作者: admin

  • British police forces to make arrests over ‘globalise the intifada’ chants

    British police forces to make arrests over ‘globalise the intifada’ chants

    In a significant policy shift, the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police have declared that chanting the phrase ‘globalise the intifada’ or displaying it on placards at protests will now result in arrests. The announcement, made on Wednesday, follows the recent antisemitic massacre at Bondi Beach in Australia that killed 15 people and wounded 40 during Hanukkah celebrations.

    Police authorities stated: ‘Violent acts have taken place, the context has changed – words have meaning and consequence. We will act decisively and make arrests.’ The forces indicated that frontline officers will receive specific briefing on this enhanced approach, which will include utilizing Public Order Act powers to implement protective conditions around London synagogues during services.

    The move has received support from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which welcomed it as a ‘necessary intervention’ following their repeated urging. Health Secretary Wes Streeting previously claimed the chant was linked to terrorism, while British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis stated such chants ‘incite hatred and inspire people to engage in hate action,’ connecting them directly to the Bondi Beach attack.

    However, pro-Palestine activists and civil society organizations have strongly contested these characterizations. Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, criticized what he called ‘the widespread attempt across the political establishment to use a grotesque and indefensible violent antisemitic massacre as a weapon to further repress those protesting for the rights of Palestinian people.’

    Ismail Patel, chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa, explained that ‘intifada’ means ‘to shake off the Israeli occupation’ and argued that ‘globalising the intifada is simply a way of expressing global solidarity with efforts to end an illegal Israeli occupation.’ The term originates from the Arabic root ‘nafada,’ meaning ‘to shake off’ or ‘to rise up,’ and has been applied to both peaceful uprisings and armed resistance movements throughout Arab history.

  • With freebies, OpenAI, Google vie for Indian users and training data

    With freebies, OpenAI, Google vie for Indian users and training data

    In an unprecedented strategic maneuver, global AI giants OpenAI, Google, and Perplexity have launched an aggressive campaign to capture India’s massive user base through complimentary premium subscriptions. This calculated initiative represents more than mere user acquisition—it constitutes a crucial effort to gather diverse multilingual training data from the world’s most populous nation.

    Market intelligence from Sensor Tower reveals staggering adoption metrics: ChatGPT now commands 73 million daily users in India, more than double its U.S. user base, following a remarkable 607% year-on-year surge. Similarly, Google’s Gemini has experienced a 15% growth spike since November, reaching 17 million Indian daily users compared to just 3 million in the United States.

    The strategic free offerings are substantial: Google provides its $400 Gemini AI Pro subscription at no cost for 18 months to 500 million Reliance Jio subscribers. OpenAI has made its ChatGPT Go plan completely free for one year across India, previously priced at $54 locally. Perplexity has similarly waived its $200 annual Pro subscription fee for Airtel telecommunications users.

    Behind these generous offers lies a critical data acquisition strategy. Five AI analysts confirm that India’s linguistic diversity presents a unique training opportunity for AI models. The complex communication patterns, multiple languages, and distinctive dialects characteristic of Indian users provide invaluable data that current training sets lack.

    Sagar Vishnoi, co-founder of Future Shift Labs, explains: ‘These complimentary initiatives effectively address gaps in AI training datasets that currently lack comprehensive information on regional user behavior patterns.’

    The approach leverages India’s exceptional digital landscape: 730 million smartphone users consuming 21 gigabytes of data monthly at just 9.2 cents per gigabyte—among the world’s most affordable mobile data rates. This price sensitivity has historically responded well to free access models, as demonstrated by Reliance’s successful customer acquisition strategies.

    While users like Hyderabad PhD student Anees Hassan enthusiastically utilize these tools for research and presentation tasks, concerns regarding data harvesting practices persist. Hassan acknowledges implementing opt-out features to prevent his data from contributing to AI training, highlighting the privacy considerations accompanying these free access programs.

