Author: Web Desk

Bangkok: Thailand has approved a series of measures aimed at expanding its clean energy market, increasing competition and lowering electricity costs for households as part of its broader energy transition strategy. Announcing the decision, Energy Minister Akanat Promphan stated that the National Energy Policy Council had endorsed reforms to improve access to renewable electricity while supporting sustainable economic growth. According to Akanat, the country will expand direct renewable power purchase agreements beyond data centres, allowing more businesses to buy clean electricity directly from producers through third-party access to the national grid. The minister said the reforms are designed to encourage…

Beijing: Apple’s generative artificial intelligence service, Apple Intelligence, has been registered for use in China after receiving approval from the country’s cyberspace regulator. The move clears an important regulatory hurdle for Apple as it prepares to introduce its AI features to iPhone users in one of its largest markets. According to China’s cyberspace regulator, Apple Intelligence has been approved for use on iPhones sold in the country. The approval comes as global technology companies continue working to meet China’s strict regulatory requirements for artificial intelligence services before launching them to consumers. Sources familiar with the matter said Apple Intelligence will…

London: A public inquiry into the United Kingdom’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has concluded that serious failures in planning and procurement left many National Health Service (NHS) staff without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) during the health crisis. The report found that frontline healthcare workers were often unable to properly protect themselves or their patients, while weaknesses in emergency planning resulted in significant financial losses. The inquiry found that the UK’s stockpile of masks, gloves, gowns and other protective equipment was in a poor state before the pandemic began. As demand for PPE surged in early 2020, the country…

Brussels: The European Union has approved a ban on the purchase, import and transfer of gold originating from Sudan in an effort to reduce funding for the country’s ongoing civil war. EU foreign ministers adopted the new measures, saying Sudan’s gold trade has become a major source of revenue for the armed groups involved in the conflict that began in April 2023. The conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Millions of people have been displaced since fighting erupted, while humanitarian agencies continue to warn of…

Dakar: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has spread to two additional northeastern provinces, raising fresh concerns among health authorities as the number of infections and deaths continues to increase. The National Institute of Public Health confirmed that Haut-Uele and Tshopo have now been added to the list of affected provinces. According to the latest official figures, the country has recorded 1,926 confirmed Ebola cases, including 702 deaths. Health officials reported four confirmed cases in Tshopo, two of which resulted in fatalities, while Haut-Uele recorded one Ebola-related death. The current outbreak, declared on May 15, is…

London: Global oil prices climbed sharply on July 13 as renewed military exchanges between the United States and Iran intensified concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. The latest escalation pushed Brent crude more than 4 percent higher, reversing earlier declines and increasing fears of fresh disruptions to global oil supplies. Brent crude futures for September delivery rose to their highest level since late June as investors reacted to growing geopolitical uncertainty. The latest rally followed fresh US military strikes on Iran after Washington accused Iranian forces of attacking…

Washington: The United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes on Iran after Tehran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and accused Washington of escalating the conflict. The latest developments mark a significant rise in tensions between the two countries and have renewed concerns over regional security and global energy supplies. According to US Central Command, the latest operation targeted around 140 Iranian military sites, including missile launch facilities, drone infrastructure, communication networks and coastal surveillance systems. The strikes followed an attack on a Cyprus-flagged commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which US officials blamed on…

Beijing: China has been struck by its second typhoon in a week after Typhoon Bavi made landfall along the country’s eastern coast, prompting one of the largest evacuation efforts of the year. Authorities said nearly 1.7 million people were moved to safer locations in Zhejiang province, while thousands more were evacuated from neighbouring areas as the powerful storm brought heavy rain and strong winds. Typhoon Bavi first made landfall in the coastal city of Taizhou on Saturday evening before crossing into Wenzhou several hours later. Although the storm weakened to a Category 1 typhoon before reaching mainland China, officials warned…

Washington: US President Donald Trump has called on Iran to publicly guarantee the safety of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a new round of negotiations scheduled in Oman. The White House is seeking a commitment from Tehran to keep the strategic waterway open and stop attacks on commercial vessels following recent tensions that threatened a ceasefire agreement reached in June. According to US officials, Washington wants Iran to issue a public statement confirming that commercial ships can safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The administration is also seeking an acknowledgement that recent attacks on commercial…

Whether you’re paying for parking, ordering food at a restaurant or checking into an event, chances are you’ve scanned a QR code recently. Once seen as a niche technology, QR codes have become a normal part of everyday life, offering a quick way to access websites, make payments and download information with a simple scan. Their convenience has also made them attractive to cybercriminals. Security experts warn that while QR codes themselves are not harmful, they can direct users to fraudulent websites designed to steal passwords, banking details or other personal information. As QR codes continue to appear in more…