Xi, Putin hail ties as ‘stabilising force’ in a chaotic world

Leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin framed their nations’ ties as a stabilising force in a chaotic world as they met on Thursday in Beijing, where the Russian president is seeking greater Chinese support for his war effort in Ukraine.It is Putin’s first trip abroad since his March re-election and the second in just over six months to China, an economic lifeline for Russia after the West hit it with unprecedented sanctions over its military offensive in Ukraine.Putin was greeted by Xi at a grand welcoming ceremony outside Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, footage by state broadcaster CCTV showed. In a meeting, Xi then told his “old friend” Putin that China-Russia relations were “conducive to peace”.“China is ready to work with Russia to... uphold fairness and justice in the world,” Xi added.Putin, in turn, told Xi the two countries’ relations were “stabilising factors in the international arena”.“Relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic and not directed against anyone,” Putin said, according to a Kremlin readout.“Together, we uphold the principles of justice and a democratic world order that reflects multipolar realities and is based on international law,” he added.Following closed-door meetings, the two leaders then signed a joint statement on deepening their countries’ “comprehensive strategic partnership”, state news agency Xinhua said.The Russian leader’s arrival came hours after he hailed his country’s troops for advancing on “all fronts” on the battlefield in Ukraine, following a major new ground assault.And the Kremlin said Russia and China had agreed to oppose “further escalation” of the conflict in Ukraine.“The parties note the need to stop any steps that contribute to the prolongation of hostilities,” the Kremlin’s readout of their joint statement said.China has dismissed claims it is aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine and insisted that the West is exacerbating the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.

source https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682730/international/xi-putin-hail-ties-as-stabilising-force-in-a-chaotic-world

Ex-PM Khan seen in court via video link, appears in good shape

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan appeared before the Supreme Court by video link from prison yesterday to plead his petition against changes in Pakistan’s anti-graft laws.His video appearance was expected to be streamed live on the court’s website and YouTube, making it the first publicly seen visuals of the jailed leader since his arrest in August last year.However, the pictures could not be seen on the website as proceedings began.It was not immediately clear why the feed was not available on the website or YouTube. The top court has lately been allowing live streaming of important cases.Posts about the appearance, however, crossed 200,000 within hours on social media platform X.Up to 15,000 of Khan’s supporters waited on the YouTube channel of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party for the court visuals to be aired.That number fell below 5,000 when it became apparent the live stream was not happening.Khan, a 71-year-old cricketer-turned-politician, has been appearing in other courts since being jailed on corruption charges, but cameras have not been permitted to cover those proceedings which are usually conducted on the jail premises.While Khan has been fighting dozens of cases registered against him, yesterday’s appearance was in connection with a case he has filed against amendments to Pakistan’s anti-graft legislation.During three hours of proceedings, Khan’s microphone was muted before Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa adjourned the hearing.A date for the next hearing would be given later after consultation with his fellow judges, he said.Regarding Khan’s video link appearance, he said “the same arrangement will continue”, according to a Reuters reporter inside the courtroom.His party leader Ali Mohamed Khan demanded that his appearance should be livestreamed at the next hearing.Khan’s party circulated a screen grab, which instantly went viral, that showed him wearing a sky-blue polo shirt, with sleeves rolled up and both buttons open, freshly shaven and with dyed hair.“Picture is out. So will be him, soon,” said a post on X.Though the origin of the screen grab could not be verified independently, it appeared to match what was shown on the screen inside the court, according to the Reuters reporter present.Court staff were seen checking how such an image could have been captured when phones or cameras were not allowed in the courtroom, the Reuters reporter said, but the court did not take any formal notice or issue any orders for an investigation.Khan remained seated throughout the hearing but looked uncomfortable and kept changing positions when he was not asked any questions by the court even after couple of hours, according to the Reuters reporter.The Supreme Court had this week ordered the government to ensure that Khan be produced via video link, granting his request to be allowed to represent himself instead of through a lawyer.Khan, who was removed from power in 2022, was granted bail in a land corruption case on Wednesday, but will remain in prison having been convicted in four cases, of which sentences in two have been suspended.The former prime minister, who remains widely popular in Pakistan, alleges that the cases are part of an effort by his political rivals and the country’s powerful military to sideline him and keep him from returning to power. Both deny this.Khan-backed candidates won the most seats in a national election earlier this year despite him being in jail, but they did not have the numbers to form a government.An alliance of his rivals led by previous Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif eventually formed a government.

