Manga Productions, PepsiCo collaborate to feature cult anime ‘Grendizer’ on potato chips

The show has long enjoyed widespread popularity in Arab countries, first airing in war-torn Lebanon on Tele Liban in 1979. (MP/File)
The show has long enjoyed widespread popularity in Arab countries, first airing in war-torn Lebanon on Tele Liban in 1979. (MP/File)
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Updated 26 June 2024
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Manga Productions, PepsiCo collaborate to feature cult anime ‘Grendizer’ on potato chips

Manga Productions, PepsiCo collaborate to feature cult anime ‘Grendizer’ on potato chips
  • Partnership comes ahead of July’s release of ‘Grendizer U’ television series

LONDON: Saudi anime studio Manga Productions on Wednesday announced a partnership with PepsiCo to feature the popular anime UFO Robot “Grendizer” on PepsiCo’s Tasali potato chip packets.

Starting in August, the iconic character from the eponymous series will appear on Tasali potato chips sold across the Gulf countries and Jordan.

Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, or Misk, said that the new partnership “reflects our dedication to meeting the aspirations of ‘Grendizer’ fans and enhancing the presence of the beloved character in the markets.

“Grendizer,” also known as “Goldrake” and “Goldorak,” is a popular Japanese animated television series and manga created by Go Nagai in the mid-1970s. It has achieved cult status worldwide.

The initiative is part of the promotional campaign for the July release of the “Grendizer U” television series, created by Japanese animation studio Gaia and directed by Mitsuo Fukuda, the acclaimed author of award-winning anime classics “Shin Seiki GPX Cyber Formula” and “Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.”

The show has long enjoyed widespread popularity in Arab countries, first airing in war-torn Lebanon on Tele Liban in 1979. The enduring popularity of the show led Manga Productions to acquire the global distribution and marketing rights, excluding Japan.

Ahmed El-Sheikh, CEO at PepsiCo Middle East, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, saying: “At PepsiCo, we are committed to embedding ourselves in both the traditional and popular culture of the Kingdom.

“By embracing the growing popularity of animated content in Saudi Arabia, we aim to create a unique and nostalgic appeal for our consumers.

“This partnership with Manga Productions allows us to bring ‘Grendizer’ back to life on Tasali chips, and we are excited about the opportunities this collaboration will bring.”


Israeli army allegedly using Palestinians as human shields, New York Times reports

Israeli army allegedly using Palestinians as human shields, New York Times reports
Updated 43 sec ago
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Israeli army allegedly using Palestinians as human shields, New York Times reports

Israeli army allegedly using Palestinians as human shields, New York Times reports
  • Testimony describes Palestinian civilians being used to scout for booby traps, shield, search for hidden tunnels, bombs
  • Probe found at least 11 military squads using tactic with knowledge of senior commanders

LONDON: Israeli soldiers have been using Palestinians as human shields in Gaza to minimize their own battlefield risks, according to a New York Times investigation released on Monday.

The report, based on testimony from Israeli soldiers and former Palestinian detainees, reveals that Israeli forces regularly force captured Palestinians, including teenagers, to carry out dangerous tasks during combat operations.

While the full extent of these operations is unclear, the practice — illegal under both Israeli and international law — has reportedly been employed by at least 11 military squads in five different cities in the Gaza Strip. Israeli intelligence officers are said to have been involved in several of the incidents.

In one instance, Mohammed Shubeir, a Palestinian arrested by Israeli forces in March at the age of 17, was held for 10 days without charge. Shubeir claims that during this time he was handcuffed and forced to walk through the streets of Khan Yunis, scouting for booby traps set by Hamas militants.

Another testimony by Jehad Siam, a 31-year-old Palestinian graphic designer, recounted how he and a group of detainees were forced by Israeli soldiers to walk ahead of advancing troops in a militant stronghold in Gaza City, risking their lives to shield the soldiers from ambush or explosives.

The report also alleges that Palestinians were used to move large objects, such as generators and water tanks, and search for hidden tunnels or bombs under dangerous conditions.

These kinds of practices, the newspaper claims, have become more frequent and widespread since the beginning of the conflict.

The New York Times spoke to seven Israeli soldiers who confirmed either witnessing or participating in the practice, describing it as organized and conducted “with considerable logistical support and the knowledge of superiors on the battlefield.”

