Al Jazeera Arabic's channel on YouTube surpasses 20 million subscribers
In 2024, the channel experienced a significant increase in interaction with its YouTube content. Al Jazeera News accumulated over 4.5 billion views, with the channel's live broadcast achieving more than 1.5 billion views within the year, a record figure for an international news channel.
The channel implemented innovative strategies to enhance Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and develop content formats that align with YouTube's algorithms, thereby attracting millions of viewers globally. This involved a focus on adapting content for the growing use of smartphones by producing news tailored for small screens and translating videos into English to expand its global reach.
Ahmed Al-Yafei, the managing director of Al Jazeera Arabic Channel, remarked: "While we are proud of this achievement, it places a greater responsibility upon us towards our audience, who have trusted us for nearly 29 years. They consider Al Jazeera as the primary and reliable source for news, knowledge content, and matters of global importance, despite the proliferation of competing channels. This success is attributable to the collective efforts of various departments within the network, particularly the Digital Newsroom team."
Ahmed Ashour, the head of the Digital Newsroom, commented: "This unprecedented accomplishment is the result of the team's exceptional efforts, driven by passion and a commitment to the mission of journalism. At Al Jazeera, we consistently set new objectives to engage broader audience segments and reinforce the network's digital dominance, aiming to continue reshaping the digital media landscape and solidify its position as the leading global news platform on YouTube."
Notably, the Digital Newsroom team within the network successfully broadened the YouTube audience base by targeting diverse age groups and geographical regions, achieving over 100 million views in India and Bangladesh alone.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Al Jazeera
Trump says economic growth ‘shatters expectations'. Data says otherwise
The White House has launched an aggressive public relations campaign promoting a narrative of economic strength during the first six months of United States President Donald Trump, with claims of his policies fueling 'America's golden age'. But an Al Jazeera analysis of economic data shows the reality is more mixed. Trump's claims of his policies boosting the US economy suffered a blow on Friday when the latest jobs report revealed that the country had added a mere 73,000 jobs last month, well below the 115,000 forecasters had expected. The only additions were in the healthcare sector, which added 55,000 jobs, and the social services sector added 18,000. US employers also cut 62,075 jobs in July — up 29 percent from cuts in the month before, and 140 percent higher than this time last year, according to the firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas, which tracks monthly job cuts. Government, tech, and retail sectors are the industries that saw the biggest declines so far this year. It comes as this month's jobs and labour turnover report showed an economic slowdown. There were 7.4 million open jobs in the US, down from 7.7 million a month before. The Department of Labour on Friday released downward revisions to both the May and June jobs reports, significantly changing the picture the White House had previously painted. 'For the FOURTH month in a row, jobs numbers have beat market expectations with nearly 150,000 good jobs created in June,' the White House said in a July 3 release following the initial June report. The Labor Department had reported an addition of 147,000 jobs in June. On Friday, it sharply revised down that number to just 14,000. May's report also saw a big downgrade from 144,000 to only 19,000 jobs gained. Even before the revisions, June's report was the first to reflect early signs of economic strain tied to the administration's tariff threats, as it revealed that job growth was concentrated in areas such as state and local government and healthcare. Sectors more exposed to trade policy – including construction, wholesale trade, and manufacturing – were flat. Meanwhile, leisure and hospitality showed weak growth, even in peak summer, reflecting falling travel demand both at home and abroad. The administration also claimed that native-born workers accounted for all job gains since January. That assertion is misleading as it implies that no naturalised citizens or legally present foreign workers gained employment. However, it is true that employment among foreign-born workers has declined – by over half a million jobs – claims that native-born workers are replacing foreign-born labour, are not supported by the jobs data. Jobs lost in sectors with high foreign-born employment, including tech, have been abundant, driven by tariffs and automation, particularly AI. In fact, recent layoffs in tech have been explicitly attributed to AI advancements, not labour displacement by other groups. Companies including Recruit Holdings — the parent company of Indeed and Glassdoor, Axel Springer, IBM, Duolingo and others have already made headcount reductions directly attributed to AI advancements. Wage growth The pace of rise of wage growth, an indicator of economic success, has slowed in recent months. That is partly due to the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates steady in hopes of keeping inflation stable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, wages have been outpacing inflation since 2023, after a period of declining real wages following the COVID pandemic. Wage growth ticked up by 0.3 percent in July from a month prior. Compared with this time last year, wage growth is 3.9 percent, according to Friday's Labor Department jobs report. Earlier this year, the White House painted a picture that wage growth differed between the era of former President Joe Biden and now under Trump because of policy. 