Israel

Alphabet, Meta ad sales in Q4 unlikely to reflect gen AI investments

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Alphabet, Meta ad sales in Q4 unlikely to reflect gen AI investments

– Alphabet (GOOGL.O) and Meta Platforms (META.O) are expected to report muted impact from generative artificial intelligence on their advertising business in their fourth-quarter results.
– Alphabet has introduced AI tools to help advertisers target audiences more cost-effectively and distribute marketing budgets across Google’s ad network.
– Meta is using generative AI to create variations of ad campaigns.
– Bernstein analysts consider generative AI to be in the “hype cycle” but recognize investors are looking for incremental use cases and revenue streams.
– The digital advertising core business is expected to have been resilient for the quarter ended December 31.
– Microsoft (MSFT.O) is anticipated to benefit early from the generative AI race, with increased demand for its cloud services.
– Alphabet’s stock surged 58% last year, Meta’s stock nearly tripled, and the S&P 500 index gained roughly a quarter, partly due to an AI-fueled tech rally.
– Political advertising is expected to be a catalyst for Meta and Google, with spending on political advertising in the U.S. predicted to jump 30% in 2024 from 2020.
– Alphabet is expected to report an 11.8% growth in fourth-quarter advertising revenue to billion.
– Google introduced the AI chatbot Bard and a search generative experience (SGE) that generates written responses to some search queries.
– SGE could contribute between .6 million and 3 million in incremental search advertising revenue by 2025.
– Meta’s AI tools for advertisers have shown potential time savings for users.
– Meta is expected to report .1 billion in fourth-quarter revenue.
– Meta’s AI tools that find potential customers and test ad performance are earning billion on an annualized basis.
– Meta could generate .7 billion in ad revenue in 2025 if it introduces paid ads within AI assistants on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram.
– Snap (SNAP.N) partnered with Microsoft to place sponsored product links in its chatbot, which could earn Snap 4 million in 2024, growing to 6 million in 2025.
– Amazon.com (AMZN.O) is introducing ads on its Prime Video service and developing Amazon Bedrock, a service for creating applications with AI models.
– Amazon’s Prime Video ads could increase its ad revenue growth by 5% to 10%.
– Amazon is set to report its results the same week as the article’s publication.

Research, innovation and RES

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Research, innovation and RES

The text discusses the importance of having funding mechanisms and exit strategies for investment in the research and innovation sector. It mentions that this sector is often associated with efforts to change economic models and is a priority for governments and political forces. It emphasizes the need for an integrated framework that allows for the development of the sector and the collaboration of various actors. The text also highlights that research and innovation contribute to the competitiveness of economies, generate significant income, and improve citizens' quality of life. It mentions the importance of creating a culture that supports research and innovation and cites Israel as an example of a country that has succeeded in establishing itself as a research center. The text also mentions the need for proper planning, incentives for companies and individuals, investor protection, commercial exploitation of products and services, and the existence of infrastructure. It discusses the role of funding mechanisms and financial markets, as well as the availability of funding from European structural funds. It mentions the tax incentives provided by Cyprus for organizations involved in research and innovation, as well as the specific tax benefits for high-ranking executives and researchers who choose to settle in Cyprus. The text also emphasizes the importance of connecting research activities with commercial exploitation and suggests analyzing the decisions and actions of other countries, especially those geographically close, to identify opportunities for improvement. It mentions the connection between research and technology, particularly in software programs, and suggests exploring research programs in various sectors such as botany, agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, energy, and petrochemical industry.

Another pro-Palestine protest held in Nicosia

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Another pro-Palestine protest held in Nicosia

The latest pro-Palestine protest in Cyprus occurred in Nicosia’s central Eleftheria square on a Saturday. The protest organizers claimed that nearly 27,000 Gazans had been killed by Israel since October 7 of the previous year. They criticized the European Union and other Western powers for choosing to defund the UNRWA after some members were accused of involvement in Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7. The protesters demanded an immediate permanent ceasefire, an end to the blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and for Israel to stop its actions in the West Bank. This protest followed a statement from the Palestinian embassy in Nicosia expressing disappointment with the Cypriot foreign ministry’s description of the genocide charges Israel faces at the International Court of Justice as “inaccurate.” Ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis had referred to the Palestinian casualties as “collateral damage,” which was met with a strong response from ambassador Abdallah Attari. Pro-Palestine protests have also occurred in other Cypriot cities and at British military facilities.

Cyprus Institute proposes smart farming Centre of Excellence

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Cyprus Institute proposes smart farming Centre of Excellence

Stavros Malas, President of the Cyprus Institute, presented a proposal for a Centre of Excellence for Smart and Sustainable Farming (SMARTFARM) to the House Agriculture Committee. The SMARTFARM project aims to enhance production and sustainability systems for sheep, goats, and cattle, and the production of dry food used in agriculture. It also seeks to promote best practices in meat production, integrate advanced technologies, and encourage environmentally friendly practices in cattle breeding. The project requires a financial commitment of €35 million, with funding sources including the European Commission (€15 million), the Republic of Cyprus (€15 million), and the Cyprus Institute (€5 million). The SMARTFARM project emphasizes the use of advanced technologies and early warning systems to improve productivity and practices in animal farming. It focuses on diversifying domestic animal product production, particularly meat and cheese, to improve quality and nutritional value. The project’s success depends on collaboration with the Institute of Genetics and Environment (IGE) and involves deploying smart agriculture technologies. Malas highlighted the potential for a “third green revolution” through the use of precision equipment, IoT, sensors, actuators, geo-location systems, big data, and UAVs in agriculture. Specific measures in cattle breeding aim to reduce costs, enhance animal units, control pollution, and increase revenue by 20%. The project will use environmental monitoring systems, early warning alerts, and a nationwide management system to improve operations and sustainability in cattle breeding. The project also includes a genetic improvement initiative in collaboration with the AGRICYGEN program and several key collaborators, such as the Agricultural Research Institute, CyRIC, Teagasc, the Volcani Centre, INRAe, and the Veterinary School of the University of Nicosia.