Eight other soldiers and officials, speaking anonymously, corroborated widespread use of the tactic. Three Palestinians gave on-record accounts of being used as human shields, although the New York Times noted that no evidence was found of detainees being killed or injured.

In response, the Israel Defense Forces issued a statement condemning the practice, emphasizing that its “directives and guidelines strictly prohibit the use of detained Gaza civilians for military operations.” The IDF said it would investigate the allegations.

This is not the first time Israel has faced such accusations. Israeli newspaper Haaretz in August published a similar investigation describing how Israeli soldiers forced Palestinian civilians to wear military uniforms and scout dangerous locations in Gaza under remote supervision.

A practice known as the “neighbor procedure” was used by Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank in the early 2000s, in which civilians were forced to approach the homes of militants to urge them to surrender. Israel’s Supreme Court banned this tactic in 2005, ruling that the use of human shields violated both Israeli and international law.

The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 42,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023. The international community has repeatedly condemned Israel for the high civilian casualty rate, which Israeli officials attribute to Hamas’ tactic of embedding fighters and weapons in civilian areas, effectively using communities as shields.

According to the New York Times, some soldiers have reported being told that the lives of “terrorists” were less valuable than Israeli lives. However, many detainees have been released without charge after officers determined they had no affiliation with any militant groups.


Taliban-run media stops showing images of living beings in some Afghan provinces

Taliban-run media stops showing images of living beings in some Afghan provinces
Updated 15 October 2024
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Taliban-run media stops showing images of living beings in some Afghan provinces

Taliban-run media stops showing images of living beings in some Afghan provinces
  • Kandahar have been advised not to air or show images of anything with a soul – meaning people and animals
  • No other Muslim-majority country imposes similar restrictions, including Iran

ISLAMABAD: Taliban run-media have stopped showing images of living beings in some Afghan provinces to comply with morality laws, an official confirmed Tuesday.
In August, the country’s Vice and Virtue Ministry published laws regulating aspects of everyday life like public transportation, shaving, the media and celebrations reflecting authorities’ interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia.
Article 17 bans the publication of images of living beings, sparking concerns about the consequences for Afghan media and press freedom.
A spokesman for the Vice and Virtue Ministry, Saif ul Islam Khyber, said government media in the provinces of Takhar, Maidan Wardak and Kandahar have been advised not to air or show images of anything with a soul — meaning people and animals.
Khyber said a day earlier that the ministry was responsible for implementing the morality laws.
He did not clarify if the rules affected all media, including foreign outlets, or only Afghan channels and websites.
Nor did he say how the laws would be enforced or if there was a deadline for compliance.
No other Muslim-majority country imposes similar restrictions, including Iran. During their previous rule in the late 1990s, the Taliban banned most television, radio and newspapers altogether.


Lebanese demand justice for journalist killed by Israeli tank fire

Lebanese demand justice for journalist killed by Israeli tank fire
Updated 14 October 2024
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Lebanese demand justice for journalist killed by Israeli tank fire

Lebanese demand justice for journalist killed by Israeli tank fire
  • CPJ chief executive Jodie Ginsberg said that “in spite of extensive evidence of a war crime, a year on from the attack, Israel has faced zero accountability for the targeting of journalists”

