Chinese tech giant Huawei on Thursday said that the first line of its personal computers (PCs) powered by HarmonyOS operating system would be launched on May 19.

The upcoming release would mark a significant expansion of Huawei’s HarmonyOS ecosystem, which already powers its smartphones and tablets.

By launching computers equipped with the country’s first homegrown operating system for the general public, Huawei seeks to challenge the long-standing dominance of Microsoft’s Windows and Apple’s macOS in the PC market.

Huawei’s HarmonyOS-powered computers are the result of five years of research and development.

The company emphasised that the system incorporates strong security features, including a dedicated security chip for encryption, secure access mechanisms and encrypted data sharing.

“The new computers would enable seamless interaction across Huawei devices, allowing users to control and move between the screens of their phones, tablets and computers with a keyboard and mouse.

“HarmonyOS-powered computers support connectivity with over 1,000 external devices and currently have more than 150 dedicated PC applications and over 300 ecosystem-compatible applications,” it said.

HarmonyOS, or Hongmeng in Chinese, is an open-source operating system designed for various devices and scenarios, including intelligent screens, tablets, wearables and cars.

It was first launched in August 2019.

Analysts said that Huawei would have to work harder to attract users in the initial periods, as the mainstream Windows and macOS operating systems offer more mature applications. (Xinhua/NAN)

 China on Wednesday opposed bullying of Egypt after U.S President Donald Trump demanded American vessels’ free-of-charge passage through the Suez Canal and Panama Canal.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lin Jian said Beijing firmly supports the Egyptian government and people in safeguarding their sovereignty, legitimate rights and interests.

While, it opposes any acts or words of bullying, said the state-media Global Times.

Lin, said Egypt’s sovereignty over and management and operation rights of the Suez Canal are indisputable.

U.S President Donald Trump last month said that American vessels should travel through the Panama and Suez canals without paying fees, claiming that these strategic passages owe their existence to the U.

Trump had directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately take care of, and memorialise, this situation

The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through Panama, while the Suez Canal in Egypt links the Mediterranean and Red seas, providing the shortest maritime route between Europe, Indian and Western Pacific oceans.

Both canals charge substantial transit fees, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on vessel size and cargo. (AA/NAN)

 Columbia University announced Tuesday that it will lay off nearly 180 staff members following President Donald Trump’s decision to revoke $400 million in federal funding. The funding cut is reportedly in response to the university’s handling of student protests against the war in Gaza.

According to a statement from the university, the layoffs represent approximately 20 per cent of employees whose roles were supported in some way by the now-terminated federal grants.

“We have had to make deliberate, considered decisions about the allocation of our financial resources,” the university said.

“Those decisions also impact our greatest resource, our people.

University spokesperson Jessica Murphy declined to comment on whether more layoffs are expected but said Columbia was taking a range of steps to enhance financial flexibility. These include maintaining current salary levels and offering voluntary retirement incentives.

In addition, the university planned to scale back research activities. Some departments would wind down specific studies, while others would continue limited operations as they sought alternative funding sources.

Research areas impacted include projects such as the development of an antiviral nasal spray for infectious diseases, studies on maternal mortality and morbidity, treatment research for chronic conditions like long COVID, care for newborns with opioid withdrawal syndrome, and colorectal cancer screenings. (AP/NAN)