based tech content creator at the event, said: “I’m actually shocked at all this. There’s so much to take in about Apple Vision Pro. It’s both scary and beautiful. Has Apple killed the iPhone with the Apple Vision Pro?”

However, with a $3,500 price tag, not everyone is ready to jump on the Vision Pro bandwagon.

One user said: “Not yet. You won’t kill the iPhone with VR until you make it affordable enough to put into the average and above average consumer hands and right now, it’s priced outside of their reach.”

Saudi-based tech influencer Majed Al-Dakhiel recognized the game-changing potential of the goggles, but questioned Apple’s target audience.

“The goggles are truly transformative and open the door of competition between developers. But will they be an entertainment or retail product?” he said on Twitter.

The Cupertino company is certainly making waves with its new technological offerings and the headset could become another feather in Apple’s cap for releasing industry-altering technology, even if it were not the first to do so.

While analysts are not expecting the Vision Pro to be a big hit right away, the buzz and concerns surrounding the headset suggest it has the potential to become a major contender in the MR market. Only time will tell how Arab consumers will embrace the device.


About ducking time: Apple to tweak iPhone autocorrect function

About ducking time: Apple to tweak iPhone autocorrect function
Updated 06 June 2023

About ducking time: Apple to tweak iPhone autocorrect function

About ducking time: Apple to tweak iPhone autocorrect function
  • Texting tweak to stop changing some of the most common expletives

LONDON: One of the most notable happenings at Apple’s event for developers on Monday is likely the iPhone maker’s tweak that will keep its autocorrect feature from annoyingly correcting one of the most common expletives to “ducking.”
“In those moments where you just want to type a ducking word, well, the keyboard will learn it, too,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s software chief.
The iPhone keyboard autocorrect feature has always had its quirks, sometimes taking a misspelled word while texting and substituting what it deems a logical option that ends up changing the meaning of a particular phrase or sentence.
Such occurrences generally produce follow-up texts along the lines of “damn autocorrect!” But the “ducking” substitution is a long-standing source of mirth or frustration, depending on how many times one has had to rewrite their own texts or scream at one’s own device (the iPhone cannot correct one’s verbal epithets).
Apart from the texting tweak, the company had a lot on its agenda — an expensive new mixed-reality headset, details on a revamping of its desktop and a laptop revamp.
Apple shares hit an all-time record Monday, putting the company’s market valuation just shy of $3 trillion, which would also be a record. Its gains of 280 percent over the past five years clearly demonstrates the power of the iPhone’s market share.
Of course, iPhone users have always had the option to turn off the autocorrect feature on their phones, which would allow its foul-mouthed users to be as profane as they want.