Fierce fighting in Gaza's Khan Younis: 'We are out in the cold, left to our own devices'

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Fierce fighting in Gaza's Khan Younis: 'We are out in the cold, left to our own devices'

The text describes the current situation in the city of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, which is experiencing intense fighting and bombardment. The Israeli army is targeting Hamas fighters in the city. Hospitals are under attack and the population is fleeing. Witnesses report that the city is heavily damaged and there is a shortage of food. The United Nations is calling for continued assistance to civilians in the Gaza Strip and for the protection of services for Palestinian refugees. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) is facing serious threats to its operations after Israel accused some of its employees of participating in attacks. Over half of the buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed. The US and EU have suspended funding to UNRWA pending an investigation into the allegations. The situation in the Gaza Strip is causing a humanitarian crisis, with 1.7 million people forced to leave their homes. The Israeli government views UNRWA as fundamentally compromised and accuses it of allowing Hamas to use its infrastructure for military activities. The US and other countries are calling for fundamental changes to UNRWA. Meanwhile, the US, Egypt, and Qatar are negotiating for a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Hamas has received a proposal for a ceasefire and is considering it. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will not withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip and will not release thousands of terrorists in exchange for hostages.

Before Friday's Cabinet, the decision on Great Sea Interconnector

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Before Friday's Cabinet, the decision on Great Sea Interconnector

The fact described in the text is that there is a proposal for the interconnection of the national electricity transmission networks of Cyprus, Israel, and Greece. The project, called Great Sea Interconnector, aims to connect the networks through underwater cables with a capacity of 2,000 MW. The first phase will involve the electrical connection between Cyprus and Crete, followed by a second phase connecting Cyprus and Israel. The project has received positive evaluation and interest from international investors, including the United Arab Emirates' Investment Fund (TAQA). The total cost of the project is estimated to be around 1.9 billion euros, with funding sought from both the market (approximately 1.2 billion euros) and the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility (657 million euros).

Netanyahu says no Israeli pullout from Gaza until ‘total victory’ achieved

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Hamas is considering a new ceasefire proposal in the war with Israel in Gaza, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his forces will not withdraw until they achieve “total victory.” Israeli commandos disguised as medical workers and Muslim women killed three Palestinian militants in an undercover raid on a hospital in the occupied West Bank. Clashes between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in Gaza have forced more Palestinian residents to flee to safer areas. The ceasefire proposal followed talks in Paris involving CIA Director William Burns, Qatar’s prime minister, the chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, and the head of Egyptian intelligence. Netanyahu said Israel will not compromise on anything less than total victory, which means eliminating Hamas, returning all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel. The raid on the hospital in the West Bank could fuel more intense unrest in the area. The war has created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with much of the area flattened and supplies of food, water, and medicine almost exhausted.

Massacre in a West Bank hospital – Israelis in civilian clothes executed Palestinians

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Three witnesses were killed by occupying forces inside Avicenna Hospital, according to the Ministry of Health. Israeli army members killed three people inside Avicenna Hospital in Jenin, according to the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Health. The Israeli military announced that they "neutralized" a "Hamas terrorist" hiding in the hospital, along with two other terrorists. The three Palestinians who were killed were planning an immediate attack, inspired by Hamas' attack on October 7th. The violence in the occupied West Bank has escalated since the outbreak of the Israel/Hamas war in Gaza. Over 360 people have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers, according to the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Health.

More countries pause funds for UN Palestinian agency; Israel wants it replaced

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More countries pause funds for UN Palestinian agency; Israel wants it replaced

Several countries, including Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Finland, have paused funding for the United Nations’ refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) following allegations that some of its staff were involved in Hamas attacks on Israel. The United States, Australia, and Canada had already paused funding after the allegations. UNRWA has opened an investigation into the employees and severed ties with them. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has called for UNRWA to be replaced and accused the agency of ties to Islamist militants in Gaza. UNRWA provides education, health, and aid services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.

Possible Carmelite Order community uncovered in Limassol excavation

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Possible Carmelite Order community uncovered in Limassol excavation

Archaeologists have found evidence suggesting the presence of a Carmelite Order community around the Panagia Karmiotissa church in Kato Polemidia, Limassol. The excavation was directed by Dr. Andreas Nicolaides and Dr. Margot Hoffelt, resulting from a two-year collaboration between the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence of the Technological University of Cyprus and the CNRS Laboratory of Medieval and Modern Archaeology in the Mediterranean Area, supported by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities. The site is suspected to date from the 13th century, although the existing church’s architecture indicates it cannot be older than the 14th century. Three test pits revealed occupation levels from the 13th century and post-Byzantine periods, as well as potential burial sites and indications of massive structures beneath the church, warranting further excavation.