Kremlin says it made no deals with Telegram boss Durov

Kremlin says it made no deals with Telegram boss Durov
Moscow tried and failed to block Telegram, which has almost 1 billion users, in 2018, and has demanded the platform hand over data in the past, something Pavel Durov says he refused to do. (AFP)
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Updated 30 August 2024
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Kremlin says it made no deals with Telegram boss Durov

Kremlin says it made no deals with Telegram boss Durov
  • Durov under formal French investigation for suspected complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, child sex abuse images, drug trafficking and fraud

MOSCOW: The Kremlin has never made any deals with Telegram boss Pavel Durov, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday, adding that he was not aware of any meetings between the tech entrepreneur and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A French judge put Russian-born Durov under formal investigation on Wednesday for suspected complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, child sex abuse images, drug trafficking and fraud.
Durov’s lawyer said on Thursday it was “absurd” to suggest he should be held responsible for any crimes committed on the app.
“There were no negotiations between Durov and the Kremlin,” Peskov told reporters. “And the fact that he visited Russia, well, he is a Russian citizen, he moves freely, so naturally he visited Russia.
“There were no deals between the Kremlin and Durov,” Peskov said in response to further questions.
Peskov said that as far as he was aware, Putin and Durov had never met.
Russia, after years of pressure on Durov and his tech ventures, has rallied behind him, with Peskov this week saying that the case against him should not become political persecution.
Moscow tried and failed to block Telegram, which has almost 1 billion users, in 2018, and has demanded the platform hand over data in the past, something Durov says he refused to do.
The case has plunged Franco-Russian relations to new lows, according to Moscow, where some pro-Kremlin figures have accused Washington of being behind the detention of Durov, something Paris has denied.


Netflix announces major revamp of app homepage

Netflix announces major revamp of app homepage
Updated 07 May 2025
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Netflix announces major revamp of app homepage

Netflix announces major revamp of app homepage
  • Redesign features enhanced personalization and improved recommendations, as well as vertical videos on mobile devices

DUBAI: Streaming giant Netflix will begin rolling out a major revamp of its TV app’s homepage next week.

The new design “is simpler, more intuitive, and better represents the breadth of entertainment on Netflix today,” the company’s chief product officer, Eunice Kim, said on Tuesday.

It includes a navigation bar at the top of the screen, rather than the current position on the left, and more-responsive recommendations while a user browses the app.

Netflix’s chief technology officer Elizabeth Stone said that in making these recommendations the service “will pull in more signals,” such as search history and the trailers watched by a user.

“And because everything will happen seamlessly in the background, you won’t even notice it happening — it will just be magically easier to find something to watch,” she added.

The overall design will be more minimalist and cleaner, providing all the relevant information about a title in one place so as to reduce “eye gymnastics” and help users make an “informed choice,” Kim said.

The mobile app is also getting an overhaul, as Netflix tests the use of the favored video format on social media: vertical viewing. The vertical feed will feature clips from movies and TV shows that users can browse and then click on to visit to a title’s home page.

Netflix has previously used artificial intelligence technology across the platform for features such as recommendations but now, with advances in generative AI, it aims to go a step further by showcasing titles in more languages and including chatbot-like functionality.

For example, viewers can use conversational phrases such as “I want to watch something scary but not too scary” to search for content.

“Believe it or not, that search phrase will actually yield results in the new experience,” said Stone.

The company is also investing further in its content-delivery network, Open Connect, which optimizes streaming globally across differing internet speeds.

“Open Connect has given us a really strong foundation and now we’re building on that foundation as we deliver a broader and more complex variety of entertainment, including live events and games on TV,” Stone said.

“Entertaining the world is hard but technology makes it easier.”


Bill Gates says AI key for health, education innovation

Bill Gates says AI key for health, education innovation
Updated 07 May 2025
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Bill Gates says AI key for health, education innovation

Bill Gates says AI key for health, education innovation
  • Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said artificial intelligence will play a key role in unlocking new tools for health, education and agriculture at a meeting with Indonesia's president on Wednesday

JAKARTA: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said artificial intelligence will play a key role in unlocking new tools for health, education and agriculture at a meeting with Indonesia's president on Wednesday.
Indonesia is Southeast Asia's biggest economy and has a population of around 280 million across its sprawling archipelago, with a growing demand for data centres and AI tech in the region.
Gates visited President Prabowo Subianto and Indonesian philanthropists in the capital Jakarta, where he spoke about his optimism that AI-driven innovation will help tackle global challenges.
"AI is going to help us discover new tools. And even in the delivery of health and education and agriculture advice, we'll be using AI," he told a meeting.
"Once we finish (eradicting) polio, we'd like to try and eradicate measles and malaria as well. We have some new tools for that. And of course, part of my optimism about the innovation is because we have now artificial intelligence."
UN agencies have been campaigning for four decades to eradicate polio, most often spread through sewage and contaminated water.
The billionaire philanthropist has donated more than $159 million to Indonesia since 2009, mostly to the health sector including to fund vaccines, Prabowo said.
Gates later visited an elementary school in Jakarta alongside Prabowo to see students having free meals as part of a programme launched by the Indonesian leader.
Prabowo also announced plans to give Gates Indonesia's highest civilian award for his "contribution to the Indonesian people and the world".
Microsoft chief executive officer Satya Nadella last year pledged a $1.7 billion investment in AI and cloud computing to help develop Indonesia's AI infrastructure.


