Santana postpones tour dates over Covid-19 illness
Celebrated rocker Carlos Santana was forced to postpone several tour dates after testing positive for Covid-19, his manager said Wednesday.
The 77-year-old guitar icon "experienced dehydration" before canceling Tuesday's show in San Antonio, and "out of an abundance of caution" is doing the same for Wednesday's performance in Sugar Land, Texas, his manager Michael Vrionis said.
"Mr Santana has tested positive for Covid and is resting at his hotel," Vrionis said in a message posted to Santana's official Facebook. "I am happy to report that Carlos is doing well and will be back on his US Tour this Friday in Thackerville," in the state of Oklahoma, the statement continued.
"We appreciate everyone's well wishes and concern. Carlos is looking forward to seeing you all very soon."
The postponed shows will be rescheduled as soon as possible, according to the post.
Superstar Santana is one of the world's most vaunted guitarists, who soared to fame after his legendary 1969 performance at Woodstock, and put out smashes including Oye Como Va, Black Magic Woman and Evil Ways.
He experienced a career renaissance in the late 1990s and early 2000s with his Grammy-winning, chart-topping Supernatural album.
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Sharjah 24
03-06-2025
- Sharjah 24
Ball game from Myanmar fights for survival in nation under turmoil
The essence of Chinlone "Once you get into playing the game, you forget everything," says 74-year-old Win Tint. "You concentrate only on your touch and your style." Chinlone, Myanmar's national game, dates back centuries. Branded a blend of sport and art, it is often played to music and practiced differently by men and women. The styles of play Male teams in skimpy shorts stand in a circle, using stylized strokes of their feet, knees, and heads to pass the ball in a game of "keepy-uppy," with a scoring system impenetrable to outsiders. Women, on the other hand, play solo like circus performers—kicking the ball tens of thousands of times per session while walking tightropes, twirling umbrellas, and perching on chairs balanced atop beer bottles. The dedication of young players Teen prodigy Phyu Sin Phyo hones her skills at the court in Yangon, toe-bouncing a flaming ball while spinning a hula-hoop—also on fire. "I play even when I am sick," says the 16-year-old. "It is important to be patient to become a good chinlone player." Challenges facing Chinlone However, play has plunged in recent years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2021 military coup, and the subsequent civil war. Poverty rates are soaring, and craftsmen face difficulties sourcing materials to make the balls. Finding respite in the game Despite these challenges, the rising and falling rhythm of the game offers its practitioners a respite. "When you hear the sound of kicking the ball, it's like music," Win Tint, vice-chairman of the Myanmar Chinlone Federation, told AFP. "So when you play chinlone, you feel like dancing." Variations across Southeast Asia Different versions of the hands-free sport known as "caneball" are widely played across Southeast Asia. Regional variants In Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, players kick and head the ball over a net in the volleyball-style "sepak takraw." In Laos, it is known as "kataw," while Filipinos play "sipa," meaning kick. In China, people kicking around weighted shuttlecocks in parks is a common sight. Historical roots Myanmar's iteration of chinlone dates back 1,500 years, according to popular belief. Some cite a French archaeologist's discovery of a replica silver chinlone ball at a pagoda built during the Pyu era, which lasted from 200 BC to 900 AD. Initially, it was a casual pastime, a fitness activity, and a source of royal entertainment. Modernisation of the game In 1953, the game was formalized with rules and a scoring system as part of an effort to codify Myanmar's national culture after independence from Britain. "No one else will preserve Myanmar's traditional heritage unless the Myanmar people do it," said player Min Naing, 42. The spirit of Chinlone Despite ongoing conflict, players still gather under motorway overpasses, around street lamps blighted by wartime blackouts, and on dedicated chinlone courts—often ramshackle open-sided metal sheds with concrete floors. The joy of playing "For a chinlone man, the day he plays is always a happy day. I am happy, and I sleep well at night," says Min Naing. "On the days I don't play, I feel I am missing something." Concerns for the future Win Tint is worried about the declining participation rates. "I worry about this sport disappearing," says master chinlone ball maker Pe Thein, toiling in a sweltering workshop in Hinthada, 110 kilometers (70 miles) northwest of Yangon. "That's the reason we are passing it on through our handiwork." Craftsmanship and quality Cross-legged men shave cane into strips, curve them with a hand crank, and deftly weave them into a melon-sized ball with pentagonal holes, boiled in a vat of water to seal its strength. "We check our chinlone's quality as if we're checking diamonds or gemstones," adds the 64-year-old Pe Thein. "As we respect the chinlone, it respects us back." The struggles of ball makers Each ball takes around two hours to make and earns business-owner Maung Kaw $2.40 apiece. However, supplies of the best-quality rattan he covets from nearby Rakhine are dwindling due to fierce fighting in the state between the military and opposition groups. Farmers are too fearful to venture into the jungle battleground to cut cane, endangering his profession. "It should not be that we have players but no chinlone makers," says the 72-year-old. "I want to work as well as I can for as long as I can."
