Amazon, the global e-commerce and technology giant, is set to reduce its workforce by 30,000 office jobs as part of a cost-cutting strategy while ramping up investments in artificial intelligence (AI). The layoffs, which represent nearly 10% of Amazon’s approximately 350,000 office employees, are expected to commence this week, according to multiple U.S. media reports. Notably, the cuts will not impact the company’s distribution and warehouse workforce, which constitutes the majority of its 1.5 million employees. Amazon has not officially commented on the reports, which were initially published by outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, citing anonymous sources. Despite the news, Amazon’s shares saw a slight increase at the close of the trading day. CEO Andy Jassy has consistently emphasized the transformative potential of AI in enhancing workplace efficiency, from customer interactions to operational streamlining. During Amazon’s recent quarterly earnings call, Jassy highlighted the growing impact of AI on customer experiences. The company is under pressure to demonstrate the value of its substantial AI investments, particularly within its Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing division. Analysts, including Emarketer’s Sky Canaves, have noted that AWS must show both revenue growth and improved operating margins to justify its AI expenditures. Additionally, Amazon faces scrutiny following a recent AWS outage that disrupted numerous internet services globally, including streaming platforms, messaging apps, and banking services. The outage, attributed to an issue with the Domain Name System (DNS), underscored the widespread reliance on AWS’s infrastructure. AWS remains the leader in the cloud computing market, closely followed by Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
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iCAUR hosts Global User Summit in Wuhu, China
From October 17 to 21, 2025, iCAUR hosted its annual Global User Summit in Wuhu, China, under the theme ‘Co-create, Co-define.’ The event attracted over a thousand attendees, including media representatives, users, and distributors from across the globe. The summit featured product showcases, off-road driving sessions, and ESG-focused activities, highlighting iCAUR’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. The exhibition area, designed with wood textures and soft tones, created a luxurious yet natural ambiance, allowing guests to explore the brand’s customization ecosystem and witness the fusion of innovation and personal expression. Attendees shared their experiences through livestreams, videos, and photos, capturing the essence of iCAUR’s craftsmanship and creativity. The Tech Interaction Zone showcased AiMOGA humanoid robots and robot dogs in a synchronized dance performance, drawing widespread admiration. A guest from the UAE remarked, ‘They’re incredible — we really need this too!’ emphasizing the potential of such innovations in enhancing global user experiences. The off-road driving sessions tested iCAUR’s vehicles on challenging terrains, including high-speed curves, slopes, wave tracks, and muddy trails. Despite light rain, models like the V27, V23, and 03T, equipped with Golden Range Extender technology and the i-AWD system, demonstrated exceptional performance. On the Crescent Track, the advanced suspension and damping systems ensured smooth handling, earning praise from participants. A Middle Eastern guest noted, ‘Driving the V27 through rough terrain — it’s hard to believe this is a boxy SUV. The comfort really surprised me.’ Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited the exhibition and personally experienced iCAUR’s vehicles, describing the brand as ‘very unique’ and expressing strong interest in the latest models. The summit also marked a significant milestone in iCAUR’s global expansion, with CEO Si Fenghuo signing distributor agreements with partners from Malaysia, the UAE, and Oman. In Oman, iCAUR will collaborate with SBG, the country’s leading automotive group, to accelerate its strategic growth across the Middle East.
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Deboard plane, get on flying taxis? DXB passengers to reach hotels, malls in minutes
Dubai is poised to revolutionize urban transportation with the introduction of flying taxis, as the city’s first vertiport, Dubai International Vertiport (DXV), remains on track to become operational by the first quarter of 2026. Located near Dubai International Airport (DXB), DXV will serve as a hub for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, offering passengers a seamless transition from air travel to their final destinations. Anthony El-Khoury, UAE General Manager of Joby Aviation, highlighted the potential of integrating existing helipads at hotels, malls, and hospitals into the air taxi network, significantly reducing travel times. For instance, a trip from DXB to Madinat Jumeirah or Burj Al Arab could take just eight minutes, compared to the usual 45-minute car journey. The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has already established a regulatory framework to enable the dual use of helipads for both helicopters and flying taxis, ensuring efficient infrastructure utilization. Joby Aviation, in collaboration with Skyports and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), is developing three additional vertiport sites to expand the air taxi network. While the construction of vertiports requires substantial investment, leveraging existing helipads with minimal modifications—such as reinforcing infrastructure, adding safety features, and installing charging stations—offers a cost-effective solution. Safety remains a top priority, with each flying taxi equipped with redundant systems to prevent failures, including multiple propellers, engines, inverters, and battery packs. Test flights are currently underway at Joby’s facility in Margham, with professional pilots certified to operate eVTOLs. Paul Griffiths, CEO of DXB, expressed optimism about the transformative potential of flying taxis, which could alleviate road congestion and redefine urban mobility. Although commercial certification from the GCAA is still pending, El-Khoury assured that flying taxis will become a reality in Dubai by next year.
