Latest news with #AidanLewis
The Star
a day ago
- 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
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Turkey's higher straits fee may affect Ukrainian grain exports, brokers say
Turkey's announced increase in tariffs for passing through the Black Sea straits will cause a rise in the cost of logistics for Ukraine's exports and may reduce the competitiveness of Ukrainian grain, brokers said on Wednesday. Turkey has said it will increase the fee by 15% from July 1 to $5.83 per net ton. Ukraine ships most of its exports through the Turkish Black Sea straits and brokers say an increase in transit fee could affect freight rates in destinations that involve their passage - in particular to key markets such as Egypt, Italy and Spain. "According to preliminary estimates, such costs could increase freight by $2-$3 on average. This, in turn, makes it harder to compete with other exporters in the region, including Russia and Romania," Ukrainian Spike Brokers said on Telegram. Ukraine is a global major grain grower and exporter, shipping abroad 40.3 million tons of grain so far in the 2024/25 July-June season. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
Zawya
15-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia's economy grew by 1.6% in first quarter of 2025
Tunisia's economy grew by 1.6% year on year in the first quarter of 2025, driven by the growth of the agricultural sector, the country's statistics institute said on Thursday. The agricultural sector grew by 7% as a result of rainfall following a six-year drought. During the first quarter of last year, economic growth did not exceed 0.3%. (Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
Zawya
28-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
India reports eight outbreaks of bird flu in Andhra Pradesh
India has reported eight outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu in farms and backyard poultry, the World Organisation for Animal Health said on Friday, citing Indian authorities. The outbreaks of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, were all detected in the eastern region of Andhra Pradesh, the Paris-based organisation said in a report. They led to the death or culling of a total 602,000 poultry, it said. (Reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
Zawya
19-03-2025
- Zawya
Iraq makes rare seizure of ship suspected of fuel smuggling in Gulf
Iraqi naval forces have seized an unidentified ship in Iraqi territorial waters in the Gulf suspected of smuggling fuel, the naval forces said in a statement. Fuel smuggling is common in Gulf waters, where heavily subsidised fuel from some countries is sold on the black market to buyers across the region, though it is relatively rare for Iraqi authorities to seize ships. A naval patrol boat intercepted the ship on Tuesday after receiving intelligence about suspected illegal activity, according to the navy statement issued late on Tuesday. The navy said an Iranian captain, eight Indian nationals, and two Iraqi crew members were onboard the ship. The navy released a picture of the ship, in which no name was visible. It gave no further details about the vessel. The ship was towed to Umm Qasr naval base for further investigation, and the crew has been handed over to the local police, the navy said. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
