News
WhatsApp Channels Has Started Rolling Out Across The MENA Region
The one-way broadcast tool allows account admins to send text, photos, videos, and stickers to followers, and create polls.
WhatsApp Channels is now being rolled out across the MENA region, with countries including Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Morocco soon to benefit from the broadcast service.
Soon, people across much of the Middle East and North Africa will benefit from private updates from their favorite celebrities, creators, artists, and sports teams without having to leave WhatsApp.
Moon Baz, Creator Partnerships Lead, Africa, Middle East, and Turkey at Meta, was excited to announce the update, “We’re starting to roll out WhatsApp Channels globally and adding thousands of new channels that people can follow in WhatsApp. We’re also welcoming some of your favorite celebrities, sports teams, artists, creators, and thought leaders that people can follow right within WhatsApp”.
According to Moon Baz, Channels allow admins to send one-way broadcasts via text, photos, videos, and stickers. Users can find Channels in a new WhatsApp tab labeled Updates, which is separate from their regular chats with friends, family, and communities.
WhatsApp users will be able to see recommended Channels based on popularity and region. Similar to regular chats, they will also be able to use emojis to react to updates — though users won’t be able to see someone else’s reaction.
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Channel updates will not be available indefinitely. Meta will store data on their servers for up to 30 days. Admins will also be able to block screenshots and forwards from their channels.
Overall, WhatsApp Channels look set to become an effective tool for getting in touch with your target audience — whether you’re an influencer or a business looking for marketing opportunities.
News
NASA Forms New Partnership With Saudi Space Agency
The pair will collaborate on the Center for Space Futures, advancing space tech by bringing together public and private stakeholders.
Saudi Arabia’s space industry is on the brink of substantial expansion after generating $400 million in revenue in 2022, according to a report by the Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission.
Now, in a new venture with NASA, plans for a “Center for Space Futures” are set to further drive the Kingdom’s aspirations of becoming a leading player in space exploration and technology.
Capturing moments from the joint delegation visit with leaders from the Saudi and American Space Agencies @NASA to @PSU_RUH, along with scenes showcasing the audience's engagement. pic.twitter.com/oB1cFTiRNl
— وكالة الفضاء السعودية (@saudispace) May 14, 2024
The partnership between NASA and Saudi Arabia goes beyond economic advantages. The pair have already cooperated on preliminary work for the Artemis II lunar mission, which is slated for a September 2025 launch and aims to land astronauts near the moon’s South Pole.
Also Read: Plans Underway For Massive Middle East Autonomous Freight Network
During a visit to the capital, Riyadh, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized in a TV interview the broader objectives of the collaboration, which encompass “returning to the moon and then [to] Mars” while utilizing space exploration to glean important insights into climate change. The NASA spokesman also reiterated the space agency’s dedication to collaborating with Saudi Arabia on other future ventures.
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