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The Star
24-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
China reports record wave of mosquito-borne chikungunya virus
Guangdong province has launched stricter anti-mosquito measures, including urging residents to clear stagnant water. -- PHOTO: UNSPLASH via The Straits Times/ANN BEIJING (Bloomberg): A city in China's southern industrial hub has recorded 3,195 chikungunya cases so far this month, the country's biggest outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus since it first emerged in the mainland nearly two decades ago. Foshan city - in Guangdong Province, just north of Hong Kong - first reported an imported chikungunya case earlier in July, China's national broadcaster CCTV said, citing briefings from local authorities. Infections have soared by more than 2,700 in the past week alone. While Chinese health officials have yet to explain what's behind the outbreak, Guangdong has launched stricter anti-mosquito measures, including urging residents to clear stagnant water and make sure drainage channels remain unobstructed. Chikungunya, first identified in 1952 in Tanzania, is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, the World Health Organization says. The virus causes fever and severe joint pain, and other symptoms can include headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and fatigue. The outbreak in Guangdong, an often hot and humid area of southern China, is the latest sign that tropical diseases - from dengue to malaria and zika - are expanding their reach, as climate change lets mosquitoes live in new territories that have become warmer and wetter. Increased international travel and low population immunity are also helping the spread. An explosion in cases in the Indian Ocean since the start of 2025 has sparked concerns of a spread to other countries, leading the WHO to issue an urgent call to action this week, Reuters reported. France and Italy, thousands of miles from the region, have both found locally-acquired chikungunya cases this year. "The surge in chikungunya cases is likely due to favorable climatic conditions that allow blooms of the Aedes mosquito population,' said Robert Jones, Assistant Professor in the Department of Disease Control at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. "These are aggressive, day-biting mosquitoes that thrive in warm, wet conditions.' More than five billion people live in areas across 119 countries at risk from chikungunya, the WHO told reporters in Geneva, Reuters said. Some 220,000 cases and 80 related deaths have been reported in 14 countries and territories globally so far this year, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. China recorded its first chikungunya case in 2008, an imported infection detected at an airport in Guangdong. The first locally transmitted cases - infecting 253 people - were reported in the province two years later. Since then, only sporadic cases have been found, in Yunnan and Fujian provinces. Globally, population susceptibility is likely elevated in areas where chikungunya outbreaks haven't tended to occur, said Patricia Gallego Delgado, Associate Director at London-based disease forecasting firm Airfinity Ltd. The wave is "attributable to lower levels of population immunity as individuals in these regions may have had limited or no prior exposure to the virus,' she said. -- ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
US charges North Koreans in plot to defraud more than 100 firms
The North Koreans used stolen identities to gain employment with US companies, according to the indictments. PHOTO: UNSPLASH US charges North Koreans in plot to defraud more than 100 firms WASHINGTON – The US Justice Department announced one arrest and charges against nine more people in connection with an alleged scheme in which North Koreans posed as American tech workers to gain lucrative jobs and fund the country's government. The North Koreans used stolen identities to gain employment with multiple American companies, according to the indictments. They were allegedly helped by people in the US, China, United Arab Emirates and Taiwan, who created fake companies and fraudulent websites to enable the illicit activity, US officials said. Zhenxing 'Danny' Wang, a US citizen from New Jersey, was arrested for his alleged role in a multiyear fraud operation to obtain remote IT work that gained more than US$5 million (S$6.4 million) in revenue, according to the indictment. Wang, along with fellow defendants from China and Taiwan, also allegedly created shell companies, fake websites and financial accounts in order to help overseas IT workers appear to be affiliated with legitimate American businesses. An attorney for Wang couldn't immediately be located for comment. Four North Korean nationals who used fake identities to pose as remote tech workers were also charged with allegedly stealing more than US$900,000 in virtual currency from two companies. After gaining their employers' trust, the North Koreans gained access to their virtual assets, stole the money and then laundered it using a cryptocurrency mixer called Tornado Cash, according to the Justice Department. 