OpenAI halts GPT-6.1 Astra release over safety concerns
The decision comes before OpenAI’s annual developer conference, where the company is expected to face scrutiny over AI safety.
Business
70% Saudization for project management jobs from February 2027
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), in partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MOMAH),...
Economy
Geostrategy
OpenAI halts MLK videos as deepfakes spark outrage
Washington, United States -- OpenAI has suspended its Sora 2 artificial intelligence tool from creating videos of civil rights icon...
- The slain civil rights leader's estate and OpenAI said the company would pause generations depicting King while it "strengthens guardrails for historical figures."
- Videos reanimating other dead figures including Malcolm X, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Amy Winehouse have flooded social media since Sora 2's launch on September 30.
Geostrategy
Building a secure future: Key takeaways from WEF’s Dubai meetings
The Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity, held jointly with the Global Future Councils, focused on strengthening global cooperation to enhance digital...
- It convened over 500 experts from government, business, civil society and media, together with 150 of the world’s foremost cybersecurity leaders.
- Participants identified key innovations, policies and business models that could drive meaningful and sustainable economic growth.
Economy
Asian markets rally as Fed cut hopes trump trade war fears
Stocks jumped Wednesday as trade war fears were overshadowed by comments from Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell that suggested the...
- After a volatile couple of days characterised by a fresh flare-up in China-US tensions, investors took the opportunity to jump back into the market and resume a months-long rally
- Powell has for most of the year walked a fine line between trying to keep a cap on US inflation while also supporting the labour market, even as he faced abuse from President Trump
Economy
IMF lifts 2025 global growth forecast, warns of ongoing trade ‘uncertainty’
In its flagship World Economic Outlook (WEO) report -- compiled before the most recent US-China tariff spat -- the IMF...
- The global inflation rate is expected to remain elevated at 4.2 percent this year, and 3.7 percent in 2026.
- The IMF raised its prospects for economic growth for the United States, the world's largest economy, by 0.1 percent this year and next, to 2.0 percent in 2025.
Business
WEF’s Dubai Summit tackles existential digital risks
DUBAI, UAE – A powerful confluence of more than 500 experts and 150 cybersecurity leaders has converged in Dubai for...
- The meeting will inform and drive collaborative solutions to shared challenges.
- This year’s meetings will provide much-needed space to navigate uncertainty, decode emerging trends and strengthen resilience.
Economy
Nobel economist warns of AI dangers amid “amazing possibilities”
Washington, United States - A winner of this year’s Nobel prize in economics warned Monday that artificial intelligence offers "amazing...
- The remarks from Canadian Peter Howitt, professor emeritus at Brown University in the United States, came amid growing concerns about how AI will impact society and labor market
- Howitt was one of three economists honored Monday by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for work on how technology drives and affects growth
Economy
As Trump mulls imposing additional 100% tariff, China says will ‘fight to the end’ in trade war
China said on Tuesday it was ready to "fight to the end" in a trade war with the United States...
- "On the matter of tariff wars and trade wars, China's position remains consistent," an unnamed commerce ministry spokesperson said
- Concerns spiked over the weekend that the trade war between the world's top two economies will worsen after Trump announced extra 100 percent tariffs on all Chinese goods
Economy
AI or inequality tipped for economics Nobel
Stockholm, Sweden - The Nobel economics prize wraps up the 2025 season when it is announced on Monday, as experts...
- Last year it went to Turkish-American Daron Acemoglu and British-Americans Simon Johnson and James Robinson for research into wealth inequality between nations
- For Micael Dahlen, a professor at the Stockholm School of Economics, it is important to look at the disciplines recognised in previous years
Geostrategy
China accuses US of ‘double standards’ over new tariffs threat
Beijing, China -- China accused the United States of "double standards" on Sunday, after President Donald Trump threatened an additional...
- China said on Friday that it would impose "special port fees" on ships operated by and built in the US, calling it a "defensive action."
- The US leader also threatened to pull out of a mooted meeting with Xi at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea.
Economy
Trump says no reason to meet Xi, threatens ‘massive’ China tariffs
US President Donald Trump said Friday he no longer feels the need for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping...
- In a lengthy and unexpected Truth Social post, Trump railed against China imposing export controls on rare earth minerals -- a critical component in modern technology
- "Some very strange things are happening in China! They are becoming very hostile," Trump said in the post, which he sent as he headed for medical check-up at a military hospital
OpenAI halts GPT-6.1 Astra release over safety concerns
The decision comes before OpenAI’s annual developer conference, where the company is expected to face scrutiny over AI safety.
Business
Company News
Latest News
Meta, YouTube face trial over children harm
Geostrategy
Geopolitics, risk aversion and crypto: Why this time may be different
Bitcoin has already endured five consecutive months of declines since reaching an all-time high of $126,500 in October 2025. February...
Opinion
UAE Central Bank to hold rate after Fed pause amid regional tensions
Fed Chair Jerome Powell signalled a cautious approach, noting that elevated energy prices and geopolitical tensions could complicate the inflation...
Economy
Financial frauds cost global economy over $442bn in 2025: INTERPOL
AI-enhanced fraud is 4.5 times more profitable than traditional methods. “Agentic AI” systems can autonomously plan and execute complete fraud...
Geostrategy
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Economy
Middle East conflict: Trade tensions rise as oil jumps and tariffs shake markets
Several ports suspended operations in the Middle East after drone strikes. DP World said operations at Jebel Ali port in...
- DP World said operations at Jebel Ali port in Dubai, one of the world's busiest container ports, had been suspended due to a fire after "aerial interception"
- The direct impact is most acute for energy‑importing economies in Europe and Asia, and a prolonged closure could feed through into higher inflation
Opinion
The shift from innovative to native: Unlocking where real AI value lies
There are, of course, technical hurdles to overcome, too, one of which is modernizing legacy systems. Many enterprises still operate...
Interview
MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse: Ralph Melis
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets are characterized by rapid growth, high owner influence, diverse operator models, and a...
- The real shift is that AI becomes the interface. Users no longer need technical knowledge or experience navigating complex systems.
- They simply prompt their way forward—asking natural-language questions and receiving accurate comparisons, recommendations, and insights instantly.