Latest news with #Raf
Observer
2 days ago
- Business
- Observer
‘Raf' student platform enables creation of smart e-stores
MUSCAT: 'Raf', a student-led start-up under the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat, has developed an innovative Omani digital platform that empowers users to create AI-powered e-stores tailored for the local market. The platform eliminates technical barriers for youth and e-commerce enthusiasts through its intuitive interface. Saif al Hashar, CEO of Raf, said that Raf allows automated store setup, price adjustments, competitor tracking and smart data analytics — aligning with Oman's digital transformation vision by supporting SMEs with AI solutions. With a 12-member interdisciplinary team, Raf offers flexible subscription plans catering to diverse entrepreneurs. 'Our mission is to democratise e-commerce entry and equip Omani youth with smart business tools,' Al Hashar stated. Selected among Oman's top 40 start-ups from over 300 applicants in the 'Injaz Oman 2025' programme, Raf completed its prototype in early 2025 after development began in January 2024. The company plans to launch the full platform by early 2026 while seeking seed funding and strategic partnerships. Notably, Raf aims to become a regional e-commerce leader by introducing advanced AI features including sales analytics, product recommendations and a virtual business assistant to optimise user operations. — ONA
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Omani student company 'Raf' unveils AI-Powered E-commerce Platform
Muscat: "Raf", a student company affiliated with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat, offers an innovative Omani digital startup platform that enables individuals to easily create smart online stores, relying on artificial intelligence technologies specifically trained for the Omani market. The platform aims to enable young people and those interested in e-commerce to enter this field without the need for any technical or design expertise, through a seamless and integrated user experience. Saif bin Jumaa Al Hashar, CEO of "Raf" Student Company, explained that the platform allows users to set up their stores, adjust prices, track competitors' movements, and analyze data in an automated and intelligent manner. Al Hashar pointed out that "Raf"'s vision aligns with the digital transformation trends in the Sultanate of Oman, by harnessing artificial intelligence technologies to serve entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises. Saif Al Hashar said: "Today, I lead the "Raf" team, which consists of 12 members from diverse backgrounds, including programming, marketing, design, and financial management." Al Hashar pointed out that "Raf" seeks to offer flexible subscription plans that suit entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, making it a suitable option for those wishing to launch their own online businesses. He emphasised that the company's goals are to enable everyone to easily enter the e-commerce market, support Omani youth with smart tools to start their businesses, and promote digital entrepreneurship locally and regionally. Saif Al Hashar explained that the company targets young entrepreneurs, owners of small and medium enterprises, university students, and those interested in digital entrepreneurship. He emphasised that "Raf" was selected among the top 40 startups from among more than 300 participants in the "Injaz Oman 2025" program, making it to the list of the top 40 projects in the Sultanate of Oman. He noted that work on the "Raf" project began in January 2024, and the development of the prototype was completed in early 2025. Saif Al Hashar added that "Raf" intends to launch the final version of the platform in early 2026, in addition to seeking initial funding to expand the service locally, obtain institutional support, and form strategic partnerships. It is worth noting that "Raf" seeks to become one of the leading platforms in the field of smart e-commerce in the region by launching future features powered by artificial intelligence, such as sales data analysis, product recommendations, and a smart business assistant that contributes to the efficient growth of users' businesses.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pahalgam attack aftermath: Hit-back set to be calibrated, short of full-fledged conflict
NEW DELHI: The use of long-range weapons for limited punitive strikes against Pakistan , without crossing the LoC, is currently being considered the preferred military option. This comes amid a review of the situation by the PM-led cabinet committee on security, even as firing exchanges between the rival armies have now spilled over to the international boundary in J&K. Indian Army warned Pakistan Army to desist from "unprovoked" small arms firings being initiated by its troops all along the 778-km LoC, from Kupwara, Baramulla and Uri to Naushera, Sunderbani, Akhnoor and Poonch, over the DGMO hotline on Tuesday afternoon. "But later in the night, Pak Army escalated the situation by opening fire in Pargwal sector of the 198-km IB in Jammu region. Our troops are effectively responding in double measure to all ceasefire violations," an officer told TOI. The CCS meeting Wednesday, the second since the Pahalgam massacre on April 22, came a day after PM Modi told the military chiefs they had "complete operational freedom" to decide on the "mode, targets and timing" of the country's response to crush terrorism. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Boy Meets Newborn Sister. When He Says, 'That's Not My Sister,' Dad Realizes The Cruel Truth Learn It Wise Undo Consequently, it is no longer a question if kinetic military options will be exercised but when, while the public messaging was also clearly meant to keep Pakistan on tenterhooks. "The plans for punitive strikes and the graded dynamic response strategy are already in place. It won't be a knee-jerk response but a calculated, credible and calibrated one under the threshold of a full-fledged conflict," a senior officer told TOI. With Pakistan already on guard and mobilising its forces as well as activating its entire air defence machinery, there is however no element of surprise left. A feasible immediate step is for the Indian Army to launch concentrated fire assaults by 155 mm artillery guns, 120 mm mortars and anti-tank guided missiles against Pak Army posts and positions as well as "terror launch pads" located near them. "Without crossing the LoC, use of other long-range vectors can also impose serious costs on Pak Army and their infrastructure along the frontier. There are reports Pak Army is facing major shortages of 155 mm artillery shells, with its reserves being sent to Ukraine through third-party channels to make money," he said. Then, there are shallow cross-border ground raids that can be carried out by Army Para-Special Forces like the "surgical strikes" conducted in Sept 2016 against terror launch pads in four different locations in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir after 19 Indian soldiers were killed in a suicide attack at Uri. Calibrated air strikes also remain an effective though escalatory step, much like the one conducted against the JeM terror facility at Balakot in Pakistan in Feb 2019. "The IAF did not have the 4.5-generation Rafale fighters during the Balakot air strikes. This time the targets can be the headquarters of JeM at Bahawalpur or LeT at Muridke," another officer said. This will involve jets like Rafales, Mirage-2000s and Sukhoi-30MKIs, armed with long-range weapons like the French 'Scalp' air-to-ground cruise missiles, Israeli Crystal Maze missiles and Spice-2000 precision guided penetration bombs, hitting pre-designated targets, as reported by TOI earlier. The military options are being contemplated after a raft of retaliatory diplomatic measures against Pakistan were announced when the CCS met on April 23, which ranged from the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty to downsizing of the Pakistani high commission and revocation of visas of all Pakistani nationals in India.
