Pakistani army says it shot down Indian drone in Kashmir
Updated 07 March 2018
AP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's military says it shot down an Indian "spy drone" after it entered Pakistani airspace in the disputed region of Kashmir.
The military said in a statement late Tuesday that the drone violated Pakistan's airspace and was spying when it was shot down in the village of Chirikot along the Line of Control in Kashmir. It said Pakistani troops retrieved the wreckage.
The army said it was the fourth Indian drone it shot down in the past year.
India had no immediate comment.
Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and both claim the region in its entirety.
The two sides also often trade fire there and have fought two wars over it since their independence from British rule in 1947.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Georgina Rodriguez star in Saudi cruise campaign
Updated 9 min 4 sec ago
Arab News
DUBAI: Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez appeared together in a new campaign for Saudi Arabia’s luxury cruise line, Aroya Cruises.
In the video, the pair exchange a lighthearted moment in Arabic, with Rodriguez saying “yalla” after selecting the cruise on her phone and Ronaldo replying with a cheerful “yalla,” meaning “let’s go.”
The campaign then transitions into scenes of the couple exploring the cruise experience, showcasing panoramic sea views, luxurious interiors, and their private accommodation on board.
Both Ronaldo and Rodriguez shared the campaign on their social media profiles, captioning the post: “Home isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling.”
The Aroya cruise ship features a range of amenities, including a spa, multiple restaurants, a theater, water park, retail area, kids’ zone and several swimming pools.
Currently operating primarily from Jeddah, Aroya Cruises offers voyages across the Red Sea, with stops at destinations such as Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, Aqaba in Jordan and Jabal Al-Sabaya Island.
Starting June 2025, the cruise line will expand its operations to the Eastern Mediterranean, with new itineraries departing from Istanbul and visiting ports in Greece and Turkiye, including Mykonos, Rhodes and Antalya.
Lebanon’s civil war anniversary poll: Half of respondents fear conflict could return
63.3% favor abolishing sectarian political system for secular state model
42.5% report direct personal or family harm from recent conflict
Updated 11 min 2 sec ago
Arab News
BEIRUT: As Lebanon marks 50 years since the outbreak of its civil war on April 13, a new poll has revealed half of the Lebanese people questioned are worried the conflict could return amid a fragile ceasefire.
The survey, conducted jointly by Annahar newspaper and International Information, sampled 1,200 Lebanese citizens across all regions between March 25 and April 2.
It showed that 51.7 percent expressed varying degrees of concern about the war’s return, while 63.3 percent believed establishing a secular civil state by abolishing the sectarian political system represented the best path forward for the country.
A total of 42.5 percent of respondents reported direct harm to themselves or family members, including deaths or injuries (23.7 percent), property damage (19.9 percent), and forced displacement (19.5 percent).
In assessing Lebanese attitudes toward Iran’s role in Lebanon, 78.6 percent of respondents evaluated this role as negative, and 75.3 percent identified Israel as Lebanon’s primary adversary.
The survey came as Israel resumed attacks on Lebanon, claiming it is targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.
In a statement, Annahar’s management described the poll as an essential tool to understand present realities by examining present and past questions, noting the significant timing on the half-century mark of a conflict whose full lessons remain unlearned.
Public opinion remains deeply divided on how to characterize the war that erupted on April 13, 1975, with 40.7 percent describing it as a Lebanese civil war while 38.5 percent view it as a war for others “fought on our soil.”
A smaller segment (8.8 percent) consider it primarily a war related to Palestinian settlement issues.
Information about the war continued to be transmitted largely through personal channels, with 81.9 percent citing family and friends as their primary source of knowledge, followed by media (44.8 percent), personal experience (28.3 percent), and academic sources (13.4 percent), according to the poll.
May Calamawy, May Elghety join cast of Lee Cronin’s ‘The Mummy’
Updated 13 min 13 sec ago
Arab News
DUBAI: Egyptian actresses May Calamawy and May Elghety have joined the cast of “The Mummy,” a new feature from award-winning Irish writer and director Lee Cronin.
Calamawy, who is also Palestinian, and Elghety star alongside Mexican actress Veronica Falcon, as well as previously announced cast members Jack Reynor and Laia Costa.
Plot details for the film remain undisclosed.
