Spain has formally prohibited the United States from using its military bases on Spanish soil as launching points for attacks on Iran, a move that forced the departure of several U. S. aircraft and highlighted growing diplomatic strain between Madrid and Washington amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. Spain’s decision applies specifically to operations directed at Iran and reaffirms its interpretation of sovereignty and international […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Major airports across the Gulf and wider Middle East continued to experience widespread flight cancellations and operational standstills as the airspace turmoil triggered by intensified military strikes on Iran extended into Monday. Key civil aviation hubs, including Dubai International, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International and Doha’s Hamad International, remained shut or under severe restrictions, disrupting global air traffic flows and stranding tens of thousands […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The Asian Football Confederation has postponed a series of high-profile continental club fixtures in the West Region, including the coveted match between Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi club Al Nassr and Emirati side Al Wasl that was due to be played in Dubai this week, as escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupt sporting calendars. The governing body announced that first-leg ties in the AFC […]
Federal authorities are stepping up efforts to draw major technology companies into closer cooperation with surveillance and intelligence operations, relying on a mix of legal compulsion, regulatory leverage and private negotiations that civil liberties advocates argue could erode constitutional safeguards. Interviews with policy analysts, court records and public disclosures from technology firms show a pattern in which agencies expand demands for user data, metadata and technical assistance, […]
A colossal asteroid strike about 6.3 million years ago scattered molten debris across what is now south-eastern Brazil, leaving behind a vast field of natural glass that researchers say ranks among South America’s most significant impact remnants. Scientists have identified and mapped hundreds of dark, aerodynamic glass fragments across parts of Minas Gerais and neighbouring states, naming the material “geraisites” after the region where the first samples […]
Equinix and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board have struck a $4 billion deal to acquire Nordic data centre operator atNorth from Partners Group, marking one of the largest transactions in Europe’s digital infrastructure sector and underscoring intensifying investor appetite for facilities tailored to artificial intelligence workloads. The agreement, announced this week, hands joint control of Iceland-headquartered atNorth to US-listed Equinix and CPP Investments, the Toronto-based pension fund […]
British games developer Splash Damage has acquired Croatian studio Gamepires, the creator of survival title Scum, from Jagex in a deal backed by private equity firm Emona Capital, marking another shift in ownership within the mid-tier multiplayer gaming market. The acquisition transfers control of Gamepires from Jagex, best known for the long-running online role-playing game RuneScape, to Splash Damage, a London-headquartered developer with a track record in […]
Belgian special forces, with backing from French naval units, have boarded and seized an oil tanker believed to be part of Russia’s clandestine “shadow fleet” in a maritime security operation in the North Sea. The vessel, identified by prosecutors and sanctions monitors as the Ethera, was intercepted in Belgium’s exclusive economic zone and is being escorted to the port of Zeebrugge for formal seizure and criminal investigation, […]
Fears of a widening war gripped capitals across the Middle East after United States and Israeli forces carried out coordinated strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, prompting sharp warnings from Tehran and renewed anxiety over global security and energy markets. Confusion spread further after unverified claims circulated online about the fate of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Authorities in Tehran moved to dismiss speculation about his death, […]
South Korea has approved the export of high-precision digital map data to Google, reversing a stance that had restricted full functionality of Google Maps for nearly two decades and placing strict security conditions on how the information can be used.
The decision, confirmed by government officials in Seoul, means that Google will be able to access detailed geospatial data that had until now been kept on domestic servers. For years, South Korea was among a small group of countries where Google Maps could not provide full navigation and mapping services comparable to those available elsewhere, largely because authorities refused to allow sensitive map data to be transferred overseas.
At the centre of the dispute has been a law requiring foreign companies to store high-resolution map data within the country and to obscure sensitive military and national security sites. Successive administrations had argued that exporting such data could pose security risks, given the peninsula’s unresolved conflict with North Korea and the concentration of military facilities across the country.
Government officials said the new approval was contingent on compliance with domestic security requirements. Google must ensure that certain locations, including military bases and other designated facilities, remain blurred or restricted. Authorities also require that the company adhere to data protection rules and co-operate with regulators in the event of security concerns.
Google has sought access to South Korea’s detailed mapping data for more than a decade, arguing that restrictions placed it at a disadvantage compared with domestic platforms such as Naver and Kakao, which provide comprehensive navigation services. Visitors to South Korea have long found that Google Maps lacked turn-by-turn driving directions and detailed public transport information, relying instead on locally licensed data sets with limited functionality.
The dispute dates back to 2007, when Google first requested permission to export high-resolution maps. Further requests were submitted in 2016 and 2023, but regulators rejected them, citing national security. The approval now marks a significant policy shift as Seoul seeks to balance security concerns with digital competitiveness and foreign investment.
Officials familiar with the review process said the government assessed technological safeguards, including the ability to mask sensitive sites automatically and to comply with takedown requests. The review involved multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and security agencies, reflecting the political sensitivity of the issue.
The move comes at a time when South Korea is positioning itself as a hub for advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and smart city development. High-precision mapping is considered a critical component of these sectors. Industry analysts note that restrictions on cross-border data flows can deter global technology firms and complicate integration into international digital ecosystems.
Domestic mapping companies have built strong businesses under the existing regulatory framework. Naver’s Map service and KakaoMap dominate local navigation, offering features tailored to South Korean users, including real-time traffic data and detailed indoor mapping for shopping centres and transit hubs. Some industry observers say opening access to global competitors could intensify competition, though others argue that the overall market may expand as services improve.
Security experts have long warned that high-resolution mapping data could be exploited for hostile purposes if improperly handled. South Korea’s proximity to North Korea, where tensions periodically flare over missile tests and military exercises, has shaped policymaking on sensitive technologies. The government’s conditions are designed to mitigate such risks while avoiding outright prohibition.
