admin
Global media has picked up reports that Palestinian political prisoner Marwan Barghouti has suffered three recent beatings by Israeli prison guards during the last month. Although such reports are generally ignored, his treatment headlined for
admin
Chinese carmakers have quickly built up their presence in the lucrative European auto market, buoyed by technological advances their competitors are trying to copy, and analysts say their next step is to begin producing locally.
admin
The Artemis II mission around the moon provided a conflicted nation with a much-needed wave of shared enthusiasm derived from achieving a lofty goal. The mission — a more comfortable and less complicated repeat of
admin
Kirsty Needham, Agence France-PresseAn Australian billionaire's plan to burn rubbish for energy in Fiji amounts to "waste colonialism" and risks spoiling a "beach paradise", villagers and the Pacific nation's UN ambassador said. Traditional landowner Inoke
admin
I was born and brought up in the pre-internet era. Life was completely different for me during my school days. I remember I would crave magazines and books to spend the summer break because television
admin
The world celebrated World Creativity and Innovation Day yesterday as the United Nations designated April 21 of each year as a global day to highlight the use of creative thinking and technology towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. On this occasion, President of the Arab Federation for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Programming Dr Badr bin Dalham al-Hajri confirmed in an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the Arab world is currently experiencing a delicate transitional phase between possessing the tools of the modern age and being able to employ them to produce real value. There has been a remarkable development in digital infrastructure and investments related to innovation, he added, noting that a gap still exists in terms of knowledge production and transforming ideas into globally competitive products. Dr al-Hajri said that Qatar is presenting an advanced model, as it has moved from adoption to the initiative stage, and is now seeking to consolidate its position as a regional centre for innovation, not only through investment in technology, but also through building an integrated system that links education with scientific research and industry, which is what the federation is currently working towards. Advanced infrastructureRegarding the role of cultural and creative infrastructure in Qatar in this direction, Dr al-Hajri affirmed that the country possesses an advanced infrastructure at the regional level, whether in terms of cultural institutions or initiatives supporting innovation. There is a clear investment in education and research, along with a regulatory environment that encourages experimentation and creativity. These are very significant efforts that cannot be overlooked, he added. Regarding the role that AI can play in protecting Arab cultural diversity, he explained that AI can become a pivotal tool in preserving Arab cultural heritage through digitising content, analysing cultural data, and presenting it in ways that suit new generations. It can also support Arabic languages in all their diversity, and provide wider and more interactive access to cultural content. However, this role requires clear policies that ensure the use of technology in the direction of protection and promotion, he pointed out. Regarding whether AI can redefine the concept of creativity itself, especially in the fields of arts and cultural industries, Dr al-Hajri pointed out that AI does not redefine creativity as much as it expands its boundaries and changes its tools. He added that there is a qualitative shift from individual, talent-based creativity to collaborative creativity that combines human sensibility with the immense computational capabilities of machines. In the arts and cultural industries, it has become possible to produce more diverse and complex works, he added. He said that the human element is what gives work its meaning and value, and therefore, AI frees the creator from technical constraints, but it cannot replace human experience or emotional depth. Regarding the relationship between the creative economy and smart technologies, Dr al-Hajri described it as a relationship of strategic integration, where technology represents a tool to increase efficiency and expand markets, while creative content provides added value. He pointed out that in the Arab region, there is vast cultural and human wealth that can be transformed into economic products with a global reach, if AI is employed in fields such as digital production, marketing, and audience behavior analysis. He said that the challenge lies in building flexible work systems that accommodate integration and sustainable investment, and even achieve economic benefits capable of competing and asserting themselves in global circles, which can be achieved in the future thanks to the Arab efforts currently being made to be part of this path. Young creatorsRegarding the possibility of employing AI in supporting young creators in the Arab world, President of the Arab Federation for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Programming Dr Badr bin Dalham al-Hajri affirmed to QNA that AI plays a prominent role in empowering young creators by providing low-cost production tools and smart platforms that help them reach a wider audience, and analytical techniques allow for a more accurate understanding of market trends and audience needs, which enhances the chances of success and continuity. It can also contribute to reducing the gap between talent and opportunity, which is one of the most prominent challenges facing young people in the region. Regarding the policies necessary to integrate AI into the creative economy without harming its human nature, he stressed the importance of the need for a balanced legislative and ethical framework that guarantees the protection of creators’ rights, promotes transparency in the use of AI technologies, as well as investing in education and training to build a generation aware of the dimensions of this technology and capable of employing it responsibly. He said that preserving the human character of creativity does not mean rejecting technology, but rather directing it in a way that serves cultural and social values, indicating that it cannot be assumed that modern technologies, which have become an urgent necessity in the current era, will come at the expense of humanity, but rather they will only exist with the presence of humanity itself, which leads and directs them. Regarding whether AI can contribute to reshaping Arab cultural identity, he explained that AI may influence the tools for expressing