Nintendo Switch 2 Smashes Record as Company's Fastest-Selling Console
Last month, the Kyoto-based company forecast Switch 2 sales would reach 15 million during the current financial year ending next March.
"Fans around the world are showing their enthusiasm for Nintendo Switch 2 as an upgraded way to play at home and on the go," Nintendo of America President and Chief Operating Officer Doug Bowser said in a statement.
Nintendo has sold 152 million Switch devices since it was first launched in 2017, creating a games juggernaut with titles including "The Legend of Zelda" and COVID-19 pandemic breakout hit "Animal Crossing: New Horizons".
The more powerful second-generation version, which went on sale on June 5, bears many similarities with its predecessor, but offers a larger screen and improved graphics. It is sold with titles including "Mario Kart World".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
India is rising to become a global powerhouse
As India marks its 79th Independence Day on Aug. 15, it is a moment to reflect on the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and the extraordinary journey of a nation that has risen to become a global powerhouse. India's progress today is underscored by leadership across cutting-edge domains such as artificial intelligence, digital governance, and space exploration. The recent success of the Gaganyaan crewed space mission has positioned India among the elite group of nations capable of human spaceflight. Simultaneously, India's digital infrastructure continues to transform lives by enhancing access to health care, education, and government services, empowering millions. Environmental stewardship remains a cornerstone of India's development agenda. The ambitious LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) mission exemplifies India's commitment to sustainable living, mobilizing citizens worldwide toward eco-friendly practices. This is coupled with rapid growth in renewable energy, with India scaling solar and wind capacity to meet its ambitious net-zero emissions target. India's economy, one of the fastest-growing globally, is powered by innovation and entrepreneurship. Initiatives such as 'Make in India' and 'Digital India' have unlocked vast opportunities, attracting foreign investments and positioning India as a crucial player in the global supply chain. The historic and enduring partnership between India and Saudi Arabia continues to flourish. Spanning sectors from energy and trade to education and culture, this multifaceted relationship is grounded in mutual respect and shared aspirations for peace and prosperity. The Indian community in Saudi Arabia, numbering more than 2.7 million, stands as a vital bridge between the two countries. Their contributions to the Kingdom's development, culture, and society enhance the fabric of this friendly nation. We are grateful for the Kingdom's generous hospitality and unwavering support. On this occasion, we also express our appreciation to Saudi Arabia for facilitating the safe and spiritually enriching pilgrimage of Indian pilgrims during Hajj 2025. As India approaches its 80th year of independence, the spirit of cooperation and partnership between India and Saudi Arabia promises to reach even greater heights. Together, we will continue to work toward shared goals of innovation, sustainability, and inclusive prosperity. On this Independence Day, we celebrate not only the legacy of our past but also the promise of our future — a future defined by resilience, progress, and the enduring bonds of friendship. Jai Hind! • Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri is India's consul general to Saudi Arabia.
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
India and Saudi Arabia: Shaping a shared future together
On the occasion of the 79th Independence Day of India, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indian citizens in Saudi Arabia, and to our dear Saudi friends and partners. Aug. 15 holds great importance for every Indian, as it was on this day in 1947 that India gained independence. It marked the end of colonial rule and the beginning of our journey as the world's largest democracy. On this day we remember those who fought for our freedom, and we honor the brave soldiers who continue to protect our borders, many of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. India is proud of its rich civilizational history, diverse cultural ethos, and strong democratic values. India's approach to international relations is based on trust and partnership. India is a leading voice for the Global South, has been a major contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts, and has taken an active role in upholding sustainability and climate action. Close to eight decades after Independence, India stands out as a shining example of what is possible through the collective action of 1.4 billion people. In the economic realm India is a leader in global trade, investments, and innovation, driven by a robust business environment, a dynamic demographic profile, and sustained economic reforms. As the world's fourth-largest economy with a GDP size larger than $4 trillion, we are on track to become the third-largest economy with a projected GDP of $7.3 trillion by 2030. India is also the world's fastest-growing major economy with real GDP growing at 6.5 percent on average. India remains a favored destination for global investments, with cumulative FDI inflows reaching $1.05 trillion as of 2024-25. Our strategic initiatives such as Production Linked Incentive schemes, revitalization of MSMEs, and the expansion of digital infrastructure have laid the foundation for a high-growth, high-opportunity economy. We have charted new paths, from space to the high seas, and set our goals on a developed India by 2047. This day is also a time to reflect on our close relationships with key partners. Saudi Arabia is one of India's most trusted and valued strategic partners. Our ties are rooted in a rich tapestry of civilizational, cultural, and commercial connections that date back centuries. Today, the India-Saudi partnership spans a wide array of domains, including defense, security, trade, investment, energy, technology, healthcare, education, culture, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. However, the strength of our relationship goes far beyond individual sectors: It is anchored in mutual trust, goodwill, and a shared recognition that, in an increasingly uncertain world, our partnership stands as a pillar of stability and strength. The landmark state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Kingdom in April 2025 was a true reflection of this deepening bond. Prime