Author: Sam Allcock

The worldwide infrastructure as a service (IaaS) market expanded 22.5% in 2024 to reach $171.8bn, according to new figures from technology research firm Gartner. Amazon retained its position as the leading global provider, ahead of Microsoft, Google, Alibaba and Huawei. The latest data shows the top five IaaS providers accounted for 82.1% of the market last year, underscoring the sector’s concentration among a handful of hyperscale players. Amazon Web Services (AWS) posted revenue of $64.8bn, capturing 37.7% of the market. Microsoft followed with a 23.9% share, while Google, Alibaba Group and Huawei maintained their rankings year-on-year. Shifting enterprise priorities Hardeep…

LG Electronics has unveiled plans to launch its next-generation portable lifestyle TV, the StanbyME 2, this summer. The device is expected to build on the success of the original StanbyME with greater versatility, mobility and design appeal aimed at both home and outdoor use. While the company has not disclosed full specifications, LG says the StanbyME 2 will offer an “essential companion for work, play and relaxation” with features designed to adapt to modern living. The launch reflects LG’s ongoing focus on merging cutting-edge technology with flexible design to suit different environments. Ahead of its global release, LG will partner…

Daniel Radcliffe has confirmed he will not make a cameo appearance in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series. The English actor, who played the boy wizard in all eight film adaptations, said he is “very excited to have that torch passed” but added, “I don’t think it needs me to physically pass it.” Radcliffe’s absence has prompted speculation online, with some suggesting his decision may be linked to ongoing controversy over author J.K. Rowling’s comments on transgender issues. Radcliffe, alongside co-stars Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, has previously voiced support for the trans community, stating in 2020: “Transgender women are…

Filming has begun for Aşk ve Gözyaşı, the highly anticipated Turkish adaptation of the Korean hit Queen of Tears, with stars Hande Erçel and Barış Arduç returning to the screen together. The series, produced by O3 Medya and Dass Yapım for ATV, is scheduled to premiere in September, airing Friday nights. The first rehearsals have already drawn attention online, as fans praised the on-screen chemistry between Erçel and Arduç. The pair play Meyra and Selim, a married couple navigating the complexities of life after what appeared to be their “happy ending.” The drama promises a poignant exploration of love tested…

MultiBank Group, the world’s largest financial derivatives institution, has reported $209 million in revenue for the first half of 2025, a 20% increase compared with the same period last year. Profit reached $170 million, supported by record trading volumes. In April, the company set a single-day trading record of $56 billion, driven by strong client activity across its global platforms. This performance has underpinned the Group’s expansion into the digital asset sector, which it entered in July with the launch of the $MBG Utility Token. Listed on MultiBank.io, MEXC, Gate.io and Uniswap, the $MBG token has risen to about seven…

The 2025–26 English football season begins this Sunday with Crystal Palace making their Community Shield debut against Liverpool at Wembley. Palace earned their place in the season’s traditional curtain-raiser after ending a 120-year wait for major silverware in May, defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final. The South London club have developed a strong record at Wembley in recent years, winning four of their last six matches at the national stadium. The fixture is also a chance for Palace to build momentum ahead of their European campaign, though uncertainty remains over which competition they will contest due to an…

Syrian singer and YouTuber Bessan Ismail has spoken about her first solo performance in Beirut, describing the milestone as both exciting and nerve-racking. The artist, who recently made headlines over her split from fiancé Mahmoud Maher, said stepping onto the stage alone marked a significant moment in her music career. “It’s my first step performing on stage by myself,” she said. “There is a lot of excitement and good feelings, but also some worry. I’m sure the nerves will go away once I sing the first two words.” The concert, which drew a large crowd and strong fan engagement, was…

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Tu Lam have pledged to raise bilateral trade to $150bn by 2030, as both nations seek to strengthen economic and strategic ties amid global market uncertainty. The agreement was reached during a summit in Seoul, where the two leaders signed a joint declaration to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2022. The expanded cooperation will span trade, security, science and technology, and official communications. The commitment underscores both countries’ ambitions to boost economic resilience and broaden engagement beyond commerce. At a conference marking the anniversary of the Korea-Vietnam…

LG Electronics (LG) has reinforced its commitment to the United Arab Emirates’ professional community with the continued development of its LG MEA Hub Academy in Jebel Ali, Dubai — one of the largest HVAC training centres in the region. The facility provides hands-on technical training to contractors, facility managers, and HVAC specialists, covering installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance. LG says the initiative aims to improve after-sales service quality and ensure optimal performance for customers’ heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Bridging Technology and Application The LG MEA Hub Academy is designed to equip professionals with practical skills that link advanced HVAC…

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Z Fold7, the thinnest and lightest device in its foldable flagship series, introducing the most advanced camera system yet for the range. For the first time, the Z Fold series features a 200-megapixel wide-angle main camera, paired with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor. It also incorporates the company’s ProVisual Engine, with more than 160 AI-powered imaging technologies. The combination promises to deliver sharper photography, enhanced night video, and professional-grade editing tools — all in a device that folds into a pocket-sized form. Sharper, Brighter Photography The 200MP main sensor, also used in the…