NEW YORK — As India is gearing up to assume the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), India hopes to keep the spotlight on the Secretary-General’s report on the Islamic State (IS) terrorists. The rolling presidency means India has the power to decide the agenda for August. “We have never failed to highlight the manifestations of terrorist activities across the world, especially now, for example, in Africa, where it is increasing,” said T.S. Tirumurti, India’s Ambassador (Permanent Representative) of India to United Nations. “So we hope to discuss the Secretary General’s report on ISIL (the Islamic State of Iraq and…
Author: zenger.news
NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (Burma) — Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing declared himself the Prime Minister of the country on Aug. 1. The leader announced that he would occupy the position for two more years during an extended state of emergency in the country. The country would go for elections in 2023, as per the new prime minister. The announcement comes six months after Myanmar’s democratically elected government was overthrown in a military coup, sparking waves of protests throughout the country. Myanmar’s military overthrew its democratically elected National League for Democracy government in February, claiming the election had been marred by fraud. …
NEW DELHI — India launched an electronic voucher promoting digital payment solution, e-RUPI, on Aug. 2. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the voucher to strengthen the digital payments sector of the country. e-RUPI is a cashless and contactless instrument for digital payment, as per the official statement from the Indian Prime Minister’s office. “It is a QR code or SMS string-based e-Voucher, which is delivered to the mobile of the beneficiaries,” the official statement said. “The users of this seamless one-time payment mechanism will be able to redeem the voucher without a card, digital payments app or internet banking access, at…
WASHINGTON — Facebook has recently announced that the social media platform is launching its latest product, the Ray-Ban smart glasses, whose details haven’t been disclosed yet. The product was announced by Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg during the earnings call report for the second quarter of the company. “Looking ahead here, the next product release will be the launch of our first smart glasses from Ray-Ban in partnership with Essilor Luxottica,” said Zuckerberg. “The glasses have their iconic form factor, and they let you do some pretty neat things. I’m excited to get these into people’s hands and to continue to…
Israeli 3D mapping startup GeoX has signed a deal with GeoSpace, an Australian government geo-mapping firm. GeoX will map 18 million buildings throughout the Australian continent using satellite imagery, artificial intelligence and other patented technologies. The Petah Tikva-based company’s data can be used for real-estate and insurance assessment and pricing, to identify new opportunities for cellular antennas and energy, and even to assess the potential of covering certain rooftops with solar panels. The cooperation with the Australian government aims to greatly reduce the amount of manpower needed for such an ambitious project, as it will not require the government to…
WASHINGTON — Facebook-owned Instant messaging application WhatsApp has introduced the disappearing photos and videos feature to the stable version of the app on Aug 3. The feature is called ‘View Once’ and works similarly to Instagram’s expiring media feature. “We have come up with ‘Watch Once’ mode. Photos and videos sent with this mode will disappear from the chat once viewed, giving users more privacy,” WhatsApp said in a blog. “You can use this feature to share any personal information or moments like when you’re trying on new clothes in a store or share a Wi-Fi password or any special moment.”…
GEELONG, Australia — Scientific experts have been brought in to help firefighters bring a blaze at Victoria’s “big battery” project under control as it continues to burn for the fourth day. The fire started during initial testing of the Tesla battery set up in Moorabool on the morning of July 30, after one 13-tonne lithium battery bank caught fire and then spread to a second battery. “No one was injured, and the site has been evacuated,” said Louis de Sambucy, managing director at Neoen Australia. “Neoen and Tesla are working closely with emergency services on-site to manage the situation.” While crews say…
SYDNEY — Gameshow-like wordplay and writing with shaving foam are among teaching methods suggested in a revamped syllabus for the youngest students in the southeastern Australian state, New South Wales. The draft advice suggests teachers create a sense of excitement about words and lead games, such as having students describe a particular word to a partner without saying the nominated word. “The new school curriculum will give teachers more time to concentrate on deep learning by reducing the hours teachers spend on non-essential learning and compliance requirements,” states the draft advice. Handwriting lessons on letter form would start in the sand, on the…
CANBERRA, Australia — Many Australians are resorting to using toilet paper or other unsuitable alternatives to manage their menstrual cycles due to the cost of sanitary products, as per a new research by Share the Dignity. A report based on responses from more than 125,000 Australians found that 22 percent have had to improvise on period products. Around half of those surveyed said they had worn a pad or tampon for more than four hours because they did not have enough products to get by. The report, informed by analysis from data science social enterprise WhyHive and written by Jane Connory of…
CANBERRA, Australia — AstraZeneca is working on a booster shot for its Covid-19 vaccine to combat mutations of the deadly disease. The company’s Australian president Liz Chatwin said the vaccine-maker was working on a variation available this year if necessary. She said two doses of the current AstraZeneca jab were 92 percent effective in preventing hospitalizations, including against the Delta strain. “None of the variants so far that have emerged have significantly undermined the efficacy of our vaccine,” Chatwin said. Changing health advice and mixed political messages about an extremely rare blood clotting condition led to pockets of AstraZeneca hesitancy in Australia. Chatwin said…