Minister Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had highly productive engagements in Jeddah, resulting in key outcomes — including the agreement on the establishment of two India-Saudi joint venture refineries in India, and agreements in health, space cooperation, sports and postal cooperation. The two leaders co-chaired the second meeting of the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, or SPC, during this visit. And in keeping with the deepening of the strategic partnership over the past few years, two new ministerial committees under the SPC, one on defense cooperation and another on tourism and cultural cooperation, were created. India stands out as shining example of what is possible through collective action Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan On the commercial side, our bilateral trade reached around $42 billion in 2024-25. India is now Saudi Arabia's second-largest trading partner, and the Kingdom ranks fifth for India. Indian companies are increasingly investing in Saudi Arabia. Many of them are involved in major infrastructure and energy projects under Vision 2030. Indian IT and tech firms are contributing to Saudi Arabia's digital transformation, while interest is also growing in areas like healthcare, logistics, mining, and startups. We have set up strong institutional frameworks, including a Ministerial Committee on Economy, Energy, Investment and Technology, and a high-level task force on investment. Our economic visions — the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and India's Viksit Bharat (Developed India) 2047 — complement each other, creating vast synergies for growth. Energy remains a key pillar of our partnership. Saudi Arabia is a major and reliable supplier of oil and gas, which continues to support India's development. We are also working with Saudi Arabia in areas such as solar, wind, and hydrogen. An agreement signed in 2023 covers electrical interconnection, hydrogen, and supply chains. We are exploring the idea of linking our power grids — a project that fits within the broader India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor announced in 2023. We recognize that stability, in the region and beyond, benefits our nations and the world. To this end, defense cooperation has grown steadily. The first joint army exercise, Sada Tanseeq, took place last year, along with two naval exercises — Al-Mohed Al-Hindi — in 2021 and 2023. There are regular exchanges of military leadership, training programs, and growing collaboration in defense industries. On the security front, we are working closely together to combat terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and cyber threats. There is a natural connection in culture and people-to-people ties. Indian cinema and television content enjoy huge popularity in Saudi Arabia. There is increased cooperation in media and entertainment sectors, including in joint production. Yoga has become popular in the Kingdom, with strong support from the Saudi government. Academic exchanges have expanded. We have initiated joint research activities on historic archives. There is growing interest in the game of cricket among Saudis. More Indian players are participating in the Kingdom's esports tournaments. Two-way tourist numbers have increased consistently. We also welcome Saudi Arabia's decision to join the International Big Cat Alliance. The vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia is a living bridge connecting our two countries. We deeply appreciate the role of the Saudi leadership in taking care of the welfare of 2.7 million Indians living in the Kingdom. We also congratulate the Saudi leadership for successfully organizing the Hajj pilgrimage this year. India and Saudi Arabia are not only consolidating a dynamic partnership but also charting a bold vision for the future. Together, we are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping peace, progress, and prosperity; not just for our people, but for the entire world. On behalf of the government, people of India and the Indian diaspora in the Kingdom, I take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the sustained peace, progress, and prosperity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. • Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan is India's ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Arab News
13 hours ago
- Arab News
Two LUMS professors become first Pakistanis to join MIT's J-PAL network
ISLAMABAD: Two faculty members from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) have become the first Pakistani academics invited to join the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, LUMS said in a statement. Dr. Ali Cheema, the vice chancellor, is a professor of economics and politics at LUMS and co-founder of the university's Mahbub ul Haq Research Center, with research spanning political economy, development and governance. Dr. Farah Said is an associate professor of economics whose work focuses on gender, labor markets, and poverty, and she has led several randomized control trials on empowerment and development interventions. 'LUMS is delighted to announce that faculty members Dr. Farah Said and Dr. Ali Cheema have been invited to join the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT as Affiliated Professors — the first two faculty members from any Pakistani university to receive this honor,' the statement said. J-PAL, co-founded by Nobel laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo, is one of the world's foremost institutions promoting evidence-based policymaking to reduce poverty. Its Affiliated Professors include leading economists from top global universities, among them five Nobel laureates. The selection of Dr. Said and Dr. Cheema recognizes their 'impactful work in economics and political economy, which has been published in top journals such as the Journal of Political Economy, American Political Science Review, Science, Economic Journal, and American Economic Journal: Applied Economics,' LUMS said. 'This milestone marks a significant achievement for LUMS, Pakistan's economic community, and the nation, as we contribute to shaping global economic research.' When asked to comment, Drs. Said and Cheema said their research owed much to their co-authors, colleagues, and students. 'This is an exciting time to be part of the Pakistani economist community, with a growing number of Pakistani-origin academics shaping global research on issues that are critical for the country,' the professors said. 'We are also seeing the emergence of exceptional young Pakistani scholars who are asking deep questions about why economies, polities, and societies are not delivering for their people.'