source https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682725/international/ex-pm-khan-seen-in-court-via-video-link-appears-in-good-shape

Red Sea disruption is splitting global LNG trade in regions

It’s been four months since a liquefied natural gas tanker has passed through the narrow strait at the southern end of the Red Sea separating the Arabian Peninsula and Africa, testament to how violent attacks there have upended global energy trade.While dozens of such ships used to traverse the Bab al-Mandab Strait each month prior to the escalation of the Israel-Hamas war, attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have brought that number down to zero since mid-January.Vessels have been forced to reroute around Africa to transport fuel between the Atlantic and Pacific basins, leaving buyers with a limited pool of suppliers unless they’re willing to pay for higher shipping costs.The result is that the global market for LNG is growing increasingly fragmented.“At the moment, more than ever, you have cargo segmentation of the two basins, and it will be more challenging economically to move a cargo from one basin to another,” Patrick Dugas, head of LNG trading at TotalEnergies SE, said at a conference last month.Traders have had to find homes for shipments closer to where they are produced to save on transportation. Those efforts will likely intensify when fuel demand ramps up ahead of next winter, when shipping costs usually also rise.That fragmentation will make it more challenging to divert supply between regions if there is an outage at an export plant or a sudden surge in demand. And that could result in higher prices, or a widening spread between Europe and Asia.Solutions involve swapping cargoes, for example by channelling US LNG to Europe and finding equivalent supplies in Asia to meet contractual obligations to a buyer there.In the first quarter of 2024, Qatari LNG volumes that ended up in Asia reached the highest level since at least 2017, while Russia poured even more of its super-chilled fuel into Europe, according to ship-tracking data on Bloomberg.The Red Sea and Suez Canal previously accounted for about a tenth of global seaborne trade, and provided Qatar with the shortest route to Europe, which has embraced LNG since it lost pipeline flows from Russia.The longer distances ships have to travel now are tying up their availability, and adding about 4% to global demand for shipping oil products and gas, according to Clarkson Research Services, a unit of the world’s largest shipbroker.Thousands of miles away, crossings via the Panama Canal have also slumped after an unprecedented drought curbed traffic. That’s effectively close another shorter route for US LNG to Asia.TotalEnergies’s Dugas said the congestion will likely be structural as an anticipated increase in US LNG supply by the end of the decade will probably do little to alleviate the burden on the passage.The only recent entries into the Suez Canal from the north have been a tanker delivering LNG for Egypt via Jordan in April, and exiting the same route without travelling further into the Red Sea. Another one is approaching the Jordanian terminal on Friday, according to ship-tracking data on Bloomberg.So far, the daily cost of chartering a tanker has been resilient and even declined since the Red Sea disruptions escalated in January. That reflects a comfortable supply situation in markets like Europe, which experienced a mild winter and muted industrial consumption of the fuel.“It is, however, what we call the ‘shoulder month period’ in LNG, with low gas and ship demand,” said Per-Christian Willoch Fett, director and global head of LNG at shipbroker Fearnleys AS. “Let’s see how things go when we get towards the ramp up period towards the autumn.”

source https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682685/international/red-sea-disruption-is-splitting-global-lng-trade-in-regions

IOF murders over 15,000 children since beginning of its aggression - PRCS

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said on Thursday that more than 15,000 children have been murdered by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) since the beginning of the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip on Oct, 7, 2023.Palestinian news agency (Wafa) reported the PRCS as saying that around 15,103 children were murdered as a result of the ongoing attacks and violations of the Israeli occupation that have been going for more than seven months.On its 223rd day, the IOF continues its aggression against the Gaza Strip from all sides (air, land and sea) since Oct. 7, 2023, murdering at least 35,233 Palestinians, and injuring at least 79,141 others, while thousands of Palestinians remain under the rubble. The IOF has caused a humanitarian catastrophe of countless martyrs, wounded and missing Palestinians, as well as a massive destruction of vital infrastructure and facilities in the Gaza Strip.