Dozens of former Eurovision contestants call for Israel ban from contest

Dozens of former Eurovision contestants call for Israel ban from contest
Updated 06 May 2025
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Dozens of former Eurovision contestants call for Israel ban from contest

Dozens of former Eurovision contestants call for Israel ban from contest
  • 72 artists accused the EBU of double standards, ‘normalizing and whitewashing’ alleged Israeli war crimes
  • Open letter criticizes organizers for last year’s ‘disastrous’ contest

LONDON: A group of 72 former Eurovision contestants has called on the European Broadcasting Union to ban Israel and its national broadcaster, KAN, from this year’s song contest, citing the country’s war in Gaza.

In an open letter published Tuesday, the artists accused the EBU of “normalizing and whitewashing” alleged Israeli war crimes by allowing the country’s participation.

“By continuing to platform the representation of the Israeli state, the EBU is normalizing and whitewashing its crimes,” the letter said, adding that the organization’s handling of last year’s contest in Sweden was “disastrous,” resulting in “the most politicized, chaotic and unpleasant edition in the competition’s history.

“Last year, we were appalled that the EBU allowed Israel to participate while it continued its genocide in Gaza broadcast live for the world to see,” it said.

“Rather than acknowledging the widespread criticism and reflecting on its own failures, the EBU responded by doubling down — granting total impunity to the Israeli delegation while repressing other artists and delegations.”

Among those signing the letter are the UK’s 2023 entrant Mae Muller, Ireland’s 1994 Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan, Finnish singer Kaija Karkinen and Portuguese performer Fernando Tordo.

Controversy surrounding Israel’s participation has grown since last year, when the EBU resisted mounting pressure to ban the country despite its military campaign in Gaza.

Critics accused the EBU of double standards, citing Russia’s exclusion from the contest in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.

“Silence is not an option,” the letter said. “The EBU has already demonstrated that it is capable of taking measures, as in 2022, when it expelled Russia from the competition. We don’t accept this double standard regarding Israel.”

The appeal comes amid increasing scrutiny over Israel’s inclusion in this year’s contest, which will take place in Basel, Switzerland, from May 13-17.

Last week, the EBU lifted a ban on Palestinian flags in the audience, reversing a longstanding policy that prohibited symbols from non-competing countries or territories.

Officials in several countries — including Spain, Iceland and Slovenia — have also voiced objections. Slovenia publicly protested Israel’s inclusion earlier this month.

Despite growing criticism, the EBU has said that Israel’s entry complies with competition rules and will proceed as planned. Large-scale protests are expected during the event.

This year, Israel will be represented by Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack, performing a song titled “New Day Will Rise.”


AFP Gaza photographers shortlisted for Pulitzer Prize

AFP Gaza photographers shortlisted for Pulitzer Prize
Updated 06 May 2025
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AFP Gaza photographers shortlisted for Pulitzer Prize

AFP Gaza photographers shortlisted for Pulitzer Prize
  • Jury praised the ‘powerful images’ from Gaza by Mahmud Hams, Omar Al-Qattaa, Said Khatib and Bashar Taleb

NEW YORK: Four Palestinian photographers from Agence France-Presse (AFP) were finalists for their Gaza coverage in the “Breaking News Photography” category of the Pulitzer Prize, the most prestigious awards in US journalism.
The jury for the award, presented on Monday by Columbia University in New York, praised the “powerful images” from Gaza by Mahmud Hams, Omar Al-Qattaa, Said Khatib and Bashar Taleb.

Photographers for AFP were Pulitzer Prize finalist for their work from Gaza, including this image by Omar Al-Qattaa. (AFP/File)


The AFP photographers’ work encapsulated “the enduring humanity of the people of Gaza amid widespread destruction and loss,” they said.
The Pulitzer nomination crowns an exceptional year for Hams, who also won the News award at the Visa pour l’Image festival in Perpignan and the Bayeux Calvados Prize for war correspondents — two of the most prestigious international awards in photojournalism.

Photographers for AFP were Pulitzer Prize finalist for their work from Gaza, including this image by Said Khatib. (AFP/File)


AFP has provided uninterrupted coverage of the war in Gaza since 2023, when Hamas launched its attack against Israel on October 7, with teams on both sides of the border to guarantee rigorous and impartial information.
AFP’s local journalists are working in perilous conditions in Gaza to document the consequences of the war on civilians.
Since the start of the war, virtually no journalist has been able to cross into Gaza, which borders Israel and Egypt.

