Latest news with #AA
New Straits Times
36 minutes ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Trump: US terminating all trade talks with Canada over digital tax
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States (US) is ending trade discussions with Canada over the country's digital services tax on technology companies, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. "Based on this egregious Tax, we are hereby terminating ALL discussions on Trade with Canada, effective immediately. "We will let Canada know the Tariff that they will be paying to do business with the United States of America within the next seven day period," Trump said on Truth Social. Trump said the US was informed that Canada is putting a digital services tax on American technology companies, "which is a direct and blatant attack on our Country." "They are obviously copying the European Union, which has done the same thing, and is currently under discussion with us, also," he added. Trump's announcement throws a new obstacle into the stalled trade negotiations between the two nations, which have been locked in a tit-for-tat tariff battle for months, despite recent signs of progress towards a potential agreement. – BERNAMA-
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Road experts reveal five ‘small adjustments' that will save you money on fuel as rising prices hit pumps across Ireland
ROAD experts have revealed five "small adjustments" that will save you money on fuel as rising prices hit pumps across Ireland. Fuel prices across the country are continuing to climb, with AA Ireland's June 2025 review highlighting yet another increase for 2 The AA revealed the latest June prices for fuel Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 And they have now shared five tips to cut down on the rising costs Credit: PA:Press Association According to AA Ireland, petrol prices have now reached an average of €1.77 per litre, up slightly from €1.76 recorded in May. While these changes might appear minimal, AA Ireland said that they show an ongoing upward trend that has been going on for months. The road experts said it's due to a combination of factors - including global oil market fluctuations, domestic tax policies and increased demand during the busy READ MORE IN MOTORS They said: 'Consistent increasing fuel prices continue to be a concern for Irish motorists, and AA Ireland's June 2025 review shows yet another rise. 'While increases are modest, they demonstrate a continuous trend which strains household budgets already beset with expensive living expenses.' And they have now revealed five small adjustments to help To start AA Ireland advises that keeping tyres properly inflated is one of the simplest and most effective ways to lower your overall fuel costs. Most read in Motors When tyres are underinflated, they create more friction with the Up next, AA Ireland recommends driving smoothly by avoiding sudden acceleration or harsh braking as both habits can lead to excessive fuel consumption. Brit motorists can save over £400 a year on petrol & diesel with simple change to fuel habits - & driving style could make all the difference Harsh braking wastes the momentum motorists have built up and it means your car needs to use more fuel to regain speed afterwards. What's more, removing unnecessary weight from the boot is another step drivers can take. Carrying extra items makes the engine work harder and even small amounts of excess weight can reduce a According to AA Ireland, limiting the use of air conditioning to when it is genuinely needed can also reduce strain on the engine and improve fuel economy. Unknown to many, air conditioning systems require additional energy from the engine, which will increase your fuel consumption. Lastly, planning journeys carefully to avoid heavy 'Stay ahead of the curve' The road experts also revealed that looking at electric vehicles is worthwhile for those looking for more predictable running costs. According to AA Ireland, this stability in EV charging costs is making electric vehicles a more appealing and predictable option for drivers concerned about their budgets. And they pointed out that switching to an They added: 'With petrol and diesel prices climbing across Ireland, it's more important than ever to stay ahead of the curve. 'Whether it's adjusting your driving habits, looking into electric vehicle options, or making the most of support services like those from AA Ireland, there are practical ways to manage the costs.'
