November, 2016

• 30 November

  US consumer spending rises at more moderate pace

  

    Bloomberg Personal spending increased at a more moderate pace in October after the biggest gain in five months, while faster income growth signaled demand will be sustained. Purchases rose 0.3 percent after a 0.7 percent September advance that was stronger than first estimated, Commerce Department figures showed on Wednesday. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey called for a ...

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• 30 November

  Amazon to plan premium Alexa speaker with large screen

  

    Los Angeles / AFP Amazon.com Inc. is developing a premium Echo-like speaker with a screen, a sign the world’s largest online retailer is trying to capitalize on the surprise success of its voice-controlled home gadgets and fend off competition from Google and Apple Inc. The new device will have a touchscreen measuring about seven inches, a major departure from ...

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• 30 November

  CNN to acquire video sharing app maker Beme

    Bloomberg Time Warner’s CNN said that it has agreed to acquire the staff and technology behind social media app Beme, created by YouTube star Casey Neistat and Matt Hackett. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The company said its 12 employees will join CNN. Beme was created to offer a social application that allows millennials and others to share short videos ...

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• 30 November

  ‘Dronejacking’ may be next big cyber threat

    Washington / AP A big rise in drone use is likely to lead to a new wave of “dronejackings” by cybercriminals, security experts warned. A report by Intel’s McAfee Labs said hackers are expected to start targeting drones used for deliveries, law enforcement or camera crews, in addition to hobbyists. “Drones are well on the way to becoming a ...

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• 30 November

  Facebook brings mobile games to Messenger

  

    AFP Facebook has unveiled “Instant Games” allowing users of the world’s biggest social network to play from its Messenger application or directly on their news feeds. The new games effort could be a step toward eventually monetizing Messenger, which now has more than one billion users. “This new games experience allows people to easily discover, share, and play games ...

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• 30 November

  BMW boosts tech startup fund as self-driving challenge grows

  

    Bloomberg BMW AG plans to boost its investments in startups, as competition intensifies with new rivals including Tesla Motors Inc. over technologies that make cars smarter and more energy efficient. The luxury-vehicle maker will invest as much as 500 million euros ($533 million) through its iVentures capital fund over 10 years, Munich-based BMW said Monday in a statement. The ...

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• 29 November

  flydubai begins Bangkok service

    DUBAI / WAM Dubai-based flydubai officially launched its Bangkok service, marking the start of its first double daily route outside of the GCC. The inaugural flight from Dubai International Terminal 2 landed at Bangkok International Airport on Tuesday, providing connecting routes for travel through Dubai. Commenting on the launch of the new route, Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO at flydubai, ...

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• 29 November

  Ajman, Serbia seek stronger economic, trade cooperation

    AJMAN / WAM HH Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, received on Tuesday Igor Mirovic, President of the Provincial Government of Vojvodina, Serbia, and explored prospects to establish joint trade, and economic and investment projects. Mirovic is leading a high-level delegation on a visit to the UAE. The Ajman Ruler called on ...

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• 29 November

  Khalifa pardons 1,000 prisoners ahead of National Day

    ABU DHABI / WAM President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered the release of 1,102 prisoners on the occasion of the UAE’s 45th National Day. The move comes as part of President Khalifa’s keenness to give pardoned inmates an opportunity to start a new life and ease the suffering of their families. Commenting on the occasion, ...

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• 29 November

  Trump steps up search for America’s next top diplomat

  

    New York / AFP Donald Trump stepped up his search on Tuesday for a secretary of state with loyalists at loggerheads over prospective candidates: erstwhile critic Mitt Romney, scandal-clad general David Petraeus and Senator Bob Corker. Trump’s quest for America’s next top diplomat, the most prestigious position in the cabinet and the statesman who will have to grapple with ...

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