'North Korean IT workers defraud American companies and steal the identities of private citizens, all in support of the North Korean regime,' said FBI Assistant Director Brett Leatherman. The US searched 29 known or suspected laptop farms and seized more than 200 devices that the fake IT workers used to earn income, according to the Justice Department. The authorities also seized 21 websites. The fraudsters compromised more than 80 Americans' identities in order to get jobs at more than 100 US companies, including 'many' Fortune 500 companies, according to the Justice Department, which didn't identify the companies. Victim companies lost more than US$3 million due to legal fees and computer network remediation costs, the authorities said. The fake tech workers gained access to sensitive company information and source code, law enforcement officials said, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or Itar, data from a California-based defence contractor that develops 'artificial intelligence-powered' technologies. Itar rules are designed to protect US national security secrets. Thousands of North Korean workers have spent the last several years posing as nationals from other countries while infiltrating companies in the US and around the world in lucrative technical jobs, according to the US government. Such schemes are meant to help the North Korean government gather intelligence and generate money for the country's military, while some IT workers also build their own personal wealth, according to US officials and security experts. North Korean IT workers increasingly are working to infiltrate European firms by posing as remote freelancers, Google's Threat Intelligence Group said in April. One such worker operating at least 12 personas sought employment with several organisations in the defense and government sectors, providing fake references, according to the report. A federal court in Missouri indicted 14 North Korean nationals in December, accusing them of involvement in an IT employment operation that generated US$88 million over six years. The US has also sanctioned numerous organisations that have allegedly helped fuel the North Korean efforts. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Scottish MPs raise fears of people being killed by seagulls amid spate of attacks
An MP said aggressive seagull behaviour is a real concern for many, including businesses and tourists. PHOTO: UNSPLASH Scottish MPs raise fears of people being killed by seagulls amid spate of attacks The Scottish government has said a seagull summit will be held to discuss ways to tackle the birds' aggressive behaviour, amid reports of multiple attacks on people and warnings that someone could be killed, the British media reported. A politician has even called for the abolition of a nature agency, which is responsible for the control and conservation of the birds, because of its conflict of interest. In a debate in the Scottish Parliament on June 26, MP Rachael Hamilton said Scots have been left 'scared, attacked and traumatised' by the seagulls' actions. She said 'aggressive' seagulls had attacked seven children within one month in 2025 in the town of Eyemouth alone, leaving a girl with injuries to the scalp and 'blood running down her face', The Scotsman newspaper reported. 'Aggressive seagull behaviour continues to cause a real concern amongst businesses, amongst tourists, amongst everybody that has anything to do along the harbour,' she said, referring to Eyemouth which is located in her constituency. 'And it is not just a seasonal nuisance. It is a serious, growing health risk. It's a safety risk, particularly for children and elderly residents.' Another MP, Mr Douglas Ross, warmed that people are at risk of losing their lives over the 'growing problem' of 'nuisance' gulls. He said while others would often 'smirk' when hearing that the Scottish Parliament is discussing the problems around gulls, the reality is that the birds' attack on people is an 'extremely serious issue'. He said voters in this Moray constituency have expressed worries of leaving their homes for fear of being 'divebombed', reported Sky News. Others, he said, suffered from lack of sleep and other health issues due to the noise caused by the birds. Mr Ross also blamed Scotland's nature agency NatureScot of having a conflict of interest. He pointed out the agency is responsible for both the licensing to control birds and the conservation of avians. 'The time has come to break up NatureScot. There is a clear conflict of interest in the fact they are responsible for considering licences to control gulls but are also responsible for protecting bird numbers,' said Mr Ross, adding that the government should take prompt action before someone was killed by a gull attack. Describing the issue as 'deadly serious', Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie promised to hold a seagull summit in the north of Scotland. He attributed the birds' behaviour to people feeding them, and called on people to stop doing so. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
27-06-2025
- The Star