identity, but it does not have the ability to formulate it in the first place, pointing out that cultural identity is formed through history and societal experience, not through algorithms. The real challenge lies in using this technology to enhance the presence of Arab identity in the digital space, rather than leaving it vulnerable to being absorbed into dominant global cultural models, al-Hajri added. Regarding how cultural institutions can benefit from AI to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, he affirmed that these institutions can employ AI in developing cultural education, expanding access to knowledge, and supporting initiatives aimed at empowering women and youth, and it can also be used in analysing the cultural and social impact of projects, which helps improve their efficiency and sustainability, and all of this makes AI a means to promote cultural justice and equal opportunities. On the other hand, he stressed the importance of the need for an integrated partnership model, in which roles are distributed between humans and machines in a way that enhances the capabilities of both parties, expressing that humans will remain the visionary and imaginative ones, while the machine will take over the tasks of implementation, analysis, and expansion. He noted that this relationship will not be based on replacement as much as it is based on co-operation, which may open new horizons for creativity that were not possible in the past. World Creativity and Innovation Day is celebrated on April 21 of each year, pursuant to a resolution of the UN General Assembly issued on April 27, 2017, to contribute to turning ideas into reality and finding solutions to the challenges facing societies around the world. It is an occasion to celebrate new and innovative ideas that promote social, economic and environmental development towards building a sustainable and prosperous future for humanity. World Creativity and Innovation Day is also an invitation to think outside the box and go beyond the usual boundaries. It encourages taking tangible risks and exploring new opportunities, making them available to everyone, including women and young people. It also helps in finding solutions to important crises and problems such as eliminating poverty and hunger. The Arab Federation for AI and Programming is affiliated with the Council of Arab Economic Unity in the League of Arab States, and aims to promote Arab co-operation in the fields of AI and programming, and to support digital transformation and sustainable development efforts in the region.
admin
Europe is at a critical juncture for ensuring future access to new drugs as US pricing policies shake the sector, the head of the European Medicines Agency Emer Cooke said yesterday, urging regional authorities to work together more closely. The number of drug launches in Europe has fallen by more than a third, an analysis of data found, potentially hindering patient access to the latest innovative medicines, since US President Donald Trump last May introduced a new drug pricing policy. “I think we’re at a very critical point at the moment,” Cooke told the Reuters Pharma Europe 2026 event in Barcelona, Spain. “Everybody’s struggling with what the impacts of the US policy on pricing will be. And that’s not just on pricing, it’s on where you do your clinical trials, where you market, where you launch.” As of April 2, 2026, President Trump imposed 100% tariffs on many imported patented pharmaceuticals and active ingredients under Section 232 to bolster national security and domestic manufacturing. These tariffs, which take effect for large firms on July 31, 2026, and others on September 29, 2026, can be reduced or eliminated if companies enter onshoring and pricing deals with the US government. Targeted Products: The tariffs apply to patented pharmaceuticals and their active ingredients (APIs) listed in the FDA’s Orange or Purple Book. Exemptions: Generic drugs, biosimilars, and officially designated orphan drugs (for rare diseases) are currently excluded. Trump’s “most-favoured-nation” policy aims to cut US medicine prices by linking them to lower ones paid in other wealthy countries, including in Europe, but analysts and executives say it has led drugmakers to push for higher prices there or delay launches. “MFN is creating a huge hesitation to launch in Europe if it exposes price in the US, which, of course, is the major driver of profit for the entire industry,” Bill Coyle, global head of biopharma at consulting firm ZS, told the conference. Asked about drugmaker complaints Europe no longer offers attractive enough returns, Cooke said she met senior industry leaders at the EMA last week to discuss how the regulator could support innovation and speed medicines to market. Europe is the second biggest market for pharmaceuticals and has universal healthcare, putting it in a “very strong place in terms of access” overall, Cooke noted, while urging measures such as collective procurement negotiations within the EU. European regulators have faced growing criticism from the pharmaceuticals industry, which says companies are increasingly likely to invest and conduct research in the United States and China rather than Europe, where prices are lower, regulation burdensome and incentives to innovate weaker. Cooke defended Europe as a base for business and research. She said the region was working on reforms, including pharmaceutical legislation that covers joint procurement for the bloc to access newly approved drugs and a life sciences strategy focused on innovation and competitiveness. “We have a lot of very positive things going on in Europe,” she said. Cooke also said in the interview that the EU regulatory review of the first of a new generation of weight-loss pills would be concluded “very soon”, indicating it would be in the coming weeks or months ahead of the northern hemisphere summer when institutional decision-making generally slows. Two new oral drugs by Eli Lilly’s LLY.N and rival Novo Nordisk , which could shake up the lucrative weight loss market, have been cleared for a US launch this year. Referring to upheaval at the US Food and Drug Administration since the start of Trump’s second administration last year, Cooke said Europe was also attracting some scientific talent from the United States. “I think we’re getting some already - quietly,” she said. Cooke said ties with the FDA remained strong, but leadership changes meant the EMA was having to build new relationships with counterparts there. In the interview, she also addressed Europe’s efforts to prevent drug shortages and said it was important for the EMA to train its staff to use artificial intelligence responsibly, with human oversight and without weakening the judgment needed for regulatory decisions.
