Solar storms hit tech equipment, and other technology news you need to know

May 20, 2024 by World Economic Forum 1 Comment

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum.

Author: Sebastian Buckup, Head of Network and Partnerships; Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum

This monthly round-up brings you the latest news from the world of technology.
Top tech stories: Solar storms disrupt communications; Saudi Arabia launches Centre for Space Futures; China releases draft rules to regulate its lithium battery market.

1. Solar storms disrupt satellites and other tech

The strongest geomagnetic storm in 20 years hit Earth on 11 May, causing disruptions to power grids, broadband technology and GPS satellites in space, Quartz reported.

The solar storm was categorized as “extreme” by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – and led to aurora borealis being visible in the skies over many countries.

But the charged particles from the Sun can also cause fluctuations in Earth’s magnetic field, which can impact communications infrastructure.

The NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center reported power grid irregularities, loss of high-frequency communications and GPS disruptions.

This included the GPS used in John Deere precision-farming tractors in the US, according to reports.

2. Saudi Arabia launches Centre for Space Futures

Saudi Arabia has launched a Centre for Space Futures aimed at advancing space technologies and sustainability on a global scale.

Set to open in autumn 2024, the Centre is a collaboration between the Saudi Space Agency World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network. “By developing principles, expanding knowledge, refining models and cultivating partnerships, we aim to responsibly harness the vast opportunities of space,” said Mohammed Al Tamimi, CEO of the Saudi Space Agency.

With a focus on fostering a prosperous and sustainable space economy, the Centre for Space Futures will work towards maximizing technological benefits while minimizing risks.

The collaboration was announced at a press conference at the Forum’s Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development 2024, held in Saudi Arabia in April.

3. In brief: Other tech stories to know

UK firm Wayve, which develops AI for self-driving cars, has raised $1.05 billion in its latest funding round – the largest investment in an AI company in Europe so far, reports the BBC.

China has released draft rules to regulate its lithium battery market, according to Reuters. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the proposals to address concerns about overcapacity and industry profits.

The University of Maine, in the US, has unveiled a giant 3D printer capable of printing objects as long as a blue whale. Factory of the Future 1.0 ( or FoF 1.0), is the world’s largest polymer 3D printer – and can print a house.

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has confirmed the company will announce the successor to its Switch games console by the end of this fiscal year, IGN reports.

The latest results from Apple show a global decline in sales across almost every market. Smartphone demand decreased by over 10% in the first quarter of the year, with overall sales dropping in all regions except Europe.

An expert panel commissioned by French President Emmanuel Macron has recommended limiting smartphone and social media use for children and teenagers in France. The panel suggests banning children under 11 from having a mobile phone and prohibiting anyone under 13 from using smartphones with internet access.

4. More on technology on Agenda

A new era of hyperspectral imaging satellites can monitor and analyze the unique chemical fingerprints of plants, fabrics and other objects on Earth from space. This technology’s applications include preventing crop failures, finding gold or mineral deposits and safeguarding the environment from polluters and climate change. Here’s what you need to know.

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) can help address the challenge of intermittent renewable energy. Large-scale deployment of this technology is hampered by perceived financial risks and lack of secured financial models. Innovative financial models can encourage both project developers and users, resulting in widespread adoption of BESS.

Demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is cooling in many markets, despite ambitious government targets, write two experts. EVs are key in the switch to sustainable transportation, but speedy global adoption poses implications for both energy security and the economy. A steady and sustainable switch is preferable and would protect the myriad industries and jobs that rely on the status quo in the global auto trade.

Discover more from The European Sting - Critical News & Insights on European Politics, Economy, Foreign Affairs, Business & Technology - europeansting.com

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

This article is published in association with United Nations.

‘The clock on AI regulation is ticking’, warns UN rights chief

October 6, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The world is running out of time to put guardrails on artificial intelligence, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned Monday, as a “ruthless race” between companies and countries raises concerns about human safety and even humanity’s survival. Speaking in the UK at an AI […]

© UNOCHA/Alina Basiuk A school in Ukraine lies in ruins after being hit by a missile.

Ukraine war ‘a human rights catastrophe’ that must end, says Türk

October 5, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Human Rights The war in Ukraine is a human rights catastrophe that is “growing and intensifying by the week” and threatening an even greater disaster across the region, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Friday. Addressing the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Mr. […]

UN News Massive tent settlement of displaced residents extends along the damaged Gaza coastline.

Palestinians yearn for ‘a return to normal life’, says top Middle East peace envoy

October 2, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN is continuing efforts to support Palestinians in Gaza amid major challenges to humanitarian access, reconstruction and the restoration of essential services, according to Ramiz Alakbarov, Acting UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. Speaking to UN News on the margins of the UN […]

©UNIFIL/Tilak Pokharel UNIFIL personnel distribute food kits to displaced families in Saida, Lebanon (file).

