Latest news with #AsiaNewsNetwork
The Star
2 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Vietnam aims to universalise AI by 2030
Photo: Vietnam News/Asia News Network HANOI (Xinhua): Vietnam has set its sights on universalising artificial intelligence (AI) and becoming one of the top three South-East Asian countries leading in AI by 2030. This is according to the media statement by the national strategy on AI being developed by the government. Ho Duc Thang, deputy head of the National Digital Transformation Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said the strategy aims to make AI accessible to everyone, from students in remote mountainous areas to entrepreneurs in major urban centers, Vietnam News Agency reported on Monday. AI will be present in all aspects of social life, from helping doctors make quicker diagnoses, supporting teachers in better instruction, to improving the accuracy of weather forecasts, he said. The strategy also aims to develop a network of around 1,000 top-tier AI experts and approximately 50,000 AI engineers across the country over the next five years. - Xinhua
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
An unforgettable Sunday for Thailand as their top model wins Miss World title as their shuttlers scoop two titles at Singapore Open
BANGKOK: The people of Thailand were rejoicing on Sunday and it was indeed many of them will not forget in a hurry as celebration was seen all over the country. First, Thai beauty queen Suchata 'Opal' Chuangsri, 21, was crowned Miss World 2025 on May 31, marking a historic moment in Thai pageantry. Then, their shuttlers won not one but two titles as the prestigious Singapore Open. World No.1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn proved his worth as the top player in the world after winning the men's singles crown while the mixed doubles pair of Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran also won in style. A True South-East Asian Beauty At the Hitex Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, India, and the Miss World show was celebrated with great splendour as Suchata was judged as the fairest of them all. She was officially crowned by the 2024 winner, Ms Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic. The competition's final rankings saw Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia as the first runner-up, Maja Klajda of Poland as the second runner-up, and Aurelie Joachim of Martinique as the third runner-up. Miss World 2025 commenced with a dazzling parade featuring contestants in their national costumes, followed by an elegant showcase where each participant took the stage individually in breathtaking evening gowns, organised by continent. The competition, in its 72nd edition, then moved on to the announcement of the top 40 contestants, selected from 108 countries. These finalists were divided into four continental groups, with 10 representatives from each: the Americas and the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, as well as Asia and Oceania. Some of the contestants advanced automatically to the top 40 through fast-track events. Among them was Suchata, who secured first place in the Asia and Oceania Multimedia Challenge. The anticipation continued as the competition narrowed down to the top 20 finalists, featuring some of the strongest contenders of the year. The countries that made it through were: Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico, the United States and Martinique Africa: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Namibia, Nigeria and Tunisia Europe: Iceland, Italy, Poland, Ukraine and Wales Asia and Oceania: Australia, India, Lebanon, the Philippines and Thailand The announcement of the final eight contestants followed, featuring representatives from Brazil, Martinique, Ethiopia, Namibia, Poland, Ukraine, the Philippines and Thailand. The competition then entered its most challenging phase, where the final eight contestants had to respond to the question: 'Do you believe you deserve to be Miss World and the representative of Asia and Oceania?' Suchata delivered a heartfelt answer, as reported by The Nation Thailand/Asia News Network. 'For this question, I see it as tending to a flower garden. Anyone can water the plants, but to create a truly beautiful and sustainable garden, there must be someone who nurtures it consistently,' she said. She added: 'This mirrors the role of Miss Asia and Oceania. It's not just about presenting oneself with a title, but about making people truly feel that I am here for them, standing by their side. 'Through the Beauty with a Purpose programme, I have learnt that living a meaningful life means giving back dreams and hope to those who have lost them. That is why I stand here today – to be a beacon of hope, a source of strength, and to leave behind a legacy of purpose until my very last breath.' The four continental winners were then announced: Martinique, the winner from the Americas and the Caribbean; Ethiopia, the champion from Africa; Poland, who triumphed in Europe; and Ms Suchata from Thailand, who secured victory for Asia and Oceania. The final four contestants faced one last decisive question, with Ms Suchata being asked: 'How has this journey taught you about truth and personal responsibility in shaping the stories that are told?' Suchata's response was both eloquent and inspiring. 'Standing here today is the greatest honour of my of the most profound lessons I have learnt from my time on the Miss World stage is the responsibility we hold in shaping how the truth is conveyed. 'The most significant action that I, along with all the contestants and everyone in this room, can take is to be role models – individuals whom others can look up to. I have always believed that no matter who we are, how old we are or what roles we take on in life,there is always someone who looks up to could be a child, a friend or even our parents. 