Fibre2Fashion
14 hours ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Nippon Shokubai secures ISCC PLUS certification for US AA & SAP
Nippon Shokubai Group companies in the United States have acquired ISCC PLUS certification for acrylic acid (hereinafter "AA") and superabsorbent polymers (hereinafter "SAP") produced locally. This enables Nippon Shokubai Group to globally supply AA and SAP with a carbon footprint considered net zero. AA is widely used as a raw material for paints and adhesives, and serves as a key ingredient in SAP, which is used in disposable diapers. As a leading global supplier of AA and SAP, Nippon Shokubai Group has been working to obtain ISCC PLUS certification for products manufactured in Belgium, Japan, and Indonesia since 2021. Following the recent certification in the United States, Nippon Shokubai Group has established a four-region global supply system for ISCC PLUS-certified AA and SAP using biomass-derived raw materials allocated via the mass balance method. This enables the global supply of AA and SAP with a carbon footprint considered net zero. Nippon Shokubai Group's US companies have obtained ISCC PLUS certification for acrylic acid (AA) and superabsorbent polymers (SAP), enabling global supply of net-zero carbon products. With certified production now in four regions, the company supports reduced environmental impact and circular economy goals as part of its carbon neutrality vision for 2050. Through promoting the use of ISCC PLUS-certified AA and SAP, Nippon Shokubai Group aims to contribute to reducing environmental impact across the supply chain and to advancing a circular economy. Toward carbon neutrality by 2050, Nippon Shokubai Group will continue to implement the "transformation" outlined in its long-term vision and mid-term management plan to enhance customer value. Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)
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First Post
18 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Bangladesh's sovereignty at stake: Humanitarian corridors or geopolitical Trojan Horses?
As Bangladesh grapples with Myanmar's enduring humanitarian crisis, the recent proposal for a United Nations-backed humanitarian corridor connecting Chittagong with Myanmar's Rakhine State, while outwardly noble, poses significant risks to national sovereignty and regional stability. These corridors, historically depicted as lifelines, often bear the subtle marks of strategic intervention, geopolitical exploitation, and foreign intelligence operations. In March 2025, UN Secretary-General António Guterres proposed establishing a humanitarian corridor from Bangladesh's critical port city of Chittagong into Myanmar's violence-ridden Rakhine State. This corridor aims to deliver aid to over two million displaced persons suffering under famine conditions. Bangladesh's interim government, currently led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, linked corridor approval directly to Rohingya refugee repatriation—a political quid pro quo potentially fraught with security risks. Yet, despite assurances, the corridor's broader implications remain troublingly unaddressed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Geopolitical precedent consistently demonstrates the vulnerabilities inherent in such humanitarian corridors. Syria, Libya, and Afghanistan offer stark illustrations: humanitarian routes became pipelines for foreign military equipment, intelligence operations, and covert proxy support. The Chittagong corridor risks mirroring these patterns, transforming a vital economic hub and strategic port into an intelligence foothold or even a forward operating base for foreign powers. Already, credible intelligence indicates that external powers are manoeuvring along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border region. Reports allege U.S. intentions to leverage humanitarian channels in support of anti-junta groups such as the Arakan Army (AA), including drone operations based near Cox's Bazar. Such actions align closely with Washington's broader Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to counter Chinese regional influence. Conversely, China's recent joint military exercises with Bangladesh, dubbed 'Golden Friendship-2024', similarly hint at strategic positioning disguised as regional cooperation. These manoeuvres risk drawing Bangladesh into unwanted great-power rivalries, further destabilising an already volatile region. Compounding these threats is the alarming influence of non-state actors. The AA now exerts significant control over a 271-kilometre stretch of Bangladesh's border with Rakhine. Local reports from Bandarban reveal frequent armed AA movements, sometimes seemingly with tacit official tolerance. Should a humanitarian corridor materialise without stringent oversight, there's a genuine risk it would be hijacked to facilitate arms trafficking and insurgent financing, intensifying cross-border conflict and inviting retaliatory actions from Myanmar's junta. Equally concerning is the role of international NGOs, some of which have previously come under suspicion. Dhaka has intensified scrutiny of NGOs after credible allegations emerged regarding espionage and anti-repatriation activism disguised as humanitarian activities. The potential exploitation of humanitarian access by NGOs for espionage purposes is a documented reality elsewhere and must not be underestimated here. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, domestically, Bangladesh's interim government faces growing criticism over its unilateral handling of border security policy. Decisions regarding the humanitarian corridor appear to be detached from military counsel, exacerbating civilian-military tensions and creating exploitable vulnerabilities. The disastrous 2025 BDR massacre exposed critical institutional weaknesses within Bangladesh's security apparatus, revealing precisely how foreign actors might exploit internal fractures. Regional reactions further complicate the scenario. India has strengthened its border surveillance with Bangladesh due to legitimate fears of insurgency spillover and refugee inflows. Yet, ASEAN's continued paralysis regarding Myanmar's crisis leaves Bangladesh increasingly isolated, forcing it into risky unilateral actions. The UN's humanitarian initiative, though well-intentioned, conspicuously lacks safeguards to prevent the corridor's misuse. Without these measures, Bangladesh risks being perceived—rightly or wrongly—as aligning with specific geopolitical agendas, further undermining its diplomatic independence and national sovereignty. Historical lessons offer grim caution. Humanitarian corridors have repeatedly been exploited as instruments of geopolitical manipulation. In Syria and Afghanistan, these corridors turned into conduits for arms trafficking, proxy warfare, and covert foreign bases. The Balkan refugee crisis vividly illustrated how corridors fractured sovereign control, fostering human trafficking and smuggling networks. Such outcomes must compel Bangladesh to reconsider the operational parameters of the corridors rigorously. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bangladesh now stands at a crossroads. Genuine humanitarian needs in Myanmar must be addressed, but never at the cost of sovereignty or regional stability. Dhaka must demand ironclad international guarantees, including UN-monitored aid operations, binding agreements that prohibit foreign military assets or intelligence activities, and strict oversight of NGO involvement. Simultaneously, a transparent, inclusive national policy debate involving military, civilian leadership, and civil society stakeholders is essential to protect sovereignty, border integrity, and long-term stability. Humanitarian initiatives should alleviate suffering—not serve as backdoors for geopolitical interference. Bangladesh must act decisively to ensure the Chittagong-Rakhine corridor remains exactly what it claims to be: a channel for compassion and not a geopolitical Trojan horse. The writer is the Director General of the Centre for Land Warfare Studies Lt Gen Dushyant Singh (Retd) is Director General, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Perth Now
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Brad Pitt's home burgled
Brad Pitt's home has been burgled. The 61-year-old actor was promoting his latest movie, F1, in Japan, when his house in Los Angeles, California, was targeted by thieves on Wednesday (25.06.25) night. The Los Angeles Police department (LAPD) told TMZ that officers responded to a call-out for a reported break in and they believe three suspects entered the property, though it is currently unclear what was taken. Cops told People magazine the thieves "broke into the residence via the front window, ransacked the location, then fled the location with miscellaneous property." Photos also show Brad's front door is currently boarded up with sheets of plywood but repairmen are already working on fixing it. The Moneyball star is one of many famous faces to have had his home burgled this year, with Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Jeremy Piven, Austin Butler, and Marshmello also reporting the crime. Meanwhile, Brad recently opened up about his struggles with addiction and his journey through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) after the breakdown of his marriage to Angelina Jolie. Speaking on Armchair Expert, he said: 'I was pretty much on my knees… I needed to wake the f*** up in some areas. 'I was really open to… I was trying anything anyone threw at me. It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting.' While speaking to host Dax Shepard, who has publicly discussed his own sobriety journey and relapse after 16 years, Brad recalled feeling nervous when first attending AA. The actor, who split from Angelina in 2016, added: 'It gives you permission to go, 'OK, I'm gonna step out on this edge and see what happens'. 'And then I really grew to love it.' Brad also praised Dax for his honesty, calling him 'so f***** honest' and likening him to 'an elder statesman' of the group. He added: 'Dax was usually near the end because he's been there awhile. 'I just thought it was incredible – men sharing their experiences with their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches, and a lot of humour with it.' Brad's decision to get sober came in the wake of his split from Angelina, 49, with whom he has six children, Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, Zahara, 20, Shiloh, 19, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16. The former couple, who met on the set of Mr. + Mrs. Smith in 2005 and married in 2014, were embroiled in a lengthy legal dispute after Angelina filed for divorce in 2016. It was a process finally concluded in December 2024, following Brad's 2022 lawsuit over her sale of her share in their Château Miraval estate. Brad is currently in a relationship with 34-year-old jewellery executive Ines de Ramon, who resides with him in Los Angeles, while Angelina is thought to be single.