admin
As Qatar advances its digital transformation, opening new horizons for growth and development, Qatari women have assumed an active and influential role in driving technological progress. Supported by a conducive environment enshrined in the Constitution, which guarantees equality in education and employment, they have confidently entered the technology sector, making notable contributions to the ICT field. As the world marks International Girls in ICT Day, observed annually on the fourth Thursday of April, statistics underscore the significant progress made by Qatari women in technology, a sector that has become increasingly vital globally. A key indicator of this progress is the academic excellence of Qatari women, who account for nearly 70% of graduates in information systems, computer engineering, science, medicine, and pharmacy, according to official statistics. At the Web Summit hosted by Qatar in 2025, women-founded startups accounted for 47% of participating companies, marking an increase of more than 50% compared to the previous year. Web Summit Qatar 2026 also dedicated significant space to showcasing the success stories of female entrepreneurs and digital innovation. Qualitative leapThis qualitative leap in the participation of Qatari women in scientific and digital fields has been driven by sustained state support and constitutional principles that uphold equality and equal opportunity. It is further anchored in Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to build a more capable and modern state responsive to the demands of sustainable development. Dr Dena Ahmed al-Thani, Associate Professor at the College of Science and Engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, attributed the strong presence of Qatari women in the digital transformation to advanced digital infrastructure and significant investment in education. She noted that Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development has played a pivotal role through its schools and universities by fostering academic environments that support women’s excellence in STEM fields. She added that the Qatari model goes beyond opening opportunities, focusing instead on building an integrated ecosystem that ensures sustained participation and enables women to contribute effectively to the knowledge-based economy, reflected in their growing presence in leadership roles in information technology. She further noted that participation by Qatari women in technology and digital fields is steadily increasing, with female students accounting for around 40% of enrollments in computing and electrical engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, an indicator of a growing shift in interest, supported by strong academic performance and a clear focus on research and innovation. She stressed that boosting girls’ participation in ICT is not only a matter of equality, but a strategic necessity, as diverse teams produce more inclusive and innovative solutions. Dr Dena al-Thani said Qatar is committed to building a sustainable knowledge-based economy by harnessing all human capital, including female talent, noting that the growing number of Qatari women studying computing and ICT fields reflects their ability to excel when supported by an enabling environment. She added that Qatar National Vision 2030 provides the overarching framework guiding this sector, with its human development pillar placing women at the centre of progress and emphasizing their empowerment, particularly in technology fields. Dr Dena Ahmed al-Thani, Associate Professor in Information and Computing Technology at the College of Science and Engineering of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, said economic development requires a shift towards a knowledge and innovation-based economy supported by qualified national talent, including women. She said ongoing national investment in artificial intelligence and digital transformation was creating “real opportunities” for women to contribute to major national projects, from healthcare to smart infrastructure, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. National visionDr al-Thani added that the national vision had gone beyond policy, describing it as a “practical driver” that has reshaped classrooms and the technology and research landscape in Qatar. Separately, Dr Raian Ali, Unesco Chair in Digital Technologies and Human Behaviour at Qatar Foundation, said the organisation has played a significant role in supporting women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). He said initiatives such as open days, academic programs, and student awards had helped highlight female achievement, noting that women students had secured a significant share of academic distinctions. Dr Ali also pointed to research initiatives supported by the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council aimed at promoting gender equality and social inclusion in digital spaces, including efforts to reduce discriminatory online content. Meanwhile, Dr Mustafa Aqeel of Qatar University said the strong presence of Qatari women in technology fields reflected their persistence and ambition, as well as the country’s legal and policy framework supporting women’s participation. He said Qatar’s progress in digital and knowledge sectors could not be separated from broader national strategies that have enabled women to play a visible role in education, research and development. The academics said increased participation of women in technology would not only support equality but also strengthen innovation and sustainable development in the country.
admin
As a blizzard blasted the East Coast in late February, a thousand booksellers from independent bookstores across the US packed their winter gear, changed flights and braved snow to get to Pittsburgh by any means
