Snap launches Saudi-focused film ‘Telgana Ala Snap’

Snap launches Saudi-focused film ‘Telgana Ala Snap’
Snapchat enjoys significant popularity in Saudi Arabia, with users opening the app more than 50 times per day on average. (Supplied)
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Updated 16 May 2024
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Snap launches Saudi-focused film ‘Telgana Ala Snap’

Snap launches Saudi-focused film ‘Telgana Ala Snap’

DUBAI: Snap has launched a new campaign film, “Telgana Ala Snap,” focused on the Saudi and Gulf market.

The film, which translates to “Find Us on Snap,” showcases how audiences in the Kingdom use Snapchat; from a brother imitating his father through the old age lens, to a teenager tucked in bed watching Snap star Naif Hamdan.

 

 

Snapchat enjoys significant popularity in Saudi Arabia, with users opening the app more than 50 times per day on average. Snapchat users are also twice as likely to use the app to express who they really are compared to users of other social media platforms, the company said.

With a monthly addressable reach of more than 22 million people, Snapchat is reaching more than 90 percent of 13- to 34-year-olds in the Kingdom.

Abdulla Alhammadi, regional business lead for Saudi Arabia at Snap Inc., said: “With the Kingdom experiencing rapid transformational societal and cultural change, the simple need to stay connected with family and friends is more important now than ever, and Snapchat provides a place to do just that.”

At a time when people feel pressured to “broadcast an edited version of themselves, we provide a safe and private alternative” and the “new film echoes this” sentiment, he added.


British trainer George Scott thriving in Middle East as Phantom Flight targets Bahraini Triple Crown

British trainer George Scott thriving in Middle East as Phantom Flight targets Bahraini Triple Crown
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British trainer George Scott thriving in Middle East as Phantom Flight targets Bahraini Triple Crown

British trainer George Scott thriving in Middle East as Phantom Flight targets Bahraini Triple Crown
  • Newmarket-based handler has enjoyed remarkable success in the region

LONDON: British trainer George Scott is making waves in the Middle East with a string of impressive victories across Bahrain and Dubai, and soon, he hopes, in Saudi Arabia.

The Newmarket-based handler has enjoyed remarkable success, most notably guiding Isle of Jura to a historic Bahraini Triple Crown in 2024 for Sheikh Nasser Al-Khalifa’s Victorious Racing.

Scott’s winning form has continued into the 2025 season, with Phantom Flight securing victory in The Crown Prince Cup, the first leg of the Bahraini Triple Crown. The gelding is now poised to follow in Isle of Jura’s footsteps.

“Phantom Flight has gone from strength to strength physically and mentally in Bahrain. He’s thrived there and has taken a big step forward on his last start. I am very much looking forward to HH Sheikh Nasser’s Cup in a few weeks’ time and then The King’s Cup. Hopefully he can follow Isle of Jura,” Scott said in comments to Great British Racing International.

Reflecting on his successful campaign in Bahrain, Scott praised the teamwork behind his achievements.

“I’ve loved my season in Bahrain. It’s been an incredible success so far; all credit goes to my staff out there and my owners Sheikh Nasser and the City House boys. Those horses have been selected for that purpose and it has gone well so far.”

Scott’s winning touch has also extended to Dubai, where West Acre stormed to victory in the Group 2 Blue Point Sprint. The three-year-old sprinter is now being primed for Super Saturday, with hopes of securing a place on the prestigious Dubai World Cup card.

“West Acre has always been a horse that we held in very high regard at home. It’s been well documented that he picked up an injury in the spring last year which meant he could not have a conventional two-year-old campaign. Last time he gave us one of those moments that rarely happens on the racetrack; he really impressed me with his turn of foot,” Scott said.

Looking ahead, Scott has high hopes for his charge on one of the biggest nights in global racing.

“He will go to Super Saturday now and then onto the Al Quoz Sprint on World Cup night, all being well. He’s shown a liking to the track at Meydan and we are all hoping he can repeat that performance again, because if he does, he will be a Group 1 sprinter. We will then consider long-term plans for him, but the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes over five furlongs (1,006 meters) at Royal Ascot is in the picture.”

Scott’s Middle Eastern campaign extends to Saudi Arabia, where Prydwen is set to make his debut in the Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap on Feb. 22 as part of the Saudi Cup meeting. The seven-year-old, who won the German St. Leger last year, recently finished fourth in a Group 3 contest at Meydan, beaten by just a length.

