What We Are Reading Today: ‘Wild Orcas'
Of the world's iconic predatory species, orcas are among the most fearsome. Their awesome physical power combined with their cooperative hunting skills and ability to problem-solve make them uniquely efficient killers. Yet orcas also celebrate births, grieve losses, and maintain lifelong family bonds. This stunningly illustrated book draws on five decades of field research and cutting-edge science to provide an incomparable look at the biology, natural history, culture, and conservation of these awe-inspiring marine animals.
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Arab News
12-07-2025
- Arab News
Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide
GENEVA: Saudi Arabia's minister of communications and IT has called for 'decisive international collaboration' to address the inequality in computing infrastructure that could leave other nations behind in this era of artificial intelligence. In a keynote address at the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha cited the 'concentration of computing power in a few regions, the lack of AI infrastructure in many countries, and the limited participation of the Global South in shaping governance frameworks and regulatory policies.' 'Today, the world faces an 'existential gap' due to alarming disparities in access to AI technologies,' the minister said, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Alswaha said the world could learn lessons from the past phases of technological transformation: the analog era, which took over a century to connect 800 million people, and the digital era, which linked 5.5 billion individuals in just 50 years but still left 2.6 billion unconnected. In the AI era, he said, current gaps exist in computing infrastructure, data availability, and algorithms that could slow the advances needed to support human progress. Al-Swaha reiterated Saudi Arabia's 'unwavering commitment' to support and lead international efforts to close the emerging technological divides. He highlighted Saudi Arabia's efforts to address these gaps, citing the digital empowerment of women in the Kingdom — who now have a participation rate of about 35 percent — and the Kingdom's top global rankings in digital competitiveness for two consecutive years. He also noted that researchers at Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) rank among the top one percent globally in scientific citations, offering hope for the future of AI. He likewise underlined the Kingdom's progress in data protection regulations and the development of 'language models that promote inclusive access to technology for diverse communities.' Al-Swaha further cited the HUMAIN project launched by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman "to provide the full spectrum of AI capabilities, from advanced processors to top talent, and to position the Kingdom as a global AI pioneer." 'The Kingdom's efforts are a direct response to urgent global challenges,' he said. Al-Swaha emphasized that the next 10 years will be critical for bridging the divides. He called for multination 'partnerships under the umbrella of the ITU to build a fair, safe, and inclusive AI ecosystem that supports sustainable development and enhances human well-being.'
Arab News
10-07-2025
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Wild Orcas'
Author: Hanne Strager and Catherine Denardo Of the world's iconic predatory species, orcas are among the most fearsome. Their awesome physical power combined with their cooperative hunting skills and ability to problem-solve make them uniquely efficient killers. Yet orcas also celebrate births, grieve losses, and maintain lifelong family bonds. This stunningly illustrated book draws on five decades of field research and cutting-edge science to provide an incomparable look at the biology, natural history, culture, and conservation of these awe-inspiring marine animals.
Al Arabiya
07-07-2025
- Al Arabiya
Underwater turbine spinning for 6 years off Scotland's coast is a breakthrough for tidal energy
Submerged in about 40 meters (44 yards) of water off Scotland's coast, a turbine has been spinning for more than six years to harness the power of ocean tides for electricity – a durability mark that demonstrates the technology's commercial viability. Keeping a large or grid-scale turbine in place in the harsh sea environment that long is a record that helps pave the way for bigger tidal energy farms and makes it far more appealing to investors, according to the trade association Ocean Energy Europe. Tidal energy projects would be prohibitively expensive if the turbines had to be taken out of the water for maintenance every couple of years. Tidal energy technologies are still in the early days of their commercial development, but their potential for generating clean energy is big. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, marine energy – a term researchers use to refer to power generated from tides, currents, waves, or temperature changes – is the world's largest untapped renewable energy resource. The MeyGen tidal energy project off the coast of Scotland has four turbines producing 1.5 megawatts each, enough electricity collectively to power up to 7,000 homes annually. On Thursday, the Swedish company SKF announced that its bearings and seals on one of the turbines had passed the 6 1/2-year mark without needing unplanned or disruptive maintenance. It has been working closely with the industry for a decade on design and testing. 'Achieving six years in the water with constant operations is a very significant milestone that bodes well for the future of tidal energy,' said Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe. Scotland and the UK are global leaders in tidal energy. The MeyGen site, operated by SAE Renewables, has been sending electricity to the grid for about eight years. 'There are very few tidal energy projects generating electricity continuously. Most have been tests and demonstrations,' said Andrea Copping, an expert in marine renewable energy development. Copping said there are still large hurdles to overcome before tidal energy can be adopted more widely, such as dealing with regulatory issues, potential environmental effects, and conflicts with other ocean users. Still, the Scotland project seems to have addressed the question of whether the turbines can last in seawater, added Copping, a distinguished faculty fellow in the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs at the University of Washington. 'I think they have checked the boxes,' she said. 'Because skeptics – and that includes investors, of course, and governments – said, 'How on Earth are you going to operate these things, especially for any length of time in this very tough environment?' And that's what I think they proved.' 'It's very hard to take what is essentially a wind turbine normally found on land and put it under water,' said Fraser Johnson, operations and maintenance manager at MeyGen. The record-setting turbine should keep going for at least another year before it needs to come out of the water for maintenance, he added. The four turbines are in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth, a narrow channel between the Scottish mainland and Stroma Island known for strong tidal currents. Tidal energy systems need strong currents to make electricity efficiently. MeyGen plans to add 20 turbines in 2030 to produce more electricity after needed upgrades to the electricity grid are finished. The site could eventually hold as many as 130 turbines that are more powerful than those at the site today. The MeyGen site is in the open water, while another type of tidal project involves creating a dam-like structure called a barrage across tidal waters. With four turbines, MeyGen is considered the largest tidal energy project of its kind worldwide, said Johnson. 'It's a title we wish we didn't have. We want more, we want others,' he said. 'Unfortunately, others are having difficulty achieving what MeyGen has achieved. But working with SKF moving forward, we'll push the industry forward.'