The film is produced by Blumhouse, Atomic Monster, and New Line Cinema, and is currently in production in Ireland and Spain.
Calamawy is best known for her role as Layla El-Faouly in Marvel’s “Moon Knight” and as Dena Hassan in the critically acclaimed series “Ramy.”
Elghety gained attention for her breakthrough role in the award-winning Egyptian film “Clash” (2016), which opened the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes.
AI set to double data center electricity demand by 2030: IEA
Updated 18 min 46 sec ago
Nirmal Narayanan
RIYADH: Electricity consumption by data centers is expected to double by 2030 to reach 945 terawatts per hour, driven by the rapid use of applications powered by artificial intelligence, according to a think tank.
In its latest report, the International Energy Agency said that this rise in electricity demand will create new challenges for energy security and carbon dioxide emission goals.
According to the IEA, electricity consumption by data centers has increased by 12 percent annually since 2019 to reach 1.5 percent of the global amount in 2024.
The agency added that even though AI is driving the use, the technology can also unlock opportunities to produce and consume electricity more efficiently.
“AI is one of the biggest stories in the energy world today — but until now, policymakers and markets lacked the tools to fully understand the wide-ranging impacts. Global electricity demand from data centers is set to more than double over the next five years, consuming as much electricity by 2030 as the whole of Japan does today,” said Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA.
He added: “The effects will be particularly strong in some countries. For example, in the US, data centers are on course to account for almost half of the growth in electricity demand; in Japan, more than half; and in Malaysia, as much as one-fifth.”
The IEA further said that generative AI requires colossal computing power to process information accumulated in gigantic databases.
The report added that data centers in the US are set to consume more electricity than the cumulative power used for the production of aluminum, steel, cement, chemicals and all other energy-intensive goods combined by the end of this decade.
In advanced economies more broadly, data centers are projected to drive more than 20 percent of the growth in electricity demand between now and 2030, putting the power sector in those economies back on a growth footing after years of stagnating or declining demand in many of them.
In March, another report by the IEA revealed that energy demand globally rose by 2.2 percent in 2024 compared to 2023, driven by usage of electricity and growth in emerging and developing economies.
In that analysis, the agency revealed that energy demand growth last year was also faster than the average annual increase of 1.3 percent between 2013 and 2023.
Meeting rising demand
According to the IEA, the world should tap a diverse range of energy sources to meet data centers’ rising electricity needs.
Data centers are set to account for around one-tenth of global electricity demand growth to 2030, less than the share from industrial motors, air conditioning in homes and offices, or electric vehicles.
The report projected that renewables and natural gas are set to take the lead in this journey due to their cost-competitiveness and availability in key markets.
“Renewables generation is projected to grow by over 450 TWh to meet data center demand to 2035, building on short lead times, economic competitiveness and the procurement strategies of tech companies,” said the IEA.
It added: “Dispatchable sources, led by natural gas, also have a crucial role to play, with the tech sector helping to bring forward new nuclear and geothermal technologies as well.”
The report further said that natural gas and nuclear power capacity is projected to grow by over 175TWh each by the end of this decade to meet electricity demand in data centers.
Aligning with this trend, in October Google signed a deal with Kairos Power to to use small nuclear reactors to generate the vast amounts of energy needed to power its AI-based data centers.
In the same month, Amazon also signed three agreements with X-Energy to develop nuclear power technology called small modular reactors to power its data centers.
Microsoft is also eyeing to use nuclear energy from new reactors at Three Mile Island, the site of America’s worst nuclear accident.
Earlier this month, in a separate report, the IEA said that the range of new energy technologies under development globally is broader and appears more promising than ever before, catering to the rising demand.
The think tank added that modern energy technology landscape is highly dynamic, with both emerging and established economies contributing to the growth of innovation in the sector.
Unlocking opportunities through AI
According to the IEA, while data centers could negatively impact energy security, wise implementation of AI has the potential to transform the energy sector in the coming decade.
The report said that effective use of the technology could unlock significant opportunities to cut costs, enhance competitiveness, and reduce emissions.
“With the rise of AI, the energy sector is at the forefront of one of the most important technological revolutions of our time,” said Birol.
He added: “AI is a tool, potentially an incredibly powerful one, but it is up to us – our societies, governments and companies – how we use it.”