Lebanon: One in five children goes to bed hungry, says UNICEF

October 1, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Four in five households in Lebanon struggle to afford basic necessities today, with children increasingly going without food, missing school and being pushed into work as conflict compounds years of economic crisis. “I wanted to buy clothes for my children, but I could not. I also wanted […]

World News in Brief: Deadly Myanmar strikes as Malaysia begins deportations, new emergency funding released, Gaza and West Bank update

September 30, 2026

The UN chief on Tuesday strongly condemned an airstrike that reportedly killed at least 50 people at a market in Myanmar’s Rakhine state and called for those responsible to be held to account. Forces from the military junta reportedly hit Kyauktaw township around midday on Monday, when the market’s more than 200 shops were busy […]

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank.

EU provides €61 million in humanitarian aid amidst rapidly deteriorating situation in Ethiopia

September 29, 2026

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Amid fears of renewed conflict in Northern Ethiopia, the European Union is providing €61 million in humanitarian funding to help the most vulnerable people in Ethiopia affected by conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks and climate-related hazards, including the impact of El Niño. The European Union […]

© UNDP A worker installs solar panels in Lanao del Sur in the Philippines.

From energy crisis to energy transition: How renewables are reshaping energy security

September 29, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The continuing conflict in the Middle East is disrupting global energy markets and pushing up fuel prices, with knock-on effects far beyond the region. For Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the crisis is also reshaping how the world understands the phrase […]

Countries adopted on Saturday a new global blueprint for tackling rapidly evolving forms of crime, as the UN’s largest gathering on crime prevention and criminal justice opened in Abu Dhabi with a call for stronger international cooperation. The Abu Dhabi Declaration was adopted by acclamation at the opening of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, bringing governments together around challenges ranging from cybercrime and fraud to the growing criminal exploitation of digital technology. The Declaration highlights an increasingly complex landscape in which services, infrastructure and technology can be exploited by criminals, including emerging trends described as “crime as a service” and “violence as a service”. At the same time, countries committed to making greater use of technology themselves, including by digitalizing justice systems and harnessing artificial intelligence in criminal justice responses. The Declaration stresses that safeguards must accompany those changes, including human oversight, transparency, due process and data protection. ‘Justice cannot be a privilege’ In a video message to the Congress, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said the meeting was taking place at a time of profound change. “Justice cannot be a privilege. It must protect every person, uphold every person’s rights and leave no one behind,” said Ms. Mohamed. “This Congress is an opportunity to renew our shared commitment to justice and the rule of law, and to translate that commitment into action.” Countries are already being encouraged to put the Declaration into practice through the voluntary Pledge4Justice initiative, under which participating governments are announcing concrete, time-bound actions on crime prevention and criminal justice through 2031. The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre with its curved glass tower and surrounding buildings reflected in calm water at dusk. UNODC The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre where the 15th UN Crime Congress is set to take place. From Kyoto to Abu Dhabi Opening the Congress, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director Monica Juma framed the gathering as both a response to a changing criminal landscape and a test of international cooperation. “Today, the world convenes in Abu Dhabi to reaffirm that the rule of law and criminal justice are essential to the safety and security of people and the planet,” said Ms. Juma. “At a time when confidence in multilateralism is faltering, let Abu Dhabi be a testament to international cooperation.” Five years after the previous Congress in Kyoto, Japan, Ms. Juma said the world had reached another “inflection point”, with technology and artificial intelligence advancing at extraordinary speed. The same platforms connecting billions of people can also connect criminals, she warned, while digital currencies can conceal illicit profits and digital tools can be used to deceive, manipulate and exploit. Technology, she argued, is not simply accelerating crime but changing its character, while organized criminal networks increasingly exploit weaknesses across borders and institutions. Tweet URL Protecting people as the ‘north star’ Behind those broad trends, Ms. Juma urged delegates to focus on the people most exposed to harm, including children recruited by gangs, women facing violence at home or online, people unable to obtain legal assistance and young people lured into scam networks with promises of a better future. “Protecting these people must be the measure against which we judge our efforts over the coming week,” she said. “It must be our north star.” She called for laws and institutions capable of keeping pace with changing threats, greater access to justice and legal aid, and technology that serves as “a force for good” rather than an accelerator of harm. And while welcoming the Abu Dhabi Declaration as a starting point, Ms. Juma stressed that its impact would ultimately depend on implementation. A week focused on justice Hosted by the United Arab Emirates, the Congress runs through 1 October under the theme Protecting People and Planet in the Digital Age. Some 119 countries are represented, alongside more than 40 justice ministers and other senior officials, with over 5,100 participants from governments, civil society, academia and the private sector. Plenary meetings, workshops, side events and exhibitions will run throughout the session. Organizers are also billing this as the most youth-inclusive Crime Congress yet. Young people are participating in workshops, contributing to follow-up efforts and taking part in a dedicated Youth Lab and art exhibition, following a Youth Forum held ahead of the Congress on 24 and 25 September. UNODC serves as secretariat of the Congress and will support implementation of the Abu Dhabi Declaration.

