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.
Geostrategy
Iran says enriched nuclear material ‘under rubble’ of facilities hit during Israel war
Tehran, Iran - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that enriched nuclear material remained "under the rubble" of facilities...
Geostrategy
Economy
No alternative to first Ukraine-Russia grain deal: Turkey FM
The foreign minister said that his country does not see any alternative to the original initiative because in his words...
- Turkey, which has maintained a neutral stance in the war, helped mediate the UN-backed agreement
- Exports of grain from Russia have been hit by sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine
Science
AI risks repeating social media mistakes, says Microsoft president
NEW DELHI, INDIA - Breakneck development of artificial intelligence risked repeating mistakes made by the tech industry at the start of...
- AI tools have shown in recent months the ability to generate essays, create realistic images, mimic voices of famous singers and even pass medical exams
- But there are also worries that chatbots could flood the internet with disinformation, that biased algorithms will churn out racist material
Business
Bing, LinkedIn vow more ads transparency
It comes as EU rules on tech platforms enter into force.
- Internet giants must now enforce the milestone EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which demands they protect users online from harmful content.
- Microsoft-owned LinkedIn said in a blog post they had implemented this change for the desktop and mobile version of the network.
Economy
US Federal Reserve prepared to raise interest rates further
The US Federal Reserve is prepared to raise interest rates higher - and hold them there - to bring down...
- After 11 rate hikes in less than 18 months, the US benchmark lending rate now sits at a range between 5.25 and 5.5 percent - its highest level for 22 years.
- The rapid cycle of interest rate increases has failed to definitively quash inflation, which remains stuck above the Fed's long-term target of two percent.
Geostrategy
All eyes on tech firms as strict EU digital rules come into effect
The landmark Digital Services Act (DSA) compels tech companies to better police content to protect European users against disinformation and...
- The first phase of the regulation affects 19 "very large" digital platforms including social media networks, websites and online retailers with at least 45m monthly active users.
- They are: Alibaba AliExpress, Amazon Store, Apple AppStore, Booking.com, Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram, Google's Maps, Play, and Shopping, LinkedIn, Pinterest.
Business
Country Garden withholds repayment vote
The builder has accumulated debts of more than $150bn.
- The company has asked to extend payment on a 3.9 billion yuan ($535 million) note until 2026, originally setting an online vote among bondholders to end on Friday.
- Country Garden's cash flow problems have ignited fears that it could collapse and spread turbulence through China's economy and financial system.
Geostrategy
Kremlin denies rumors it had hand in Wagner chief’s death
The Kremlin dismissed rumors it orchestrated the death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, presumed dead in a plane crash two...
- Russian officials have opened an investigation into air traffic violations but have so far not disclosed details of the probe or the incident.
- President Vladimir Putin broke his silence on the crash on Thursday, offering condolences to the families of the 10 people onboard.
Geostrategy
Denmark to ban Quran burnings, national security ‘main motivation’
Denmark stepped up security earlier this month following the backlash, as did neighboring Sweden which has also seen a spate...
- Hummelgaard said Quran burnings were a "fundamentally contemptuous and unsympathetic act" that "harm Denmark and its interests".
- The proposed Danish legislation would also apply to desecrations of the Bible, the Torah or, for example, a crucifix.
Sudan war ‘threatens to consume the entire country’: UN
The conflict between the army under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by Mohamed...
- In the four months since fighting broke out, more than 4.6 million people in Sudan have been forced to flee their homes, according to the United Nations figures
- UN official said that in Kadugli, in South Kordofan state, "food stocks have been fully depleted, as clashes and road blockages prevent aid workers from reaching the hungry."
Meta’s Twitter rival Threads launches web version
One measure of usership, by company Similarweb, showed that daily active users on the Android version of Threads dropped to...
- A web version of Threads is seen as key to attracting professionals and media types who are the most active users of social media
- The rival to Twitter (now called X) was rushed out in early July by Meta, which invited its more than a billion Instagram users to download the app
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
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.
Geostrategy
Company News
‘Beautiful thing’: hijab-wearing singer looks to inspire
Arts & Culture
Latest News
Turkish opposition calls for boycott over jailed students
The leader of Turkey's main opposition party has called for a boycott on Wednesday to protest the detention of students...
Geostrategy
Trump’s sweeping tariffs spark fears of trade war, recession, and global economic instability
The threat of a trade war has caused increasing political ructions, with Canada's looming general election on April 28 set...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Business
OpenAI says it raised $40 bn at valuation of $300 bn
San Francisco, United States - OpenAI on Monday said it raised $40 billion in a new funding round that valued...
- The infusion of cash comes in a partnership with Japanese investment giant SoftBank Group
- SoftBank said in a release that it is on a mission to realize Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) that surpasses human intelligence
Geostrategy
Iran will have ‘no choice’ but to acquire nuclear weapons if attacked, Khamenei adviser to UNSC
The message was sent to the UN Security Council in a letter by Iran's UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani which...
- Trump said on Saturday "there will be bombing" if Iran did not agree a nuclear deal, and also threatened to punish Tehran with what he called "secondary tariffs".
- Despite the sharpening of Trump's comments, it was not clear if he was threatening a US bombing or an operation coordinated with another country
Geostrategy
Le Pen’s French presidency bid in jeopardy after election ban
A French court on Monday threw into severe doubt far-right leader Marine Le Pen's 2027 bid for president, handing her...
- She was convicted over a scheme to take advantage of European Parliament expenses to employ assistants who were actually working for her far-right party in France
- Le Pen as well as the other officials were banned from running for office, with the judge specifying that the sanction should come into force with immediate effect