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Why are Israeli settlers destroying the Palestinian olive harvest?
The olive harvest in the occupied West Bank, a centuries-old tradition and economic cornerstone for Palestinians, has been marred by escalating violence from Israeli settlers and military forces. According to the UN Rights Office, 757 assaults by settlers were recorded in the first half of 2025, resulting in injuries, property damage, and the destruction of olive groves. These attacks have drawn global condemnation and criticism from UN human rights officials. In Gaza, once a thriving hub for olive cultivation, nearly all agricultural land has been devastated by Israel’s two-year military campaign, which has claimed over 68,000 Palestinian lives. The olive tree, deeply rooted in Palestinian culture and history, symbolizes resilience and peace. However, its survival is under threat as settler violence intensifies, often with the complicity of Israeli security forces. The destruction of olive groves, uprooting of trees, and restrictions on access to farmland have severely impacted the livelihoods of 100,000 families in the West Bank, many of whom rely on olive cultivation for income. In Gaza, the olive industry has been decimated, with 98.5% of agricultural land damaged or inaccessible, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The ongoing assault on Palestinian agriculture is part of a broader strategy to displace communities and annex land, exacerbating humanitarian crises and threatening the cultural and economic fabric of Palestinian society.
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China revises Cybersecurity Law to bolster AI development
In a significant move to bolster artificial intelligence (AI) development and governance, China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) has passed revisions to the Cybersecurity Law. The amendments, approved on October 28, 2025, during the 18th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, will take effect on January 1, 2026. The revised law emphasizes national support for foundational AI research, algorithm development, and the construction of critical infrastructure such as training data resources and computing power. A newly added provision underscores the importance of advancing AI ethics, enhancing risk monitoring, and ensuring safety oversight to promote the responsible application and growth of AI technologies. Additionally, the amendments encourage innovative cybersecurity management practices, including the integration of AI and other emerging technologies to elevate protection standards. The revisions also refine legal liabilities for activities that compromise network security, increase penalties for violations, and expand extraterritorial application where necessary. Furthermore, the updated law enhances coordination with the Data Security Law and the Personal Information Protection Law to ensure precision, effectiveness, and consistency in legal frameworks. Since its initial enactment in 2016, the Cybersecurity Law has played a pivotal role in curbing harmful cyber activities and fostering a safer digital environment. However, persistent challenges such as network intrusions, cyberattacks, and the spread of illegal content highlight the ongoing complexities of maintaining cybersecurity. The latest amendments aim to address these issues while aligning with China’s broader strategic goals in AI and digital governance.
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Man deported to Laos despite court ordering blocking his removal, attorneys say
In a controversial move, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported Chanthila “Shawn” Souvannarath, a 44-year-old Alabama resident, to Laos despite a federal court order halting his removal. Souvannarath, who claims U.S. citizenship, was born in a Thai refugee camp but has lived in the U.S. since infancy, holding lawful permanent resident status. U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick had issued a temporary restraining order last week, citing Souvannarath’s “substantial claim of U.S. citizenship” and the irreparable harm deportation would cause. However, ICE proceeded with the deportation, leaving his family devastated. Souvannarath’s wife, Beatrice, confirmed his arrival in Laos via a WhatsApp message. The ACLU of Louisiana, representing Souvannarath, condemned the action as a blatant violation of the court order, accusing the administration of prioritizing mass deportation over legal and constitutional obligations. This incident underscores ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary over immigration enforcement, including previous cases of U.S. citizens being wrongfully deported.