Countries adopt global blueprint to tackle fast-evolving crime in digital age

September 28, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Countries adopted on Saturday a new global blueprint for tackling rapidly evolving forms of crime, as the UN’s largest gathering on crime prevention and criminal justice opened in Abu Dhabi with a call for stronger international cooperation. The Abu Dhabi Declaration was adopted by acclamation at the […]

United Nations President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine addresses the General Debate of the UN General Assembly’s 81st session.

Palestinian existence under threat, Abbas tells UN, warning of ‘another Nakba’

September 25, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Israeli policies now threaten “the very life and existence of the Palestinian people on their homeland”, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the UN General Assembly on Thursday, urging the world not to allow “another Nakba”. Mr. Abbas addressed the Assembly’s annual debate via pre-recorded video after his […]

© UNICEF/Oleksii Filippov A rescue worker stands outside a residential building in Kyiv’s Solomianskyi district that was severely damaged during a massive overnight attack on the city.

World News in Brief: ‘New intensity’ to Russian attacks on Ukraine, Yemen, Gaza and Colombia updates

September 25, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Russian armed forces have carried out repeated attacks across Ukraine over the past several days, killing and injuring civilians and damaging homes, hospitals, shops and workplaces, UN human rights monitors said on Thursday. The attacks have involved ballistic and cruise missiles, drones and guided aerial bombs. Between […]

UN Photo/Loey Felipe President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine addresses the General Debate of the UN General Assembly’s 81st session.

Zelenskyy urges stronger pressure on Russia, warns war’s impact is spreading beyond Ukraine

September 24, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday called for intensified pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine, arguing that Moscow continues to incur massive losses while prolonging a conflict whose consequences are increasingly being felt far beyond the battlefield. Addressing the UN General Assembly’s annual debate, […]

UN Photo/Loey Felipe President Donald Trump of the United States addresses the General Debate of the UN General Assembly’s 81st session.

Trump defends military action against Iran, Venezuela, and calls for rebrand of AI

September 23, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. US President Donald Trump used his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday to defend recent military action against Iran, urging countries to maintain economic pressure on Tehran – and declaring that he now faces a choice between making a deal, or taking far more drastic […]

© UNICEF/Oleksii Filippov An injured girl climbs the partially collapsed stairwell of a building in Boryspil, Ukraine, following a missile strike.

‘Nowhere is safe’: UN experts detail Ukraine war’s toll and Russia’s reach beyond its borders

September 22, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts on Monday laid out a grim picture of the human cost of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with a spotlight on civilians facing a third wartime winter as well as the intimidation of Russians who have fled abroad. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry […]

© UNICEF/Robic Upadhayay Aid workers transport supplies past a flood-damaged house in Nepal.

Nepal floods: ‘Apocalyptic’ destruction signals wider climate threat across Himalayas

September 21, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The catastrophic flooding that swept away entire villages in northern Nepal could occur again in the country or elsewhere in the Himalayas due to climate change. The warning comes from Sara Netzer, regional director with UN field operations office UNOPS, which provides infrastructure, procurement and project management […]

World News in Brief: Winter aid for Gaza, West Bank; Haiti food production; migrant deaths at sea; human rights funding

September 18, 2026

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is seeking to raise $97.5 million to protect 540,000 children and their families in Gaza and the West Bank from harsh winter conditions in the coming months. Nearly 84 per cent of Gaza’s population – more than 1.76 million people – live in overcrowded displacement sites or damaged shelters, leaving […]

© UNRWA Search-and-rescue operations continue following the collapse of a war-damaged building in Gaza city.

Gaza: At least 20 killed in deadly building collapse, search for survivors continues

September 17, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Search and rescue operations continued in Gaza City on Wednesday following the collapse of a bombed-out building that killed at least 20 people, according to reports. The incident has highlighted the precarious situation of displaced Palestinians across the Gaza Strip who shelter wherever they can, including in […]

UN News/Nargiz Shekinskaya The UN HQ (Secretariat) building in Manhattan.

The world comes to New York: What’s at stake at UN General Assembly high-level week

September 16, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Each September, New York becomes the centre of global diplomacy as presidents, prime ministers, ministers and diplomats from around the world gather at United Nations Headquarters. At a time of mounting geopolitical tensions and overlapping global crises, leaders will tackle a packed agenda that includes conflicts and […]

Six UN staff killed in Gaza school strike; Lebanon violations mount

September 15, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Israeli strikes killed six UN workers and civilians at a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza as needs grow, according to the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA. At least 220 agency staff have been killed in Gaza since the Hamas-Israel war began in October 2023. UNRWA Acting […]

‘Where do we go?’: How Israel’s ‘yellow line’ is closing in on Palestinians

September 14, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Ola Ishtiwi sits with her children in front of the remains of her home in the Al-Tuffah neighbourhood in eastern Gaza City, a few metres away from a series of painted cement blocks Israel has placed to mark what has become known as the “yellow line”. Initially set up following the announcement of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire […]