China can now claim that the majority of its connections are running over 5G, with the technology powering 55% of all connections since the end 2025. The GSMA’s Mobile Economy China 2026 report predicts 5G will account for 61% of connections in the country by the end of this year and 88% by 2030. The performance of 5G in China so far means the nation already accounts for over 40% of global 5G connections. China surpassed 1 billion 5G connections in 2024, highlighting the rapid adoption of the technology since its launch five years ago. “The influence of national policy…
Author: Editorial Team
SEATTLE — The United States has eased travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup team, allowing the squad to arrive in Seattle two days before its decisive group-stage match against Egypt, U.S. officials said on Tuesday. The move marks a relaxation of restrictions that had forced Iran to travel to its first two matches only a day before kickoff and leave immediately afterward. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Iran’s delegation will be permitted to enter the United States on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s Group G clash against Egypt in Seattle. The team will still be…
HOUSTON — Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments after netting twice in Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Tuesday. The 41-year-old forward opened the scoring in the sixth minute when he converted João Cancelo’s cross, becoming the only player to find the net in six separate World Cup editions. Ronaldo added his second goal in the 39th minute after receiving a pass from Bruno Fernandes and calmly finishing inside the near post to give Portugal a 3-0 lead. He was later named player of the match. The Portuguese…
ATLANTA — FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the governing body will consider keeping hydration breaks at future World Cups despite criticism of the additional stoppages introduced during the 2026 tournament. Infantino defended the mandatory cooling breaks, which take place midway through each half, saying they may be contributing to the high intensity and entertainment levels seen during the expanded 48-team tournament. FIFA will evaluate whether to retain the breaks in future competitions after reviewing their impact during this World Cup. “Maybe the coach can reassess certain situations, correct certain mistakes. The players get a little rest and come back in…
FOXBOROUGH — England missed a chance to secure an early place in the World Cup knockout stage after being held to a goalless draw by Ghana on Tuesday. Despite dominating possession and outshooting Ghana 19-1, England could not find a breakthrough at Gillette Stadium as both teams remained unbeaten in Group L. England entered the match after defeating Croatia 4-2 in its opener, while Ghana arrived on the back of a 1-0 victory over Panama. The result leaves qualification to the round of 32 still undecided heading into the final round of group matches. England, which has never lost to…
Saudi Arabia ranked ninth globally in the Auditing and Accounting Practices indicator in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, reflecting the impact of the professional and institutional transformation the Saudi accounting sector has witnessed over the past decade in line with Saudi Vision 2030. This progress is the result of a comprehensive reform journey covering more than 300 reforms, including 128 substantive reforms, 86 consequential reforms, 71 procedural reforms, and 16 legislative reforms, contributing to developing the professional environment and enhancing the quality of accounting and auditing practices. The Kingdom adopted 128 international standards, making it the only country in the Middle…
Google Cloud and Nokia recently announced a plan to integrate agents made using Gemini AI models into the vendor’s network assurance platform. This move was cited as aiding quick resolution of operator issues. The pair asserted the six agents being created would provide dramatic gains for users of the Nokia Assurance Center. In a joint statement, Nokia and Google Cloud pointed to the increasingly complex volume of data being generated by networks as causing issues for systems relying on manual troubleshooting, highlighting bottlenecks from an ever-escalating number of alerts. “This partnership addresses these challenges by using agents to instantly process…
RIYADH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received written messages from King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The messages were pertaining to further improving bilateral relations between the two countries. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al-Khereiji received the messages from British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Stephen Hitchen during their meeting at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh on Tuesday. During the meeting, Al-Khereiji and Hitchen reviewed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries. They discussed ways to further enhance and develop…
JEDDAH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman have sent cables of condolences and sympathy to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani following the explosion at a gas-processing facility in Ras Laffan industrial zone that resulted in several deaths and injuries. In their separate cables, the King and the Crown Prince extended their deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the Emir, as well as to the families of the deceased, and the people of Qatar. They wished a speedy recovery for the injured. Source: Saudi Gazette
RIYADH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has approved the hosting of 1,000 male and female Umrah pilgrims from around the world at his personal expense under the Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit. The initiative will be implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance. The first group under the program, which will be carried out in four phases during the 1448 AH year, includes 250 Umrah pilgrims hailing from 16 Asian countries: Indonesia, East Timor, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore,…