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Russian teenagers man ‘world's biggest drone factory' used to attack Ukraine, state media shows
Russian teenagers man ‘world's biggest drone factory' used to attack Ukraine, state media shows

New York Post

time6 hours ago

  • Politics
  • New York Post

Russian teenagers man ‘world's biggest drone factory' used to attack Ukraine, state media shows

Russian teenagers are helping the country build its new line of suicide UAVs used to strike Ukraine in what Moscow officials have dubbed the 'world's biggest drone factory.' Footage from inside the Yelabuga production plant shows Russian students lined up as they help assemble the killer drones and study their internal mechanisms, according to Zvezda, the Russian army's TV channel. The state-run outlet touted that teens as young as 14 are invited to study and work at the factory, creating a pipeline that would see them employed at the drone facility once they finish college — fulfilling Russian President Vladimir Putin's goal of ramping up the country's attack against Ukraine. 4 Russian TV aired footage of teenagers helping construct Moscow's killer Geran-2 drones inside the Yelabuga factory on Sunday. TV Zvezda/east2west news 4 The relatively cheap drones have been behind the mass bombardments against Ukraine in recent months. TV Zvezda/east2west news The footage from inside the factory highlighted the in-house assembly line that puts the drones together from start to finish, with the army station showing the UAVs lifting off from the back of US RAM pickup trucks. As it celebrated the factory, the station claimed that Putin was pleased with the results and called for its success to be replicated across the country. The documentary specifically showed the young workers and other staffers completing countless Geran-2 drones, which are modeled after Iran's Shahed suicide aircraft. The Shaheds had served as Russia's primary weapon to attack Ukraine miles past the border, but Moscow is now able to produce the relatively cheap drones in-house. Experts have put the cost of the drones somewhere between $20,000 and $50,000 per aircraft. 4 Russian media touted that children as young as 14 can enter the drone-producing pipeline and gain full-time jobs at the factory once they finish college. TV Zvezda/east2west news The Geran-2, which can fly as far as 932 miles, is now the lynchpin of Russia's escalating bombardments against Ukraine ever since Moscow announced its mass production plans in 2023. Timur Shagivaleyev, the factory's general director, boasted that the workers at the Yelabuga plant have produced tens of thousands of new drones — nine times more than the 'several thousand Geran-2 drones' originally promised to the state two years ago. Shagivaleyev did not provide specific figures, nor did he say how many drones are currently being produced at the factory. 4 Smoke billows over Kyiv following a Russian drone attack, which has grown in intensity. REUTERS The Alabuga facility, which is part of the Special Economic Zone established in 2023, also has its own drone testing facility, Zvevda added. The plant has been previously eyed by Ukraine as a target to halt Russia's war machine, with one person killed after a Ukrainian drone was intercepted near the facility last month. Drones have become the primary tool of war in the conflict that has spanned more than three years, with Ukraine and Russia firing hundreds of UAVs a day to target military and energy infrastructure. Moscow, however, has been accused of using its drones to target civilians and residential areas, with schools and hospitals regularly under fire. The Kremlin has also been accused by the United Nations and humanitarian groups of using its drones to hunt down civilians, including children, in Kherson, where residents describe their city as a 'human safari' zone for Russian soldiers. With Post wires

Royal Air Maroc, Al Barid Bank Launch Digital Payment Solution at Casablanca Airport
Royal Air Maroc, Al Barid Bank Launch Digital Payment Solution at Casablanca Airport

Morocco World

time9 hours ago

  • Business
  • Morocco World

Royal Air Maroc, Al Barid Bank Launch Digital Payment Solution at Casablanca Airport

Marrakech – Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and Al Barid Bank have unveiled a pioneering digital service at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca. This innovative solution aims to enhance the passenger experience by combining technological advancement with personalized customer service. According to the joint statement, the partnership between RAM and Al Barid Bank has resulted in the development of 'Barid Payment Mobile,' an integrated mobile application that operates on tablets equipped with NFC payment terminals. This technology enables passengers to make contactless payments by simply approaching the terminal with their bank card or smartphone. According to the same source, this solution eliminates traditional payment terminals, offering a faster, smoother, and fully mobile experience, allowing customers to complete transactions directly on the agent's mobile terminal in a simple and secure manner. More than 24 specially trained agents will assist travelers throughout the airport, offering a range of additional services including 'Select Seat' for preferred seating, access to Business Lounges, Business Class upgrades subject to availability, and the exclusive 'Loft' service that combines Premium Lounge access with Fast Track privileges. The initiative will initially be implemented at Casablanca Airport, then gradually expanded to Paris Orly and eventually to other airports. Three dedicated counters have been strategically positioned in key areas of the passenger journey: check-in, transit, and boarding zones. Read also: Royal Air Maroc Expands Fleet with New Boeing 737 MAX 8 Deliveries 'This system reinforces our commitment to offering a smooth, personalized, and digital customer experience from the moment of arrival at the airport,' stated Hamid Addou, CEO of Royal Air Maroc. 'It is part of a global program to transform the customer experience, from the purchase of tickets through our new mobile application and website to the baggage delivery process,' he continued, adding that this program will span 12 months, with the ambition of elevating Casablanca to the status of a regional aviation hub of reference. Al Amine Nejjar, Chairman of Al Barid Bank's Management Board, voiced their pride in putting their digital payment expertise at the service of this pioneering initiative with Royal Air Maroc. 'This partnership illustrates our common desire to innovate to simplify the daily lives of citizens and travelers, by offering Barid Payment Mobile, a secure and cutting-edge soft POS solution,' he noted. This initiative marks a major step in the digitalization of air transport services, concludes the statement. It forms part of a broader transformation program conducted by Royal Air Maroc aimed at enhancing the customer experience at every stage of the journey, from booking to baggage delivery. Tags: Al barid bankMohammed V airportRoyal Air Maroc (RAM)

