Author: dailyguardian.ae

Microsoft is betting on glass data storage for the kind of files you can’t afford to lose, the records that have to survive hardware refreshes, format changes, and decades of time. Its Project Silica research says laser-etched silica glass can hold data for 10,000 years, with room for longer lifespans in normal storage conditions. Data gets written inside a small glass plate with ultra-fast lasers, then imaging and decoding software reconstructs it later. Microsoft has also pointed to a peer-reviewed Nature paper as evidence it can reliably write, read, and decode what it stores. This is aimed at archives, not…

First UAE bank capital transaction in 2026. Transaction marked Mashreq’s successful return to the bond markets since its’ Sukuk issuance in April 2025, which had opened the CEEMEA market post US tariffs announcement Price tightening from IPTs of 62.5 bps on the back of a robust orderbook that peaked at US$2.1bn (4.2x oversubscription) Mashreq’s achieved the tightest ever reset margin (+252 bps) for any of its bank capital issuances (AT1 and Tier 2) Mashreq in effect priced flat to the secondary market level of its previous AT1 despite maturity extension of more than 20 months (1.7 years), and inside the…

Windows 11 is getting a built-in way to measure your connection speed, and it’s placed right where you already look when something feels off. Instead of jumping to a third-party site or installing another utility, you’ll be able to kick off a Windows 11 speed test from the taskbar area in a couple of clicks. The shortcut shows up in Quick Settings under Wi-Fi or Cellular, and it’s also available by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray. When you run it, Windows opens your default browser and starts the test there. The setup is simple, but it’s still…

The Future of Desert Living to Take Centre Stage at the 2nd Desert Architecture MENA Forum Dubai, UAE: Positioning desert architecture at the forefront of climate responsive design, the 2nd Desert Architecture MENA Forum returns on 30–31 March 2026 at the Habtoor Grand Resort, following the success of its inaugural edition last year. Under the theme “Integrating Heritage with Innovation: The Future of Desert Living”, the Forum will bring together global architects, policymakers, developers, sustainability leaders, and technology innovators. As the region’s only platform dedicated to desert architecture, the Forum addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing the Middle East…

Think you can easily identify AI-generated faces? A new study suggests you might be overestimating yourself. Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Australian National University (ANU) tested 125 participants on their ability to distinguish real human faces from AI-generated ones. Most volunteers were confident in their judgment, but the results told a different story. Even people with exceptional face recognition skills, referred to as super-recognizers, only scored slightly above average. The study used AI-generated faces that removed obvious visual errors, making them highly convincing. While early examples often had telltale flaws like distorted teeth or…

• 12 Alumni-Led Ventures Among 50 UAE Startups• Digital-First Hiring Enables Real-Time Matching• BITS Strengthens Ties with UAE’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Dubai, UAE – The BITS Pilani Dubai Campus (BPDC) recently hosted the Startup Career Fair 2026, bringing together 50 emerging startups from across the UAE and creating a vibrant platform for students to connect directly with founders and early-stage teams. The fair recorded a 43% increase in participation compared to last year, reflecting rising student interest in startup careers and stronger engagement from the UAE’s entrepreneurial community. The event was inaugurated in the presence of Amb. Laila Rahhal El Atfani, President…

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta is reviving its plan to release a smartwatch (codenamed “Malibu 2”), with a targeted launch later this year. According to a new report from The Information (vie Reuters), Meta’s first smartwatch could feature several health and fitness-tracking features. Further, like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, the smartwatch will include a built-in Meta AI assistant. In fact, the company will bank on integrating its AI assistant into the smartwatch, as this will help create an AI-powered consumer hardware ecosystem. An AI-first wearables strategy It looks like the company might position itself on AI-based features and experience. This isn’t the…

252 teams. One champion team. A spectacular celebration of knowledge showcasing the brilliance of the UAE’s corporate community Dubai, United Arab Emirates The 3rd edition of the IBPC Dubai Corporate Quiz delivered an extraordinary showcase of intellect, agility, and corporate camaraderie, as 252 teams competed for the coveted title of Dubai’s Smartest, with reigning champion Pratyush Goel of Abu Dhabi Investment successfully defending his crown – this time along with his partner Kalai representing Al-Shaya. In a contest defined by strategy, speed, and scholarship, Pratyush once again proved his mettle, pulling ahead decisively with his partner in the final rounds…

Following last year’s design overhaul and the addition of a retro film-style camera feature, Google is rolling out another update for Snapseed on iOS. The latest release refines the Snapseed camera, making it easier to access and adding new capabilities. When Google first debuted the Snapseed camera last year, users could only access it from a Lock Screen widget, the Control Center, or using the Camera Control button. With version 3.15.0, the company has added a new camera shortcut in the top-right corner of the app’s interface, allowing users to launch the Snapseed camera from within the app. 9to5Google reports…

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 19, February 2026: The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association of the Gulf (PHRMAG), the region’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for regional healthcare transformation at the World Health Expo (WHX in Dubai). During the event, PHRMAG’s delegation participated in two high-level panel discussions highlighting the Gulf’s growing prominence as a hub for life sciences innovation and biotech investment. PHRMAG’s Chairman Sameh El Fangary participated in a strategic leadership dialogue titled “The New Era of Health Systems Leadership: Rewriting the Blueprint” which convened senior government leaders, and global CEOs to examine the…