Azerbaijan embraces AI and smart grids for energy transformation
In this episode of Energy Frontiers, Executive Director Fariz Jafarov explains how technologies like predictive analytics and smart grids are helping reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and prepare for net-zero goals.
Backed by national strategies, C4IR is training SMEs and aligning innovation with sustainable development. But challenges remain—from regulation to public readiness. By 2035, Azerbaijan envisions a digitized, human-centred economy powered by renewables and governed through data-led decision-making.
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Straits Times
a few seconds ago
- Straits Times
Ministers gather at UN for delayed meeting on Israel, Palestinians
FILE PHOTO: People rally in front of the United Nations headquarters during a \"Stop Starving Gaza Now\" protest amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in New York City, U.S., July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Christian Monterrosa/File Photo UNITED NATIONS - Dozens of ministers will gather at the United Nations on Monday for a delayed conference to work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, but the U.S. and Israel are boycotting the event. The 193-member U.N. General Assembly decided in September last year that such a conference would be held in 2025. Hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, the conference was postponed in June after Israel attacked Iran. The conference aims to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told newspaper La Tribune Dimanche in an interview published on Sunday that he will also use the conference this week to push other countries to join France in recognizing a Palestinian state. France intends to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said last week. "We will launch an appeal in New York so that other countries join us to initiate an even more ambitious and demanding dynamic that will culminate on September 21," Barrot said, adding that he expected Arab countries by then to condemn Palestinian militants Hamas and call for their disarmament. The conference comes as a 22-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza still rages. The war was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and took some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's military campaign has killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole backfilled; road to be repaved after LTA tests Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Authorities say access to Changi intertidal areas unaffected by reclamation, in response to petition Singapore SIA flights between S'pore and Cambodia, S'pore and Thailand, operating normally amid border dispute Singapore Police statements by Jipson Quah in fake vaccine case involving Iris Koh allowed in court: Judge Singapore New Mandai North Crematorium, ash-scattering garden to open on Aug 15 Singapore Not feasible for S'pore to avoid net‑zero; all options to cut energy emissions on table: Tan See Leng Singapore With regional interest in nuclear energy rising, S'pore must build capabilities too: Tan See Leng The U.S. will not attend the conference at the United Nations, said a State Department spokesperson, describing it as "a gift to Hamas, which continues to reject ceasefire proposals accepted by Israel that would lead to the release of hostages and bring calm in Gaza." The State Department spokesperson added that Washington voted against the General Assembly last year calling for the conference and would "not support actions that jeopardize the prospect for a long-term, peaceful resolution to the conflict." Israel is also not taking part in the conference, "which doesn't first urgently address the issue of condemning Hamas and returning all of the remaining hostages," said Jonathan Harounoff, international spokesperson at Israel's U.N. mission. The U.N. has long endorsed a vision of two states living side by side within secure and recognized borders. Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, all territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war with neighboring Arab states. The U.N. General Assembly in May last year overwhelmingly backed a Palestinian bid to become a full U.N. member by recognizing it as qualified to join and recommending the U.N. Security Council "reconsider the matter favorably." The resolution garnered 143 votes in favor and nine against. The General Assembly vote was a global survey of support for the Palestinian bid to become a full U.N. member - a move that would effectively recognize a Palestinian state - after the U.S. vetoed it in the U.N. Security Council several weeks earlier. REUTERS
CNA
a few seconds ago
- CNA
Commentary: Trump's call didn't stop the fighting in Thailand and Cambodia. Can Malaysia do better?