Civil society groups have also raised privacy concerns, urging regulators to ensure that location data collected through mapping services is not misused. South Korea has some of the world’s most stringent personal data protection laws, and regulators have previously imposed fines on global technology firms for breaches.
The approval aligns South Korea more closely with other advanced economies that permit cross-border transfer of geospatial data subject to safeguards. Countries such as Japan and members of the European Union allow global platforms to operate mapping services with local compliance requirements, rather than mandating domestic data storage.
For foreign tourists and business travellers, the change is expected to improve usability of Google Maps within South Korea. Travel industry representatives have long argued that the limitations caused confusion for visitors accustomed to relying on Google’s navigation tools. Enhanced functionality could support tourism and international business activity, particularly in major cities such as Seoul and Busan.
Technology policy specialists say the decision reflects a broader recalibration of digital regulation. As data becomes central to economic growth, governments are reassessing rules designed in an earlier era of the internet. South Korea has faced pressure from trade partners to ease data localisation requirements, especially under digital trade provisions in bilateral and regional agreements.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai President Donald Trump announced early on Saturday that the United States military had launched “major combat operations” in Iran, marking a dramatic escalation in long-running tensions between Washington and Tehran. Trump said the strikes were intended to target what he described as imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime, and declared that American forces were acting to protect the United States, its military […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Metal Park, the integrated downstream metals ecosystem based in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi, has entered a strategic agreement with Germany’s Frindt Consulting to roll out digital laser cutting services aimed at reshaping fabrication workflows across the Gulf. The collaboration is designed to embed advanced digital platforms into Metal Park’s production network, enabling automated order processing, real-time design optimisation and precision-driven laser cutting […]
By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers NEW YORK: When Narendra Modi walked into the Knesset and told Israel’s parliament during his visit to Israel on February 25-26, that “peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India’s security,” he was doing more than delivering a diplomatic courtesy. He was planting a flag. India, under its […]
The article How Narendra Modi Shattered The Indian Foreign Policy Tradition During Visit To Israel appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Abu Dhabi has begun on-road trials of Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance system, marking the first time the company’s “Full Self-Driving ” technology is being tested in the emirate under an official regulatory framework. The programme has been launched by the Integrated Transport Centre, an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, which said the trials will assess the system’s performance in live traffic conditions while maintaining direct […]
Paramount Skydance has emerged as the probable victor in a high-stakes contest to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, as streaming giant Netflix declined to increase its offer, effectively withdrawing from the pursuit and handing momentum to its rival. Paramount’s revised proposal of $31 per share in cash and commitment to cover substantial termination and regulatory fees was judged superior by the Warner Bros Discovery board, setting the stage […]
WhatsApp is testing a scheduled messages feature in its iOS beta, allowing users to choose a specific date and time for a message to be delivered automatically, a move that reflects a deeper shift in how the platform is positioning itself for more structured, business-oriented communication. The feature, spotted in the iOS beta distributed through Apple’s TestFlight programme, enables users to draft a message and set it […]
Diplomats from Iran and the United States are preparing to examine a detailed framework for a possible agreement in Geneva, as both sides signal cautious openness to narrowing differences over sanctions relief and nuclear restrictions. The discussions come amid renewed diplomatic activity between Tehran and Washington, with officials framing the meeting as a substantive step rather than a symbolic encounter. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Tehran […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi has appointed a syndicate of international and regional banks to lead its first sovereign bond sale of 2026, launching a dual-tranche, dollar-denominated benchmark with initial price thoughts set at 50 basis points over US Treasuries for five years and 55 basis points for 10 years. The transaction marks the emirate’s opening return to global capital markets this year and is structured […]
SOUEAST UAE has launched the S08DM, a seven-seater plug-in hybrid SUV positioned at the intersection of family practicality and electrified performance, as the brand seeks to strengthen its foothold in the Emirates’ fast-evolving automotive market. Exclusively distributed by Elite Group Holding, the new model marks a significant step for the Chinese marque’s regional ambitions, arriving at a time when demand for hybrid and electric vehicles is accelerating […]
Hong Kong will begin issuing its first licences for fiat-backed stablecoin issuers in March, advancing its ambition to position the city as a regulated global hub for digital assets and virtual finance. Financial authorities have confirmed that the new regime will allow approved companies to issue stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies under a structured supervisory framework. The move follows months of consultation led by the Hong Kong […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Heathrow’s chief executive has acknowledged that Istanbul Airport is poised to overtake the London hub as Europe’s busiest airport, intensifying pressure on the UK’s long-debated expansion plans. Thomas Woldbye told journalists that capacity constraints at Heathrow, coupled with Istanbul’s rapid growth and multi-runway architecture, were shaping a shift in continental air traffic rankings that could materialise as early as 2026 or 2027. This […]
UAE and Czech Republic have stepped up efforts to widen economic cooperation across advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital industries, with ministers from both countries reviewing a slate of joint projects targeted for rollout in 2026. Talks between UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela focused on expanding collaboration in sectors described as central to the […]
Adoption of Bitcoin is expanding across institutions, banks, corporations and retail investors even as sharp price fluctuations continue to test market confidence, according to new research from River, a US-based Bitcoin financial services firm. River’s latest report argues that Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory is being shaped less by short-term volatility and more by structural shifts in how capital allocators, payment companies and sovereign actors perceive digital assets. The […]
Wayve has secured more than $1bn in fresh capital as it accelerates plans to bring fully autonomous vehicles to public roads in Britain, marking one of the largest single funding rounds for a European artificial intelligence company. The London-based start-up said it had raised $1.05bn in a round led by Japan’s SoftBank Group, with participation from Nvidia and Microsoft. The deal values the company at about $11bn, […]
