‘Quality of Life’ podcast spotlights women in sport

‘Quality of Life’ podcast spotlights women in sport
Podcast's guest list features the first female Saudi CrossFit trainer, first female Saudi Olympic rower, and first female Saudi boxing coach. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 23 November 2023
Follow

‘Quality of Life’ podcast spotlights women in sport

‘Quality of Life’ podcast spotlights women in sport
  • 20-episode show features 1st Saudi women to be CrossFit trainer, Olympic rower, boxing coach

Swedish podcast company Acast has partnered with Pineapple Productions and Raha Moharrak, the youngest Arab and first Saudi woman to climb Mount Everest, for its latest podcast “Quality of Life.”

As the first season draws to a close, the show has amassed listeners in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Iraq, Oman, and Tunisia.

The podcast consists of episodes in both English and Arabic and shines a light on women in sport, particularly in the Middle East.

On the name, “Quality of Life,” Moharrak told Arab News: “It’s reflective of Vision 2030 and the changes that are happening in Saudi Arabia for all people, but particularly for women and for women in sport, and the episodes really reflect how the guests achieve quality of life; what they do day-to-day, how they look after themselves and do all the things they do.”

The first season features 20 episodes — half in Arabic and half in English — of varying lengths. The 10 full-length episodes are between 30 and 60 minutes long, while the 10 mini episodes last between five and 15 minutes.

The show features a diverse guest list including a female astronaut, the highest-paid female American footballer, the vice chair of the Saudi rowing association, and a Middle Eastern Instagram fitness coach, Moharrak said.

It also includes the first female Saudi CrossFit trainer, first female Saudi Olympic rower, and first female Saudi boxing coach.

“Firsts are happening, which is proof that opportunities are now here,” she added.

Moharrak has been widely celebrated for her achievements since she climbed Mount Everest in 2013. Now, with the podcast, she aims to “bring light to some of the incredible women in sport, in Saudi, the Middle East more generally, and internationally.”

She chose to do so through podcasting because she believed it was the “natural platform for long-form audio storytelling in 2023” and “allows for authentic, real, and incredible insights into the lives of people we may not otherwise know about in-depth.”

The format has been gaining popularity with podcast streaming increasing by more than 190 percent year-on-year from 2022 to 2023 on Spotify alone.

Acast’s managing director, Megan Davies, told Arab News: “Podcasting is the art of storytelling — a space where our collective human experiences gain a powerful voice.”

Her passion for podcasting “stems from the belief that extraordinary stories must always be told,” she said.

She added: “In this instance, the strength of women’s voices in ‘Quality of Life’ not only enrich and diversify our media landscape but also challenge historical limitations. Together, we’re reshaping the narrative of what’s achievable.”

‘Quality of Life’ is available on all major podcast platforms.


Jewish Chronicle deletes Gaza articles over fabrication allegations

Jewish Chronicle deletes Gaza articles over fabrication allegations
Updated 14 September 2024
Follow

Jewish Chronicle deletes Gaza articles over fabrication allegations

Jewish Chronicle deletes Gaza articles over fabrication allegations
  • World’s oldest Jewish newspaper severs ties with journalist after Israeli media labeled his information ‘baseless’
  • JC has faced scrutiny in UK in recent months over its editorial direction, ownership

LONDON: The Jewish Chronicle has removed several articles from its website over allegations that the journalist behind them, Elon Perry, fabricated information about the conflict in Gaza and his professional life.

The articles, supposedly based on sources within Israeli intelligence, detailed military operations in Gaza as well as what appeared to be highly sensitive information on Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

The world’s oldest Jewish newspaper issued a statement saying: “The Jewish Chronicle has concluded a thorough investigation into freelance journalist Elon Perry, which commenced after allegations were made about aspects of his record.

“While we understand he did serve in the Israel Defense Forces, we were not satisfied with some of his claims.

“We have therefore removed his stories from our website and ended any association with Mr Perry.

“The Jewish Chronicle maintains the highest journalistic standards in a highly contested information landscape and we deeply regret the chain of events that led to this point.

“We apologise to our loyal readers and have reviewed our internal processes so that this will not be repeated.”

Perry’s articles came under suspicion after several journalists were unable to verify key details, and last week his stories were described as “fabrications” in a report published by Israeli media. 

There have even been suggestions in Israel that articles with false information have been planted in Western media, including in German tabloid Bild, which are supportive of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position on Gaza.

On Sept. 4, for instance, Netanyahu claimed in a press conference that Sinwar could use the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt to escape with hostages if the area was not under Israeli control.

The next day, an article by Perry was published in the JC stating that Israeli intelligence claimed to have proof that this was Sinwar’s plan based on information obtained by interrogating a senior Hamas figure and documents found in Gaza.

A spokesperson for the Israeli military described the story as “baseless” after it was shared by Netanyahu’s wife and son on social media.