China bans uncertified and recalled power banks on planes
Lithium batteries in devices such as power banks can produce fire or extreme heat when manufacturing faults or damage cause them to short circuit. -- PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH via The Straits Times/ANN BEIJING (Reuters): China's aviation regulator will from Saturday ban passengers from carrying power banks without Chinese safety certification markings, as well as those recently recalled by manufacturers because of safety concerns. The move, which applies to anyone boarding a flight in China, follows a series of incidents globally involving lithium battery products, including power banks, overheating on planes. South Korea said a spare power bank was a possible cause of a fire that engulfed an Air Busan plane in January, and in March a Hong Kong Airlines flight from China to Hong Kong was forced to land in China due to a fire in an overhead baggage compartment. Lithium batteries in devices such as laptops, mobile phones, electronic cigarettes and power banks can produce smoke, fire or extreme heat when manufacturing faults or damage cause them to short circuit. They are a growing concern for aviation safety as passengers carry more battery-powered items on flights. Last year three incidents every two weeks of overheating lithium batteries on planes were recorded globally by the US Federal Aviation Administration, compared to just under one a week in 2018. China's Civil Aviation Administration said on Thursday power banks must be clearly marked with "3C" certification, short for China Compulsory Certification, which authorities require for products that could impact health, safety, and environmental protection. Several leading power bank manufacturers in China including Anker and Romoss have this month recalled batches of battery products due to safety concerns. China's market regulator has revoked or suspended the 3C certification of several power bank and battery cell manufacturers. Since the Air Busan incident, airlines globally have been tightening power bank rules. Aviation rules generally say power banks should be carried in cabin baggage, but increasingly airlines are banning their use on board and say they must be kept within view to spot any problems. China has since 2014 forbidden passengers from charging devices using power banks during flights. Southwest Airlines at the end of May became the first US airline to say portable charging devices must be visible while in use during flight. (Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Aidan Lewis) - Reuters
Straits Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Thailand delays plan to legalise casino after political turmoil
The delay will provide more time for the government to communicate with the public and address their concerns, the government said. PHOTO: UNSPLASH BANGKOK – Thailand's ruling coalition will delay the introduction of a controversial Bill to legalise casinos after its parliamentary majority was reduced with the exit of a key ally last week. The so-called 'entertainment complex' Bill was set to be the first major agenda when the House of Representatives reconvenes in July. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's administration was forced to delay the Bill once earlier due to mounting opposition from religious groups, anti-gambling networks and some political parties. The delay will provide more time for the government to communicate with the public and address their concerns, Mr Manaporn Charoensri, a deputy transport minister and Cabinet whip, said on June 25. It's not clear when government lawmakers plan to put the bill back on the house agenda. The move came after the ruling alliance was pushed to the brink by the exit of Bhumjaithai Party, which has vowed to oppose the Bill. Ms Paetongtarn is under fire for a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, in which she was critical of the Thai army's role in an ongoing border stand-off with the neighbouring country. Without a clear majority, the government may face challenges in passing controversial or essential Bbills that have been lined up in the coming months. The budget Bill for next fiscal year from October is also expected to be taken up for the second and third readings in August. The exit of pro-cannabis Bhumjaithai also allowed Ms Paetongtarn's ruling Pheu Thai party to move to re-criminalise the plant as narcotics, just three years after allowing its free use. The entertainment complex Bill is a flagship Pheu Thai proposal and was endorsed by the Cabinet in March. Setting up of integrated resorts can boost foreign tourist arrivals by 5 per cent to 20 per cent and lift average spending per person per trip by about 22,000 baht (S$863), the party has said. But critics of the casino plan have argued the gaming venues will fuel gambling addiction and benefit big businesses and foreign companies. They also cite risks of inviting casinos into the country at a time when transnational crime syndicates have turned casino towns in neighbouring countries into cyber scam dens and hubs for money laundering and drug trafficking. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