'The best way to guide them is through leadership rooted in kindness and action, because our actions always speak louder than words. This is the greatest gift we can offer to those around us and to the world. Thank you and I wish everyone the best – remember to stay strong and let your actions speak louder than words.' With this answer, she won over the judges and was crowned Miss World 2025, making history as Thailand's first winner of the prestigious pageant. Suchata comes from a family with deep roots in the hotel industry in Phuket province. Despite not being of mixed heritage like many previous Thai beauty queens, she is fluent in English, having attended international schools from an early age. In addition, she is proficient in Mandarin, having graduated from Triam Udom Suksa School in Bangkok with a specialisation in the Chinese language. Suchata is pursuing a degree in international relations at Thammasat University's Faculty of Political Science. She harbours aspirations of becoming a diplomat in the future, a career goal that perfectly complements her new role as a global ambassador for Thailand. Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Thailand star to be propelled as the World No.1. - Photo: The Nation Thailand/Asian News Network Rising Stars of World Badminton Meanwhile, in Singapore, Thailand secured two championships on Sunday at the Singapore Badminton Open, with Kunlavut Vitidsarn winning the men's singles crown and the mixed doubles pair of Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran also triumphing. Second-seeded Kunlavut dominated the men's singles final, defeating China's Lu Guangzu 21-6, 21-10 in just 37 minutes. The victory marked Kunlavut's fourth title of the season and is set to propel him to the world No. 1 ranking in the men's singles when the Badminton World Federation (BWF) releases its latest standings next week. He will also become the first men's singles player born after 2000 to achieve the top ranking. Earlier, Thai mixed doubles stars Puavaranukroh and Paewsampran captured their title by defeating Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong, China, 2-0 in the final. China's Chen Yufei claimed the women's singles title, defeating compatriot Wang Zhiyi in straight sets for her fourth championship of the season. Notably, Chen ended the 27-match winning streak of reigning Olympic gold medalist An Se-young of South Korea in the quarterfinals. Since returning to competition in February following a three-month study break in Australia, Chen has regained her form and extended her own winning streak to 22 matches. In doubles action, South Korean pairs secured one gold and one silver medal. Kim Hye-jeong and Kong Hee-yong won the women's doubles title by defeating Japan's Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi 21-16, 21-14. However, Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik beat Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae 15-21, 21-18, 21-19.
UPI
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Banksy claims new graffiti with rare, apparent self-reflection
Palestinians pass graffiti of an Israeli soldier checking the identity card of a donkey, on Israel's separation wall in the biblical town of Bethlehem, West Bank, on December 23, 2019. File photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo June 1 (UPI) -- The famed anonymous street artist Banksy has claimed credit for new graffiti that is believed to offer a rare moment of introspection and vulnerability by the artist. The new graffiti was claimed by Banksy on his Instagram account last week and depicts a painted black lighthouse with white beams of light extending horizontally from it as well as the stenciled white text. "I want to be what you saw in me." The street artist used a real metal bollard in the foreground as part of the artwork. The bollard's shadow is cast onto the wall, aligned with the base of the painted lighthouse, creating a sort-of three-dimensional effect. While Banksy's true identity remains unconfirmed, he is widely believed to be a white British male from Bristol, active since the early 1990s, possibly a man named Robin Gunningham. His work has often been political and aimed at critiquing societal power structures and politics, as well as commenting on consumerism and the concept of surveillance. With his access, the artist has been able to make his galvanizing work even in war-torn Ukraine and in Gaza. But Banksy has faced a slew of recent criticism suggesting that his work is starting to lose its edge. For example, a Sky News article last year questioned if the public was falling out of love with Banksy after the lukewarm reception of his recent animal-themed murals in London. "While Banksy's messages have always been anti-capitalist, many of his works have brazenly succumbed to the very workings of capitalism. So it is difficult to know what exactly the artist's intentions are," Lala Singian wrote in an article published by Asia News Network after a recent museum exhibition of his work. The presence of Banksy's graffiti can also pose challenges for property owners: a mural in London last year was defaced quickly after it went up, the building housing his big Brexit mural was demolished, and another on a farmhouse was accidentally demolished, and plans to renovate a mural located on Venice's Grand Canal faced backlash from artists. Because the artist rarely discusses his work, it can be hard to ascertain his true intentions with the most recent work. In an op-ed, Hyperallergic criticized the work as a "beacon of nope" and called it a "bit jarring" to see him refer to himself in first-person and self-conscious. "But even with all of that," journalist Rhea Nayyar wrote for the online art magazine, "the work comes across as overly sentimental for something so ... empty? So obvious?"
