Erdogan has 'no interest' in re-election, and doctor describes dire straits for Gaza's children
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday he has no interest in being re-elected. A doctor describes the horrendous state of children in Gaza. Abu Dhabi artificial intelligence company G42 has teamed up with tech giants on Stargate UAE.
On today's episode of Trending Middle East:
This episode features Alvin R Cabral, Business Reporter – Consumer and Technology; and Lizzie Porter, Turkey Correspondent.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
30 minutes ago
- Arabian Business
OpenAI in discussions with UAE's MGX, Saudi's PIF for its $40bn funding
OpenAI, which recently said it aims to raise US$40 billion in financing at a valuation of US$300 billion, has reportedly been in talks with the UAE's MGX, an existing shareholder; Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries. The Information reported this on Wednesday, citing people close to the fundraise, but Reuters could not get any confirmation or comments from OpenAI, PIF, Reliance Industries, MGX, or SoftBank. The US$40 billion fundraise is being led by SoftBank. Earlier this year, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with India's IT Minister and discussed the country's plan of creating a low-cost AI ecosystem. Altman also had plans to visit the UAE to discuss raising funds with MGX, Reuters learned from two unnamed sources. On March 31, OpenAI said in a post: Today we're announcing new funding – $40 billion at a $300 billion post-money valuation, which enables us to push the frontiers of AI research even further, scale our compute infrastructure, and deliver increasingly powerful tools for the 500 million people who use ChatGPT every week. 'We're excited to be working in partnership with SoftBank Group – few companies understand how to scale transformative technology like they do. Their support will help us continue building AI systems that drive scientific discovery, enable personalised education, enhance human creativity, and pave the way toward AGI that benefits all of humanity.' Last week, an unconfirmed CNBC report said that OpenAI has crossed a milestone mark of US$10 billion in annualised recurring revenue, up from US$5.5 billion in December last year. The Information report added that the Microsoft-backed startup has also discussed raising at least US$100 million each from Coatue and Founders Fund as part of the fundraise.
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Deloitte Middle East advances AI integration with launch of Global Agentic Network
Middle East – Deloitte has launched its Global Agentic Network, a strategic initiative designed to scale AI-driven digital workforce solutions for organizations around the world, with significant potential to transform business operations across the Middle East. As AI adoption accelerates in the region, Deloitte's agentic AI offering provides a future-forward solution that combines intelligent automation with human expertise. Through its global network spanning EMEA, Asia Pacific, and North America - and with a growing regional focus in the GCC - Deloitte is bringing AI-powered agents to enterprises looking to drive operational efficiency, accelerate growth, and reimagine how work gets done. Agentic AI refers to software agents capable of autonomously executing tasks, orchestrating workflows, and adapting based on input from users or other systems. These agents, powered by large language models and machine learning, are designed to learn and evolve - making them ideal for complex, dynamic business environments. In the Middle East, where government and private sector agendas alike are emphasizing digital transformation, the Global Agentic Network supports national strategies for AI innovation and economic diversification. Deloitte is already supporting regional clients in sectors such as energy, government, and financial services to implement agentic solutions that streamline decision-making, improve efficiency, and unlock value at scale. 'The Middle East is on a rapid trajectory toward AI-led transformation, and Agentic AI is a game-changer for how businesses operate,' said Yousef Barkawie, Deloitte Middle East Gen AI Leader. 'At Deloitte, we're helping our clients navigate the world of AI transformation by architecting and building the capabilities and trust needed for them to scale out their AI deployments and transform at the core. Our clients are finding new efficiencies in their ways of working, streamlining their operations, and reimagining their entire value chains. This is an exciting moment to help shape what the future of work looks like in our region, especially as governments and industries double down on innovation and future-readiness.' The Global Agentic Network includes alliances with leading technology platforms and the launch of solutions like Zora AI™, Deloitte's suite of proprietary AI agents that can autonomously perform complex business functions. These tools are already being deployed within Deloitte's own operations, as part of the firm's broader ambition to become an AI-fueled organization by 2030. The network also supports Deloitte's commitment to upskilling its workforce and embedding AI into its core services, allowing the firm to deliver faster, more insightful, and more adaptive solutions to clients. As part of this global initiative, Deloitte Middle East is accelerating local AI capabilities and working with clients to responsibly integrate agentic AI into their transformation journeys, bridging the gap between traditional automation and true enterprise intelligence. © 2025 Deloitte & Touche (M.E.). All rights reserved. In