China says balance between AI development, security ‘urgently requires consensus’
China's Premier Li Qiang warned Saturday that artificial intelligence development must be weighed against the security risks, saying global consensus...
Economy
UN chief blasts ‘lack of compassion’ for Palestinians in Gaza
United Nations, United States -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday slammed the international community for turning a blind eye...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Lebanon approves sea border deal with Israel: President Michel Aoun
It comes after Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Wednesday said the agreement would make conflict with Lebanon's Iran-backed militant...
- The deal had faced hurdles, with a major source of friction being the Karish gas field, which Israel insisted fell entirely within its waters and was not a subject of negotiation.
- Lebanon reportedly claimed part of the field and Hezbollah, which holds huge sway in Lebanon, threatened attacks if Israel began production at Karish.
Business
5.3 billion cell phones to become waste in 2022
Defunct cell phones are just the tip of the 44.48-million-ton iceberg of global electronic waste generated annually that isn't recycled.
- Despite containing valuable gold, copper, silver, palladium and other recyclable components, these devices will be dumped or incinerated, causing environmental harm.
- Studies show 46 percent of the 8,775 households surveyed considered potential future use as the main reason for hoarding small electrical and electronic equipment.
Business
VW, Horizon Robotics plan JV
JV will help in strengthening VW's presence in China.
- Volkswagen's software arm Cariad will hold a 60 percent stake in the new company, with the deal set to close in the first half of 2023.
- As part of its transition to electric vehicles, Volkswagen has long been investing in China.
Business
Infosys Q2 profit at US$731.4m
The firm approved a $1 billion share buyback after Q2 result.
- Tech companies have benefited from higher digital services demand since the pandemic,.
- Infosys also reported a marginally lower employee attrition rate - a key metric for IT companies - compared to the previous quarter.
Business
Fast Retailing posts yearly net profit at US$1.86bn
Firm owns Uniqlo, Comptoir des Cotonniers clothing brands.
- Following years of aggressive global expansion, Fast Retailing is one of the world's biggest clothing retailers.
- As well as Uniqlo, it owns the clothing brands Theory, Comptoir des Cotonniers and lingerie label Princesse Tam Tam.
Economy
UN says half the world unprepared for disasters
The UN agencies for weather and for disaster risk reduction found countries with poor early warning systems on average see...
- Proper early warning systems for floods, droughts, heatwaves, storms or other disasters allow for planning to minimize adverse impacts
- The number of people affected by disasters had doubled from an average of 1,147 per 100,000 per year between 2005 and 2014, to 2,066 from 2012 to 2021, the UN report said
Business
Musk jokes new perfume launch to fund Twitter purchase
Musk is expected to complete a $44-billion takeover of Twitter by the end of the month. If he fails to...
- The world's richest man's Twitter bio now describes him as a "Perfume Salesman" and a link to the product's sale page is included as a pinned tweet
- The ad for the perfume shows a ruby red bottle with the name engraved on the front in script and its tagline reads, "The Essence of Repugnant Desire"
Science
World’s first space tourist plans new flight to Moon with SpaceX
Musk has promised the rocket will complete its first orbital test this year, and a version of Starship has already...
- The weeklong mission would see Starship fly within 125 miles of the lunar surface before returning home
- The voyage will take place after Elon Musk's company has finished developing its prototype Starship rocket
Geostrategy
Moroccan dissident on new hunger strike over travel ban
Known for his criticism of the authorities, Monjib was sentenced in January last year to 12 months in prison, after...
- The 61-year-old said security officials had prevented him from boarding a flight from Rabat airport to take part in a cultural event in Spain
- Several journalists critical of Morocco's government have been imprisoned in recent years for sex crimes, accusations they have denied
Science
Human brain cells implanted in rats offer research gold mine
Researchers implanted the groupings of human brain cells, called organoids, into the brains of young rats. The rats' age was...
- Scientists can assemble small sections of human brain tissue made from stem cells in petri dishes, and have already done so with more than a dozen brain regions
- But in dishes, "neurons don't grow to the size which a human neuron in an actual human brain would grow," said Sergiu Pasca, the study's lead author
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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
China says balance between AI development, security ‘urgently requires consensus’
China's Premier Li Qiang warned Saturday that artificial intelligence development must be weighed against the security risks, saying global consensus...
Economy
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McDonald Q4 profit up
Business
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Business
Latest News
US, EU to impose fresh sanctions on Iran following recent missile attack on Israel
The United States announced Tuesday that it was preparing new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone program after last weekend’s...
Geostrategy
Dubai airport diverts flights as ‘exceptional weather’ hits Gulf
Dubai, the Middle East's financial centre, has been paralyzed by the torrential rain that caused floods across the UAE and...
Global ocean summit nets $10 billion in pledges: Greek PM
Athens, Greece -- An international summit on saving the oceans netted $10 billion in pledges, the prime minister of host country...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Jordan says won’t become ‘theatre of war’ between Israel and Iran
If the Gaza war raging since October 7 has created tough challenges for Jordan, it now faces the additional threat...
- Jordan was among a group of nations that helped Israel shoot down missiles, rockets and attack drones launched by Iran
- Jordan stressed its aim was to safeguard its own sovereignty rather than defend Israel
Heavy storms soak Gulf as Oman toll rises to 18
Flooding hit many areas of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, and cut off major roads, snarling traffic and...
- Flights were cancelled in Dubai, the region's financial hub, while schools were shut in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain
- Flooding hit many areas of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, and cut off major roads, snarling traffic and leaving cars stranded
Economy
Equities sink, oil rallies on fears of Iran-Israel conflict
Stock markets fell and oil prices climbed Tuesday on growing fears of a wider war in the Middle East after...
- The selling came after Wall Street's three main indexes tanked
- Investors appeared to ignore figures showing China's economy grew 5.3 percent in Q1, 2024