  • Eurovision announces it won’t censor boos against Israel amid boycott calls

    Eurovision announces it won’t censor boos against Israel amid boycott calls

    Austrian public broadcaster ORF, host of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, has declared it will not censor audience booing directed at Israel’s performance, breaking from previous contest practices. The announcement comes as the popular music spectacle faces unprecedented controversy over Israel’s participation amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

    Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz, ORF’s programming director, stated unequivocally that the broadcaster would not employ artificial applause to mask audience disapproval. “We won’t play artificial applause over it at any point,” she confirmed on Tuesday, referencing the controversy that surrounded Israel’s semi-final performance in the 2024 competition.

    The ORF further clarified that all official flags complying with security parameters would be permitted in the audience, widely interpreted as allowing Palestinian flags—a reversal from the 2024 policy that sparked significant backlash when Palestinian symbols were prohibited.

    The contest faces its most severe crisis in its 70-year history, with five European nations—Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Netherlands, and Iceland—already announcing boycotts of the 2026 event. Ireland’s national broadcaster RTE called Israel’s participation “unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis.”

    Executive producer Michael Kroen acknowledged the challenges, stating organizers aim not to “sugarcoat anything or avoid showing what is happening, because our task is to show things as they are.”

    The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) faces accusations of hypocrisy for its differing treatment of Russia and Israel. Russia was banned from the contest following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, while Israel continues to participate despite mounting international condemnation.

    Nemo, winner of Eurovision 2024, returned their trophy in protest last week, stating: “The contest was repeatedly used to soften the image of a state accused of severe wrongdoing, all while the EBU insisted Eurovision is ‘non-political’.”

    In response to voting manipulation concerns from the 2024 competition, where Israel unexpectedly topped the public vote, organizers have implemented new measures to “discourage disproportionate promotion campaigns” by third parties, including governments.

    The 2026 contest will feature only 35 participants, the lowest number since 2003, reflecting the growing diplomatic tensions surrounding the event.

  • Foreign Office adviser urged Cameron to support Karim Khan days before he threatened prosecutor

    Foreign Office adviser urged Cameron to support Karim Khan days before he threatened prosecutor

    Newly disclosed documents reveal a significant diplomatic confrontation between the United Kingdom and the International Criminal Court in April 2024. According to emails obtained through Freedom of Information requests, the UK Foreign Office’s top legal adviser, Sally Langrish, initially recommended that then-Foreign Secretary David Cameron meet with ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. Langrish emphasized that such a meeting would demonstrate Britain’s “strong support for the Court and for Karim Khan as its prosecutor.”

    The recommended meeting was scheduled for April 15, 2024, in London. However, in a notable deviation from this advice, Cameron did not attend the meeting. Instead, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk met with Khan, during which the prosecutor revealed his intention to pursue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders.

    The situation escalated dramatically on April 23, 2024, when Cameron personally contacted Khan while the prosecutor was on an official visit to Venezuela. Multiple sources, including former staff from Khan’s office who have seen meeting minutes, confirm that Cameron employed strong rhetoric during this conversation. The foreign secretary characterized the potential arrest warrants as “like dropping a hydrogen bomb” and warned of their “profound implications” for British politics and his Conservative Party.

    Most significantly, Cameron reportedly threatened that if the ICC proceeded with warrants against Israeli leaders, the UK would “defund the court and withdraw from the Rome Statute”—the ICC’s founding charter. This stance directly contradicted the Foreign Office’s earlier position of strong support for the international judicial body.

    The Foreign Office has consistently declined to comment on these allegations. A source close to Cameron acknowledged the call occurred but characterized it as “robust” rather than threatening, suggesting Cameron was merely highlighting potential political pressures within his party. The incident has prompted calls for official investigation, with former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf demanding accountability and transparency regarding the UK’s position on international justice institutions.

