Author: Web Desk

Amsterdam: India’s Tata Electronics has entered into a major partnership with Dutch technology giant ASML to support the development of a large semiconductor manufacturing facility in western India. The agreement was announced during Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands as part of his broader European diplomatic tour. Under the deal, ASML will supply advanced chipmaking equipment and technical support for Tata Electronics’ semiconductor plant being developed in Dholera, Gujarat. The facility is expected to play a key role in India’s efforts to expand domestic semiconductor manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign chip imports. ASML is considered one of the world’s…

Valletta: OpenAI has announced a new partnership with Malta that will allow residents to receive free access to ChatGPT Plus for one year after completing a government-backed AI literacy course. The initiative, called “AI for All”, is the first programme of its kind globally and is designed to help citizens understand how artificial intelligence can be used responsibly in everyday life and work. The training course has been developed by the University of Malta and will focus on explaining what AI can and cannot do, while encouraging safe and practical use of the technology. Under the programme, eligible participants who…

California: YouTube, Snap and TikTok have agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by a Kentucky school district over allegations that their platforms contributed to student addiction and mental health problems. The settlements were announced ahead of what was expected to become the first major trial involving school districts seeking compensation from social media companies over the impact of their platforms on young users. The lawsuit was filed by the Breathitt County School District in Kentucky, which argued that social media companies created addictive platforms that harmed students and increased pressure on schools to manage mental health issues. Although the terms…

Kinshasa: A new outbreak of Ebola has killed at least 80 people in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, prompting fresh health alerts across the region. The outbreak was confirmed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which reported around 246 suspected and confirmed cases in Ituri province. Most infections have been recorded in the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara, areas where health officials fear crowded conditions and movement of workers could accelerate the spread of the virus. Authorities are also investigating additional suspected cases in Bunia, the provincial capital of Ituri, while laboratory testing continues to…

Uttar Pradesh: A powerful storm swept across Uttar Pradesh, leaving nearly 90 people dead and causing widespread destruction in several districts of India’s most populous state. Officials said the storm struck on May 13 with heavy rain, lightning, hail and powerful winds, creating dangerous conditions across urban and rural areas alike. Authorities confirmed that at least 89 people lost their lives in weather-related incidents linked to the storm. Many of the deaths were reportedly caused by collapsing walls, uprooted trees and lightning strikes as strong winds tore through towns and villages. Local media footage showed damaged vehicles, fallen billboards and…

California: WhatsApp has launched a new private “incognito” mode for conversations with its AI chatbot, allowing users to interact with Meta AI without their chats being stored or monitored. The feature means conversations between users and the AI assistant will disappear after the session ends, and neither WhatsApp nor its parent company Meta will reportedly have access to the chat content. According to Will Cathcart, the new mode was introduced in response to growing concerns among users who want to discuss sensitive topics such as health, finances and personal relationships privately. Cathcart said many people were uncomfortable sharing highly personal…

New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly ordered a significant reduction in the size of his official motorcade as part of broader efforts to conserve fuel during the ongoing global energy crisis. According to government sources, the decision comes just days after Modi publicly urged Indian citizens to adopt austerity measures amid rising oil prices linked to tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing Iran conflict. The move is seen as an attempt to demonstrate leadership by example as India faces increasing economic pressure due to higher global energy costs and uncertainty in fuel supplies. Officials…

Miami: Lionel Messi has once again emerged as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer after new salary figures confirmed the scale of his latest contract with Inter Miami CF. According to updated data released by the MLS Players Association, Messi earns an annual base salary of $25m (£18.5m), making him comfortably the league’s top earner. His guaranteed compensation package is estimated at around $28.3m (£20.9m) following the contract extension he signed with Inter Miami in October. The figures underline Messi’s continued influence both on and off the field since joining the Florida-based club in 2023. His arrival significantly boosted…

London: The worsening global energy crisis triggered by tensions in the Gulf region has highlighted how many developing countries lack sufficient oil reserves to protect themselves from severe supply disruptions and rising fuel prices. The crisis intensified after disruptions linked to the conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supplies normally pass. While industrialised countries have relied on large emergency stockpiles to stabilise markets, many nations across the Global South remain heavily exposed due to limited fuel reserves and financial constraints. The International Energy Agency requires member countries to maintain…

Jerusalem: Israel has passed new legislation allowing the death penalty and public trials for individuals accused of involvement in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. The law was approved by the Knesset with overwhelming support, receiving 93 votes in favour and none against. The legislation was jointly backed by members of both the government and opposition. Israeli lawmakers said the new legal framework is intended to prosecute individuals accused of direct participation in the attacks, including killings, hostage-taking and other violent acts carried out during the assault. The October 2023 attack by Hamas was the deadliest day in Israel’s…