Browsing Category

AFP

1061 posts

Myanmar junta-backed media slams ‘rotten’ United Nations

Myanmar state media slams the United Nations as “rotten” and criticizes its attempts to establish dialogue between the junta and its opponents, while the UN struggles to provide aid to cyclone survivors.

Cambodia orders border search for Vietnam shooting suspects

Cambodian PM Hun Sen labels the recent gun attacks in Vietnam as “terrorist attacks” and orders armed forces to search border villages for suspects, while warning against offering them assistance. Vietnamese authorities have arrested 46 people so far.

Vast cyber espionage campaign linked to China: report

Google subsidiary Mandiant revealed that cyber attackers with ties to China are conducting a large-scale espionage campaign targeting government agencies worldwide. The campaign involves the compromise of computer defenses and the theft of sensitive information.

Japan raises age of consent from 13 to 16 years old

Japan raised its age of consent from 13 to 16, passing reforms to sex crime legislation that also address rape prosecution requirements and criminalize voyeurism.

Bill Gates to meet Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where he will announce a US$50 million donation to support Chinese efforts against malaria and tuberculosis. Gates is among several Western business leaders visiting China since its Covid controls were relaxed.

Bank of Japan sticks to ultra-loose monetary policy

The Bank of Japan will maintain its loose monetary policy to boost economic growth, contrasting with global peers who are raising interest rates. The yen weakened against the dollar in response.

Vietnam’s power crisis hits local firms, foreign investors

Severe energy shortages in northern Vietnam, caused by heatwaves and drought, are disrupting businesses and may lead to relocation.

US clampdown has crypto kings looking abroad

US regulators are cracking down on the cryptocurrency industry, causing concern among entrepreneurs who may consider relocating overseas. The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged Binance and Coinbase, claiming that some cryptocurrencies are securities subject to strict rules. The lack of clear regulation and political gridlock hinder progress in the US, while other countries seize the opportunity. Defenders of digital currencies argue that regulators need to adapt to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

UN chief slams ‘pitiful’ world response to climate change

UN Secretary-General Guterres warns of a climate disaster due to inadequate global response. Urgent action is needed to meet climate goals and transform the fossil fuel industry toward clean energy. The lack of ambition, trust, and cooperation hinders progress. The fight against climate change must be immediate and global.

Singapore to put more police robots on the streets

Singapore Police Force plans to deploy more patrol robots across the city-state to overcome manpower shortage. These robots, already in operation at Changi Airport’s Terminal 4, come equipped with cameras, sensors, speakers, a display panel, blinkers, and a siren.