  • Chinese technique for making ultrathin metal films named top 10 scientific breakthroughs

    Chinese technique for making ultrathin metal films named top 10 scientific breakthroughs

    A groundbreaking Chinese innovation in materials science has received global recognition, with Physics World naming the development of ultrathin metal films as one of 2025’s top 10 scientific breakthroughs. The prestigious accolade highlights China’s emerging leadership in advanced materials research and development.

    The pioneering research, conducted by the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has successfully produced the world’s first single-atom-layer metal materials. These revolutionary materials measure at the angstrom scale—approximately one-millionth the thickness of standard A4 paper and one-200,000th the diameter of a human hair.

    This achievement represents a significant milestone in materials science, particularly considering that non-layered metals constitute approximately 80% of the periodic table’s elements. Previously, scientists considered these metals nearly impossible to reduce to single atomic layers due to their tightly bonded three-dimensional atomic structures. While hundreds of two-dimensional materials have been created since graphene’s discovery in 2004, all previously originated from layered crystals.

    The research team overcame this fundamental challenge through an innovative van der Waals squeezing technique. This method utilizes molybdenum disulfide as an anvil to compress two-dimensional metals including bismuth, tin, lead, indium, and gallium.

    The resulting two-dimensional metals exhibit exceptional properties, including remarkable environmental stability with no performance degradation observed for over one year. They feature nonbonding interfaces that enable researchers to better explore the materials’ intrinsic properties while demonstrating higher room-temperature conductivity than conventional alternatives.

    These advanced materials are expected to enable macroscopic quantum phenomena and serve as core components for numerous technological innovations. Potential applications include low-power transistors, high-frequency electronic devices, and ultrasensitive detection systems that could transform multiple industries.

    Physics World’s annual list is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative recognitions in the scientific community. Selection criteria require demonstrated scientific importance, substantial advancement of knowledge frontiers, successful integration of theory and experimentation, and significant attention from physicists worldwide. This achievement marks the seventh time Chinese-led research has been honored since the list’s establishment in 2009.

  • IAME UAE Series Rounds 4 & 5 deliver high-intensity double-header at Sharjah Kart Track

    IAME UAE Series Rounds 4 & 5 deliver high-intensity double-header at Sharjah Kart Track

    The 2025/2026 IAME UAE Series reached a critical juncture during Rounds 4 and 5, held as a high-stakes double-header event at Sharjah Kart Track on November 23-24. Under ideal 25-degree conditions, the technical circuit witnessed intense competition that reshaped championship standings across multiple categories.

    The challenging layout of the Sharjah track, renowned for its limited overtaking opportunities and rhythmic demands, tested drivers’ racecraft and strategic execution. This event series, integral to developing grassroots motorsport in the region, continues the global legacy of IAME—the Italian kart engine manufacturer established in 1968 that first introduced championship karting to the UAE through Ras Al Khaimah’s RAK Track.

    Saturday’s Round 4 produced dramatic results across all classes. Mark Ristic claimed victory in Bambino category ahead of Samuel Karajkovic and Yousef Alkhayyat. Francesco Lisignoli delivered a commanding performance in Mini category, holding off Benjamin Karajkovic with Charlie Page completing the podium. Junior category saw Henry King secure victory ahead of Mitansh Jain and Veer Chopra, while Senior category featured Rayan Koreishi taking top honors over Jagrat Detroja and Jeremy Montgomery-Swan. Yousif Busenad dominated Senior/170 class with Alexandros Annivas and novice Arsene Djolovic rounding out the podium.

    Sunday’s Round 5 brought equally compelling action as Samuel Karajkovic reversed Saturday’s result with a Bambino victory over Ristic, while Sam Testa claimed third. Ilyas Sami demonstrated impressive defensive driving in Mini Final to secure victory by a mere 0.213 seconds over Benjamin Karajkovic, with Baptiste Augustin charging to third. Nathan Kappen delivered a standout performance in Junior category, carving through the field to claim victory ahead of teammate Mitansh Jain, with Aaryan Singh securing third. Jeremy Montgomery-Swan earned a well-managed Senior category win over Adam Elbassiony and Jules Domont, while Oscar Bray claimed victory in Senior/170 ahead of Annivas and Djolovic.