According to the report, countries that want to benefit from the potential of AI need to quickly accelerate new investments in electricity generation and grids.
The IEA also urged these nations to improve the efficiency and flexibility of data centers, and strengthen the dialogue between policymakers, the tech sector and the energy industry.
The report added that countries should also consider establishing new data centers in areas of high power and grid availability.
The Paris-based agency further said that AI could intensify some energy security strains while helping to address others.
“Cyberattacks on energy utilities have tripled in the past four years and become more sophisticated because of AI. At the same time, AI is becoming a critical tool for energy companies to defend against such attacks,” said the IEA.
The emission factor
The IEA said that the growth of data centers will inevitably increase carbon emissions linked to electricity consumption, from 180 million tons of CO2 today to 300 million tonnes by 2035.
However, these emissions remain a minimal share of the 41.6 billion tonnes of overall global emissions estimated in 2024.
“While the increase in electricity demand for data centers is set to drive up emissions, this increase will be small in the context of the overall energy sector and could potentially be offset by emissions reductions enabled by AI if adoption of the technology is widespread,” said the report.
The think tank added that AI could also accelerate innovation in sustainable energy technologies such as batteries and solar photovoltaics, thus contributing to the global climate goals.
Tamtam’s Goast Flower: Growing a vibrant Saudi music community
Updated 11 April 2025
Jasmine Bager
ALKHOBAR: With her signature curls and radiant smile, internationally acclaimed Saudi singer-songwriter Tamtam brought her boundless energy to Alkhobar this week, aiming to nurture and connect the Kingdom’s growing music scene from the ground up.
Known mononymously as Tamtam, the artist chose early in her career to go by a single name — a decision that helped to maintain her privacy while allowing listeners to focus on her message and music. Over time, the name became synonymous with her genre-blending sound and global appeal by singing in both English and Arabic, and her bold advocacy for creative freedom.
The event, hosted at Bohemia Cafe and supported by MDLBEAST Radio, was part of Goast Flower’s community activation — a grassroots initiative launched by Tamtam to support emerging artists and independent creatives. The gathering transformed the space into a pop-up creative hub, where artists exchanged merchandise, contacts and ideas over coffee — free to anyone with a hand stamp at the door. Entrance was free with sign-up, allowing MDLBEAST to collect people’s contact information to stay connected.
The event, hosted at Bohemia Cafe and supported by MDLBEAST Radio, was part of Goast Flower’s community activation — a grassroots initiative launched by Tamtam to support emerging artists and independent creatives. (AN photo)
MDLBEAST Radio co-hosted their first such event in Tamtam’s hometown, Riyadh, a few weeks earlier — a sahoor at Beast House — and this was their second stop on this mission.
“Honestly, I’m so, so happy. This is really cool because we get to play the music,” Tamtam told Arab News.
During the Riyadh sahoor, they merely mingled but did not perform or listen to music.
“In Alkhobar, so many people showed up — people are excited. There aren’t many events going on in Alkhobar, so I really feel like everyone is super appreciative,” Tamtam said.
Zamzam with their merch exchange swag. (Photo by Goast Flower)
She added: “The whole point of this is for artists and people in the music industry to meet, and that’s what’s happening. Like literally everyone’s telling me, ‘I’ve met so many people, thank you so much.’ I’m so happy — we need it. The goal has been achieved again.”
Raised in Riyadh and now based between the Kingdom and Los Angeles, Tamtam’s music explores themes of identity, gender equality and cultural connection. She blends alternative R&B with pop and personal storytelling, and her independent streak led her to create her own platform for creative control.
“Goast Flower is an independent music label I started a couple of years ago,” she said. “I’ve been releasing my music through it — it was a way for me as an independent artist to have my own label because I don’t want to be controlled by anyone. It’s amazing to have that freedom as an artist. I’m very grateful.”
(AN photo)
Beyond being a label, Goast Flower functions as a creative hub. Its first major project, the Saudi Music Community, is a public database designed to help local talent connect.
“I literally collected all the artists I knew. Fulana, another Saudi artist, collected all the artists she knew. We put together a Google document and made it live,” she explained. “Now there’s another document where people can join and add their information, and someone checks it. In this way, artists can find each other in Saudi Arabia. A lot of artists are like, ‘Hey, I’m looking for a female rapper,’ or ‘I’m looking for a guitar player for my live show.’ And now they can just go to the database and find people.”
