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Microsoft Corp. will invest $1.5 billion in a technology company backed by the United Arab Emirates, a deal that includes an intergovernmental pact to ensure artificial intelligence security as the U.S. and China increasingly compete for influence in the Gulf.

DUBAI—Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich Persian Gulf states have tried to avoid taking a position on America’s geopolitical rivalries in recent years, staying neutral in the Ukraine war and building ties with China. With Israel and Iran in open conflict, they might be forced to choose a side. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates struggled to stay on the sidelines when it became clear last week that Iran would attack Israel in retaliation for a strike in Syria that killed senior Iranian military officers.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP's ‘Sankalp Patra’ Vs Congress's ‘Nyay Patra’ explained in 10 key points He said, “No matter what happens in these elections, no matter who will be winning this election, I think we will see more of India on the international stage. The G20 Presidency gave us a little taste of that. India claims a seat at the big table, and we, Germans and Europeans, think rightfully so.

NEW DELHI : India has allowed export of 10,000 tonnes of onion to Sri Lanka through the National Cooperatives Exports Cooperative, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification late on Monday. With this, India has approved as much as 79,160 tonnes of onions for export overriding a ban on shipments imposed in December 2023. The government recently approved an additional 10,000 tonnes of onion export to the United Arab Emirates over and above the 24,400 tonnes allowed earlier.

Indian Railways over the past 171 years. Reflecting on this significant milestone, a spokesperson from Central Railway (CR) told TOI, «171 years ago, the inaugural train embarked on its journey from Boribunder amidst a 21-gun salute and resounding applause from the thousands gathered at the station.» Early History and Development

The Liberals plan to include measures in the 2024 budget to make sure the wealthiest Canadians “pay more,” according to three government sources.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar slams Sam Pitroda over Ram Mandir remark, says it represents Rahul Gandhi's thinking Describing the similar political atmosphere in the developing and developed countries, Sam Pitroda said, “So I have friends in many of these countries, and I believe the problems are very similar. The authoritarian regimes are getting more attention, institutions are bending, they are losing their independence.

Levi Strauss & Co’s jeans got a hat tip with the recent release of Beyoncé’s album, Cowboy Carter, which draws on country and folk music across cultures and eras. It includes a sensual song called Levii’s Jeans. As fans speculate, the double ‘i’ plays off the fact that the album is ‘Act II’ of a planned trilogy.

Also Read | Yes Bank Share Price Live blog for 16 Apr 2024 Ram Navami marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, a highly revered Hindu deity. The occasion is celebrated nationwide, though the specific dates may vary by state. This year, banks in several major cities, including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Jaipur, will be closed on April 17 for the festival.

Baidu said on Tuesday its artificial intelligence chatbot “Ernie Bot” has garnered more than 200 million users as it seeks to remain China’s most popular ChatGPT-like chatbot amid increasingly fierce competition. Robin Li, CEO of the Chinese internet company, revealed the new milestone at a conference in Shenzhen on Tuesday. The chatbot was released to the public eight months ago.

Elon Musk's satellite internet venture Starlink has received an in-principle approval from the telecom ministry. This approval clears a critical hurdle that the venture has been facing for almost three-and-a-half years. The approval process is now at the desk of communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, awaiting final vetting by the home ministry over certain security matters, according to highly-placed sources. One of the sources as reported by TOI stated, «The commercial part has been examined on issues, such as, foreign investment and net worth. The essential examination shows that it (Starlink's application) is in line with the (official) guidelines. Thus, it has been approved.» The source further mentioned that the technical requirements have also been examined as per the license conditions. «The technical requirements have been examined as per the licence conditions,» the source said, adding, the company has also submitted a «declaration» regarding its ownership.

Middle East drove investors towards the safe-haven metal. FUNDAMENTALS

Federal Reserve is unlikely to be in a rush to cut interest rates this year. Rising geopolitical tensions kept risk sentiment in check, lifting prices of gold and oil, while investor focus in Asia turns to China with GDP data due at 0200 GMT.

Lightning and heavy rains have killed at least 49 people across Pakistan in the past three days, officials said Monday, as authorities in the country's southwest declared a state of emergency. Some deaths occurred when lightning struck farmers harvesting wheat. Rains caused dozens of houses to collapse in the northwest and in eastern Punjab province.

India has showcased itself as a global leader, the top intelligence official from the US Department of Defense has told the Congress that in 2023, India took steps to modernise its military to compete with China and reduce its dependency on Russian origin-equipment. «During the past year, India has showcased itself as a global leader by hosting the Group of 20 economic summit and demonstrated a greater willingness to counter PRC (People's Republic of China) activity throughout the Indo-Pacific region,» Lt Gen Jeffrey Kruse, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency told members of the House Armed Services Committee — the subcommittee on intelligence and special operations during a Congressional hearing on defence intelligence countering China. India, he said, has advanced partnerships in the Indo-Pacific with regional South China Sea claimants, such as the Philippines, through training and defence sales and deepened cooperation with the US, Australia, France and Japan.

Middle East after Israel's military chief said his country would respond to Iran's weekend missile and drone attack amid calls for restraint by allies. Brent futures for June delivery rose 46 cents, or 0.5%, to $90.56 a barrel by 0005 GMT. U.S. crude futures for May delivery rose 43 cents, or 0.5%, to $85.84 a barrel.

EoDB) at a time when the sector is poised for growth with increasing adoption of cloud and artificial intelligence. The industry currently has to rely on leasing bandwidth for these purposes from licensed telecom service providers at a significant cost. While the government has been apprised of the issue, things have been moving at a snail’s pace, executives said.

Most young South Koreans are losing faith in the national pension system, a new survey has found – with many stating they see crypto and stocks as a better alternative.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast “above normal” rain for the June-September monsoon, boosting prospects of a bountiful agricultural harvest that will likely ease inflationary pressure and bolster growth. This follows uneven rain in 2023, mainly due to the El Niño effect, leading to patchy farm output that pushed up food prices and kept the central bank from cutting interest rates. Rain in the country’s southwest is expected to be 106% of the long period average (LPA), with a 5% margin of error. IMD defines average or normal rainfall as ranging between 96% and 104% of a 50- year average of 87 cm for the season. The department announced the monsoon forecast on Monday.

S Jaishankar on Monday said that the government was sparing no efforts in getting the 17 Indians released. Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, he said that when he talked to his Iranian counterpart he seemed «responsive» and that he wanted the embassy officials to get in touch with the crew members soon. «Narendra Modi's guarantees are for both inside the country and outside,» he said, adding the Indian government would be there for any Indian who was in trouble outside the country.

Robert Vadra, the husband of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Monday said the people of Amethi want him to represent them and the decision to become a candidate in the Lok Sabha polls will be taken at the right time. Vadra visited holy city Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh and had a 'darshan' of Lord Banke Bihari. He saw Thakurji's 'Shringar Aarti' and said be it Ayodhya or Mathura, he looks at every place in the same way. The Congress is yet to declare its candidates either from Amethi or Raebareli, the two pocket boroughs of the Nehru-Gandhi family. There are speculations about Priyanka Gandhi's brother Rahul Gandhi contesting again from Amethi. Rahul Gandhi had lost the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to Union minister Smriti Irani, who has again been fielded by the BJP from the constituency.