Business sentiment weakens further in 2Q as US tariffs, cost pressures weigh
Business sentiment weakens further in 2Q as US tariffs, cost pressures weigh

Malaysian Reserve

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Malaysian Reserve

Business sentiment weakens further in 2Q as US tariffs, cost pressures weigh

There's growing anxiety among firms over deteriorating external conditions, particularly the fallout in US protectionist policies by RUPINDER SINGH MALAYSIAN businesses are bracing for rougher seas in the near term, as the RAM Business Confidence Index (RAM BCI) slipped further to 40 in the second quarter of 2025 (2Q25) from 41.1 in 1Q25 — marking the second straight quarter of negative sentiment on business prospects. The index reading, which remains well below the neutral level of 50, reflects growing anxiety among firms over deteriorating external conditions, particularly the fallout from escalating US protectionist policies. 'This marks the second consecutive quarter of negative sentiment on business prospects, which aligns with the rapidly escalating risks in global trade stemming from rising US protectionism policy,' RAM said in a statement released last week. Three out of the five sub-indicators — sales, capital investment and capacity utilisation — posted quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) declines, underscoring a broader pullback in business activity. While the hiring and inventory sub-indices showed some resilience, they remained below the neutral threshold, suggesting that firms are still in defensive mode. The latest survey, conducted between May 29 and June 28, involved 33 firms across multiple sectors. RAM's findings point to persistent headwinds, with 80% of respondents identifying the rising cost of doing business as their top concern — a trend that has remained dominant over the past year. Other major challenges cited include heightened competition (63%) and weak economic conditions. More worryingly, supply chain disruptions are re-emerging as a key issue. The share of firms reporting supply chain issues jumped by 11 percentage points to 40% in 2Q25. Tariff Fears in Focus A special section of this quarter's survey homed in on the perceived impact of US tariffs on Malaysian goods, a policy shift that has rattled exporters and manufacturers alike. Two-thirds of firms anticipate negative fallout, with 27% of respondents expecting a 'major negative impact', while 18% foresee a 'moderate' and another 18% a 'minor' impact. Sales and revenue are expected to be hit hardest, followed by profit margins, supply chain performance and cashflow. Nearly half of the respondents plan to cope by cutting operational costs or adjusting pricing strategies to remain competitive. 'In response, firms are mainly adopting cost-related strategies to mitigate tariff impacts. About 42% are focusing on cutting operational expenses, while 39% are adjusting pricing strategies to remain competitive,' RAM noted. Meanwhile, 33% of firms said they would diversify their product or service offerings and 30% are looking to reduce reliance on exports altogether. Only a small portion — 18% — plan to explore alternative export markets, indicating limited room for manoeuvre in the short term. Industry Calls for More Policy Support Amid mounting challenges, the call for stronger government intervention is growing louder. Businesses overwhelmingly expressed the need for greater access to financing and working capital, with 53% listing this as the most helpful form of support. Grants or direct subsidies (48%) and export promotion assistance (39%) also ranked high on the wishlist. 'Businesses are calling for more assistance from the government, especially in terms of better access to financing and working capital. Grants and direct subsidies are equally in demand to help offset the challenges posed by trade tensions,' RAM said. The uncertain global trade environment and rising costs have greatly shadowed near-term corporate confidence. However, there are still glimmers of resilience — firms are not entirely pulling back from growth plans. 'While businesses remain cautious, it is encouraging to see that companies are still investing and hiring,' said RAM Holdings Bhd group CEO/ED Chris WK Lee. 'It is crucial that government and industry stakeholders work together to respond to the new challenges for businesses to survive and thrive,' he added. Still, with overall business confidence slipping deeper into negative territory, any recovery in investment and production will depend heavily on how quickly policymakers can respond to the evolving trade landscape and domestic cost pressures. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition

