Tech & Telecoms - Gulf Insider

1 year ago

Moscow Fumes, Vows Response, After State Media Telegram Channels Blocked In EU

Moscow is fuming after at the start of this week several Russian state media outlets were blocked for EU-based users of the messaging app Telegram. Starting Sunday the channels of RIA Novosti, Rossiya 1, Channel One, NTV, Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta were inaccessible in the European Union. Kremlin officials slammed the “act of censorship” – with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova describing “the systematic cleansing of all undesirable sources of information from the information space” as ongoing in the West. She further condemned the “constant campaign of repression against Russian media in nearly all European Union countries,” adding that “these attacks and similar ones against our media will not go unanswered.” “We reserve the right to respond in the same manner,” she said, but without specifying what form the retaliation will take. The EU had already since the Ukraine war’s start cracked down on the major Russian state television international networks. More recently the EU moved against RIA Novosti, Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta, accusing the outlets of spreading propaganda on behalf of the Kremlin. It remains unclear the degree to which Telegram and EU authorities are acting in coordination on this: The messaging app Telegram has blocked access to channels belonging to major Russian state-owned news outlets across […]

1 year ago

New Initiative To Train Saudis In Generative AI

A professional training program in generative artificial intelligence has been launched at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran. The program is offered by the Gen AI Academy in collaboration with the Saudi Data and AI Authority and NVIDIA. This initiative marks the first step in a plan to train 4,000 Saudi citizens, according to the Saudi Press Agency report. The program will train and qualify Saudi citizens in generative AI. It aims to build the next generation’s capabilities in AI, enhance participants’ expertise to foster innovation, and underscore the Kingdom’s advanced position in the field. It targets individuals with a solid foundation in computer science or related fields, as well as academic professionals and practitioners. The training includes advanced, up-to-date materials provided by certified Saudi experts from NVIDIA. Participants will engage in a blend of virtual self-learning modules and interactive in-person workshops. On completion, participants will receive professional certifications accredited by NVIDIA, recognized globally as leading credentials in generative AI. The program is part of the authority’s efforts to promote learning and build national AI capabilities, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position among data- and AI-driven economies.

1 year ago

Oman Resumes Copper Exports After 30-year Hiatus

The Sultanate of Oman has marked a significant milestone with the export of its first shipment of copper concentrates in 30 years. The shipment departed from the Al-Asail mine in Sohar, North Al Batinah Governorate, via Sohar Port. This achievement underscores Oman’s commitment to economic diversification and sustainable development. Engineer Matar bin Salem Al-Badi, CEO of Oman Minerals Development Company, hailed the export of 900 tonnes of copper concentrates as a crucial step, demonstrating the company’s ability to transform challenges into growth opportunities. He also expressed anticipation for the upcoming commencement of operations at the Al-Bayda mine, which is expected to further enhance the project’s value and bolster the sustainability of Oman’s mining sector. Al-Badi emphasised the historical significance of this event, noting the region’s 3,000-year history of copper mining, including the pioneering work of the Oman Mining Company since 1983. He highlighted the advancements in exploration and extraction technologies that have enabled the reopening of mines, enhancing the value of these resources and contributing to the sector’s economic and social impact. The Al-Asail mine, located in concession area 11B in Sohar, is being developed by the Oman Mining Company, a subsidiary of Oman Minerals Development Company. The processed ore […]

2 years ago

Binance Bahrain’s Compliance Officer, Husain Ghuloom on Enhancing Crypto Stability and Security

Known as Binance’s Unyielding Explorer, Husain Ghuloom manages the crypto exchange’s compliance efforts in Bahrain. A proud “tech nerd” with over a decade’s experience, Husain began his journey in the insurance sector with t’azur Takaful Insurance Company scaling the ladder to become their ‘Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO). While shifting from traditional finance to digital banking and finally crypto, Husain worked with various financial institutions like HSBC, ila Bank and Rain before moving to Binance Bahrain as their Compliance Officer and MLRO. In this interview, Husain gives us an insight into the area of Compliance, as it applies to the world of cryptocurrency – the strategies, the trends, and the threats that face this burgeoning industry. What challenges and learnings from the traditional and digital banking industries have shaped your approach to compliance at Binance Bahrain? Our approach to compliance is shaped by key challenges and learnings from both traditional and digital banking industries. From traditional banking, we’ve learned the importance of navigating complex regulatory environments and ensuring robust fraud prevention and customer veriﬁcation processes. The digital banking sector has highlighted the need for adaptability, continuous innovation, and transparency. These insights have led us to implement stringent compliance frameworks, advanced […]

3 years ago

US: Excessive Social Media Use Is No. 1 Concern for Parents as Kids Head Back to School: New Poll

An increasing number of parents have expressed concern over their children’s digital habits as their kids return to the classroom, findings from a new poll show. Two-thirds of parents surveyed say overall screen time, followed by social media overuse and internet safety, are major concerns, according to the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. “Children are using digital devices and social media at younger ages, and parents may struggle with how to appropriately monitor use to prevent negative impacts on safety, self-esteem, social connections, and habits that may interfere with sleep and other areas of health,” said Mott Poll co-director and Mott pediatrician Dr. Susan Woolford in a news release. Harmful Effects of Social Media Findings from the poll, based on a nationally representative sample of over 2,000 respondents, also reveal that 50 percent of parents are concerned about mental health problems such as depression, suicide, stress, and anxiety associated with excessive screen use. Social media platforms include Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook. Findings from a 2019 study published in JAMA Psychiatry showed preteens and teens who spent more than three hours per day on social media had a 60 percent higher risk of developing mental health problems. Separate […]

3 years ago

Mercedes, BMW Sever Russian Dealers From Diagnostic Software

Under pressure of the western sanction regime, Mercedes-Benz has cut Russian dealers off from its software, severely impacting their ability to diagnose and service vehicles. BMW has implemented its own restrictions. “Dealers have been disconnected from the manufacturer’s online software systems,” distributor Mercedes-Benz Russia told Izvestia. “Due to the withdrawal of Mercedes-Benz AG from the Russian market, the joint-stock company Mercedes-Benz Russia does not have any additional opportunities to check and carry out other service measures set for Mercedes-Benz cars by the manufacturer.” “In some cases, the lack of access to online systems will increase repair times,” the company said, as mechanics will have to rely on their “accumulated experience and knowledge.” In addition to thwarting maintenance and repairs, the software cut-off will also leave Russian drivers unable to update programming on their vehicles. On his program, Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov lashed out at the Germany company. “Mercedes-Benz informed dealers that all cars would be withdrawn from the service,” he said, according to a translation circulating online. “What does it mean? They sold it and it’s now dangerous? Where’s the class action lawsuit against Mercedes asking it to buy back the cars it sold in Russia? Driving these cars is now potentially dangerous.” Escalating the rhetoric, he implored the Russian government to “protect […]

4 years ago

Beyon Money: Teamwork makes the dream work!

A great team can either make or break a company. Teamwork at the workplace is essential to maximize the output and yield better productivity out of everyone involved. It is crucial to spark and maintain a continuous flow of motivation, enthusiasm, and encouragement within the team members throughout the process. Roberto Mancone, CEO of Beyon Money, shared an impressive and inspiring story with us recently that highlighted the power of great teamwork. The team’s management of the incident reflected the leadership quality and strong team spirit at the up and coming company. The team at Beyon Money has created a range of WhatsApp groups, each relating to a department or service – one of these, is related to handling issues faced within the app. The Incident One Friday night at around 11:45 pm, one of the employees noticed that there was a minor malfunction on the app. The team has in place a continuous process of testing of the app, monitoring any potential issues that some clients may face from time to time. The Response As soon as the first WhatsApp alert message was sent, everybody jumped in the group chat in a coordinated manner: one member started testing, another […]

4 years ago

Beyon Money: Leading Bahrain’s Fintech Revolution

Gulf Insider interviews Roberto Mancone, CEO and Executive Board Member at Beyon Money. Beyon Money is a newly launched super-app which intends to become a one-stop shop for its users, offering a marketplace with a wide range of financial products and services in one app. Roberto Mancone shares the purpose behind Beyon Money, its characteristics, their future plans, and predictions for the financial industry. What is the purpose of Beyon Money? Beyon money wants to fulfil two particular needs of clients who approach financial services—the element of choice and the speed of action. We want to make sure that our services will fulfill all the financial needs of all types of users, whether Gen Z, Gen Y, blue-collar, or white-collar. I call it the Netflix approach. When you use it, you will have a wide selection of genres and categories and you will find what matches your requirement. This is exactly what we want to achieve with our app; we want to provide you with that element of choice. The element of speed which we want to provide is one which offers the most convenience. For example, you download the app, upload one selfie, one ID, load a virtual card, and […]

4 years ago

Secure, Transparent, and Simple: Beyon Connect

Gulf Insider interviews Beyon Connect CEO, Christian Rasmussen. Beyon Connect is focused on delivering new technologies with great innovation potential, Software-as-a-Service platforms, and advanced IT solutions in the MENA region. Under the Beyon Connect umbrella, two new products were recently launched: One Box and One ID. One Box is an innovative digital postbox solution designed to enable national secure communication between the public sector, private businesses, and residents of Bahrain in one secure, convenient, and trusted digital space. OneID is a highly secure single e-ID which will be made available as a mobile application. It allows onboarding of Bahrain residents through an advanced e-KYC process supporting passport and national ID cards with facial recognition and liveness check. The new products are being developed to respond to the needs of the public and private sectors, addressing challenges that are becoming more commonplace in the changing digitized economy. What is the drive and purpose behind Beyon Connect? Our mission is to create better and more inclusive digital societies for individuals and businesses in the MENA region. To do so, we offer digital seamless communication solutions, in which transparency, security, and efficiency are key elements. We found that a number of society-created infrastructures […]

5 years ago

Batelco signs MOU with American University of Bahrain

Batelco signed an MoU with the American University of Bahrain (AUBH), the Kingdom’s first American-style University, to jointly launch academic and extracurricular initiatives, which aim at enriching the students learning experience and prepare them for their future. The signing ceremony took place at the AUBH campus in Riffa in the presence of a number of officials, and the MoU was signed by Shaikh Bader bin Rashid Al Khalifa, General Manager, Corporate Communications and CSR at Batelco, and Mr. William D. Hurt, Chief Operating Officer at AUBH. As part of the agreement, the AUBH student body will have the opportunity to take part in summer and semester-long internships at Batelco, and join executive experience programmes, giving them a chance to work on some of Batelco’s current projects. Students will also be able to volunteer for and help organise projects that fall under Batelco’s CSR programmes. The two institutions also plan to create initiatives to benefit the community and intend to hold panel discussions on topics of interest, as well as movie screenings on subjects like technology, and events that range from cultural and artistic to seasonal and athletic.

Search Here

Recent Posts

Iran Says It Has “No Trust” In US, Insists There Is “No Military Solution”

Great Global Energy Rewiring Accelerates: UAE To Double Crude Export Capacity Bypassing Hormuz Chaos

Watch: Trump Spars With ‘Treasonous’ NYT Reporter On Iran War Coverage

“Send Us A Tip”: U.S. Dangles $15 Million Reward For New Intel On Iran’s Drone Network

Search Here

Moscow Fumes, Vows Response, After State Media Telegram Channels Blocked In EU

New Initiative To Train Saudis In Generative AI

Oman Resumes Copper Exports After 30-year Hiatus

Binance Bahrain’s Compliance Officer, Husain Ghuloom on Enhancing Crypto Stability and Security

US: Excessive Social Media Use Is No. 1 Concern for Parents as Kids Head Back to School: New Poll

Mercedes, BMW Sever Russian Dealers From Diagnostic Software

Beyon Money: Teamwork makes the dream work!

Beyon Money: Leading Bahrain’s Fintech Revolution

Secure, Transparent, and Simple: Beyon Connect

Batelco signs MOU with American University of Bahrain

Recent Posts

Iran Says It Has “No Trust” In US, Insists There Is “No Military Solution”

Great Global Energy Rewiring Accelerates: UAE To Double Crude Export Capacity Bypassing Hormuz Chaos

Watch: Trump Spars With ‘Treasonous’ NYT Reporter On Iran War Coverage

“Send Us A Tip”: U.S. Dangles $15 Million Reward For New Intel On Iran’s Drone Network

India’s Trade Deficit Surges As Energy Import Prices Soar

Beijing Showcased Future War Machines While Trump Was In Town

Useful Links

Subscribe to our mailing list

Online Magazine