Xi Jinping - A + A (June 23): Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday offered his answers to the questions of the times at a keynote speech in virtual format at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum in Beijing. He also urged efforts to strengthen global economic governance and increase the representation and voices of emerging markets and developing countries, and experts said this has pointed out the correct directions to solve current challenges that are threatening global development and recovery, said Global Times . Xi will also host the 14th BRICS Summit on June 23 and the High-level Dialogue on Global Development on June 24. Experts said when US-led Western mechanisms like the G7 and NATO are also going to hold their summits later this month, it is significant and necessary for China and other major emerging economies as well as developing countries in the BRICS Plus, that represent the majority of the international community to voice their … [Read more...] about Global Times: Xi offers answers to questions of the times at BRICS forum
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Nokia CEO says new technology will make smartphones extinct by 2030
Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark made the remark at the World Economic Forum. (Image credit: @PekkaLundmark/Twitter) Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark has said that with the advent of newer technology, smartphones may not stay relevant in the next 10 years. 2030. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, he said that 6G would arrive by the end of 2030 but it could make smartphones obsolete. “By then, the smartphone as we know it today will not be the most common interface. Many of these things will be built directly into our bodies,” Pekka Lundmark said. The Nokia CEO added that people would prefer devices such as smart glasses and those worn on the face to smartphones . Interestingly, while India is still testing 5G , Elon Musk ’s Neuralink has been already working on creating brain-computer interfaces. Last year, Musk had shared a video of a macaque playing “Mind Pong” using chips embedded on either side of its brain. The nine-year-old animal was trained to move a joystick … [Read more...] about Nokia CEO says new technology will make smartphones extinct by 2030
Climate change concerns rise as heavy rain batters Assam, Meghalaya
Flood-affected people stand on a road damaged by the flood waters after heavy rains in Nagaon district, Assam, on May 19, 2022. (Photo: Anuwar Hazarika/Reuters) Large swathes of Northeast India, especially Assam and Meghalaya, are experiencing extreme weather this year, as unusually heavy rain in May and June cause heavy flooding and deadly landslides, which experts say can be linked to some extent to climate change. In Assam, at least 108 people have died so far as flood waters triggered by torrential rain inundated towns, villages, paddy fields, forests and wildlife sanctuaries. Millions have been affected or marooned across the state. Meghalaya has fared no better, with landslides and flash floods caused by heavy rain blocking roads, washing away bridges and snapping power supply. Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Manipur have also reported landslides and floods. IMD data show Assam received 398.7 mm of rain from May 1-31, against a normal of 286.7 mm. (Photo: AFP) … [Read more...] about Climate change concerns rise as heavy rain batters Assam, Meghalaya
Why Elon Musk Is Nearly $15 Billion Richer Tuesday
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Shares of Tesla soared 9%, outpacing the tech-heavy Nasdaq’s 2.5% rebound. The fortune of the world’s richest person, Tesla chief Elon Musk, soared by $14.5 billion Tuesday, as shares of his electric vehicle maker rose 9.4%, outpacing the tech heavy Nasdaq’s 2.5% rebound from last week’s decline. Analysts attributed Tesla’s outperformance to both comments by Musk and broader market factors. Referring to an interview Musk granted to Bloomberg at the Qatar Economic Forum Tuesday in which the Tesla chief highlighted the size of the company’s order backlog, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said that “positive demand comments from Musk have resonated with the Street and given some confidence in this white knuckle macro environment.” In the interview, Musk reiterated his concerns about a recession and the need to downsize Tesla’s workforce, but investors appear to have zeroed in on his comments downplaying the threat of … [Read more...] about Why Elon Musk Is Nearly $15 Billion Richer Tuesday
Culture, Art, And Nature: Planning The Perfect Summer In Berlin
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin As the world opens itself up once more to international travel, Berlin accommodates activities and sights for everyone from intrepid trailblazers to first-time explorers. Located at the heart of the North German Plain, this prominent stage of world history straddles the banks of the Spree providing nature lovers a city composed of forests, parks, gardens, rivers, canals, and lakes. What’s more, summer in Berlin entices both Berliners and visitors to take to the outdoors and discover the sophisticated interaction of the different ecosystems. Like many epic stories, the best Berlin journey has an express beginning and ending. The Airport Express (FEX), to be exact. Hop on right at BER Airport Terminal 1 or 2 and arrive at the station closest to your hotel quickly without the need to stress over traffic and parking. Once the adventure comes to an end, the Airport Express (FEX) transports you right back to catch your return … [Read more...] about Culture, Art, And Nature: Planning The Perfect Summer In Berlin
