Latest news with #Communication
Travel Daily News
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Design Hotels introduces eight new members
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network ( and Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Solar and wind energy could energise 30% of ASEAN data centres in 2030: Ember report
Solar and wind energy can potentially meet up to 30% of Southeast Asia's data centre electricity requirements in 2030, without the need for battery storage, as detailed in a report by energy think tank Ember. This development is crucial as the region seeks to balance its digital expansion with sustainable energy practices. The report identifies Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam as emerging global data centre hotspots, with 2.9GW of new capacity in development. Ember's analysis indicates that the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) industry's growth in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is driving up electricity demand, with concerns about increasing emissions, as many power grids still depend on fossil fuels. The slow decarbonisation of the power sector poses a threat to progress. Malaysia's data centre electricity use is expected to surge from 9TWh last year to 68TWh in 2030, potentially accounting for 30% of the country's power consumption and surpassing Singapore's total electricity use in 2023. Emissions from Malaysia's data centres could increase sevenfold, reaching 40 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) by 2030, the highest in the region. Emissions in the Philippines could surge by 14-fold, with Indonesia's emissions potentially quadrupling. Despite these challenges, the report suggests that greening data centres is achievable. With supportive policies, market access, and infrastructure planning, ASEAN can foster data centre growth without escalating emissions. The report said power purchase agreements (PPAs) are a common method for large technology companies to secure clean electricity. However, smaller operators require more accessible options such as virtual PPAs and green tariffs, which can also support storage solutions to manage the variability of renewable energy sources. Energy efficiency is another critical factor. By incorporating efficiency measures from the design phase and establishing national guidelines, data centres can reduce electricity usage, alleviating stress on the power grid. Ember Asia energy analyst Shabrina Nadhila said: 'Governments and industry should work together to align data centre expansion with the energy transition. National frameworks, stronger collaboration and better transparency are critical to ensuring that ASEAN's digital growth also drives progress.' Earlier this month, Malaysia and Japan put forward a proposal to create a new collaboration hub in Malaysia that would focus on technology, sustainability, and energy integration in ASEAN. "Solar and wind energy could energise 30% of ASEAN data centres in 2030: Ember report" was originally created and published by Energy Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
France 24
23-05-2025
- Business
- France 24
S.Africa moves to ease black empowerment law under Starlink pressure
The directive came days after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met his US counterpart Donald Trump for tense talks on deteriorating ties between the two countries. Telecoms companies operating in South Africa, including those with foreign investment, are currently required to provide 30 percent equity to historically disadvantaged groups -- a policy created to mitigate the legacy of racial inequality left by apartheid. South Africa-born Elon Musk has refused ceding ownership, calling the black empowerment policy "openly racist" and blaming it for delays in licensing his satellite internet service in the country. On Friday, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi published a draft policy that would allow the country's telecoms regulator to accept equity equivalent programmes as an alternative to the 30 percent ownership law. The draft policy is now open to public comments for a 30-day period. Attracting investment The policy change would allow multinationals like Starlink to meet empowerment obligations through alternatives to the 30 percent ownership law, such as investing in local suppliers, creating jobs or funding small businesses owned by black people. It "seeks to provide the much-needed policy certainty to attract investment into the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector, and specifically with regards to licensing for broadcasters, internet service providers, mobile networks, or fixed and mobile networks," the communications ministry said. Equity equivalents have already been approved in Africa's most industrialised nation for many multinationals, including US-based Microsoft and Hewlett Packard and South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics. South Africa offered a similar deal to the automotive industry in 2019. Ties between Washington and Pretoria have nosedived since Trump took office in January, with the US leader cutting aid, expelling the South African ambassador and threatening tariff hikes. Both sides met in Washington on Wednesday and agreed "to strengthen bilateral trade ties, increase investments for mutual benefit and forge collaboration in technological exchanges," the South African presidency has said. A presidency spokesman told AFP that while there had been discussions about Starlink at the meeting, the draft law was aimed at benefiting the whole sector. In April, South Africa's neighbour Lesotho granted a licence to Starlink hours after denying it was fast-tracking the process as part of US tariff concessions.
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
South Africa proposes workaround for communication multinationals to adhere to local ownership laws
JOHANNESBURG, May 23 (Reuters) - South Africa has announced draft policy recognising alternatives to Black ownership requirements, which could encourage Elon Musk's Starlink and other communications companies to operate in the country. South Africa's Electronic Communications Act requires foreign-owned communications licensees to sell 30% of equity in their local subsidiaries to historically disadvantaged groups - a provision criticised by Starlink and other companies. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi is now proposing the recognition of so-called "equity equivalent" investment programmes in the information and communication technology sector. Equity equivalents, recognised in other sectors such as automotive industry, are in a form of investments made by multinationals in lieu of a direct sale of equity if global practices prevent them from doing so. Such investments include funding skills development, infrastructure or development of small enterprises. According to the communications ministry, the proposed policy direction on the role of these investment programmes in the sector is expected to spur more investment and boost broadband coverage. "The policy direction seeks to provide the much-needed policy certainty to attract investment into the Information and Communication Technologies sector, and specifically with regard to licensing for broadcasters, internet service providers, mobile networks, or fixed and mobile networks," the ministry said in a statement. Starlink's parent company SpaceX wrote to telecommunications regulator ICASA last year that local shareholding laws were a significant barrier and that it should rethink the 30% ownership requirement for licensees. In acting on those concerns now, the government drew criticism from the opposition and some lawmakers that it was going too far to appease foreign businesses like Starlink. On Wednesday, opposition party the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said that it would oppose "any compromising of our laws to allow for Starlink to operate in South Africa, and we will oppose any reversal of transformative legislation."
Time of India
22-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Chd hauled up for delays in setting up school labs at Samagra Shiksha meeting
Chandigarh: Chandigarh's tardy progress in key educational interventions, especially delays in implementing approved digital infrastructure, came under scrutiny at the recent Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting for Samagra Shiksha held in New Delhi. The board noted that none of the 32 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) labs sanctioned for the Union territory in 2024-25 had been completed. These labs, considered vital for enhancing digital learning environments in govt schools, remain pending, prompting the board to advise urgent follow-up and prioritisation. The UT administration has been asked to expedite execution and share updates on completion timelines. Attention was also drawn to the staffing situation at the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), in which over 28% of academic posts remain vacant. Given SCERT's central role in teacher training and curriculum support, the board recommended that these positions be filled at the earliest to strengthen institutional capacity. In alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, the board suggested that Chandigarh re-examine how it allocates funds across elementary, secondary, and teacher education. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo A suggested distribution — 65% for elementary, 25% for secondary, and 10% for teacher education — was put forward as a benchmark for future planning. Support for children with special needs (CWSN) was another area of focus. The board encouraged Chandigarh to accelerate early screening and assessment processes in coordination with relevant departments, with the PRASHAST app recommended as a key tool. Training of general teachers in inclusive education, preferably through RCI-approved bridge courses, was also emphasised. While several challenges remain, the board's observations serve as both a reminder and an opportunity for the UT to strengthen its delivery of educational services under the Samagra Shiksha framework.