Questions have also been raised about Perry’s history serving in the Israeli military, including that he was involved in the Entebbe hostage rescue mission in 1976.

Perry also claims to have worked as a professor in Tel Aviv for 15 years, which has been questioned by journalists.

One of the journalists involved in disputing Perry’s claims, Ben Reiff of Israeli outlet +972, posted on X: “It seems that by firing Elon Perry @JewishChron is hoping to put this whole affair to bed, as if decisions weren’t made at the very top to employ a fake journalist, publish nine fake articles without verifying sources, and use the paper (as) an active agent in a pro-Bibi influence op.”

The JC, founded in 1841 and a once much-respected publication in the UK, has faced questions over its rightward editorial direction under its editor, Jake Wallis Simons, and over its ownership in recent months.

Earlier this year, Sunday Times journalist Gabriel Pogrund voiced his concerns about the paper on social media, saying: “The coarseness and aggression of the JC’s current leadership is such a pity and does such a disservice to our community. 

“It also once again poses the question: who owns it!? How is it that British Jews don’t know who owns ‘their’ paper. Moreover, how can a paper not disclose its ownership?

“It’s an oxymoron. I hate having to pose the question publicly but I asked privately more than a year ago to no avail.”

A figure close to the JC told The Guardian: “There was a sense that it was in the pocket of no one. It worked for the whole Jewish community, and because of that it had a greater institutional reach … in the Jewish community. It has become much narrower in its outlook and campaigns on a particular set of issues.”

When contacted by The Guardian, both the JC and Wallis Simons refused to comment. 

Perry told The Observer that the JC’s statement is a “huge mistake,” and that he is the victim of a “witch-hunt … caused by jealousy from Israeli journalists and outlets who could not obtain the details that I managed to.”


Australia PM hits back at Musk after ‘fascists’ quip

Australia PM hits back at Musk after ‘fascists’ quip
Updated 14 September 2024
Follow

Australia PM hits back at Musk after ‘fascists’ quip

Australia PM hits back at Musk after ‘fascists’ quip
  • Australia introduced a ‘combating misinformation’ bill earlier this week
  • Bill includes sweeping powers to fine tech giants up to five percent of their annual turnover for breaching online safety obligations

SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hit back at Elon Musk on Saturday after the tech mogul called his government “fascists” for proposing laws that would fine social media giants for spreading misinformation.
Australia introduced a “combating misinformation” bill earlier this week, which includes sweeping powers to fine tech giants up to five percent of their annual turnover for breaching online safety obligations.
“Fascists,” Musk posted Thursday on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
But Albanese fired back at Musk on Saturday, saying social media “has a social responsibility.”
“If Mr.Musk doesn’t understand that, that says more about him than it does about my government,” he told reporters Saturday.
The exchange between Musk and Australian officials is the latest in a long-running spat with the Australian government over social media regulation.
Australia’s government is exploring a raft of new measures that would see social media companies take greater accountability for the content on their platforms — including a ban for those under 16 years old.
The country’s online watchdog took Musk’s company to court earlier this year, alleging it had failed to remove “extremely violent” videos that showed a Sydney preacher being stabbed.
But it abruptly dropped its attempt to force a global takedown order on X after Musk scored a legal victory in a preliminary hearing, a move he celebrated as a free speech triumph.
Musk, a self-described “free speech absolutist,” has clashed with politicians and digital rights groups worldwide, including in the European Union, which could decide within months to take action against X with possible fines.
In Brazil, where X has effectively been suspended after it ignored a series of court directives, Musk has responded by blasting the judge as an “evil dictator cosplaying as a judge.”


Blinken denounces ‘covert’ activities by Russia’s RT media

Blinken denounces ‘covert’ activities by Russia’s RT media
Updated 14 September 2024
Follow

Blinken denounces ‘covert’ activities by Russia’s RT media

Blinken denounces ‘covert’ activities by Russia’s RT media

WASHINGTON: Top US diplomat Antony Blinken on Friday accused Russian media outlet RT of being a “de facto arm of Russia’s intelligence apparatus.”
“We know that RT possess cyber capabilities and engaged in covert information influence operations and military procurement,” the secretary of state told reporters.
Earlier this month, US authorities announced a battery of measures including sanctions and potential prosecution targeting Russian media over alleged attempts to interfere in this year’s American elections.
The State Department at that time imposed visa restrictions affecting a media group that includes RT, Rossia Segodnia, as well as others of its affiliates.
On Friday, Washington emphasized that the group’s efforts at destabilization extend far beyond the United States.
It said the Russian government this spring “embedded within RT an entity with cyber operational capabilities and ties to Russian intelligence.”
It added: “This cyber entity has focused primarily on influence and intelligence operations all over the world.”