    Media Friends, the official media partner, provided comprehensive coverage throughout the weekend. CEO Giovanni Dezzani remarked: ‘Sharjah consistently elevates driver performance. The exceptional competition level demonstrates the remarkable talent development across all categories. The vibrant atmosphere, competitive racing, and team dedication underscore karting’s growing prominence in the UAE.’

    The series now progresses to its next highlight event at Yas Marina Circuit on January 3-4, 2026, where drivers will compete for crucial championship points on one of motorsport’s most iconic venues.

  • How Japan built a rare-earth supply chain without China

    How Japan built a rare-earth supply chain without China

    In the global race to secure critical mineral supplies beyond China’s dominance, Japan emerges as a pioneering case study in strategic supply chain resilience. The nation’s comprehensive approach to reducing dependency on Chinese rare-earth elements—vital components in automotive manufacturing, advanced electronics, and defense technologies—offers valuable lessons for Western nations currently facing similar challenges.

    Japan’s awakening to supply chain vulnerabilities occurred dramatically in 2010 when China implemented an unannounced two-month embargo during a territorial dispute. This economic retaliation, triggered by a maritime incident near disputed islands, exposed Japan’s critical dependence as Chinese rare earths constituted over 90% of its imports at the time. Tatsuya Terazawa, then economic policy chief at Japan’s trade ministry, recounted the moment industry officials warned that automotive supply chains faced imminent suspension due to the sudden cutoff.

    The government responded with a decisive $1 billion strategic package designed to diversify sources and build structural resilience. This initiative supported Japanese conglomerates in developing alternative supply channels, with particular focus on Australia’s Lynas Corporation—the only company attempting to establish a fully integrated rare-earth supply chain outside China.

    Through strategic partnerships between government entity Jogmec and trading giant Sojitz, Japan provided $250 million in financing to Lynas, securing long-term access to Australian-mined rare earths processed in Malaysia. This complex operation involves mining at Mount Weld in Western Australia, chemical separation at Lynas’s Malaysian facility (until recently the only large-scale processing plant outside China), and final distribution to Japanese magnet manufacturers serving automotive giants like Toyota.

    The transition proved challenging, confronting technical obstacles, environmental concerns regarding radioactive waste management, and significant local opposition in Malaysia. Despite these hurdles, Japan successfully reduced its Chinese rare-earth dependency from over 90% to approximately 60-70% today while expanding its portfolio of specialized magnet ingredients.

    As China recently implemented new waves of export controls targeting both materials and processing technology, the United States and European nations are accelerating their own supply chain initiatives. While the Trump administration has committed to developing domestic capabilities within a year—supporting operations at California’s Mountain Pass mine and processing facilities in Texas and North Carolina—Japan’s experience demonstrates that genuine supply chain independence requires sustained government commitment, international cooperation, and long-term strategic vision.

    According to Naoki Kobayashi of Japan’s trade ministry, current efforts should focus on multinational coordination to achieve economies of scale and cost competitiveness. Terazawa, now leading an energy think tank, emphasizes that recent international agreements represent merely preliminary steps, with the true test lying in sustained allied commitment to confronting China’s mineral dominance collectively rather than individually.

  • almatar Group signs smart connectivity agreement with Elm

    almatar Group signs smart connectivity agreement with Elm

    In a significant technological advancement for religious tourism, almatar Group has entered into a strategic smart connectivity partnership with digital solutions provider Elm during the recent Hajj & Umrah Conference and Exhibition. This collaboration represents a major step toward digital transformation in pilgrimage services, focusing on enhanced technical integration between almatar’s operational systems and Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk and Masar platforms.