SINGAPORE: In a few hours, Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will sit down for peace talks in Malaysia, amid an escalating border conflict that has killed at least 30 people and displaced thousands more. The visit to Kuala Lumpur on Monday (Jul 28) by the leaders will offer the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) a chance to preserve its treasured centrality and demonstrate a capacity to solve its problems on its own rather than under external intervention or pressure. It also offers current ASEAN chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, an opportunity to create a legacy. This is something that has thus far eluded him, and ASEAN in the other major crisis it faces – Myanmar's seemingly intractable and ongoing civil war. The scheduled talks follow a characteristically unilateral announcement on Saturday by United States President Donald Trump claiming both countries had agreed to work out a ceasefire after he threatened to cease trade talks if the fighting did not stop soon. Cambodia had already proposed a ceasefire, but Thailand – after the call from Mr Trump – said while it agreed in principle with a ceasefire, the onus was on Cambodia to stand down. Mr Trump's announcement did not seem to have any effect. There was no sign of de-escalation. Within hours of a brief pause, Thailand and Cambodia were exchanging rocket and gun fire again, possibly with each intent on gaining advantage on the ground ahead of a truce so that a clear win could be presented domestically. A WINDOW FOR ASEAN Speculation on the origins of the conflict ranges from bad blood over business and economic interests – from casinos to scam centres – to personal falling out between the Hun and Shinawatra families; to domestic agendas to prop up wobbly political parties and mandates; and even superpower rivalry between the US, an ally of Thailand, and China which has significant economic interests in Cambodia. Premier Hun Manet's father Hun Sen – now President of the country's Senate and viewed as the de facto leader of Cambodia – may indeed feel he has greater strategic space with China's backing, given China's interests in Cambodia. But while there may be some element of truth in that, it risks falling into the trap of seeing the conflict through an American, China-centric prism. China took pains last week to say the weaponry Cambodia was using was old stock supplied not recently but previously by Beijing. In fact, any definitive explanation without real evidence is suspect; the origins of the conflict remain opaque and likely only really known to a relatively small circle of power elites in both capitals. Regardless, neither country wants to be seen domestically to bending to external pressure. This offers a thus far ineffective ASEAN response new traction. Conversely, the opportunity puts pressure on Mr Anwar, who may be seen as somewhat compromised by his decision earlier this year to appoint former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an adviser – even if one of several – to the ASEAN chair he holds. Thus while the meeting offers hope, underlying complexities should not be underestimated. The proximate and historical causes of the conflict may be many, and significantly intertwined, but what is evident and indisputable is that what tipped a volatile situation over the edge was a falling out between old friends Mr Hun Sen and Mr Thaksin. The latter's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra – who became prime minister only last August – has been suspended pending an ethics investigation over her leaked phone call with Mr Hun Sen, throwing Thailand's civilian coalition government into some disarray and giving its military an opportunity to wave its nationalist credentials. 'Failure to secure a meaningful and lasting ceasefire could severely damage ASEAN's credibility as a regional problem-solver, especially given past criticisms of its effectiveness in other regional crises,' Professor Pavin Chachavalpongpun of Kyoto University's Centre for Southeast Asian Studies told me. THE LIMITS OF MEDIATION The meeting signals a step towards de-escalation, but it doesn't magically resolve the deep-seated territorial disputes, nationalistic sentiments and historical grievances that fuelled this conflict, Professor Pavin added. 'The true test will be whether it leads to genuine, sustained efforts to address the root causes, or merely provides a temporary pause in hostilities.' That the conflict so easily ignited historical grievances underscores its unfinished nature. A particularly disturbing aspect – mirroring the India-Pakistan crisis in May – is the jingoism that has reached such levels, even in the local media, that it has prompted some civil society organisations to speak out. Thailand's Assembly of the Poor for instance, last week said: 'We resist the ultra-patriotism and militarism that makes states turn their back on people, while manipulating fear, hatred and loss as their political instruments.' Securing a ceasefire may be the easiest part of Monday's meeting. The more difficult aspects will however have to be addressed by political-military elites in Cambodia and Thailand, to avoid a repetition of a cycle that, with tourism and investor confidence plunging, both countries can ill afford.
CNA
a few seconds ago
- CNA
Singapore swimmer Gan Ching Hwee smashes second national record at World Aquatics Championships
SINGAPORE: Nearly 24 hours after smashing a 15-year national record on home soil, Gan Ching Hwee was at it again as she rewrote her own 1500m freestyle national record at the World Aquatics Championships on Monday (Jul 28). At the World Aquatics Championships Arena in Kallang, the 22-year-old clocked a time of 16:01.29 to eclipse her previous record of 16:10.13, which was set at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She finished third in her heat, with the final heat yet to be completed. On Sunday, Gan clocked a time of 4:09.81 in the women's 400m freestyle. This broke Lynette Lim's national mark that was set at the December 2009 SEA Games. She finished 13th overall in the heats, with Canada's Summer Mcintosh winning the event. Gan has been in fine form in recent times. At last year's Paris Olympics, she set two national records in the 800m freestyle and 1500m freestyle. She was the first Singaporean female swimmer to do so at the Games since Tao Li (100m backstroke) in 2012. Gan will next turn her attention to the 200m freestyle on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Quah Zheng Wen clocked a season's best time in the men's 100m breaststroke. He finished 29th overall and did not move on to the final.