The Guardian
14-03-2025
- General
- The Guardian
You be the judge: should I let my boyfriend rip out the original features in our Victorian house?
The old fittings are works of art – replacing them with dull modern ones would be blasphemous My boyfriend Raf and I have just bought our first home and we love it. We found a two-bedroom Victorian house with original features, including the fireplace and geometric tiles in the hallway. I'm of the opinion that the original features should all be kept because they are beautiful. It's so rare to find period homes and we shouldn't be ripping everything out. Raf disagrees. He's all about the bottom line and his taste is more modern. We have stained glass windows which are lovely but Raf says they're bleeding heat and should be replaced. He says our heating bills will come down by 45% if we get double glazing. I'm gutted. I looked at a way to encapsulate the stained glass instead of getting rid of it, but it's more expensive and we're on a budget. We've also got stunning wooden parquet floors which need a lot of care. But Raf wants to steam clean them, which can damage them. When I saw him steaming them one Saturday, I shouted: 'You can't do that!' We've also argued about replacing the geometric tiles and whether to rip out the fireplace in the front room. I love the colour of the tiles and ripping out the fireplace would be blasphemous, but he wants a sleeker look. The previous owners had modernised the rest of the room but left the fireplace, so Raf says it doesn't fit aesthetically, as well as taking up too much space (it is rather large and juts out slightly). But my dream is to restore other features in the room, such as the exposed brick, and take it back to its original vibe. Raf and I have different tastes, but as our last place was rented we couldn't change the decor. We did talk about some of this before we bought the house, but I was convinced I could make Raf come around, at least on the fireplace. Now I'm realising how different we are. I want to pay homage to the house's history but Raf wants to put our own stamp on it. I think original features are works of art and should be preserved but Raf says I'm getting overly emotional about it. I need to convince Raf that my interior tastes are superior. The fireplace is too big, the windows leak heat and the floor doesn't go with anything. Let's fix them It's not that I don't like period features in a home, but I just believe that unless something has a practical purpose, it should be scrapped. If stained glass windows serve no function other than being pretty, and double glazing will cut our heating bills in half, then of course we should get double glazing. Encapsulation was a more expensive option but I am open to it if it keeps Rupi happy. The fireplace is a bigger point of contention. I can't wait to rip it out. It's an eyesore and it's very big – I want the space in our living room to actually live in. Rupi says that once we take out these features we can't go back, and that people would kill for some of the period features in our home. Yes, the house is gorgeous and we bought it because we both liked its character, but I do want to modernise some things. The ugly blue and red Victorian tiles in the hallway just don't go with the colour scheme we've agreed on. We agreed to rip them up when we made an offer on the house, but now she's going back on her decision. I made a joke that Rupi was being 'emotional' about everything because she's acting as if the house will put some sort of curse on us if we swap the windows or take out the fireplace. She is treating me as if I'm a murderer! In our last place we had a disagreement or two over cushion colours and lamp choices, but nothing like this. I can compromise on the tiles. I can even come around to treating the old floors (although in an ideal world I would like to lay carpet in most rooms) but I definitely want to rip out the fireplace. It is too large and doesn't go with the room or any of our furniture. I think that's a good enough reason to scrap it. It's a house not a museum, and we should decorate it in a way that best serves our needs in 2025. Energy bills are expensive and space is scarce. We can't keep features that take up space and cost us money just because one of us likes them. It just doesn't make any sense. Should Raf have more sympathy for Rupi's Victorian values? Why buy the house just to rip out most of its interesting features? Rupi is right to want to preserve its history, as previous owners have done. James, 26 Raf seems willing to compromise, whereas Rupi isn't at all. Actually inhabiting a space can change how we see it, so maybe both of them need to live in it for a while and then see how they feel about those features they think they hate. Molly, 56 The main attraction of a period home is the original features; removing these unique components destroys both character and value. Stained glass lamination or encapsulation could help with insulation. Keep the fireplace (but maybe put in a stove). Ronan, 37 I agree that it's rare to find period homes nowadays and these features make your house unique – they don't deserve to be simply replaced by a piece of furniture that everyone else owns. Sorry Raf but the modern aesthetic is overdone, and it will probably reduce the value of the house too. Holly, 19 The joy of living in a period home is embracing its quirky features. Removing stained glass windows is tantamount to sacrilege. In terms of the floors, rugs are your friends. If he just wants to be warm, Raf should buy a soulless new-build next 34 In our online poll, tell us who you think is in the wrong? The poll closes on Thursday 20 March at 10am GMT We asked whether Peter should be more tolerant of his friends' children. 77% of you said yes – Peter is guilty 23% of you said no – Peter is not guilty
