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Arab News honored in London on its 50th anniversary
Arab News honored in London on its 50th anniversary

Arab News

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • Arab News

Arab News honored in London on its 50th anniversary

LONDON: To mark the 50th anniversary of Arab News, the Global Arab Network hosted on Friday an event at the Frontline Club featuring a documentary preview and a panel discussion on the newspaper's digital transformation and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the future of media. Welcoming guests, Ghassan Ibrahim, founder of the London-based Global Arab Network, commended Arab News, saying it has become 'one of the most trusted newspapers in the Middle East.' 'Global Arab Network works to help people from Arab countries and other parts of the world understand each other better. They support projects that connect cultures, support development, and share news and ideas,' he said. 'Their work is similar to what Arab News does — they both want to bring the East and West closer together.' In his address, Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas said: 'We thank the Global Arab Network for hosting this event and presenting the documentary. We hope that the attendees can benefit from the Arab News digital transformation success story as we all brace for an AI-led future' He added: 'For the past 50 years, Arab News has been at the forefront of technology when it comes to news gathering, verification, research and distribution. We vow to continue on this path, and our latest podcast, launched using Google NotebookLM, is a testimony to our commitment.' The Frontline Club event in London was attended by renowned dignitaries, diplomats and journalists including Saudi Editor Othman Al-Omair, Asharq Network's Nabeel Khatib and Al Majalla Editor in Chief, Ibrahim Hamidi. Members of parliament, lecturers from British universities and former ministers and ambassadors were also among the attendees. The event saw a preview of 'Rewriting Arab News,' a short film about the newspaper's relaunch and digital transformation between 2016 and 2018, which was presented by Global Arab Network. The event paid tribute to the brothers Hisham and Mohammed Ali Hafiz, who launched Arab News as Saudi Arabia's first English-language daily newspaper, from a small garage in their hometown, Jeddah, while depicting the publication's growth and milestones in the runup to it relaunch. The evening also discussed how Arab News is consistently launching new initiatives and projects as part of its preparations for an AI-driven future. 'In 2000, less than 7 percent of the world's population was connected to the internet; 25 years later, more than 60 percent of the world is connected to the internet,' Abbas said. 'We are at the brink of an AI revolution that is already happening, and the evolution of the news industry continues. We hope that Arab news can continue this challenge and thrive under this challenge.' Arab News was established in 1975 under the slogan, 'The Middle East's Leading English Language Daily,' to give Arabs a voice in English while documenting the major transformations taking place across the Middle East. In April 2018, Arab News changed its 43-year-old logo with a new one as well as its motto to 'The Voice of a Changing Region.' The newspaper relaunched with a new design and a new approach to stories that it believed was better suited to the internet age. 'Since 1975, Arab News has been the voice of the Arab world and the newspaper of record for Saudi Arabia and the wider region. As this region changes, and as the Arab world faces new challenges and new political, social and economic realities, so must that voice change. And so must Arab News,' the newspaper said in an editorial on April 4. Arab News is marking its 50th anniversary at a shifting moment, as Lebanon and Syria form new governments and the Middle East prepares for a high-level conference on the Palestinian two-state solution, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, in New York this June. 'It's remarkable looking back at history to see the pattern of how history repeats itself, but sometimes it could be a happy ending,' said Abbas. A panel discussion after the screening of the documentary featured Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu); Juan Senor, partner at Innovation Media Consulting Group; and Abbas. 'Like Arab News, tech giants Apple and Google also started in garages — there's something to be said about that,' Doyle said. He praised Arab News for consistently reinventing itself 'not just to keep up with the times, but to stay ahead of them.' In April, Arab News launched its 50th anniversary collection, highlighting key events that shaped the Middle East over the past five decades, alongside the newspaper's own evolution. As part of its digital transformation efforts and complementing the anniversary project, Arab News released a podcast series last month. Produced using Google's AI-powered research tool, NotebookLM, it features artificial hosts and AI-generated voices recounting pivotal moments that defined the region's recent history. Senor said: 'Arab News has consistently set the standard for English-language journalism in the region, offering clarity and credibility at a time when balanced narratives about the Middle East are more important than ever.' He added: 'Arab News has played a crucial role in elevating regional voices that were often overlooked or misrepresented in international discourse — it's journalism with purpose, not just headlines.' As part of the same series of initiatives marking its 50th anniversary, Arab News hosted a special reception and talk last month in collaboration with Google on the opening day of the Arab Media Summit in Dubai in the UAE. During the May 26 reception, Mona Al-Marri, director-general of Dubai Media Office, Government of Dubai, said: 'I hope that all media outlets in our region follow in the steps of Arab News, because this is when you set a good working model for the whole region. … Arab News is leading this transformation.' In a region where over 50 percent of the population is young, she added, 'we should all follow this model.' In his keynote speech at the event, Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, said: 'Let's all agree that how we create and consume media is changing dramatically. Look at the average attention span, which is eight seconds.' He said the disruptive power of AI — from disinformation to audience mistrust — makes the 'human touch' more vital than ever. 'AI may be the hero of the next media chapter, but self-critique, adaptability and editorial responsibility will define its success,' Belhoul said. Arab News, headquartered in Riyadh, has expanded its digital voice by establishing bureaus in London, Pakistan and Dubai, besides editions published in French and Japanese.