'Blue-collar workers have seen real wages grow almost two percent in the first five months of President Trump's second term — a stark contrast from the negative wage growth seen during the first five months of the Biden Administration,' the White House said in a release. However, Biden and Trump inherited two very different economies when they took office. Biden has to deal with a massive global economic downturn driven by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump, on the other hand, during his second term, inherited 'unquestionably the strongest economy' in more than two decades, per the Economic Policy Institute, particularly because of the US economy's rebound compared with peer nations. Inflation Inflation peaked in mid-2022 during Biden's term at 9 percent, before falling steadily because of the Federal Reserve's efforts to manage a soft landing. A July 21 White House statement claimed, 'Since President Trump took office, core inflation has tracked at just 2.1 percent.' On Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessett said 'inflation is cooling' in a post on X. However, the Consumer Price Index report, which tracks core inflation – a measure that excludes the price of volatile items such as food and energy – was 2.9 percent in the most recent report and overall inflation was at 2.7 percent in June. Prices The most recent Consumer Price Index report, published July 15, shows that on a monthly basis, prices on all goods went up in June by 0.3 ,percent which is 2.7 percent higher from this time last year. Grocery prices in particular are up 2.4 percent from this time last year and 0.3 percent from the prior month. The cost of fruits and vegetables went up 0.9 percent, the price of coffee increased by 2.2 percent and the cost of beef went up 2 percent. New pending tariffs on Brazil, as Al Jazeera previously reported, could further drive up the cost of beef in the months to come. Trump has pointed to falling egg prices in particular as evidence of economic success, after Democrats attacked his administration over their price in March. He has even gone so far as to claim that prices are down by 400 percent. That figure is mathematically impossible – a 100 percent decrease would mean eggs are free. During the first few months of Trump's term egg prices surged, and then dropped due to an outbreak of, and then recovery from, a severe avian flue outbreak, which had been hindering supply – not because of any specific policy intervention. In January, when Trump took office egg prices were $4.95 per dozen as supply was constrained by the virus. By March, the average egg price was $6.23. But outbreak and high prices drove away consumers, allowing farmers with healthier flocks to catch up on the supply side. As a result, prices fell to an average of $3.38. That would be a 32 percent drop since the beginning of his term and a 46 percent drop from their peak price – far from the 400 percent Trump claimed. Trump also recently said petrol prices are at $1.98 per gallon ($0.52 per litre) in some states. He doubled down on that again on Wednesday. That is untrue. There is not a single state that has those petrol prices. According to Gasbuddy, a platform that helps consumers find the lowest prices on petrol, Mississippi at $2.70 a gallon ($0.71 per litre) has the cheapest gas, and the cheapest petrol station in that state is currently selling gas at $2.37 ($0.62 per litre). AAA, which tracks the average petrol price, has it at $3.15 per gallon ($0.83 per litre) nationwide, this is up from the end of January when it was $3.11 ($0.82 per litre). While petrol prices have gone down since Trump took office, they are nowhere close to the rate he has continually suggested. In July 2024, for instance, the average price for a gallon of petrol nationwide was $3.50 ($0.93 per litre). GDP On Wednesday, the White House said that 'President Trump has reduced America's reliance on foreign products, boosted investment in the US', citing the positive GDP data that had come out that morning. That is misleading. While the US economy grew at a 3 percent annualised rate in the second quarter, surpassing expectations, that was a combination of a rebound after a weak first quarter, a drop in imports – which boosted GDP, and a modest rise in consumer spending. The data beneath the headline showed that private sector investment fell sharply by 15.6 percent and inventories of goods and services declined by 3.2 percent, indicating a slowdown. Manufacturing The administration recently highlighted gains in industrial production, pointing to a boost in domestic manufacturing. Overall, there was a 0.3 percent increase in US industrial production in June. That was after stagnating for two months. There have been isolated gains, such as increases in aerospace and petroleum-related sectors—1.6 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively. But production of durable goods — items that are not necessarily for immediate consumption— remained flat, and auto manufacturing fell by 2.6 percent last month as tariffs dampened demand. Mining output also decreased by 0.3 percent. According to the Department of Commerce's gross domestic product report, manufacturing growth among non-durable goods has slowed. While there was a 1.3 percent increase, that's a decline from 2.3 percent in the previous quarter. This could change in the future, as several companies across a range of sectors have pledged to increase US production, including carmaker Hyundai and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, which just pledged a $50bn investment over the next five years. Trade deals and tariffs In April, the White House replaced country-specific tariffs with a 10-percent blanket tariff while maintaining additional levies on steel, cars, and some other items. It then promised to deliver '90 trade deals in 90 days.' That benchmark was not met. By the deadline, only one loosely fleshed out deal — with the United Kingdom — had been announced. As of 113 days later, the US has announced comparable deals with just a handful more countries and the European Union. The EU deal still needs parliamentary approval. Contrary to the administration's claims, tariffs do not pressure foreign exporters — they are paid by US importers and ultimately are likely to be passed on to US consumers. Companies, including big box retailer Walmart and toymaker Mattel, have announced price hikes as a direct result. Ford, for example, raised prices on three Mexico-assembled models due to tariff pressures. To protect their own economies, many countries have pivoted their trade policies away from the US. Brazil and Mexico recently announced a new trade pact. The White House and its allies continue to defend tariffs by highlighting the increased revenue they bring to the federal government, which is true. Since Trump took office, the US has brought in more than $100bn in revenue, compared with $77bn in the entire fiscal year 2024. The price of imports for consumers has only risen about 3 percent, but many expect that will change as the import taxes are passed on to consumers. The White House did not respond to Al Jazeera's request for comment.