source https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682677/international/iof-murders-over-15000-children-since-beginning-of-its-aggression---prcs

Apple announces new accessibility features for iPhone and iPad technology

Apple announced new accessibility features on iPhones and iPads in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day.New features include Eye Tracking, a way for users with physical disabilities to control iPad or iPhone with their eyes. Additionally, Music Haptics will offer a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience music using the Taptic Engine in iPhone; Vocal Shortcuts will allow users to perform tasks by making a custom sound; Vehicle Motion Cues can help reduce motion sickness when using iPhone or iPad in a moving vehicle.Powered by artificial intelligence, Eye Tracking gives users a built-in option for navigating iPad and iPhone with just their eyes. Designed for users with physical disabilities, Eye Tracking uses the front-facing camera to set up and calibrate in seconds, and with on-device machine learning, all data used to set up and control this feature is kept securely on the device, and isnt shared with Apple. Eye Tracking works across iPadOS and iOS apps and does not require additional hardware or accessories.As for Music Haptics, it is a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience music on iPhone. With this accessibility feature turned on, the Taptic Engine in iPhone plays taps, textures, and refined vibrations to the audio of the music. Music Haptics works across millions of songs in the Apple Music catalog and will be available as an API for developers to make music more accessible in their apps.With Vocal Shortcuts, iPhone and iPad users can assign custom utterances that Siri can understand to launch shortcuts and complete complex tasks.Vehicle Motion Cues is a new experience for iPhone and iPad that can help reduce motion sickness for passengers in moving vehicles. With Vehicle Motion Cues, animated dots on the edges of the screen represent changes in vehicle motion to help reduce sensory conflict without interfering with the main content. Additionally, Accessibility features coming to CarPlay include Voice Control, Color Filters, and Sound Recognition. With Sound Recognition, drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing can turn on alerts to be notified of car horns and sirens.This year, accessibility features coming to visionOS will include systemwide Live Captions to help users who are deaf or hard of hearing.Apple is set to announce more accessibility features with the new operating systems next month and will launch later this year.

source https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682676/international/apple-announces-new-accessibility-features-for-iphone-and-ipadtechnology

Two-state solution can resolve Palestine conflict: Gen Petraeus

General David H Petraeus, a prominent and retired US army official suggested yesterday that a two-state solution is the way forward to end the Palestine conflict. General Petraeus was interacting with the editor-in-chief of Bloomberg, John Micklethwait at the ongoing Qatar Economic Forum 2024 being held at Raffles and Fairmont Doha.Answering the question ‘Is the end of the conflict a two-state solution?’ from Micklethwait, General Petraeus replied 'I think it has to be. No one has ever been able to describe any other possible solution. But obviously that has been extremely challenging.” In his conversation, he also highlighted several strategies that can make the lives better in Gaza and Palestine and how they can be achieved.General Petraeus was discussing ‘Geopolitics: Navigating the Global Risk Landscape’ during the forum where he described various challenges including Ukraine and several other challenges in the region. As for the Ukraine War he noted that the battle is going on in Kharkive, the second largest city in Ukraine.“From the north of Kharkiv, the Russians have been pushing. If the Russians get into the artillery range of Kharikv, they will just obliterate the city. I think the Ukrainians can certainly keep them out of Kharkiv as they have done before in the first year of war. But they have to get them out of artillery range,' he explained.

source https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682657/international/two-state-solution-can-resolve-palestine-conflict-gen-petraeus

Alexander Johnson Group brings a fresh perspective in the Dubai real estate market

