Pandemic gives Dubai chance to put tech to the test Dubai, United Arab Emirates | AFP | From smart police helmets to research labs, the novel coronavirus has given Dubai an opportunity to test its technological and scientific clout as it shapes its approach to the pandemic. A key part …
Read More »UK set to scale back Huawei role in 5G network: report
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Britain will reduce Chinese tech giant Huawei’s controversial involvement in its 5G network in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the Daily Telegraph reported Saturday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave the green light to Huawei’s participation in January, despite widespread domestic opposition and pressure from the United States. But …
Read More »Uganda exports locally made phones to Morocco
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda’s first information and communications technology manufacturing and assembling factory, Simi technologies has this morning sent the first batch of 18,000 locally made phones to Morocco. Located in Namanve industrial park, Simi technologies owned by Chinese Electronics firm ENGO Holdings Uganda Limited exported smartphones and …
Read More »Pakistan passenger plane crashes in Karachi, 100 feared dead
Karachi, Pakistan | AFP | A Pakistan passenger plane with more than 100 people believed to be on board crashed in the southern city of Karachi on Friday, the country’s aviation authority said. Images shown on national television showed the Pakistan International Airlines flight had smashed into a residential area. “The …
Read More »Robot dog on virus park patrol in Singapore
Singapore, Singapore | AFP | A yellow robot dog called Spot which found fame online for dancing to hit song “Uptown Funk” has been deployed to patrol a Singapore park and ensure people observe social distancing. The hi-tech hound is remote-controlled and can clamber easily over all types of terrain, which its creators say means …
Read More »France looks past Google, Apple for virus contact tracing
Paris, France | AFP | France, which has long been sceptical of the growing power of US tech titans, is seeking to bypass Apple and Google for a smartphone app to help trace people infected with the novel coronavirus. The move, which leaves France relatively isolated in Europe alongside Britain and …
Read More »Huawei says ‘pernicious’ US chip restrictions threaten global economy
Shenzhen, China | AFP | Chinese technology giant Huawei on Monday assailed the latest US move to cut it off from semiconductor suppliers as a “pernicious” attack that will sow chaos in the global technology sector and other industries. The Commerce Department said on Friday it was tightening sanctions on Huawei — seen by Washington …
Read More »Nigeria seizes British plane for flouting virus flight ban
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria has seized a British plane for flouting a travel ban imposed as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the aviation minister said Sunday. Flair Aviation, the airline involved, was authorised to conduct humanitarian flights but was caught operating commercial flights, Hadi Sirika said on …
Read More »Team named to finalize set up of an Adhola TV, radio
Tororo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Jago (Prime Minister) of The Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI) has named a team of 27 to finalize the set up of a television station, radio and online operations. A statement from the office of the Jago Obbo Richard Josel on Sunday stated that, …
Read More »Amazon hit from all sides as crisis highlights growing power
San Francisco, United States | AFP | As Amazon becomes an increasingly important lifeline in the pandemic crisis, it is being hit with a wave of criticism from activists, politicians and others who question the tech giant’s growing influence. Amazon has become the most scrutinized company during the health emergency. It …
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