BEIRUT, Lebanon: Lebanese journalists and activists Sunday demanded justice for Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed a year earlier in what probes said was Israeli tank fire while covering cross-border clashes in south Lebanon.
Two strikes in quick succession on October 13, 2023 killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, 37, and wounded six other journalists including AFP photographer Christina Assi and video journalist Dylan Collins.
Assi later had a leg amputated and spent five months in intensive care in hospital as a result of the attack.
Two investigations have pointed to an Israeli tank being behind the attack, but Israel has denied it targets “civilians, including journalists.”
Friends and acquaintances on Sunday shared photos Abdallah had taken, or pictures of him.
Legal Agenda, a non-governmental organization, posted on social media: “A year after the killing of photographer Issam Abdullah, Israeli impunity continues.”
Lebanese rights group Maharat called on the international community to “implement treaties, resolutions and commitments to protect journalist.”
In a post on X, journalist Salman Andary demanded “justice for Issam and for all the victims of this crime.”
Economist Jad Chaaban wrote on X: “Israel killed... Abdallah, by shelling a clearly marked press spot in the South of Lebanon.”
“The Israeli army is still carrying out mass executions until today with total impunity,” he said.
After nearly a year of cross-border fire, Israel on September 23 escalated its campaign targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
More than 1,200 people have since been killed in Lebanon, according to a tally of official figures, and more than a million have been displaced.
On Thursday, the Committee to Protect Journalists decried a lack of accountability for Israel over the killing of Abdallah.
CPJ chief executive Jodie Ginsberg said that “in spite of extensive evidence of a war crime, a year on from the attack, Israel has faced zero accountability for the targeting of journalists.”
The journalists were working near the border village of Alma Al-Shaab in an area that has been the site of near-daily clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.
An AFP investigation in December pointed to a tank shell only used by the Israeli army being fired in the attack.
A separate Reuters probe, including initial findings from the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), found two Israeli tank rounds fired from the same position across the border were used.
TNO’s final report said an Israeli tank crew then “likely” opened fire on them with a machine gun.
An Israeli military spokesman said after the strike: “We are very sorry for the journalist’s death,” adding that Israel was “looking into” the incident, without taking responsibility.
 

 


Qatar and Saudi Arabia strengthen media cooperation with new framework agreement

Qatar and Saudi Arabia strengthen media cooperation with new framework agreement
Updated 14 October 2024
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Qatar and Saudi Arabia strengthen media cooperation with new framework agreement

Qatar and Saudi Arabia strengthen media cooperation with new framework agreement
  • Safeguarding supply chains ‘more crucial than ever,’ Saleh Al-Jasser says in opening remarks
  • Inaugural forum will feature 130 speakers and 80 exhibitors from 30 countries

DOHA: Saudi Arabia and Qatar signed on Sunday a framework agreement for cooperation and news exchange between the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and Qatar News Agency (QNA).

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of a meeting between Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Media in Doha.

The meeting between Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and Salman Al-Dossary, which was also attended by Chairman of Qatar Media Corporation Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al-Thani and Saudi ambassador to Qatar Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan, focused on enhancing cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the media sector.

During their discussions, both sides emphasized the importance of deepening relations and expanding joint media initiatives.

The agreement was signed by Acting President of SPA, Ali Alzaid, and Director-General of QNA, Ahmed bin Saeed Al Rumaihi.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar signed on Sunday a framework agreement for cooperation and news exchange between the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and Qatar News Agency (QNA). (SPA)

It will aim to foster collaboration through a range of initiatives, including training programs in editing and photography, the promotion of modern technologies and artificial intelligence in news production, and the exchange of expertise, SPA reported.

The framework also seeks to strengthen ties by facilitating visits between the agencies and creating news and photographic content that highlights achievements, events, and national occasions in both countries, SPA added.


Venezuela cancels passports of dozens of activists and journalists, FT reports

Venezuela cancels passports of dozens of activists and journalists, FT reports
Updated 13 October 2024
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Venezuela cancels passports of dozens of activists and journalists, FT reports

Venezuela cancels passports of dozens of activists and journalists, FT reports
  • People have had their passports confiscated by authorities while attempting to board flights from the country’s main airport, the newspaper reported, citing the rights group

CARACAS: Venezuela has canceled the passports of dozens of journalists and activists since President Nicolas Maduro claimed a re-election victory, part of what rights groups say is an intensifying campaign of repression against the authoritarian president’s opponents, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.
At least 40 people, mostly journalists and human rights activists have had their passports annulled without explanation, the newspaper reported, citing Caracas-based rights group Laboratorio de Paz.
The group warned that the number of people who have had their passports canceled is likely to be much higher due to Venezuelans’ fear of reporting cases, the FT said.
Laboratorio de Paz could not be immediately reached for the report.
People have had their passports confiscated by authorities while attempting to board flights from the country’s main airport, the newspaper reported, citing the rights group.
Unlike murder or torture, which have a higher political cost, the government has found that passport cancelation is an effective way of neutralizing and muffling critical voices with minimal effort, the newspaper reported citing Rafael Uzcátegui, co-director of the rights group.
The report comes after Maduro was proclaimed the winner of the South American nation’s disputed July vote by electoral and judicial authorities, a claim rejected as false by the opposition.