Photographers for AFP were Pulitzer Prize finalist for their work from Gaza, including this image by Bashar Taleb. (AFP/File)


“This recognition is a tribute not only to the talent and bravery of these photographers, but also to AFP’s steadfast commitment to documenting events with accuracy and integrity, wherever they unfold,” Phil Chetwynd, AFP’s global news director, said in a statement.
“We are deeply grateful to Mahmud, Omar, Said, and Bashar, whose work gives voice to those caught in the heart of the conflict,” he added.


YouTube sets sights on enhancing Saudi user experience with shift from smartphones to TV

YouTube sets sights on enhancing Saudi user experience with shift from smartphones to TV
Updated 06 May 2025
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YouTube sets sights on enhancing Saudi user experience with shift from smartphones to TV

YouTube sets sights on enhancing Saudi user experience with shift from smartphones to TV
  • Pedro Pina took reporters back in time with a video of early meetings between the YouTube co-founders

ZURICH/RIYADH: YouTube is setting its sights on Saudi Arabia, aiming to shift video consumption from smartphones to television and leveraging the Kingdom’s affinity for the platform. 

As it celebrates its 20th anniversary, the platform envisions a new era for the region, positioning YouTubers like Noor Stars as the next Hollywood stars. Additionally, YouTube is exploring artificial intelligence-enhanced experiences, including dubbing and other innovative features, to engage users on the big screen. 

Pedro Pina, vice president of YouTube in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, told Arab News: “Whether you are talking about Egypt or Saudi Arabia, we want to be the zeitgeist of culture; we want to be the future of TV. 

“As these countries pick up steam in terms of penetration in connectivity, it will happen.” 

According to a study released by YouTube’s internal data, the platform reaches more than 12 million people in Saudi Arabia, over 2.5 million in the UAE, and 600,000 in Qatar over the age of 18 via connected TV.  

Saudi Arabia has developed a significant affinity for YouTube, with 95.8 percent of the population using the platform. As YouTube looks to shift viewing from smartphones to television, it aims to enhance the way content is experienced by audiences in Saudi Arabia. 

TV is now the primary device for YouTube viewing in the US, and viewers in the Middle East are shifting their viewing preferences from the smartphone to the TV. 

During a two-day press gathering to mark YouTube’s anniversary, hosted in Zurich, the platform’s executives gathered to reflect on its growth since its inception in 2005, while highlighting future features and the vision for the region. 

Executives who spoke about the evolution and progression of YouTube included Pina; Amjad Hanif, vice president of product management for YouTube creator products; Roya Zeitoune, head of YouTube’s culture and trends for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; and Geoff van der Meer, vice president of engineering. 

Pina took reporters back in time with a video of early meetings between the YouTube co-founders, showing them discussing the future of the platform. 

He highlighted that between the co-founders, “there were a lot of conversations about where the site was going to be … and what they were going to do about the ability of uploading videos.” 

As YouTube looks to the future, it has four areas of focus: remaining the epicenter of culture, creators becoming the startups of Hollywood, YouTube becoming the new television, and AI being implemented to enhance the experience for viewers and creators. 

“Creators are continuing to be the new startups. Noor Stars is one of the creators who is incredibly successful in the region,” Pina said, adding that she represents one of the success stories in YouTube’s mission: “Give everyone a voice and show them the world. This has been our goal since we began.”

Pina highlighted the strong engagement YouTube receives from viewers across the Middle East, citing the region’s diverse cultures and varied realities. 

When asked what new features can be expected in the region, Pina said: “The solutions will look and feel different in each country (in the Middle East) because they are in different levels of development. 

“For example, the penetration of connected TVs is different in one type of country from another, and therefore the future of TV viewing for creators will also feel different from other regions.”

Among the topics executives discussed was podcasting. With podcasting becoming increasingly mainstream, Pina highlighted YouTube’s newly released statistic: Over 1 billion people interact with podcast content on YouTube each month, and those viewers are watching over 400 million hours of podcasts monthly on their TVs. 

The rise of podcasting as a mainstream media format is not unexpected. As of now, the most viewed podcast episode on YouTube comes from Saudi Arabia’s Thmanyah, a sister publication of Arab News under SRMG, with 140 million views. 

Another topic discussed was the YouTube Partner Program, which allows creators to have sustainable revenue and build a business while pursuing their passions through content creation. 

According to YouTube’s internal data, in Saudi Arabia, the number of YouTube channels making seven figures or more in Saudi riyals is up 40 percent year on year. And in the UAE, the number of YouTube channels making seven figures or more in SR is up 15 percent year on year.

Hanif said that there are currently 3 million YouTubers in the partner program, and more than half a million of them started their channel over a decade ago. 

Hanif added: “That speaks to the sustainability and the thoughtfulness we put into the program to make sure they are able to build a business this year, and YPP gives them the opportunity to continue to build and expand that business.” 

The first YouTube video was uploaded on April 23, 2005, by Jawed Karim, one of the three co-founders of the platform. The video was titled “Me at the Zoo.” Since then, YouTube has grown exponentially, with over 20 billion videos uploaded as of April 2025.