Campaign ME
02-06-2025
- Campaign ME
Mic check, market shift: why podcasting isn't just a trend
Podcasting has become the new media darling. What started in bedrooms and basements is now reshaping boardrooms and broadcast strategy. What started as a fringe audio format exploded into a full-fledged industry post-2014, with shows like Serial putting the genre on the map and platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts turning creators into household names. Then came COVID-19, the great accelerator of everything digital. People were stuck at home, desperate for connection, education, and distraction – and podcasting delivered all three in stereo. In the Gulf, podcasting took a little longer to catch fire, but once it did, it roared. Arabic-language podcasts began carving a niche that spoke directly to a digitally savvy, culturally rooted audience. And it's only getting louder. The power of podcasts in the Arab World According to data from the Reuters Institute and Statista, Saudi Arabia has the highest podcast listenership per capita in the world, outpacing even the U.S. and the UK. With a young, mobile-first population and aggressive investment in digital media, Saudi has created a perfect storm for podcast growth. The Mo Show, hosted by Mo Islam, stands out as a local success story – featuring high-profile guests, compelling narratives, and a unique Saudi perspective. Lebanon isn't far behind. Sarde After Dinner is one of the most celebrated Lebanese podcasts – smart, bold, and irreverent, it's built a loyal following across the Arab world by offering deep dives into culture, politics, and identity, often over a glass of wine. In Egypt, shows like Podcast Masr are tapping into a rich vein of content around entrepreneurship, lifestyle, and personal development, reflecting a massive appetite for accessible, on-demand audio content. The UAE is also making waves. Abtalks, hosted by Anas Bukhash, is a UAE-based podcast that blends emotional storytelling with high-profile interviews – one of the most-viewed and discussed shows in the region, thanks to its raw and human approach to dialogue. The platforms are paying attention Apple has doubled down on podcasting, launching premium subscriptions and editorially curating regional picks. Last month hosted a session with podcast creators in Apple Stores, Dubai Mall. Spotify continues to expand its Arabic podcast catalogue, with exclusive deals and algorithmic support. Anghami, the MENA region's homegrown streaming giant, recently updated its podcast within its playlists, positioning itself as a serious player in podcasting. So, why does podcasting matter? Because in an age of 6-second attention spans, a 45-minute podcast means someone chose to stay with you. That's gold. Podcasts are intimate, sticky, and powerful. You're not just scrolling past a brand – you're inviting it into your morning run, your school pickup line, your kitchen. For brands, the opportunity is criminally underrated: Embedded ads feel native: They sound like recommendations from a friend—not a pushy banner ad. They sound like recommendations from a friend—not a pushy banner ad. Niche audience targeting is not only possible; it's expected. You can speak directly to startup founders, single moms, real estate investors, or teenage gamers. is not only possible; it's expected. You can speak directly to startup founders, single moms, real estate investors, or teenage gamers. Direct response marketing? Yes, it works. Listeners are more likely to act on podcast ads than almost any other format. According to Edison Research, 64 per cent of podcast listeners say they've bought something they heard about on a podcast. Podcasting isn't just reshaping media – it's shifting influence What's next? The rise of podcast communities. PodClub by Poddster is one to watch – it's already pulled together over 600 members, offering real-time feedback loops, networking, and content co-creation. Even globally, figures like Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan, and Brené Brown have transcended the 'podcaster' label. They're modern-day media empires with more influence than traditional broadcasters in some circles. The mic is no longer secondary to the camera. It might just be the smarter choice. If you're a brand still on the fence, ask yourself this: when was the last time your audience spent 40 uninterrupted minutes with you? Podcasting isn't a trend. It's a storytelling renaissance – and you've still got time to grab a mic. By Rasha Hamzeh, Executive Producer, Luca's Insight Track and Podcast Consultant & Media Strategist.
Gulf Today
29-05-2025
- Gulf Today
Cannes movies
Known for its glamour and prestige, the annual Cannes Film Festival is one of the most highly anticipated events on the film calendar. This week we are taking a look at everything that happened in Cannes where the biggest and most elite names in the film world gathered for premieres and awards. A film that caused a little bit of controversy is 'Eddington' by director Ari Aster. The film tells the tale of a town in Mexico during the early days of the Covid pandemic. With an ensemble cast that includes Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal and Deirdre O'Connell, the movie shows two sides of the Covid story. The two sides being the people who supported mask-wearing and vaccines and the people who didn't. Director-actor Harris Dickinson had previously been at Cannes after playing the lead Ruben Östlund's 'Triangle of Sadness.' This time he was back as a director with his movie 'Urchin' which receieved great reviews from audeinces and critics alike. The film stars actor Frank Dillane in the lead role and tells the story of a man who lives on the streets of London and the stuggles he endures. Despite the dark theme, critics have described the film as being 'energetic and filled with life.' In other news this week, turn to our Health pages to read some expert advice on how to handle chronic stress. There is no one who is immune to stress, especially in this fast-paced world we live in. Experts advise setting small and realistic goals as well as taming the voices in our heads.