Advocacy groups urge UN to investigate killing of Reuters video journalist in Lebanon

Advocacy groups urge UN to investigate killing of Reuters video journalist in Lebanon
Updated 14 September 2024
Follow

Advocacy groups urge UN to investigate killing of Reuters video journalist in Lebanon

Advocacy groups urge UN to investigate killing of Reuters video journalist in Lebanon
  • Issam Abdallah was killed by Israeli tank shells while filming cross-border exchange in south Lebanon in October
  • Letter demands UN Commission to investigate possible war crimes, ensure accountability

LONDON: Advocacy groups have urged UN officials to investigate the death of Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed in southern Lebanon in October.

In a letter signed by 11 organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders and the Lebanese Center for Human Rights, the group requested the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, to examine the circumstances surrounding Israel’s Oct. 13 attack.

They also urged the commission to investigate potential war crimes committed against journalists since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict on Oct. 7.

Abdallah, a 37-year-old video journalist, was killed by Israeli tank shells while filming a cross-border exchange.

Six other journalists were injured in the attack, including AFP photographer Christina Assi, who had her leg amputated.

Independent investigations by Reuters, AFP, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and RSF concluded that the attack was “deliberately” launched by Israeli forces on “clearly visible media members.”

The organizations condemned the attack as a violation of international law and called for a war crimes investigation.

A sixth investigation conducted by UNIFIL similarly concluded, according to a Reuters report published in March, that “an Israeli tank killed Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah in Lebanon by firing two 120 mm rounds at a group of ‘clearly identifiable journalists’ in violation of international law.”

The letter asked the UN to publicly identify the military unit responsible for the attack and criticized Israeli authorities for failing to hold the perpetrators accountable.

“We submit this request in the hope that the work of the Commission may contribute to ensuring accountability for the killing of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, who lost his life in that attack, and for the six other journalists injured alongside him: Agence France Presse (AFP) journalists Christina Assi and Dylan Collins; Al Jazeera journalists Carmen Joukhadar and Elie Brakhya; and Reuters journalists Maher Nazih and Thaer Al-Soudani,” the letter read.

“Over 10 months have passed since this potential war crime was committed, but no tangible steps have been taken by any judicial body to secure justice for the victims and accountability for the perpetrators.”

It added: “We believe this to be of crucial importance to ensure redress for all victims, as well as to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists since 7 October 2023, including the ongoing targeting of journalists in Gaza, where more than 100 media employees have been killed by Israeli forces.”


Toronto festival drops Russian war film screenings over threats

Toronto festival drops Russian war film screenings over threats
Updated 13 September 2024
Follow

Toronto festival drops Russian war film screenings over threats

Toronto festival drops Russian war film screenings over threats
  • Desicion was taken after receiving ‘significant threats to festival operations and public safety’
  • Film features a Russian battalion as it advanced across eastern Ukraine in February 2022

OTTAWA: The Toronto International Film Festival said Thursday it was pausing all upcoming screenings of controversial documentary “Russians at War” after receiving “significant threats.”
“We have been made aware of significant threats to festival operations and public safety,” festival organizers said in a statement, pointing to reports they received “indicating potential activity in the coming days that pose significant risk.”
“This is an unprecedented move for TIFF,” read the statement.
“Given the severity of these concerns, we cannot proceed as planned.”
Anastasia Trofimova first presented “Russians at War” at the Venice Film Festival.
In the film, she embedded with a Russian battalion as it advanced across eastern Ukraine after Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022.
It was to have its North American premiere in Toronto on Friday, followed by additional screenings on Saturday and Sunday.
Both in Venice and Toronto it has sparked outrage in Ukrainian cultural and political circles against what many consider a pro-Kremlin film that seeks to whitewash and justify Moscow’s assault on its neighbor.
Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said he felt the festival should have dropped the film.
“The threat is Russian propaganda,” he wrote on Telegram, adding that the film should be “banned.”
Canada’s deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, criticized the planned screening in Toronto.
“There can be no moral equivalency in our understanding of this conflict,” she said.
Canadian public broadcaster TVO, which had helped fund the documentary, pulled its support for the film and said it would not be airing it.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s state film agency appealed to TIFF to drop the film, which it said was “a dangerous tool for public opinion manipulation.”
Trofimova has rejected the criticisms, telling AFP the Canada-France production was “an anti-war film” that showed “ordinary guys” who were fighting for Russia.
The soldiers depicted appear to have little idea of why they have been sent to the front, and are shown struggling to make Soviet-era weapons serviceable.
Others chain-smoke cigarettes and down shots of alcohol amid the deaths and wounds of their comrades.
Producer Sean Farnel said on X that the decision to cancel the screenings was “heartbreaking.”
He blamed officials’ public criticisms for having “incited the violent hate that has led to TIFF’s painful decision to pause its presentation of ‘Russians at War.’“