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
QIIB gets ‘Leadership Award for Sustainable Islamic Finance' in Qatar by Union of Arab Banks
Tribune News Network Doha QIIB has been awarded the 2025 'Leadership Award for Sustainable Islamic Finance' in Qatar by the Union of Arab Banks, in recognition of the bank's pioneering role and ongoing contributions in this field. QIIB Chief of Corporate Sector Omar Abdulaziz Al Meer received the award on the bank's behalf during the Banks Awards and Commendations of Excellence ceremony, recently organised by the Union of Arab Banks in the Lebanese Capital, Beirut. The event was attended by senior officials and prominent representatives from the Arab and international banking and business sectors. The Union of Arab Banks selected QIIB for the award in recognition of its strong sustainability record and its ongoing commitment to integrating leading environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices into its banking and investment operations. The bank was also commended for its pioneering initiatives in developing products that are in line with the principles of sustainable Islamic finance. On this occasion, QIIB CEO Dr Abdulbasit Ahmad Al Shaibei said, 'We are proud to receive this prestigious award, which affirms our leadership as an Islamic financial institution committed to the principles of sustainable finance. At QIIB, we follow a strategic approach that balances economic growth, environmental preservation, and social responsibility.' He said, 'We extend our sincere thanks to the Union of Arab Banks for this honor, which acknowledges the Bank's ongoing efforts to support the transition toward sustainability. It also reflects our success in integrating sustainability and ESG principles into our operations and future strategies'. Highlighting the bank's long-term vision, he said, 'We believe that sustainable Islamic finance is one of the most important financing models for the future, as it brings together ethical principles, Shariah guidelines, and the goals of sustainable development. It contributes to building a balanced and stable financial system. In fact, we have made significant progress in strengthening ESG practices across our financing and investment activities, and we are systematically working to develop innovative products and services that meet customer aspirations while supporting the national economy.' Al Shaibei further said, 'The bank's receipt of this award reflects the outcomes of carefully planned strategic initiatives introduced by QIIB in recent years, most notably the issuance of its first sustainable sukuk (Oryx) worth $500 million in January 2024. This marked the first issuance of its kind by a Qatari institution and attracted exceptional interest from more than 120 investors worldwide. The sukuk offering followed the launch of our inaugural Sustainable Finance Framework, which aligns with leading international standards and the principles set by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA)'. He said, 'QIIB signed a memorandum of understanding with the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) to advance green finance initiatives and promote sustainable building practices. The bank also introduced its Green Auto Finance product for electric and hybrid vehicles, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and innovation'. The QIIB CEO said, 'The bank will continue to prioritise sustainability and support various initiatives aimed at advancing Islamic banking.' He emphasised receiving the Leadership Award in Sustainable Islamic Finance places an even greater responsibility on us, one that motivates us to keep innovating and to invest in sustainable projects that deliver real, positive impact on the environment and society. This commitment is fully aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan launched by theQatar Central Bank.
Qatar Tribune
7 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
QNB named strongest Arab Bank in 2025 by Union of Arab Banks
Tribune News Network Doha In a new achievement that highlights its banking leadership in the region, QNB, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, was awarded the 'Strongest Arab Bank for 2025' by the Union of ArabBanks (UAB). The award was presented at the Excellence Awards ceremony, recently held in Beirut and attended by a number of Arab banking sector leaders, dignitaries, and international and regional institutions. The award reflects QNB's top performance among regional banks across several key financial metrics, supported by its solid financial position and high credit ratings by the largest three major credit rating agencies: Standard & Poor's, Fitch, and Moody's. It also recognises its status as the most valuable banking brand in the region, according to BrandFinance. This achievement is another testament of the success of the bank's strategy aimed at strengthening QNB Group's geographic footprint across its strategic branches placement that enables the bank to enhance market share and competitiveness. Commenting on this achievement, QNB Group Chief Business Officer Yousef Mahmoud Al Neama said, 'We are proud of this Arab recognition, which culminates QNB Group's efforts to strengthen its position as a leading financial institution in the region. The Group is committed to capitalizing on all promising opportunities to achieve further strong results at the financial and operational levels, in line with its strategy, which includes an ambitious vision and clear objectives for sustainable growth and expansion.' QNB Group is one of the leading financial institutions in the Middle East and Africa and is ranked as the most valuable banking brand in the MEA region. Present in over 28 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa, it offers tailored products and services supported by innovation and backed by a team of over 31,000 professionals dedicated to driving banking excellence, worldwide.
