Threads

Meta launch of Twitter competitor ‘Threads’ expected soon

With the launch, Meta is seeking to take advantage Twitter’s problems since the social media platform was taken over by Elon Musk

Temperatures are rising and hot areas create extreme drought conditions. Image credit: WMO

Monday was the hottest day ever as global temperatures rise

The new high underscores the extreme temperatures this summer in the northern hemisphere, and brings into focus the slow pace of progress on curbing emissions

INVESTMENT

Bahrain signs $1.3bn strategic investment deal with UK

The agreement aims to facilitate investment in sectors such as clean technology, business services and manufacturing

Birmingham Airport

Saudia launches first flight to Birmingham Airport

This is a significant step in Saudia’s strategy of expanding its international network and strengthening connections between the kingdom and the rest of the world

HDFC

HDFC vaults into ranks of world’s most valuable banks

The tie-up of HDFC Bank and Housing Development Finance Corporation creates a lender that ranks fourth in equity market capitalisation

Microsoft activision

Microsoft executive vows to keep ‘Call of Duty’ on Sony PlayStations

Microsoft claims its incentive in buying Activision is to gain a foothold in the lucrative mobile gaming market

insurance

Minor fender bender? That will be $42,000, please

Vehicle owners should brace for their car insurance premiums and repair bills to remain high

aspartame

World Health Organization to assess cancer risk of diet-soda sweetener aspartame

The US Food and Drug Administration has considered aspartame safe since 1974, but others have questioned that finding

climate

Macron calls for fresh overhaul of global taxation to support climate finance: Paris Summit

The French president hosted world leaders to discuss new ways to support climate financing

tax

Carbon tax for ships is supported by 22 countries at Paris Summit

The list of supporters for such a tax currently doesn’t include the US or China, the world’s two largest economies

renewable

Big oil’s green retreat helps clear the way for everyone else in renewables

The exits of some players may make it easier for renewable energy companies to raise prices to a sustainable level and to ramp up investment

most liveable cities

Discover the world’s most liveable cities in 2023

This year, the global average score was the highest in 15 years

Rendering of Air India aircraft (Image: supplied by Boeing)

Aircraft mega-deals prompt bubble warning from industry veterans

Industry veterans warn that the aviation market is showing signs of overheating with record number of aircraft orders placed

TITAN

Lost at sea: Titan submarine ‘imploded’, passengers confirmed dead

Titan’s passengers are confirmed dead after the US Coast Guard said debris found indicated their ship suffered a “catastrophic implosion”

CAGE MATCH

Clash of the tech titans: Elon Musk challenges Mark Zuckerberg to ‘cage match’

The tech bosses have agreed to a ‘cage match’ after an exchange on their respective social media platforms

TITAN

Titanic sub search calls in lifting gear in race against time

As equipment and more vessels race to the search area, the hunt for Titan has zeroed in on unidentified noises detected underwater

Titan submersible by OceanGate

What it’s like on board the missing Titanic submersible

Extensive rescue operations are currently underway, with the Titan’s air supply thought to last a little under 40 hours

Looking at Titanic wreckage

Titanic-wreck tour submersible charging $250,000 a guest has gone missing

OceanGate offers 10-day expeditions to the Titanic site providing the opportunity to join as mission specialists

George Soros

George Soros hands control of Open Society Foundations to his son

The foundation founded by George Soros donates money to humanitarian and democratic causes ranging from criminal justice reform to climate change initiatives

Silvio Berlusconi

Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian prime minister dies

Silvio Berlusconi was prime minister of Italy three times between 1994 and 2011 and his party is a junior partner in the current ruling coalition

Kenya Airways

Emirates, Kenya Airways sign interline partnership

The partnership increases Emirates’ footprint to 148 African points

Travel tips from an expert

A travel expert’s top tips: Trip planner, double-sealed bags and the best way to see a city

A road warrior’s high-end hacks, tips and off-the-wall experiences to travel right this summer

Cost of living drives up expenses for expats

Has cost of living gone up for expats in Dubai, Abu Dhabi?

A recent report on world’s most expensive cities for international employees shows the emirate go up the ranks as the cost of living has gone up

AI's dark side

EU urges Big Tech to alert users about AI’s ‘dark sides’

The EU is rushing to catch up and set rules for generative AI as it negotiates its AI Act, which will go up for a key vote in the European Parliament

renewable

What counts as a carbon credit?

The UN panel’s final decision will have huge consequences for the carbon removal industry, as well as the direction the world takes when it comes to pulling carbon from thin air

Canada wildfires shroud New York in haze

New York has world’s worst air pollution as Canada wildfires rage

Smoke blowing in from wildfires raging across Canada’s provinces have blanketed the city in haze

Kim Kardashian's crypto lawsuit moves ahead

Kim Kardashian’s EthereumMax crypto hype lawsuit advances

The presiding judge found that a Kardashian post suggesting that certain crypto tokens were scarce was misleading

Omega Speedmaster

Omega blames staffers over sale of fake $3m Speedmaster

The scandal underscores concerns that forgers are creating fakes or altering some vintage watches sold on the secondary market and at auction to achieve higher sale prices

Antony Blinken in Saudi Arabia

Antony Blinken meets Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Saudi Arabia

The visit by the US State Secretary builds on President Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2022

UAE Egypt sign deal to build 10GW_wind farm Image Masdar

UAE, Egypt ink deal to develop Africa’s largest wind farm, project valued at $10bn

The wind farm will help Egypt meet its strategic objective of sourcing 42 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2030