TRENDS enhances its presence at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025
TRENDS enhances its presence at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025

Al Etihad

time29-04-2025

  • Business
  • Al Etihad

TRENDS enhances its presence at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025

29 Apr 2025 11:24 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)TRENDS Research & Advisory continued its successful participation in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025 on its third day, establishing itself as a dynamic platform for intellectual engagement and knowledge exchange through its innovative pavilion, which is equipped with AI technologies that link the intellectual heritage of the past with the pavilion has attracted a distinguished array of officials, authors, researchers, media professionals, and a knowledge-seeking public. Media workshop The third day featured a vibrant set of activities, notably a valuable workshop titled 'Media in Confronting Extremism: A Pivotal Role and Ongoing Challenges', moderated by Ghassan Ibrahim, media expert and CEO Founder and CEO of Global Arab Network. The workshop, attended by Abdullah Aqeedah Al Muhairi, CEO of the National Counseling Center, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Shamiri, Editor-in-Chief of Al Watan newspaper, along with researchers and media professionals, addressed the pivotal role of media in shaping awareness and combating extremist ideologies. It also discussed proactive media strategies in this context, along with the major challenges media faces in countering extremism, including the spread of fake news, difficulty in reaching target audiences, and the evolving rhetoric of extremist workshop further highlighted the growing role of technology and social media in conflict, and emphasised the importance of enhancing collaboration to achieve effective results. Research collaboration In line with its efforts to strengthen cooperation and build strategic partnerships, TRENDS signed two Memorandums of Understanding, the first with the Global Arab Network, aiming for collaboration in research, consultancy and strategic studies. It was signed by Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, and journalist Ghassan Ibrahim, Director of the second MoU was signed with the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity to promote cooperation in areas of training, the adoption of initiatives that serve society, and advance the values of human fraternity, reinforce the role of scientific research, and promote values of tolerance, coexistence, dialogue, and intercultural understanding. This MoU was signed by Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali and H.E. Dr. Khaled Ghanem Al-Ghaith, Secretary-General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity. Game theory A signing ceremony was also held at the TRENDS pavilion for the book titled 'Using Game Theory to Develop Counterterrorism Strategies: Approaches and Objectives', authored by Dr. Khaled Rashed Al-Zayoudi and published by TRENDS. The book presents an in-depth analysis of the significance of game theory in countering terrorist a special podcast episode was recorded, featuring Professor Kai Gallagher and hosted by Meera Al-Zaabi, adding to the rich lineup of discussions hosted at the visitsTRENDS' pavilion was visited by Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, who browsed the center's latest research publications and praised its efforts in supporting and empowering young also received Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council; Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai; Lütfullah Göktaş, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the UAE; Yasser Al-Gargawi, Director-General of Sandooq Al Watan; Saeed Hamdan Al-Tunaiji, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center; Professor Ahmed Murad, Acting Vice Chancellor of the UAE University; Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; Dr. Sultan Mohammed Al-Nuaimi, Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research; Dr. Sultan Al-Amimi, Chairman of the Emirates Writers Union; Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre; Mohammed Al Hammadi, Acting Director-General of the Emirates News Agency (WAM); Dr. Hamad Al Kaabi, CEO of Aletihad News Center; Naama Al Mansoori, former member of the Federal National Council; and Dr. Amal Al Mesafri, consultant in talent development strategies. The guests expressed great interest in the center's research outputs and its role in enriching the intellectual and knowledge landscape at both regional and international levels. They were introduced to the various activities and events organised by TRENDS at the fair and praised the center's efforts in producing in-depth research and studies that contribute to understanding contemporary issues and offering valuable insights to policymakers, researchers, and the general public. They commended the center's role in promoting a culture of scientific research and knowledge, building bridges of collaboration with different institutions and concerned entities, and stressed the importance of integrated efforts between research institutions and think tanks in spreading the culture of research and supporting the knowledge society.

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