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Ex-Bank of Communications VP Investigated
Hou Weidong, the former vice-president of the Bank of Communications, is currently under investigation for suspected severe breaches of Party discipline and national laws. The announcement was made on Tuesday by China’s top anti-corruption authorities, the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision. The investigation was disclosed online, though no additional details were provided. Hou, a 65-year-old native of Shandong province, joined the Communist Party in 1986 and is a graduate of Peking University. With decades of experience in China’s banking sector, he assumed the role of vice-president at the Bank of Communications in late 2010. This investigation underscores the ongoing efforts by Chinese authorities to combat corruption within the financial sector and maintain the integrity of its institutions.
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PayPal strikes payments wallet deal with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, shares surge
In a groundbreaking move, PayPal has announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI, enabling ChatGPT users to make purchases directly through PayPal’s payment wallet. This collaboration has sent PayPal’s shares surging by 13% in premarket trading, reflecting investor optimism about the deal’s potential. The partnership aims to integrate PayPal’s vast global merchant network with ChatGPT, transforming the generative AI tool into a powerful platform for seamless e-commerce transactions. PayPal CEO Alex Chriss emphasized the significance of the deal, stating that it will allow users to transition from chat to checkout with just a few taps, leveraging the Agentic Commerce Protocol. In addition to the partnership, PayPal raised its full-year adjusted earnings per share (EPS) forecast to between $5.35 and $5.39, up from the previous range of $5.15 to $5.30. The company also declared its first-ever quarterly dividend of 14 cents per share, marking a pivotal moment in its 27-year history. This dividend represents a targeted payout ratio of 10% of adjusted profit, underscoring PayPal’s confidence in its cash generation and long-term profitability. The announcement comes as PayPal shifts its focus from aggressive revenue growth to prioritizing profitability under Chriss’s leadership. Despite challenges in the post-pandemic retail landscape, PayPal has demonstrated resilience, with total payment volume growing by 7% on a foreign exchange-neutral basis to $458.1 billion. The partnership with OpenAI signals a broader trend in the retail sector, where AI-powered shopping tools are emerging as the next frontier in online commerce. These tools, which autonomously research, compare, and purchase products, are poised to redefine the consumer shopping experience by acting as intelligent digital assistants.
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United Arab Bank net profit up by 49% for the nine months ended September 2025
United Arab Bank (UAB) has announced a remarkable 49% year-on-year increase in net profit, reaching Dh316 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2025, compared to Dh212 million during the same period in 2024. The bank’s total income also saw a significant rise of 28%, climbing to Dh580 million from Dh452 million in the previous year. This financial growth is attributed to substantial increases in total assets, including loans, advances, Islamic financing, and investments, alongside a disciplined approach to risk management.
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UAE fans can now watch Shah Rukh Khan’s classics on the big screen again
In a grand celebration of Shah Rukh Khan’s unparalleled cinematic legacy, Yash Raj Films (YRF) International has unveiled the Shah Rukh Khan Film Festival, set to captivate audiences across the Middle East, North America, the UK, Europe, and Australasia. The festival, commencing on October 31, will span two weeks, offering fans a chance to revisit some of SRK’s most iconic films on the big screen. The curated lineup includes timeless classics such as the romantic tragedy ‘Devdas,’ the poetic masterpiece ‘Dil Se,’ the adrenaline-packed ‘Chennai Express,’ and the modern action thriller ‘Jawan,’ among others. Each film represents a distinct era and emotion from SRK’s illustrious 33-year career, showcasing his versatility and enduring appeal. Shah Rukh Khan expressed his gratitude, stating, ‘Cinema has always been my home, and seeing these films return to the big screen feels like a beautiful reunion.’ Nelson D’Souza, Vice President of International Distribution at YRF, emphasized SRK’s global influence, calling him ‘a global icon and an enduring emotion.’ The festival coincides with SRK’s birthday on November 2, allowing UAE fans to celebrate by immersing themselves in his cinematic magic. Show timings are available at local cinemas.