Disney has sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance accusing the Chinese company of using Disney characters to train and power its Seedance 2.0 AI video generator without permission, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Disney said ByteDance had pre‑packaged Seedance with a pirated library of copyrighted characters from franchises including Star Wars and Marvel, portraying them as if they were public-domain clip art, the person said.

The letter alleges Seedance is reproducing, distributing and creating derivative works featuring Spider-Man, Darth Vader, and other characters, the person added.

ByteDance will strengthen safeguards on its Seedance 2.0 AI video tool to prevent the unauthorised use of copyrighted characters and celebrity likenesses, the Chinese firm told the BBC on Sunday.

ByteDance did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Online news outlet Axios was the first to report on Disney’s move. Paramount Skydance has also sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance, accusing the Chinese firm of engaging in “blatant infringement” of its intellectual property, Variety reported at the weekend.

Videos generated by Seedance 2.0, which was released last week, have gone viral in China including one of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in a fight. The AI model has been compared to DeepSeek and has been praised for its ability to produce cinematic storylines with just a few prompts.

Disney has taken similar actions against Character.AI, demanding that the startup immediately stop the unauthorised use of its copyrighted characters.

In December, Disney signed a licensing deal with OpenAI, letting the startup use characters from Star Wars, Pixar and Marvel franchises in its Sora video generator.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a weather alert warning of active to occasionally strong northwesterly winds across parts of the UAE, raising dust and sand and reducing horizontal visibility to below 3,000 metres in some coastal and inland areas.

In a statement issued today, the Centre said the conditions began at 10:30am and are expected to continue until 6:00pm.

The strong winds may lead to blowing dust and sand, particularly in open areas.

Wio Bank has announced a strategic partnership with Kibsons, the UAE’s homegrown fresh-food and e-commerce grocery retailer, aimed at strengthening supply chain operations while delivering added value for customers across the region.

The collaboration leverages Wio’s comprehensive business and personal banking solutions to support Kibsons’ fast-moving supply chain, ensuring smoother operations across import, distribution, retail, and e-commerce channels.

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The partnership highlights the growing role of integrated financial services in enabling local businesses to scale efficiently while maintaining operational excellence.

Financing solutions to streamline supply chain

Under the partnership, Wio Bank is providing Kibsons with tailored supply chain finance solutions designed to enhance liquidity and improve cash-flow visibility across its extensive supplier network. Kibsons, with its large and diversified supplier base, plays a critical role in keeping fresh food moving efficiently across the UAE.

“By supporting their supply chain and vendor ecosystem with flexible financing, we’re helping strengthen a real-economy network that millions rely on every day,” said Prateek Vahie, chief commercial officer at Wio Bank. “Kibsons is a trusted, homegrown brand that sits at the heart of how households across the UAE access fresh food. At the same time, our cashback offer gives customers a simple, meaningful way to save on essential spending, reinforcing our mission to embed financial value into the moments that matter in people’s daily lives.”

Halima Jumani, CEO at Kibsons, highlighted the operational benefits: “Fresh food is part of daily life for our customers, and we’re focused on embedding innovation and value into that everyday experience. Wio’s supply chain finance strengthens our operations and vendor ecosystem, enabling us to scale efficiently while maintaining the quality households expect.”

Exclusive customer benefits

The partnership also introduces exclusive perks for Wio Personal account holders. Until April 30, 2026, customers using their Wio card at Kibsons will receive 10 per cent cashback on purchases, up to Dhs2,500 per customer. The incentive is designed to reward everyday grocery spending while encouraging greater engagement with both brands’ services.

“This 10 per cent cashback offers a meaningful perk on weekly grocery spend,” Jumani said. “It’s a partnership that enhances how we operate behind the scenes while delivering tangible value to customers in their day-to-day lives.”

Expanding banking relationships

In addition to supply chain finance, Kibsons has opened wider group accounts with Wio Business, reflecting a broader banking relationship that extends beyond a single financial solution. This arrangement not only supports the current supply chain but also sets the stage for longer-term collaboration between the two organizations.

The partnership aligns with Wio Bank’s broader strategy to embed financial services into ecosystems where people and businesses already operate, supporting the UAE’s economic vision while simplifying access to modern, digital-first financial tools. By combining operational support with customer-focused rewards, Wio and Kibsons are creating an integrated approach to strengthen business efficiency while adding tangible value to everyday shopping experiences.

Education departments across Saudi Arabia have approved revised school schedules for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, introducing later start times to accommodate students and staff observing the fast.

In several regions, classes will begin at 9:00am, while others will start at 9:30am or 10:00am, according to a Saudi Gazette report.

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Officials said the adjustments are aimed at fostering an appropriate learning environment during Ramadan, taking into account the spiritual atmosphere and altered daily routines that characterise the month.

Qassim Sets 10:00am start

The General Directorate of Education in the Qassim Region announced that the school day in public schools will begin at 10:00am. Adult education institutions will start earlier, at 9:30pm.

The directorate clarified that teaching and administrative staff must report 15 minutes before the first class period begins, ensuring a smooth start to the school day.

Makkah adjusts working hours

Similarly, the General Directorate of Education in the Makkah Region confirmed that morning schools will begin at 9:00am, while adult education classes will commence at 9:30pm.

The directorate added that official working hours for all employees during Ramadan will be limited to five hours per day, running from 10:00am to 3:00pm. The move, officials said, is intended to “ensure the continued efficiency of operations and the maintenance of administrative discipline throughout the month.”

Authorities emphasised that the revised schedule is designed to accommodate fasting conditions while maintaining academic standards.

“These arrangements are designed to accommodate the conditions of fasting while striking a careful balance between educational responsibilities and the observance of Ramadan,” the directorate stated.

School leaders have been urged to strictly adhere to the approved schedules and coordinate closely with the broader educational community to ensure smooth daily operations and high standards of discipline.

Riyadh, Eastern Province and beyond

In Riyadh, the Education Department announced that morning classes will begin at 9:00am, while continuing education schools will start at 9:00pm.

The Eastern Province and the Tabuk Region will implement slightly later starts, with school days commencing at 9:30am and continuing education classes beginning at 9:00pm.

In Al Baha Region, director General of Education Dr Abdulkhaliq Al Zahrani said public and private schools, as well as kindergartens, will open at 9:00am. Continuing education classes will begin at 9:00pm, and each class period during Ramadan will last 35 minutes.

Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Education in the Al Jouf Region announced that general education schools will start at 9:30am, with continuing education classes beginning promptly at 9:00pm. Officials stressed the importance of informing students of the revised schedules and adhering strictly to the announced timings.

Across the kingdom, education authorities say the unified objective remains clear: to support students’ spiritual commitments while ensuring learning continues without disruption.