PS6 just tipped for huge specs upgrade to take on gaming PCs
PS6 just tipped for huge specs upgrade to take on gaming PCs

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

PS6 just tipped for huge specs upgrade to take on gaming PCs

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The PS6 could utilize 24GB of RAM, according to our friends at Digital Foundry (via Wccftech). That's speculation on their part, given how Sony hasn't officially announced the PS5's successor. However, PlayStation President Hideaki Nishino did say the company is thinking about its next-gen console during a June 13 fireside chat (via Dexerto). With that in mind, it's fair to speculate on how much memory the PS6 could have. The PS5 packs 16GB of RAM, so it's reasonable to assume the PS6 will utilize more RAM. That's because the PS5 is already hitting its limits when it comes to textures and art assets. 32GB of RAM would be nice, and comparable to the best gaming laptops currently available. However, to keep costs down, Sony might opt for 24GB of RAM instead. While that's lower than 32GB, it's still more than the PS5's 16GB. Also, DRAM is still relatively expensive, which could also limit the PS6's RAM. That said, there are a good number of gaming PCs and laptops with 24GB of RAM, so the PS6 could be a potential rival to those platforms. Additionally, Digital Foundry anticipates that the rumored PlayStation handheld will feature 16GB of RAM. If that happens, then it would make sense for the PS6 console to have at least 24GB of RAM. This is especially true if developers want to make games for both platforms. What about the next-gen Xbox? Rumors suggest Microsoft's system could more closely resemble a pre-built PC than a traditional video game console. If that's the case, the next Xbox could potentially utilize more RAM than the PS6. This next Xbox could be more expensive than the PS6, but this might not be detrimental if this platform's main competition is the best gaming PCs. The PS6 hasn't been announced, so take everything here as idle speculation from tech experts and enthusiasts. Regardless, it's a safe bet that Sony will eventually release a PS5 successor, given how the PlayStation division is the main revenue driver for the company. How much RAM will PS6 use? We'll just have to wait and see! Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide Nintendo Switch 2 restocks — live updates Death Stranding 2 review Best gaming monitors in 2025

A Week of Exciting News and Exclusive Test Drives for Car Enthusiasts
A Week of Exciting News and Exclusive Test Drives for Car Enthusiasts

ArabGT

timea day ago

  • Automotive
  • ArabGT

A Week of Exciting News and Exclusive Test Drives for Car Enthusiasts

This week in the automotive world was packed with major headlines—ranging from iconic engine comebacks to exclusive supercar experiences, safety concerns, and standout test drives. Here's a roundup of the most important developments that caught global and regional attention: HEMI V8 Makes a Triumphant Comeback at Stellantis In a bold move responding to overwhelming market demand, Stellantis reintroduced the legendary HEMI V8 engine in the 2026 RAM 1500 lineup. Despite introducing the more efficient Hurricane engine, 40% of customers still prefer the raw power and unmistakable sound of the V8. The result? Over 10,000 orders in just 24 hours, even with an added cost of $1,200. RAM's CEO openly admitted misjudging the market—proving that for many, power and identity outweigh eco-efficiency. Exclusive Arab Test Drive of Ferrari's F80 Beast ArabGT was the only Arab media outlet among 20 journalists worldwide to get behind the wheel of the all-new Ferrari F80 2025—Ferrari's most powerful road-legal car to date. Driven by Suhaib Shasha'a on Italy's Misano circuit, the F80 stunned with its hybrid V6 twin-turbo system and futuristic aerodynamic design. More than a car, the F80 is an engineering statement, redefining performance and Italian excellence. Range Rover Evoque Recall Due to Airbag Defect Jaguar Land Rover has recalled over 21,000 Range Rover Evoque units in the U.S. due to a critical front passenger airbag defect that could cause severe injuries. Covering model years 2021 to 2025, the recall is expected to expand globally. Though no injuries have been reported, the move underscores the importance of safety compliance even in luxury vehicles. ArabGT's Exclusive Drive of the New AMG GT 63 In a thrilling episode of ArabGT's test drive series, host Karim Deeb took the wheel of the all-new second-generation Mercedes AMG GT 63. The drive offered a fresh perspective on how this German powerhouse evolved—not just in speed, but in everyday comfort, tech sophistication, and overall balance. More than a spec sheet, it was a driving experience that proves AMG still knows how to stir the soul. BMW Sub-Brands Steal the Spotlight BMW's Q2 2025 results revealed a surprising trend: its sub-brands—BMW M, MINI, and Rolls-Royce—are driving growth, while the core BMW brand saw a slight decline. MINI drew buyers with its electrified icons, M Division impressed with sports performance, and Rolls-Royce flourished in wealthy markets. With electric models gaining traction and sub-brands thriving, the future strategy of BMW may be headed in a new direction.

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