WASHINGTON — OpenAI has scrapped plans to release its new AI model, GPT-6.1 Astra, in the next few weeks due to safety concerns, the ChatGPT maker confirmed on Tuesday. The New York Times reported that OpenAI was planning to release GPT-6.1 Astra “in the coming days or weeks,” sometime in October, as its next major model release. GPT-6 Astra launched on September 3. GPT-6.1 Astra is said to have been “more capable” compared to GPT-6 in “completing challenging tasks from end-to-end without human assistance, as well as writing.” The AI system, which performs tasks like browsing the web and using…
Author: Editorial Team
CAPITALS, 29th September, 2026 (WAM) — Gold steadied near a more than seven-week low on Tuesday. Spot gold was little changed at $4,124.57 per ounce, as of 01:40 GMT, after hitting its lowest level since 5th August in the previous session. US gold futures fell 0.3 percent to $4,156.70. Among other metals, spot silver fell 0.6 percent to $60.62, platinum slipped 1 percent at $1,699.86 and palladium lost 0.5 percent to $1,209.08. Source: Emirates News Agency
Google is reportedly preparing to send a small batch of its AI chips into orbit in the near future, putting data-centre hardware through its paces in the first real test in space. The prototype for Project Suncatcher is due to launch aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission, according to a blog by Travis Beals, Google’s senior director for Paradigms of Intelligence. Built by Planet Labs, the satellite carries the same type of tensor processing units (TPUs) Google uses in data centres on Earth. The company will track how the chips cope with radiation, the vibration of launch and the difficulty of…
SHARJAH, 28th September, 2026 (WAM) — ASAS Real Estate, the real estate arm of Sharjah Islamic Bank, has announced a new selection of residential and commercial plots at the Muhadhab project in Sharjah. Located directly on Emirates Road, one of the main routes connecting Sharjah with other emirates, the project offers convenient access and a range of options for residential development and investment. Residential plots allow buyers to build private villas, while commercial plots provide opportunities for commercial, office and residential developments. The plots are available as freehold properties to buyers of all nationalities, with flexible payment plans and financing…
Qualcomm recently renewed its global licensing agreement with Apple, ensuring the chip company will maintain some revenue from the iPhone maker. This new agreement will come into effect on the 1st April 2027. “We are pleased to extend the Apple license agreement,” stated John Han, EVP and General Manager of Qualcomm Technology Licensing. The short statement did not say how long the agreement will last, but in the face of declining chipset sales for smartphones, it is good news for Qualcomm. Bloomberg reported Apple is Qualcomm biggest customer, accounting for more than a fifth of the chipmaker’s revenue. Both Apple…
DUBAI, 28th September, 2026 (WAM) — Al Masraf (Arab Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade), in collaboration with the UAE Banks Federation (UBF), will organise the inaugural conference on the role of financial institutions in implementing the UAE Islamic Finance and Halal Industry Strategy 2025–2031 on Wednesday, 30th September, in Dubai. Held under the theme “From Legislation to Growth and Innovation”, the conference will be opened by Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, in the presence of Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Masraf, alongside…
RIYADH —Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman held on Monday a phone call with Morocco’s Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in Charge of National Defense Administration Abdellatif Loudyi. During the call, the ministers discussed ways to strengthen Saudi-Moroccan defense cooperation in a manner that fulfills the aspirations of the leaderships of both countries. They also reviewed joint efforts to support security and stability in the region amid current developments. Source: Saudi Gazette
Ofcom, a UK watchdog, recently claimed there is growing AI use among UK telecoms customers, with 8% of online adults now deploying the technology to manage their phone, broadband or pay-TV services. In a study spanning the period between 6 March and 30 June 2026, the regulator found 53% of UK adult internet users had interacted with a generative AI (genAI) tool or AI customer service chatbot in the past 12 months, highlighting the pervasion of the technology. Of those deploying AI for telecoms, 6% used it to resolve an issue, 3% to compare prices, products or services and 2%…
BUENOS AIRES, 28th September, 2026 (WAM)– Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, held three bilateral meetings in Argentina with Luis Caputo, Minister of Economy; Daniel Scioli, Secretary of Tourism, Environment, and Sports; and Pablo Quirno Magrane, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, to discuss strengthening the economic partnership between the UAE and Argentina in areas of shared interest. The meetings took place as Bin Touq led the UAE delegation participating in the 30th edition of the International Tourism Fair (FIT 2026), being held in Buenos Aires from 26th to 29th September. During the meetings,…
RIYADH — The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has approved new regulations governing camel trading across the Kingdom, covering the sale, purchase, rental and exchange of camels. The regulations are aimed at developing practices within the sector, protecting the rights of owners and traders, strengthening the livestock industry and promoting camel welfare. The ministry said the rules establish an integrated regulatory framework for camel-related transactions, strengthen documentation of ownership and commercial dealings, and improve compliance with health and biosecurity requirements. They apply to individuals and entities involved in the sale, purchase and trading of camels and are based on…