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Black rocky hills have started to appear' - Experts witness the devastating toll of climate change on Mount Everest in eye-opening fly-by
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Want to see Mount Everest in all its glory? You might need to go sooner rather than later due to the devastating effects of climate change on the world's tallest mountain. In a recent fly-by, Nepali lawmakers and experts from across the globe witnessed a drastic reduction in snow coverage on Everest and other Himalayan peaks. The aerial survey was organized by Nepal's Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, to highlight the grave effects of climate change in the region. Alongside a reduction in snow coverage, passengers witnessed rapidly retreating glaciers as they passed multiple major Himalayan peaks, including Everest, Shishapangma, Makalu, and Lhotse. "In the past, wherever you looked, you would see snow-covered mountains. But now, black rocky hills have started to appear. The mountains that once looked completely white now appear as black peaks," Thakuri told the Asia News Network. "This mountain flight has shown the direct impact of climate change on the Himalayas. Foreign experts and guests, too, observed it first hand." The Himalayan region has experienced a dramatic drop in snowfall in recent years. This year alone, snow persistence (the time snow stays on the ground) in the Himalayas has reached a 23-year low. A report published in April by the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) found "a significant decline in seasonal snow across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, with snow persistence 23.6% below normal - the lowest in 23 years". The reduction is seriously bad news for the two billion people who rely on Himalayan snowmelt to feed their water sources. The melting cycle fills 12 major river basins that provide water for multiple heavily populated countries like China, Pakistan, and Thailand. "This trend, now in its third consecutive year, threatens water security for nearly two billion people," explains author Sher Muhammad. "All twelve major river basins, including the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra, experienced below-average snow cover, with the Mekong and Salween basins losing over 50%." Climate change in the Himalayan region poses multiple other significant risks, including the destruction of invaluable habitats and dangerous climbing conditions for Everest hopefuls. The best crampons: tested for sure-footed traction on frozen terrain The best ice axes: for tackling frozen terrain
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vietnamese Woman Arrested in Thailand Over Alleged $300M Crypto Scam
Ngo Thi Theu, a 30-year old Vietnamese woman allegedly involved in a cryptocurrency scam that deceived 2,600 victims and resulted in losses totalling $300 million, has been arrested in Thailand, Asia News Network reported on Tuesday. Law enforcement agencies had put out an Interpol red notice to track the Vietnamese woman down. She was arrested by the Thai Crime Suppression Division (CSD) at a hotel last Friday, ANN reported. CoinDesk was unable to contact the Thai Crime Suppression Division. She was a key figure in a network that involved 35 officials and over 1,000 employees working across 44 call centres in Vietnam, the news site said. Theu allegedly lured people to invest in crypto and foreign exchange trading platforms by promising monthly returns of 20% to 30%, the report said. Many citizens in Vietnam invest in crypto, making the nation vulnerable to crypto criminals who want to take advantage of the demand in the area. Data published recently showed that 21.2% of the 100 million people that live in the nation invest in crypto.