“Prydwen took a little time to acclimatize to life in the Middle East and I was much happier with him going into his second race. He’s come forward again for that run and I am looking forward to the Red Sea Turf,” Scott said.

“It will be my first runner in Saudi, something that I’ve always wanted to do. We are under no illusions as to how difficult a race it will be but he should enjoy the conditions and the trip. It will be an interesting first runner for us and hopefully we will spend more time there in the future,” he added.

With major targets on the horizon in Bahrain, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, Scott’s presence in the Middle Eastern racing scene is growing stronger by the day. His continued success highlights the increasing global footprint of British trainers and the strength of British-trained horses on the international stage.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Truth About Everything’

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Updated 10 min ago
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Truth About Everything’

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  • Wiest wants to remind people of the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance in today’s often superficial, fast-paced world

Published in 2013, “The Truth About Everything” is a collection of personal experiences by Brianna Wiest which attempts to provide an understanding of love, loss and self-discovery.

One of the strengths of the publication is the author’s writing style. Wiest adopts a tone that provides a reflection of her views without lecturing.

Her straightforward language makes her insights digestible, offering the chance to connect with her, while encouraging personal introspection and growth.

Another fascinating aspect of the book is Wiest’s attempts to motivate readers to acknowledge their deepest feelings and imperfections. She considers this attitude critical to establishing genuine connections and achieve eventual healing.

Wiest wants to remind people of the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance in today’s often superficial, fast-paced world.

Judging from the online reviews, some readers prefer the structure of the book, with its short chapters and quotes.

Other reviewers were more critical and stated that some ideas were repeated or not grouped thematically.

Wiest challenges readers to re-examine what they thought to be true, and urges them to embark on their own spiritual journeys so that they can find their own truths to share with the world.

 


UN experts condemn US sanctions on International Criminal Court and call for reversal

UN experts condemn US sanctions on International Criminal Court and call for reversal
Updated 11 min 43 sec ago
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UN experts condemn US sanctions on International Criminal Court and call for reversal

UN experts condemn US sanctions on International Criminal Court and call for reversal
  • The sanctions, authorized in an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump, sparked a wave of global concern for the future of international justice
  • ‘The order is an attack on global rule of law and strikes at the very heart of the international criminal justice system,’ the experts warn

NEW YORK CITY: Independent experts at the UN on Monday strongly condemned recent US sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court, its personnel and any individuals or entities who cooperate with it.
The sanctions, authorized in an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump on Feb. 6, sparked a wave of global concern for the future of international justice.
The ICC, the world’s top war-crimes court, issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, and Hamas’ military chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Gaza.
The court said there was reason to believe Netanyahu and Gallant intentionally targeted civilians during Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, and used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting deliveries of humanitarian aid to the territory. At the time of the ICC action, the death toll from Israel’s assault on Gaza had surpassed 44,000.
Criticizing the US sanctions against the court, the UN experts said: “The order is an attack on global rule of law and strikes at the very heart of the international criminal justice system.
“The financial restrictions will undermine the ICC and its investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity across the world, including those committed against women and children.”
Trump’s executive order declares that “any effort by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute protected persons” is a “threat to the national security and foreign policy” of the US. It declares a national emergency in response, demanding that America and its allies oppose any actions by the ICC against the US, Israel or any other nation that has not consented to the court’s jurisdiction.
The UN experts denounced these actions, describing them as a dangerous backward step in the fight for international justice.
The experts included Margaret Satterthwaite, the UN special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on human rights of Palestinians in the occupied territories; Ben Saul, the special rapporteur on the promotion of human rights while countering terrorism, and George Katrougalos, an independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order. Their statement was endorsed by several other experts.
“The jurisdiction of the ICC has been clearly defined by the Court itself and recognized through international law,” the experts stated. “By sanctioning the ICC, the United States is undermining the ‘never again’ legacy established after Nuremberg, which has been a cornerstone of evolving international criminal law since 1945.”
The ICC was established in 2002 as the court of last resort to prosecute individuals responsible for the most heinous atrocities worldwide, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.
The 125 member states of the court include Palestine, Ukraine, Canada, the UK and every country in the EU, but dozens of countries do not accept its jurisdiction, including Israel, the US, Russia and China.
The experts said the US executive order empowers war criminals and will deny justice to thousands of victims around the world, particularly women and children. It also mocks the global quest to “place law above force” and prevent atrocities, they added.
A core principle of the ICC is its commitment to holding the perpetrators of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression accountable, regardless of nationality. The experts stressed the importance of maintaining a judicial system in which justice applies equally to all.
“Upholding international law is a shared responsibility that strengthens, rather than undermines, global security, including that of the United States,” they said.
They welcomed the expressions of solidarity from UN member states who have reaffirmed their support for the crucial role the court plays in ensuring the principals of accountability and justice around the globe.
Imposing sanctions on ICC personnel is seen as a violation of the basic principles of judicial independence, said the experts, who pointed out that such action stands as a direct contradiction to human rights protections, specifically the fundamental right of individuals to carry out their professional duties without fear of retribution.
Any attempt to impede or intimidate an official of the ICC is punishable under Article 70 of the Rome Statute, the international treaty that established the court. The US sanctions could be viewed as a violation of this provision, which seeks to protect officials from potential retaliation as a result of their work to administer justice.
The UN experts said they have shared their concerns with US authorities and called for a reevaluation of the sanctions.
Special rapporteurs are part of what is known as the special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council. They are independent experts who work on a voluntary basis, are not members of UN staff and are not paid for their work.