In Alkhobar, the idea found fertile ground.
Singer-songwriter, architect, photographer and university professor, Yazeed Al-Amasi, who attended both the Riyadh and Alkhobar events, said: “I’ve been living here in Dhahran since 2011, and this is the first time I feel super connected to the music community,” he told Arab News. “I don’t want to say it, but I think people are friendlier and more open to collaborating in Alkhobar. Or maybe people in Riyadh were just tired from Ramadan.”
Tamtam meets Zamzam. (AN photo)
A key part of the gathering was the merchandise exchange, a concept introduced by Tamtam to encourage artistic support without the barrier of money. Participants brought T-shirts, lyric booklets, CDs, stickers and creative works to swap with one another — artist to artist.
“The idea is that instead of spending money, artists are supporting each other. It’s a gesture of support that this community is all about,” Tamtam said.
“I really, really believe in this community, and I don’t think anyone can grow without a community in any industry,” she added. “I just feel like the music industry in Saudi needs this push, and the foundation needs to be stronger.”
During the event, guests took the mic to introduce themselves and share what they were seeking — producers, vocalists, instrumentalists, collaborators. Photographers offering band headshots and live performance images also stepped forward, strengthening the bonds in the room.
“I actually discovered local musician Zamzam through the Saudi Music Community when I was putting this together,” Tamtam said.
Zamzam, a frequent Bohemia performer and lover of all music genres, walked in as Tamtam was speaking about her. Zamzam, who also goes by a mononym, found the database through Tamtam’s initiative and was excited to meet her in person.
Both shrieked in delight on noticing they were face-to-face.
“Maybe we will have a Tamtam and Zamzam collaboration in the future,” someone said in the background.
“I added myself to the database!” Zamzam told Arab News. “I follow Tamtam and I saw the (Instagram) story about Goast Flower. Whenever I see a label or something that could be a creative hub, I want to connect.”
The venue itself played a role. Bohemia Cafe has become something of a beacon for alternative and indie creatives in the Eastern Province.
One of them, Fatima Falath, shared that she had written a song inspired by her visit to Bohemia.
“Two years ago, I was sitting at Bohemia and got inspired by the drawing on their cup,” Falath told Arab News.
“I had some matcha — even in the song we mentioned matcha,” Falath said with a laugh. “I sang and wrote the lyrics, and my friend and producer, who goes by Hajj Alibaba, did the background music. I made all my friends and family listen to it — it’s a driving-around-in-the-car song. I haven’t published it yet, but I’m inspired to publish it tonight at this event because we wrote it here.”
Everyone at Bohemia had a chance to listen to Falath’s creation for the very first time, and many other musicians joined after and played their songs.
Rohit Jayakaran of MDLBEAST Radio drove in from Riyadh to support the event along with Tamtam and the team. For nearly four hours, they were fired up to be there. He was beaming as the songs were being played.
“We’re very excited to be part of the Saudi music community and support it as MDLBEAST Radio,” Jayakaran told Arab News. “We believe that great things will come out of this community. Bohemia — this is the place where people come for music in Sharqiya. What I discovered today is that there is a community — and it’s a growing community. It’s eclectic. It has all sorts of dynamic energies in here. And it’s just really nice to have this here because it didn’t exist before. It’s amazing. It’s awesome.”
Jayakaran hopes that connections made will showcase their collaborative talents at the next live show at Bohemia, in Riyadh, or just in general.
For now, Goast Flower remains Tamtam’s personal label — though she doesn’t rule out signing other artists in the future.
“I really, really respect the artist. Unless I know I can invest a lot of money in the artist — money, time and effort — I’m not going to sign them,” she said. “A lot of the big people in this industry take advantage of artists. Artists don’t make enough money from streaming. The music business has a lot of work to do.”
She hopes that Saudi Arabia can do things differently.
“Saudi is such a special place right now because it’s the beginning of the music industry. We are in a place where we can shape it in a different way — we don’t have to copy the West. We can learn from the mistakes happening in other industries.”
Next, Goast Flower is headed to Jeddah, where they will host a similar activation on April 16 at Hayy Jameel.
It will essentially go from the heart of the Kingdom to the two coasts, like a hug to the music community in Saudi Arabia.
