Singapore AI teddy back on sale after recall over sex chat scare
Singapore, Singapore -- A plushy, AI-enabled teddy bear recalled after its chatbot was found to engage in sexually explicit conversations...
Business
Insurance giant Allianz signals job cuts in AI shift
Frankfurt, Germany -- German insurance giant Allianz signalled Wednesday looming job cuts due to its adoption of artificial intelligence, with...
Business
Geostrategy
At least $53 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, UN estimates
United Nations, United States - More than $53 billion will be required to rebuild Gaza and end the "humanitarian catastrophe" that...
- The global body said in a report that a "political and security framework" must also be put in place so that recovery and rebuilding can begin
- Much of Gaza -- including schools, hospitals and other civic infrastructure -- has been reduced to rubble by a withering Israeli military offensive
Geostrategy
Egypt to present ‘vision’ for Gaza reconstruction without displacement amid Trump threat to halt aid
The statement came a day after US President Donald Trump said he could "conceivably" halt aid to Egypt and Jordan...
- The foreign ministry said Egypt "hopes to cooperate" with Trump's administration on the matter, with the goal of "reaching a fair settlement of the Palestinian cause"
- It said its plan would provide for the reconstruction of Gaza "in a clear and decisive manner that ensures the Palestinian people stay on their land
Geostrategy
Jordan king set for tense Trump talks as Gaza truce under strain
The talks come a day after Trump said he could "conceivably" halt billions of dollars in US aid to both...
- King Abdullah is a key US ally but last week rejected "any attempts" to take control of the Palestinian territories and displace its people.
- Every year, Jordan receives around $750 million in economic assistance from Washington and another $350 million in military aid.
Business
Chinese auto giant BYD to integrate DeepSeek, broaden self-driving tech
BYD will install its "God's Eye" autonomous driving system in at least 21 models, including the Seagull budget hatchback priced...
- The company also said it would integrate AI startup Deepseek's software into its cars, following domestic peers such as Geely, Great Wall Motors, and Leapmotor
- BYD is Tesla's biggest rival in China and increasingly abroad, and Monday evening's announcement led analysts to suggest a new price war might be on the horizon
Trump warns ‘all hell’ will break loose if Gaza hostages not returned after Hamas delays exchanges
The January 19 truce halted 15 months of Gaza fighting, freeing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but tensions...
- The truce that went into effect on January 19 largely halted more than 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip saw five groups of Israeli hostages freed
- But tensions have been running high since a shock proposal by Trump to take over the Gaza Strip and remove its more than two million inhabitants
Geostrategy
Under US takeover plan, Palestinians will have no right of return to Gaza: Trump
Trump told Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier that "I would own it" and that there could be as many as...
- Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Sunday that the thinking behind Netanyahu's remarks "is unacceptable and reflects a complete detachment from reality"
- The Saudi foreign ministry stressed its "categorical rejection to such statements that aim to divert attention from the continuous crimes in Gaza
Geostrategy
Egypt to host emergency Arab summit on Palestinians: foreign ministry
Cairo, Egypt -- Egypt will host a summit of Arab nations on February 27 to discuss "the latest serious developments" concerning...
- The "emergency Arab summit" comes as Egypt has been rallying regional support against US President Donald Trump's plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan.
- The remarks have prompted global backlash, and Arab countries have firmly rejected the proposal, insisting on an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Geostrategy
Iran ready to negotiate with US but not under ‘maximum pressure’: minister
In 2015, Iran struck a landmark deal with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia to regulate its...
- In 2015, Iran struck a landmark deal with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia to regulate its nuclear programme in return for the easing of international
- However, in 2018, during his first term, Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the agreement and reinstated heavy sanctions on Tehran, despite European opposition
Geostrategy
Israel orders negotiators to Doha after fifth hostage-captive swap completed under truce deal
Hamas official Bassem Naim warned that Israel’s "procrastination" in implementing the agreement could jeopardize the ceasefire, as negotiations began on...
- Israel confirmed 73 hostages remain in Gaza, with 34 presumed dead
- Hamas defended the hostages' condition, calling it "acceptable" under Gaza’s crisis
Geostrategy
Israel to receive US-made bombs and Hellfire missiles worth $7.4 bn despite past curbs under Biden administration
The State Department has signed off on the sale of $6.75 billion in bombs, guidance kits and fuses, in addition...
- The proposed sale of the bombs "improves Israel's capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serves as a deterrent to regional threats
- And the missile sale would "improve Israel's capability to meet current and future threats by improving the ability of the Israeli Air Force to defend Israel's borders
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Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
Singapore AI teddy back on sale after recall over sex chat scare
Singapore, Singapore -- A plushy, AI-enabled teddy bear recalled after its chatbot was found to engage in sexually explicit conversations...
Business
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Palestinian factions hand over weapons in largest Lebanon refugee camp
Palestinian factions handed over weapons from Lebanon's largest refugee camp on Saturday, a Palestinian official said, as part of a...
Geostrategy
Israel army says 250,000 left Gaza City for their “safety” since stepping up operations
The United Nations estimated in late August that about one million Palestinians lived in and around Gaza's largest urban centre,...
Geostrategy
Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing caught, widow vows to carry on fight
The widow of prominent right-wing activist Charlie Kirk pledged Friday to carry on her husband's work, after US authorities announced...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Fifty reported dead in Gaza as Israel steps up attacks to capture main city
Israel has said it intends to capture the territory's largest urban centre, which it describes as one of the last...
- Israel has said it intends to capture the territory's largest urban centre, which it describes as one of the last strongholds of the Palestinian militant group Hamas
- The United Nations and members of the international community have warned against the assault for fear it will worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza City
Geostrategy
Jailed Istanbul mayor in court over ‘falsified degree’
Istanbul's jailed opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu went on trial Friday on charges of falsifying his university degree.
- The mayor is a popular figure, regarded as the only politician capable of beating President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the ballot box
- He was detained on March 19 and jailed several days later as part of a corruption investigation, a move that sparked Turkey's worst street protests in over a decade
Business
Market value of camels at Crown Prince Festival reaches $66 million
Taif, Saudi Arabia -- The market value of the camels competing in the final rounds of the 2025 Crown Prince...
- The seventh edition of the festival, organized by Saudi Camel Sports, began on September 2 under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
- The competition featured a total of 249 rounds, with prize money exceeding SAR50 million. The final four rounds, covering a distance of 24 kilometers, will be held on Friday.