#Google lifts its #AI ban on military use, including defence and surveillance. A step forward or a dangerous precedent?

#Trump’s second term heralds a thaw in U.S.-#China relations as tariffs are delayed and dialogue welcomed. #Beijing’s Xi calls for a “new starting point”, though U.S. lawmakers remain critical on human rights and territorial issues.

Demonstrators gathered outside the Rwandan embassy on 8 February 2025, protesting the Rwandan-backed M23 offensive, which has left thousands dead and displaced. 📷AFP

Palestinian prisoners return to Ramallah amid ceasefire deal. #Israel has released 183 #Palestinian prisoners in the fifth exchange under the ceasefire agreement. Crowds gathered in #Ramallah to welcome them, following Hamas’s release of three Israeli captives earlier today.

#Sahel Parts Ways with ECOWAS Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger leave #ECOWAS, strengthening their alliance. With French forces gone and new trade routes opening, the region is reshaping its future.

#M23 takes #Goma, 900 dead, #Rwanda denies involvement. A ceasefire allows mass burials and aid efforts, but hospitals struggle. International pressure grows as tensions remain high.

#UAE’s non-oil sector remains robust – January’s PMI hit 55.0, buoyed by local demand despite rising costs and backlogs. #Dubai leads at 55.3, yet business optimism is subdued.

‘Out of the Box’: Trump’s Latest Deal of the Century #Trump’s #Gaza plan receives mixed reactions. While #Israel backs it, international criticism grows. The White House adjusts its stance following backlash. Read more:

Israel showed a divided response. While some far-right leaders welcomed the proposal as a step toward removing Gaza from Palestinian control, others, including left-wing politicians and Hamas leaders, expressed strong opposition, citing potential humanitarian and legal violations.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is set to visit the UAE this week, reportedly seeking fresh investment. The trip comes as China’s AI sector gathers pace, with DeepSeek shaking up the market. The visit also underscores the Gulf’s expanding role in global tech, as the UAE and Saudi Arabia step up investment in AI and US-made tech hardware. Altman’s discussions come just ahead of the LEAP tech conference in Riyadh, where major deals are expected.