Developments in the Gulf since the beginning of this year have raised fundamental questions about the security of the region in general and Qatar in particular. How can Qatar and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states become effective, independent military powers that do not rely on external security guarantees to ensure their safety? The question for Qatar is how it can build, over the next five years, a national defence capability that would enable it to protect the state and its vital interests even in the absence of Gulf or regional support, or if the United States provides only limited assistance. The aim is to explore whether Qatar can achieve what might be described as defence autonomy, rather than isolation. In other words, Qatar should remain open to alliances and partnerships without making its security dependent on the decisions of another state.

AI's'opportunity divide' could deepen global inequality, UN official warns Share AI's'opportunity divide' could deepen global inequality, UN official warns on social media Artificial intelligence (AI) risks widening the gap between rich and poor countries, potentially deepening existing social and economic inequalities, a senior United Nations official has warned. Developing countries face significant barriers to benefitting from the AI revolution, Tomas Lamanauskas, the deputy secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN agency focused on information and communication technologies, told Al Jazeera. "AI has the huge potential of powering health, education, public services, industries, agriculture, trade. So a great divide could really mean an opportunity divide, and really could deepen the socioeconomic divide," he said. Lamanauskas said the disparities are already evident in digital infrastructure, citing the examples of Africa and Latin America, which together account for just 3.3 percent of global data centre capacity.

UN official warns AI could'deepen' global inequality UN official warns AI could'deepen' global inequality Unequal access to AI infrastructure and technology risks significantly deepening global inequality, senior UN official Tomas Lamanauskas told Al Jazeera at the 9th World Investment Forum in Qatar. Share UN official warns AI could'deepen' global inequality on social media Israel's'Generation Right' could shape Netanyahu's future

Middle East and Central Asia's economy to shrink in 2026 amid war, IMF says Share Middle East and Central Asia's economy to shrink in 2026 amid war, IMF says on social media The economy of the Middle East and Central Asia is set to shrink in 2026 amid the fallout of the US-Israel war on Iran, with countries such as Kuwait and Qatar facing double-digit contractions, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The region's gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to contract by 0.3 percent this year, a sharp downgrade from the 1.9 percent expansion projected in April, the IMF said in its latest economic outlook on Tuesday. Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar are forecast to have the most severe economic contractions, with their GDPs expected to shrink by 16.7 percent, 16 percent and 15.6 percent, respectively. Bahrain's GDP is forecast to contract by 11.3 percent, while Iran's economy is projected to shrink by 7.6 percent. Saudi Arabia, which has partially offset the hit to its energy sector by boosting oil exports through the East-West pipeline, is projected to record negative growth of 3.3 percent.

Trump backs AI self-regulation at tech summit but is it enough? Trump backs AI self-regulation at tech summit but is it enough? US President Donald Trump and leading tech companies have signed a voluntary agreement to regulate AI that includes internal reviews and joint monitoring, but falls short of introducing concrete'guardrails'. Share Trump backs AI self-regulation at tech summit but is it enough? String of rapes in Delhi triggers social campaign for women's safety Man City CEO: Premier League verdict based on'conspiracy theory' 'Netanyahu targets Qatar to deflect from Gaza war crimes' What is white phosphorus, and why is Israel using it in Lebanon?

Is the war entering a new phase? UN faces its toughest test under Trump's attacks in 80 years World leaders gather in New York City to attend the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting, where the US-Israel war on Iran, Russia's war on Ukraine and the risks of artificial intelligence are expected to dominate discussions. United States President Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron are among the leaders taking the podium on Tuesday.

Aaron Rupar attacked a White House press wrangler on social media for directing media near Air Force 1 in Ireland, prompting the White House to fire back.

Faster homework, poor exam results: What AI is doing to students' learning Share Faster homework, poor exam results: What AI is doing to students' learning on social media Hundreds of millions of primary and secondary students are starting their schools for the new academic year this month. But the advent of Artificial Intelligence is changing the students' learning process. Students and teachers are grappling with the question: what is homework for, when an AI chatbot can finish it in seconds? Some countries have moved fast with the adoption of AI. China requires at least eight hours of AI instruction a year, and in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have all begun integrating AI into their curricula.

Is the war entering a new phase? Video shows the moment a Russian attack hit a parking lot in Vyshneve near Ukraine's capital, causing a woman walking nearby to fall before fleeing to safety. According to authorities, it was the second consecutive day of Russian attacks on the Kyiv region. 'Barrier lake' triggers fresh floods, halts rescue at Nepal-China border Qatar pushes for united Libya with visit to country's east'Typical Trump, silly joke': 'Lake America' has Canadians laughing

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