Tuesday, October 13, 2026Jumada I 2, 1448 AH

العربية
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Technology

Effective Altruism: The Philosophy Behind Silicon Valley's AI Fears

Dario Amodei says he is not part of it. But the Anthropic chief's personal and professional circle is entwined with Effective Altruism (EA), a philanthropic movement that has become one of the most contested ideas in Washington and Silicon Valley. To its proponents, EA is a rational, evidence-based way to do good. To many in the Trump administration, it fuels unfounded and exaggerated fears about artificial intelligence -- the kind of warnings Amodei has become known for. Here are some facts about EA: - Philosophical roots -

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Culture

When the World Saw van Gogh as ‘a Madman,’ she Saw his Genius

By Nina Siegal It was April 1912, and Helene Kröller-Müller was on a shopping spree. She wasn’t interested in the latest shoes or fashions. She was on the hunt for Vincent van Gogh’s portrait of Madame Augustine Roulin. She managed to find “La Berceuse,” as the painting is known, at a Paris gallery, and bought it on the spot. The next day, she went from gallery to gallery, looking for more van Gogh paintings, and took home a great haul: 15 in a single trip.

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Business

EU Nations to Hold Emergency Meeting on Soaring Diesel Prices amid US Pressure

EU nations will meet Friday, aiming to develop a unified response to soaring diesel prices, a day after the US called on its European allies to release strategic reserves "immediately" to stem the crisis. The emergency meeting between EU member states and the European Commission is scheduled for early in the day, a Commission spokesperson said late Thursday. Washington is piling on pressure to get European help with fuel costs, with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday floating the possibility of banning diesel exports, said AFP.

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Business

Not Your Everyday Coffee in a Serbia Cafe. Enjoy it in the Company of Alpacas

A cafe in northern Serbia has unusual hosts: six alpacas. The South American animals, of various sizes and colors, roam among the tables at the Tiganjica Ethno-Village resort near Stajicevo, north of Belgrade, happy to interact with the guests. The Alpaca Cafe here opened only a week ago and is a rare sight in Europe. Tiganjica resort owner Zoran Ostojin said he got the idea in Slovakia.

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Sports

Ronaldo’s Portugal Future in Doubt After Walkout

The international future of Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo hung in the balance after the 41-year-old walked out on the squad after learning that he would not start the game against Denmark on Thursday. Ronaldo announced late on Wednesday that he had left the team, shortly after a press conference in which coach Jorge Jesus confirmed the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would be left out of his starting line-up for a second consecutive Nations League game. In his absence, Portugal turned on the style to beat Denmark 4-2.

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Sports

Klopp Celebrates 1st Germany Win and Portugal Moves on From Cristiano Ronaldo in Nations League

Jurgen Klopp savored his first win as Germany coach and Portugal did just fine without Cristiano Ronaldo in the Nations League on Thursday. Florian Wirtz starred as Germany defeated Serbia 2-0 in Munich for Klopp’s first win at the third attempt — staving off an unwanted record. The 59-year-old Klopp was on the verge of becoming the first Germany coach not to win any of his first three games after opening with a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands last week before Sunday’s shock 1-0 defeat to Greece.

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Business

Nike Plans More Job Cuts to Boost Sputtering Turnaround, Forecasts Steep Revenue Drop

Nike is deepening its restructuring under CEO Elliott Hill as its woes in China intensify, announcing a plan to cut more jobs and shake up its global business divisions after the sportswear giant projected a surprisingly steep drop in full-year revenue. The tepid forecast on Thursday underscored that Nike's challenges will likely persist for at least several more quarters — especially in China, where sales tumbled 26% on a constant-currency basis in the first quarter — adding to investor unease about the pace of Hill's turnaround. Its shares fell 8.5% in extended trading.

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Politics

Trump Sidesteps Questions on Endorsing Netanyahu Before Oct. 27 Israeli Elections

US President Donald Trump won't say whether he thinks Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be reelected when voters head to the polls later this month. The president, who sat down with Time magazine for a 75-minute interview published Thursday, sidestepped multiple questions about Netanyahu's reelection bid. Israelis are set to vote Oct. 27, in the first national elections since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

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News

Trump Says Iran Will Be Hit ‘Very Hard’ if It Is Behind Co-Pilot Who Tried to Crash Flight to Israel

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that if Tehran is linked to the co-pilot who tried to crash an Israel-bound flight, Iran would be struck “very hard” for the attempt on the lives of more than 180 people aboard the jet. Trump issued the warning as investigators worked to determine why the co-pilot stabbed the flight's captain, causing the Flydubai plane to plummet before others on board stopped the attack and landed the airliner in Saudi Arabia.