    The agreement establishes advanced connectivity solutions designed to streamline the entire pilgrim journey—from initial travel planning through arrival in the Kingdom. The integrated systems will provide secure, scalable access to comprehensive travel and accommodation services, significantly improving operational efficiency and service reliability for the millions of Muslims who undertake Hajj and Umrah annually.

    Faisal AlRajhi, CEO of almatar Group, emphasized the partnership’s importance in advancing digital solutions within the pilgrimage ecosystem. “This initiative marks a pivotal advancement in system readiness, enabling pilgrims to access travel, accommodation, and mobility services with unprecedented ease and confidence,” AlRajhi stated during the announcement.

    The technological collaboration directly supports Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives of modernizing pilgrimage services through digital innovation. By implementing cutting-edge connectivity solutions, the partnership aims to accelerate administrative processes, enhance service quality across the sector, and deliver a more seamless and spiritually fulfilling experience for pilgrims worldwide.

    This partnership between two leading Saudi technology firms demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to leveraging digital innovation to improve religious tourism infrastructure, setting new standards for pilgrimage services in the digital age.

  • Former senior political advisor of Sichuan sentenced to 14 years

    Former senior political advisor of Sichuan sentenced to 14 years

    In a significant judicial ruling, Cui Baohua, formerly a high-ranking political advisor in Sichuan Province, has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for corruption offenses. The Intermediate People’s Court of Kunming in Yunnan province delivered the first-instance verdict on Wednesday, additionally imposing a substantial fine of 5 million yuan (approximately $710,000).

    The court investigation revealed that between 2005 and 2024, Cui systematically exploited his official positions to illicitly acquire money and property valued at over 65.39 million yuan. His influential roles during this period included serving as Party secretary of Suining, head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Sichuan Provincial Committee, and vice-chairman of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

    Judicial authorities have ordered the complete confiscation of all illicit assets obtained by Cui, including accrued interest, which will be transferred to the State treasury. This sentencing follows Cui’s expulsion from the Communist Party in March 2025, when he was found guilty of severe violations of Party discipline and national laws.

    The case represents continued efforts by Chinese authorities to combat corruption within government ranks, demonstrating the judicial system’s commitment to holding high-ranking officials accountable for abuse of power and financial misconduct.

  • Beijing has undergone dramatic improvements since 2017’s revamped development plans

    Beijing has undergone dramatic improvements since 2017’s revamped development plans

    Since the comprehensive overhaul of Beijing’s development blueprint in 2017, the Chinese capital has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis in urban planning and ecological restoration. Official data reveals the demolition of over 238 million square meters of unauthorized constructions and the reclamation of approximately 275 square kilometers of land, marking one of the world’s most ambitious urban renewal initiatives.

    The strategic redistribution of urban functions has been central to this transformation. Numerous industrial projects have been systematically relocated to suburban zones or neighboring provinces, while governmental administrative operations have been transferred to the newly established municipal center in Tongzhou District. Concurrently, multiple state-owned enterprises, academic institutions, and medical facilities have established satellite operations in Xiong’an New Area, fostering balanced regional development alongside the capital’s decentralization efforts.

    Ecological enhancement has emerged as a cornerstone achievement. Current statistics indicate that more than 92% of Beijing’s residents now reside within 500 meters of accessible green spaces. The municipal landscape boasts an impressive network of 1,136 parks and hosts upwards of 1,100 annual eco-cultural events, fundamentally altering the urban experience. This greening initiative represents a paradigm shift from purely economic development toward sustainable urban living, creating what planners describe as ‘a city within nature’ rather than nature within the city.

    The coordinated development approach has simultaneously addressed urban overcrowding while promoting economic integration across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. This seven-year transformation demonstrates how strategic planning can reshape megacities to prioritize livability, environmental sustainability, and balanced economic growth, offering potential lessons for urban centers worldwide grappling with similar challenges of density and development.