Real estate agency Alexander Johnson Group is redefining the real estate industry, promising a transformative experience for property investors and end-users alike. Spearheaded by the seasoned real estate investor and broker, Alexander Johnson, this company is making waves with its boutique approach to the market. This real estate company brings a fresh perspective to the real estate scene in Dubai. With a focus on residential, commercial, high-end properties, and hotels, the group is set to redefine the standards of customer service and market expertise.Unlike traditional real estate firms, this company’s expert team goes beyond mere transactions, striving to deeply understand each client’s unique needs and aspirations. “Our approach is simple yet profound,” Alexander explains. “We listen actively, educate our clients on the market intricacies, and advise them transparently, even if it means recommending against immediate purchases.” The founder’s extensive experience in the Middle East, dating back to 2006, lends a unique edge to the group’s operations. His deep-rooted connections within the region, coupled with international expertise garnered from ventures in the UK and the USA, position Alexander Johnson Group as a formidable force in the global real estate arena.The company’s differentiation doesn’t stop at expertise; it extends to a robust code of ethics and a philosophy centered around credibility and integrity. The founder further explains his philosophy, “I might say I will have an answer in two days to our clients, and I’ll revert back to them in one” showcasing his commitment to client satisfaction above all else.Mr. Johnson often deals with trusted individuals, such as bankers and lawyers, and ensures that he delivers what he says, without overpromising. This approach has allowed him to build a strong reputation and build trust with his clients, ensuring that he delivers on his promises and maintains a positive reputation in the industry and the wider region. The founder even has an extensive network of business with banks, family offices, hedge funds, and royal families in the UAE region. As he states, “Dubai isn’t just our base; it’s our canvas for innovation and growth,” says Alexander. “The city’s dynamism mirrors our ethos of progress and excellence.”In a recent testament to their ethical stance, Alexander recounts a scenario where a couple who were recently referred to him had just moved to Dubai. The husband wanted to buy a place, but the wife was unsure. He advised them to rent for a year, determine their desired areas, and ensure they were both happy before making a purchase. This approach, although unconventional in the cut-throat real estate industry, exemplifies the Group’s unwavering commitment and transparency to doing what’s right for their clients, even if it means delaying immediate ‘gains or profits’.As Dubai continues to evolve as a global hub for investment and luxury living, Alexander Johnson Group cements its position, setting new benchmarks for excellence in the real estate industry.

source https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682579/international/alexander-johnson-group-brings-a-fresh-perspective-in-the-dubai-real-estate-market

Annual inflation rate in Argentina rises to 289.4%, monthly rate slows

The annual inflation rate in Argentina rose to 289.4%, the country's statistical office (Indec) said.Prices in the South American country, which has been hit by a severe economic crisis, rose by 8.8% in April, data issued by Indec showed.The costs of housing, gas, water and electricity rose sharply. However, it was the first time since October that the monthly inflation rate remained in the single digits.Argentina is in the midst of a severe economic crisis.The government recently cut thousands of jobs in the public sector, reduced subsidies and wound up social programs, triggering demonstrations.Critics say that President Javier Milei's harsh austerity program is plunging many people into poverty and is putting the country's future at risk.Around 40% of people in the once prosperous country live below the poverty line.The second largest economy in South America suffers from a bloated state apparatus, low industrial productivity and a large shadow economy that deprives the state of much tax revenue.

source https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682576/international/annual-inflation-rate-in-argentina-rises-to-2894-monthly-rate-slows

US to back Ukraine until security ‘guaranteed’

The United States will back Ukraine until its security is “guaranteed”, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on a trip to Kyiv yesterday, hours after Russian forces claimed further advances in the northeastern Kharkiv region.Blinken’s visit comes just weeks after the US Congress finally approved a $61bn financial aid package for Ukraine following months of political wrangling, unlocking much-needed arms for the country’s outgunned troops.“We’re with you today. And we will stay by your side, until Ukraine’s security, sovereignty, and ability to choose its own path is guaranteed,” Blinken said in a speech.“The assistance is now on its way. Some of it has already arrived. More will be arriving,” he had told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting earlier.“That’s going to make a real difference against the ongoing Russian aggression on the battlefield,” he said. Zelensky thanked Washington for the aid, which he said was “crucial” — but stressed it was “important to get it as quickly as possible”.“We need a noticeable acceleration of supplies. Now too much time passes between the announcement of packages and the actual appearance of weapons on the frontline,” he said in an evening address.Zelensky said air defence was the “biggest problem” for Ukraine and requested two Patriot batteries for the Kharkiv region, where Russian forces have been advancing and pounding villages along the border since Friday.Blinken was on his fourth visit to Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.After meeting Zelensky, he met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Veterano, a pizzeria set up by a military veteran in the city centre.Russia’s surprise ground offensive in the Kharkiv region has forced thousands to evacuate and pushed Kyiv to mobilise troop reinforcements.Ukraine said several civilians have been killed by Russian fire in the region, including yesterday two aged 80 and 83.The governor of the Kharkiv region said 15 people were wounded by Russian strikes in the border territory’s largest city, also called Kharkiv.One civilian, a 47-year-old man, was also reported killed in the city of Nikopol in southern Ukraine.In a call to Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the “intensification of Russian strikes” and the Kharkiv offensive.Russia’s defence ministry, meanwhile, said its forces had captured another village in the Kharkiv region.“Units of the North group of troops liberated the village of Bugruvatka in the Kharkiv region and advanced deep into the enemy defence,” the ministry said in a statement.

source https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682568/international/us-to-back-ukraine-until-security-guaranteed

Swiss nursery lets robot do the talking

Sat in a circle on the nursery floor, a group of Swiss three-year-olds ask a robot called Nao questions about giraffes and broccoli.By the time these children become adults, interacting with robots may well be as commonplace as using a smartphone, experts believe.So one Lausanne creche has decided to give them a head start.Nao has been a regular visitor at the Nanosphere nursery on the campus of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology university since the New Year. He is what is called an “interactive learning companion” rather than a substitute teacher.As the children were dropped off, Nao — who is only 58cm (less than two feet) tall — stood on a bench to greet them at eye level.“Hello, my name is Nao. I’m happy to be at the Nanosphere today,” he said, in a child-like high-pitched voice.“I left my planet some time ago to come and meet you. I look forward to getting to know you and being able to talk with you in the weeks ahead.”Some children walked straight past, some waved, pointed, touched his hand or simply gazed at him transfixed.“What will the children’s future be like? Will they have to work with robots? Very probably yes,” Olivier Delamadeleine, director-general of the Educalis group of nurseries and primary schools in Lausanne, told AFP.“So as we are in a place of learning it is important to get them familiarised early so that they’re used to working with robots,” he added.Back in the class, teacher Eve L’Eplattenier and the 14 children sat in a circle on the floor with Nao in the middle.“He’s going to come and explain things to you,” she said.“Do you like broccoli? It’s very good for your health,” the robot said.L’Eplattenier picked him up and put him on a table. She said Nao would not grow any taller as children do.The children gathered excitedly around, some jockeying for space.“No squabbling!” Nao told them.Prompted by their teacher, the children tried to catch him out with questions such as, “I am an animal with a trunk. What am I?” When he got it right, they giggled.Gabriel Paffi, a Master’s student in robotics, sat in the corner feeding Nao his answers.He programmed the robot and is working on how to adapt it for a nursery’s needs.“The goal is to make it automated so that he no longer needs me to move around and respond to the children,” Paffi said.The first Nao robots hit the market in 2008. Now on generation six, the brand is owned by the Germany-based United Robotics Group and more than 15,000 units have been sold.The plan is for this Nao to spend several years in the Educalis nurseries as his capacities expand.L’Eplattenier said the children are thrilled when Nao turns up, and have bonded with their diminutive friend.“They are curious to see what he will say, what he will do,” she said.“He’s a companion with little tips and bits of advice. “I think he will quickly position himself as the little know-it-all of the group.”As for the parents, they too are keen to see how Nao will settle in.“I think it’s a good way to help the children progress with new technologies,” said Guillaume Quentin.When it was time for Nao to “fly back into space”, each child in turn shuffled towards him to say goodbye and give him a wave. He replied to each by name.“I love you. I will come back soon,” he told them.

source https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682567/international/swiss-nursery-lets-robot-do-the-talking

Dollar steadies, Yen nears two-week low

The dollar was steady on Tuesday as investors awaited an inflation report this week that will likely shape the US rates outlook, while the yen was hovering near a two-week low.The euro was little changed at $1.0786 but is up 1% against the dollar so far this month, while sterling last bought $1.2554, up roughly 0.5% so far in May.The dollar index, which measures the US currency against six rivals, was last at 105.27, and the index has slipped about 1% in May.The yen was trading at 156.41 per dollar after approaching its two-week low of 156.50 per dollar earlier in the session.The Australian dollar was 0.11% lower at $0.6601, while the New Zealand dollar was flat at $0.6016.

source https://www.gulf-times.com/article/682478/international/dollar-steadies-yen-nears-two-week-low