Saudi Arabia is already making strides in AI technology, says Abdullah Al-Swaha

Abdullah Al-Swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, speaks to the press during LEAP 2025. (Supplied)
Abdullah Al-Swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, speaks to the press during LEAP 2025. (Supplied)
Updated 12 min 39 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia is already making strides in AI technology, says Abdullah Al-Swaha

Abdullah Al-Swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, speaks to the press during LEAP 2025. (Supplied)
  • Minister speaks about vision for future of AI
  • Kingdom’s notable achievements highlighted

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is making strides in AI technology, said Abdullah Al-Swaha, the minister of communications and information technology, during the ministry’s flagship conference LEAP.

Responding to a question from Arab News, Al-Swaha told the press about his vision for the future of artificial intelligence in the Kingdom in the next five years, highlighting some of the country’s most notable achievements so far.

He spoke about the decision-making AI platform provider Intelmatix which he called “the No. 1 startup in the region, (with) $20 million of funding.”

Al-Swaha also highlighted the Saudi startup NanoPalm, which aims to tackle sickle cell disease by using nanoparticles, and Fathom.io, a platform that enables organizations to accelerate decision-making.

“When it comes to autonomous AI, we have Dr. Khaliel doing the first fully robotic heart transplant,” he said, referring to King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center’s Dr. Feras Khaliel who, in 2024, used robotic technology to replace the heart of a 16-year-old.

“So, we are making strides and rest assured we are committed, with royal guidance and support and in partnership with all of the global innovators, and the Kingdom will continue to be the hub for generative AI, GenTech, and autonomous AI, powered by talent and technology.”

He also noted his admiration for the leadership skills of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, adding: “I have the humble pleasure of learning from him; have the ability to anticipate market transitions; and be able to decisively allocate resources and have a wonderful opportunity to zoom in and zoom out. These are the three traits that I am learning from our royal highness.

“When we first pitched to him all of our ambitions in artificial intelligence, he said it’s not only about hardware, but it’s about applications and services.

“It’s not about models, as some of them might be commoditized; it is about the diffusion of these technologies across industries.”

He added: “Fast forward to today, and the DeepSeek moment, the ChatGPT moment, have shown us that it is hardware and software, applications and adoption, and the Kingdom is already making strides in generative AI, GenTech AI, and autonomous AI.”

Boasting the theme “Into New Worlds,” LEAP 2025 aims to expand business networking and investment opportunities in the tech sector.

The event, which runs until Feb. 12 in Riyadh, plays a critical role in Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global technology hub, aligning with its Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy. As part of this initiative, the Kingdom has pledged $100 billion toward advancing its technology sector.

LEAP 2025 is co-organized by Tahaluf and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in partnership with Informa PLC, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, and the Events Investment Fund.

This year’s LEAP is expected to host more than 680 tech startups, 1,100 speakers, 1,800 technology brands, and over 170,000 visitors.

 

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Life’s Devices’ by Steven Vogel

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Life’s Devices’ by Steven Vogel
Updated 15 min 43 sec ago
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Life’s Devices’ by Steven Vogel

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Life’s Devices’ by Steven Vogel

Life on Earth is subject to the pull of gravity, the properties of air and water, and the behavior of diffusing molecules, yet such physical factors are constraints that drive evolution and offer untold opportunities to creatures of all sizes.

In this lively introduction to the science of biomechanics, Steven Vogel invites you to wonder about the design of the plants and animals around us.

You will learn why a fish swims more rapidly than a duck can paddle, and why healthy trees more commonly uproot than break, among others.