this press release references to 'Deloitte' are references to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited ('DTTL') a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see for a detailed description of the legal structure of DTTL and its member firms. The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press. About Deloitte & Touche (M.E.) LLP: Deloitte & Touche (M.E.) LLP ('DME') is the affiliate for the territories of the Middle East and Cyprus of Deloitte NSE LLP ('NSE'), a UK limited liability partnership and member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ('DTTL'). DME is a leading professional services organization established in the Middle East region with uninterrupted presence since 1926. DME's presence in the Middle East region is established through its affiliated independent legal entities, which are licensed to operate and to provide services under the applicable laws and regulations of the relevant country. DME's affiliates and related entities cannot oblige each other and/or DME, and when providing services, each affiliate and related entity engages directly and independently with its own clients and shall only be liable for its own acts or omissions and not those of any other affiliate. DME provides services throughout 23 offices in 15 countries with more than 7,000 partners, directors and staff. About Deloitte: Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited ('DTTL'), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the 'Deloitte organization'). DTTL (also referred to as 'Deloitte Global') and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm sand related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL, NSE and DME do not provide services to clients. Please see to learn more. Deloitte provides Audit & Assurance, Tax & Legal and Consulting and related services to nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies. Our professionals deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in capital markets, enable clients to transform and thrive, and lead the way toward a stronger economy, a more equitable society and a sustainable world. Building on its 175-plus year history, Deloitte spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's approximately 457,000 people worldwide make an impact that matters at Bassel Barakat External Communications |PR and Media Lead Deloitte & Touche (M.E.) bbarakat@ |
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Former US State Department official decries efforts to undermine movements showing support for Gaza
After resigning from the US State Department last year in protest against former president Joe Biden's policies on Gaza, Hala Rharrit is set to participate in the Global March to Gaza from Friday. About 4,000 people are expected to march from the Egyptian city of from Al Arish to the border with Gaza in Rafah. The trip is expected to take three days. The march comes after 12 activists attempted to sail to Gaza on board the Madleen aid boat, before they were intercepted and detained by Israel. The move by the volunteers, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and French politician Rima Hassan, was described as "performative", with Israel referring to it as the "selfie flotilla" because those on board posted videos on social media after beginning the journey to Gaza. They also recorded videos that were published online after they were detained by Israeli authorities. The Global March to Gaza has faced similar criticism. But, speaking to The National before travelling from Dubai to Cairo on Thursday, Ms Rharrit said that showed how some people were "desperate" to undermine public efforts to highlight the worsening humanitarian crisis in the enclave. "My response to the claim that this is performative is that it's an Israeli talking point that was crafted in an office where they tried to figure out how they can oppose this mass movement and make it look bad," she said. "This shows the desperation. They cannot refute it on matter of substance and deny that there's hunger on the ground in Gaza." In 2010, six vessels carrying activists and aid to Gaza were attacked by Israel in the Mediterranean, killing nine of those on board. The incident caused a deep rift between Turkey and Israel. Last month, a vessel set to carry activists and aid to Gaza was attacked by drones off the coast of Malta. Ms Thunberg was due to board the ship en route to the enclave. "We want to bring attention to the plight of Palestinians and the sad reality is that it takes people with a platform to do that," Ms Rharrit said. "The point is to continue building momentum and the movement for peace, justice, equality, human dignity and principles that everyone should rally for. This is not 'you versus me', but it is about human solidarity." The former US official also noted the change in perspective in the west towards Israel, but said governments have to follow the people. Israel "has spent millions trying to convince people that they're not killing civilians ... but I think the people in the world have woken up to the realities and learnt what's happening in Gaza", she added. The UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway this week imposed travel bans on Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, as well as freezing their assets. Ms Rharrit said the move reflected the growing anger towards Israel, but that more needed to be done. "The sanctioning of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir is a way of placating the citizens of the UK," she said. "Israel has been implicated in genocide. There should be a full-on arms embargo by any country that abides by international law."
