Backed by its sovereign wealth fund, Saudi chases AI ambitions with homegrown firm pitched to global investors
The company, launched in May, is bankrolled by Saudi's powerful Public Investment Fund, which has played a key role in...
Economy
Geostrategy
Polish PM Tusk warns Europe has entered ‘pre-war era’
Russia's invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago upended European leaders' sense of unshakeable post-war peace, prompting many countries...
- War is no longer a concept from the past, It is real, and it started over two years ago, Tusk said in an interview with the European media
- It sounds devastating we have to get used to the fact that a new pre-war era has begun, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said
Economy
Climate change is slowing heat waves, prolonging misery
While previous research has found climate change is causing heat waves to become longer, more frequent and more intense, the...
- "If a heatwave is moving slower, that means heat can stay in a region longer, so that has effects on communities," senior author Wei Zhang of Utah State University told
- Researchers used climate models to determine what the results would have looked like absent human-caused climate change, and found manmade factors loomed large
Business
OpenAI unveils voice-cloning tool
It can essentially duplicate someone's speech.
- OpenAI model called "Voice Engine" can essentially duplicate someone's speech based on a 15-second audio sample, according to the San Francisco-based company
- We have implemented a set of safety measures, including watermarking to trace the origin of any audio generated by Voice Engine, OpenAI said
Economy
IMF approves US$820m as part of Egypt bailout
The IMF action, repeatedly postponed and eagerly awaited by the Egyptian government, arrives at a time of mounting difficulties for...
- The IMF validated the payment as part of a $3 billion aid program granted at the end of 2022
- The board also approved a $5 billion extension announced at the beginning of the month
Geostrategy
US pushes back against claims it eased West Bank settler sanctions
Washington, US--The US Treasury Department pushed back on Friday against claims it had eased sanctions against West Bank settlers after...
- In response to a surge in violence, the US recently sanctioned seven Israeli settlers and two farming outposts in the West Bank
- An Israeli daily reported that the Biden administration had "dramatically" softened its sanctions against these individuals
Geostrategy
Israel’s Netanyahu approves new Gaza ceasefire talks
The go-ahead for a new round of talks on a Gaza ceasefire came a day after the world's top court...
- Talks on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release will take place in Doha and Cairo
- Dozens of people were killed overnight, according to the health ministry in Gaza
Geostrategy
Turkey says Erdogan to meet Joe Biden at White House on May 9
Istanbul, Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with US counterpart Joe Biden at the White House on May...
- The Biden administration in January approved $23 billion in F-16 warplanes for Turkey swiftly after it ratified Sweden's stalled NATO membership bib
- Some analysts additionally linked Turkey's continued delays to Erdogan's anger at Washington for its support of how Israel is pursuing its war against Hamas
Business
Turkish Airlines restarts Libya flights after almost a decade
Istanbul, Turkey - Turkey's flagship carrier, Turkish Airlines, has resumed flights to Libya's capital, almost 10 years after they were suspended...
- The airlines's chief executive, Bilal Eksi, attended a ceremony at Mitiga International Airport on Thursday to mark its first flight to Libya since 2015.
- A company spokesman told AFP on Friday that Turkish Airlines will operate flights to Tripoli three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Geostrategy
US census to include Middle Eastern or North African category
The next US census and federal government forms will include new options for race and ethnicity including a category for...
- "These updated standards will help create more useful, accurate and up-to-date federal data on race and ethnicity," US Chief Statistician Karin Orvis said.
- These revisions will enhance the ability to compare data across federal agencies, and to understand how federal programs serve a diverse America.
Economy
US Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge ticks up as fuel costs rise
WASHINGTON, US – The US central bank's favored measure of inflation edged higher last month on the back of rising fuel...
- The personal consumption expenditures price index rose at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in February.
- Much of the February increase in the cost of goods came from energy prices, which rose 2.3 percent from January.
Most Read
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
Backed by its sovereign wealth fund, Saudi chases AI ambitions with homegrown firm pitched to global investors
The company, launched in May, is bankrolled by Saudi's powerful Public Investment Fund, which has played a key role in...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
Trump’s ‘displeasure’ at prospect of allies recognizing Palestinian state
President Donald Trump has expressed displeasure with leaders of France, the United Kingdom and Canada for saying they plan to...
Geostrategy
Israel says struck Hezbollah missile factory in Lebanon
Israel said it carried out strikes on Thursday on sites used by Hezbollah to manufacture and store missiles in Lebanon,...
Geostrategy
Trump’s envoy Witkoff holds talks in Israel on ceasefire as Gaza criticism mounts
Witkoff has been the top US representative in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas but the discussions broke down last...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Business
Microsoft valuation surges above $4 trillion as AI lifts stocks
Shares of Microsoft vaulted 5.3 percent after it reported $27.2 billion in quarterly profits as it touted massive investments in...
- About 25 minutes into trading, the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index was up 1.3 percent at 21,396.04.
- The gains came as President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with South Korea that imposes a 15 percent tariff on imports from the Asian country.
Geostrategy
‘Gaza, ours forever’: Settlers push to reclaim land amid devastation and political shifts
Within sight of Gaza, the devastated Palestinian enclave ravaged by nearly 22 months of war, hundreds of Israeli settlers marched...
- Israel's withdrawal from Gaza 20 years ago ended 38 years of military presence, and about 8,000 settlers were evacuated and 21 communities demolished
- But a vocal fringe never gave up the dream of return -- and now, amid war with Hamas and with hardliners in government, some believe the time is ripe
Geostrategy
Syrian, Israeli ministers to hold meeting in Baku on Thursday: diplomat
A Syrian-Israeli ministerial meeting is set to take place Thursday in Baku to discuss security matters in southern Syria, a...
- The meeting between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer follows a similar meeting between them in Paris last week
- It will take place after an unprecedented visit by Shaibani to Moscow on Thursday, added the diplomat, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter