12 months ago
Bahrain Post, part of the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, has issued a collection of commemorative stamps in celebration of Bahrain’s National Day celebrations and the 25th anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s accession. The stamps are available at all postal branches and the Postal Museum, priced at BD5 per sheet containing five sets and BD1.5 for a first-day issue envelope.
12 months ago
Move over, BB-8: police in China are now testing a ball shaped robot that “can identify and chase suspects” for the first time. The spherical police robot in Wenzhou, China, features cameras, flashing lights, and a self-stabilizing design, according to the South China Morning Post. Equipped with tools like tear gas, it supports law enforcement and “cannot be smashed”. Authorities say it is also “resilient in hostile environments.” Developed by Zhejiang University’s College of Control Science and Engineering, the 125kg spherical robot addresses challenges faced by wheeled and legged robots. According to Associate Professor Wang You, it can reach a top speed of 35km/h in just 2.5 seconds, Wenzhou Daily reported. Wang You said: “This robot can cope with dangers such as falling or being beaten, and can perform tactical actions such as enemy identification, tracking and capture after modular modification.” “Because it can complete tasks in hostile environments, it can make up for the deficiencies of [Wenzhou police] drones and robot dogs,” Wang added. The SCMP writes that the spherical robot remains functional even under attack, navigating crowds and harsh environments with ease. Equipped with speakers, net guns, and tear-gas sprayers, it enhances patrol efficiency and crisis response. The robot is part of China’s push […]
12 months ago
Countries worldwide have been increasingly imposing tariffs on China’s tech industry to address concerns over economic dependence, national security, and market fairness. These actions reflect a broader trend of escalating trade measures affecting the global tech landscape. This chart, via Visual Capitalist’s Kayla Zhu, shows China-specific tariffs imposed by countries on products from China’s tech sector. This does not include other general tariffs which may also apply to Chinese products. China’s EV Sector Under Heavy Tariffs Below, we show tariffs various countries and regions have imposed on China’s tech industry. Tariffs have gained renewed focus ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, and his pro-tariff agenda. The Biden administration hasn’t shied away from trade measures against China either. In May 2024, the U.S. raised tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles from 25% to 100%–as well as several other products–citing concerns over manufacturing overcapacity and its impact on global markets. Four countries or regions, including the U.S., have specific tariffs targeting China’s electric vehicle industry, which is quickly skyrocketing in market share with exports surging 13,300% to $42 billion in 2023. China currently accounts for nearly 70% of global EV production. China’s EV industry success is driven by comprehensive government support, including manufacturer subsidies, a massive domestic market, and vertical integration in the supply […]
12 months ago
Under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, in collaboration with the National Survey Authority and Google, has launched the first phase of a Virtual Tour project. This initiative aims to provide a unique virtual experience, allowing users worldwide to explore Oman’s breathtaking landscapes, historical landmarks, and modern infrastructure. The project highlights the country’s commitment to digital innovation and its potential to boost tourism and business development.The first phase of the project focuses on iconic sites such as Khor Rori, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Images captured using “Trekkers” devices have covered approximately 36,000 kilometers. The project is set to expand in 2025, incorporating more sites and landmarks to offer a comprehensive virtual tour of Oman’s diverse beauty. This initiative underscores Oman’s position as a culturally and naturally rich tourist destination, accessible to global audiences.
12 months ago
Today, approximately half of the world’s service exports are made on digital platforms. While the top exporting countries of digital services are largely concentrated in developed countries, export markets in India and China are rising significantly. In 2023, India’s digital service exports topped $257 billion, rising by 17% annually. Meanwhile, the value of China’s digital service exports grew by almost twofold between 2019 and 2023 to reach $207 billion. This graphic, via Visual Capitalist’s Dorothy Neufeld, shows the top 20 largest exporters of digital services in the world, based on data from the World Trade Organization. Ranked: The Top Exporting Countries of Digital Services To start, digital services are defined as those that are traded through electronic networks, such as apps or digital platforms. They can encompass a broad range of activities including IT support, media streaming, R&D, and financial services. Given that a higher volume of business and consumer transactions are made online, digital services are making up a growing share of the global economy. Here are the top exporting countries of digitally-delivered services in 2023: With $649 billion in exports, the U.S. is the leading country for digitally-delivered services, at 15.3% of the world total in 2023. Roughly two-thirds of […]
12 months ago
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has announced the launch of Samsung Pay in Saudi Arabia, through the national payment system “mada”. It comes as part of its continuous endeavours to improve digital payment, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. This will help promote financial inclusion and expand the use of FinTech solutions across the Kingdom. Samsung Pay in Saudi Arabia The Samsung Pay service “offers an advanced and secure payment experience, enabling users to easily add and manage their mada cards and credit cards” in the “Samsung Wallet” application. This initiative underscores SAMA’s commitment to developing a “robust digital payments infrastructure, facilitating the transition to a less cash-dependent society by providing advanced digital payment solutions that meet international standards”. SAMA said: “The launch of the Samsung Pay service is part of a series of innovations that aim at meeting the market needs and advancing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global pioneer in FinTech”.
12 months ago
Apple will have its online store in Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2025, as the US tech giant expands its retail footprint in the Gulf after confirming it will add another UAE store, this time in Al Ain. Starting in 2026, Apple will launch physical stores in Saudi Arabia, signalling a major vote of confidence in the biggest GCC marketplace. There had been lots of talk that Apple was close to signing a deal in the Kingdom, and now those have indeed come to fruition. Currently, the Saudi market is served through Apple partners. As part of the expansion, Apple is in the initial stages of a retail store in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Apple has not identified which Saudi shopping destination will get to host the first Apple store in 2026. Among the new Saudi openings, there will be an ‘iconic store at the stunning site of Diriyah coming later’, said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Our teams are looking forward to deepening our connections with customers, and to bringing the best of Apple to help people across this country explore their passions, build their businesses, and take their ideas to the next level.” “Our teams are looking forward to deepening […]
12 months ago
Google CEO Sundar Pichai says the company’s search engine will “change profoundly” in 2025. “I think we are going to be able to tackle more complex questions than ever before,” Pichai said during the NYT’s DealBook Summit on Wednesday. “I think you’ll be surprised, even early in ‘25, the kind of newer things Search can do compared to where it is today.” Pichai also responded to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s comment from earlier this year, in which he said Google should’ve been the “default winner” in the AI race. “I would love to do a side-by-side comparison of Microsoft’s own models and our models,” Pichai said. He added that Microsoft is “using someone else’s models,” alluding to the company’s partnership with OpenAI. “When I look at what’s coming ahead, we are in the earliest stages of a profound shift,” Pichai said. “I just think there’s so much innovation ahead. We are committed to being at the state of the art in this field, and I think we are.” Google started its big AI overhaul of Search this year, which included the addition of AI search summaries and a Lens update that lets you search the web with a video. The company is also preparing to launch a major update […]
12 months ago
In the world of artificial intelligence, the idea of “singularity” looms large. This slippery concept describes the moment AI exceeds beyond human control and rapidly transforms society. The tricky thing about AI singularity (and why it borrows terminology from black hole physics) is that it’s enormously difficult to predict where it begins and nearly impossible to know what’s beyond this technological “event horizon.” However, some AI researchers are on the hunt for signs of reaching singularity measured by AI progress approaching the skills and ability comparable to a human. One such metric, defined by Translated, a Rome-based translation company, is an AI’s ability to translate speech at the accuracy of a human. Language is one of the most difficult AI challenges, but a computer that could close that gap could theoretically show signs of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). “That’s because language is the most natural thing for humans,” Translated CEO Marco Trombetti said at a conference in Orlando, Florida, in December 2022. “Nonetheless, the data Translated collected clearly shows that machines are not that far from closing the gap.” The company tracked its AI’s performance from 2014 to 2022 using a metric called “Time to Edit,” or TTE, which calculates the time it […]
1 year ago
The Sultanate of Oman has successfully launched its first experimental rocket named “Duqm-1” into space, making history as the first space launch experiment in the Middle East. The launch was carried out by the National Space Services Company (NASCOM) under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology. This significant milestone marks Oman’s entry into the space sector, aligning with its strategic initiatives to enhance its capabilities in this field. The rocket was launched at 10:05 AM local time from a global site south of the Wilayat of Duqm, located at coordinates 18 degrees north and 56 degrees east. The launch site is considered a regional space hub, further establishing Oman’s presence in the global space industry.
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