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News

US Sanctions Target Iran’s Auto, Rail Sectors as Blockade Chokes Ship Lanes

The Trump administration imposed sanctions on Iran's rail and auto sectors and their foreign suppliers, the Treasury Department said on Thursday, widening its wartime economic campaign to isolate Tehran. The sanctions are part of the department's "Operation Economic Outcast," announced August 24, which aims to cut Tehran's funding for the war, missile construction, cyberattacks and the ⁠Revolutionary Guard Corps ⁠or IRGC.

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News

US Announces $24.4 Bn Contract to Speed up Missile Production

The Pentagon on Thursday announced the award of a $24.4 billion contract for Raytheon to accelerate production of SM-6 missiles as Washington works to replace the large amount of munitions expended during the Iran war. The missiles are "critical anti-air and anti-surface warfare munition. This five-year agreement, with two additional option years, will drive faster production," the Pentagon said in a statement.

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News

Eritrea Severs Diplomatic Ties with Ethiopia After Addis Ababa Orders Closure of Embassy in Asmara

Ethiopia ordered the closure of its embassy in Eritrea and declared 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata on Thursday, prompting Asmara to sever all diplomatic ties with its neighbor after overnight blasts heard in Addis Ababa sparked fears about renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia spreading. Addis Ababa has accused Eritrea and Sudan of supporting an opposition alliance led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) that has battled troops loyal to Ethiopia's federal government since last week. The three countries deny the accusation.

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News

Coalition: Terrorist Houthi Militia Targets Taibah Power Distribution Station in Madinah

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki announced on Thursday that the terrorist Houthi militia in Yemen was behind a terrorist attack on the Taibah electricity distribution station in Madinah. The attack took place at 5:11 am on Tuesday. The investigation and evidence gathered by the relevant authorities confirmed the involvement of the Houthi militia in planning and executing this “cowardly” terrorist act, based on after action review and the wreckage of the drone used.

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Politics

Algerian Parliament Approves Death Penalty for Arson, Child Abduction

Algeria’s National People’s Assembly approved a bill on Thursday expanding the death penalty for arson and crimes against children, drawing opposition warnings about the irreversible consequences of judicial error. The amendments to the penal code, passed by a large majority, provide for capital punishment for deliberately setting fire to forests and property, and for child abductions followed by murder or brutal abuse. The measures aim to strengthen legal deterrence and protect society.

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News

Syria, Hezbollah Exchange Messages to Ease Security Tensions through Turkish Mediation

Security issues dominated secret Turkish-mediated talks between Hezbollah and Syria, during which the two sides exchanged messages aimed at easing tensions. Hezbollah offered assurances that it would stay out of Syria’s security and military affairs and refrain from supporting groups affiliated with the former government, in return for a Syrian pledge not to intervene militarily in Lebanon as part of any plan to disarm the group there.

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News

Stalled US-Iran Mediation Puts Bombing Threats Back in Focus

Efforts to end the US-Iran war are seesawing between hopes of a breakthrough and threats of renewed bombing. The stalled mediation reveals a dispute not just over what each side must concede, but over who moves first and what guarantees follow. As the war enters its eighth month and the US midterm elections approach, both sides are guarding their leverage. Mediators have yet to turn their declared willingness to negotiate into a settlement.

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Culture

Saudi Coffee Celebrates Its Cultural Heritage on International Coffee Day

Saudi Arabia commemorated its cultural heritage as Saudi coffee renewed its authenticity on International Coffee Day, observed worldwide on October 1 each year, reflecting customs and traditions, as well as the values of generosity and hospitality. Saudi Arabia is among the world's highest coffee consumers, with Saudi coffee served as a cultural element symbolizing the noble values that characterize the Saudi people, including generosity and warm hospitality, according to SPA.

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