UPDATE: Police arrest fraudulent Japanese restaurant owner at Suvarnabhumi Airport
UPDATE: Police arrest fraudulent Japanese restaurant owner at Suvarnabhumi Airport Today, Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau arrested the fraudulent owner of Daruma Sushi, a famous Japanese restaurant chain, at Suvarnabhumi Airport. “Metha” returned to Thailand today having fled to Dubai in the UAE on June 16, after he received over 500 complaints from unhappy customers and staff. Police said Metha caused damages equating to more than 100 million baht to customers and employees of his 27 Daruma Sushi restaurants. Metha sold thousands of sushi vouchers for just 199 baht each, reduced from 499 baht. The vouchers were snapped up by sushi lovers, but soon enough Metha closed down all 27 Daruma Sushi restaurants and fled the country. Today, Metha returned to Thailand to face the chaos he created. Police were waiting for him and arrested him at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The CIB reported the news on their official Facebook page at 2:30pm this afternoon. SOURCE: Sanook … [Read more...] about UPDATE: Police arrest fraudulent Japanese restaurant owner at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Ukraine conflict hurting palm oil supplies, says Ahold Delhaize CEO
- A + A LONDON (June 22): Sustainable palm oil is becoming harder to find as food manufacturers use it to replace sunflower oil sourced from Ukraine and to meet environmental goals, Ahold Delhaize's CEO told Reuters . Palm oil, whose production is known for devastating rainforests in Indonesia and Malaysia, has for decades been a public relations problem for the retail and consumer goods industry. Several companies, from Pepsico to Unilever and P&G have tried to distance themselves from shopper backlash, setting ambitious goals to make their palm oil supply chains sustainable. Ahold — the owner of more than 20 retail brands including Albert Heijn in the Netherlands and Stop & Shop in the United States — said it only relies on sustainable palm oil, which is becoming harder to source. "As the sunflower oil from Ukraine or Russia fell away, those countries have 60% lower production there. People are looking for replacing oils and, of course, there's more … [Read more...] about Ukraine conflict hurting palm oil supplies, says Ahold Delhaize CEO
Putin says Russia is rerouting trade to China and India
London (CNN Business) President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia is rerouting trade to "reliable international partners" such as Brazil, India, China and South Africa as the West attempts to sever economic ties. "We are actively engaged in reorienting our trade flows and foreign economic contacts towards reliable international partners, primarily the BRICS countries," Putin said in his opening video address to the participants of the virtual BRICS Summit . The "BRICS" acronym refers to an informal grouping of the five developing economies. According to Putin, trade between Russia and the BRICS countries increased by 38% and reached $45 billion in the first three months of the year. "Contacts between Russian business circles and the business community of the BRICS countries have intensified," Putin said. "For example, negotiations are underway to open Indian chain stores in Russia [and to] increase the share of Chinese cars, equipment and … [Read more...] about Putin says Russia is rerouting trade to China and India
10 years after its demise, a requiem for the Microsoft Zune, the little gadget that couldn’t
Though it’s largely been lost to the fog of history, the inaugural scandal of Barack Obama’s presidency centered not on civilian-drone casualties or the bailout of a slumping economy, but on the incoming commander-in-chief’s Microsoft Zune. advertisement advertisement The transgression came in late 2008, just after his election, while his transition team was busy readying the White House and the nation for the promise of hope, change, and cool. An alt-weekly reporter spotted an athleisured Obama on a treadmill in Philadelphia, the cord of his headphones running down to—of all things—a Zune. “OBAMA ZUNE-ACY,” squawked a New York Post headline . “The president-elect has been spotted listening to the least cool MP3 player on the market,” The Guardian declared. Multiple days of humiliating Zunegate coverage culminated in an advisor’s official ass-covering: An Obama spokesperson claimed that the president-elect typically … [Read more...] about 10 years after its demise, a requiem for the Microsoft Zune, the little gadget that couldn’t
Thai Army lifts ban on Lazada to help country boost economy
The Royal Thai Army has lifted a boycott of the e-commerce platform Lazada. The company, owned by the Alibaba Group, was banned from delivering parcels to military premises all over the country for 42 days because of an offensive advert that insulted the Thai Royal Family, and disabled people. Last month Lazada goods were banned from entering Royal Thai Army premises because its TikTok adverts were considered offensive to disabled people, and the Thai Royal Family. As a consequence, the Thai military warned soldiers of penalties if they ordered goods from Lazada. The two so-called offensive videos were launched on the TikTok account of a 23 year old influencer named Aniwat “Nara” Prathumthin. The first video features the 2 influencers in a mother-daughter scenario. Nara plays the daughter role while another influencer, 28 year old Thidaporn “Noo Rat” Chaokuwiang, took the disabled mother role in a wheelchair. The first video caused outrage on social media with netizens … [Read more...] about Thai Army lifts ban on Lazada to help country boost economy