North Korea’s Kim calls for expanded missile launcher production in preparation for ‘military showdown’
In order to prepare for a “military showdown” with South Korea and the United States, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for increased missile launcher production, according to state media on Friday ( Jan 5 ). Soon after Washington claimed that Russia had used projectile missiles and missiles suppliedContinue Reading
NATO’s war problem: weak armor
It will take years for NATO to solve its enormous issue.  , Put simply, despite the fact that Russian armor is by no means the best, NATO’s armor vehicles wo n’t hold up in a firefight with the Russians.
Russia has shown in Ukraine that it can defeat some of NATO’s best tanks and destroy European armored fighting vehicles andnbsp, such as the US, Bradley, and German, Marder, in conventional warfare.
NATO faces significant challenges when battling contemporary Russian ground troops and does not have sufficient tanks or sound logistics to help them.
Despite Polish efforts to try and address some of the Leopard tank’s numerous issues, it has performed badly.
The Ukrainians have refrained from using the American , M-1 Abrams, tanks, and Forbes reports & nBSP on the battlefield, likely because US advisors warned them that it would n’t survive and that the US would suffer a black eye if it were to be destroyed.
Instead, in an effort to “upgrade” the Abrams, the Russians have been frantically constructing bars on top of the vehicles ‘ spires and gluing on Russian sensitive gear to fend off Russian Lancet unmanned aerial vehicles.
The Germans, however, claim that Ukraine  no longer has any functional Leopard collection 2 tanks; any that were destroyed or saved from the battlefield have instead been sent to Estonia and restocked. However, Estonia  does not have any extra parts to repair them, so they are rusting in the marshalling feet.
Similar to contemporary aircraft carriers, modern tanks must overcome significant obstacles to live in hostile environments.
Tank now are susceptible to anti-tank weapons, property mines, and other threats.
- air-launched mine,
- Killer robots like the Lancet, the Russian , and
- weapons and weapons launched from a helicopter and an aeroplane, and
- precise ordnance fires.  ,
Today’s anti-tank weapons employ  , tandem shaped- charge warheads, which are intended to penetrate armor even in areas where reactive armor is applied. These weapons are known as e-rating, explosive reactive armour, and ( ERA ), which protect the tank.
Since using the hand-held , RPG- 7 & bbp in the research is a suicide mission, I have not included them. Additionally, American soldiers naturally lack the RPG- 7.  , These are effectively dispersed to extremists and Russian customers. In the Yom Kippur War, the Egyptians used them, but typically the technician was killed.  ,
They do n’t employ a tandem warhead configuration; instead, they use shaped charges. The precision shoulder-fired rocket launcher- 1 , ( PRSL-1 ) is the US equivalent.  , Although it is not included in the standard US Army equipment, US Special Forces occasionally use it.
To reduce the impact of a parallel weapon weapon, ERA are violent panels that are mounted on tanks. In addition,  ,
Because the highly classified passive armor of the tank body ( sometimes referred to as , Chobham armor ) was supposed to be able to shield the Tank from contemporary anti-tank weapons like the Russian&tramp, 9M133 Kornet and nrp ( Comet ), neither the Abrams nor the Leopard have reactive armor ( ERA ). Additionally, Kornet employs a combination Heating warhead, which is an acronym for high-explosive anti-tank. Its purpose was to dismantle violent reactive armor,nbsp.
In 1949, Soviet academician Bogdan Vjacheslavovich Voitsekhovsky andnbsp created the second ERA. However, preliminary tests of Russian armor revealed that if a tank was struck with the armor, all of the ERA modules did explode, rendering the system inoperable.
Working with the Israeli Defense Force ( IDF), a German researcher named   Manfred Held developed reactive armor between 1967 and 1969. It was used on Israeli tanks beginning in the early 1980s and was first demonstrated to be effective during the 1982 Lebanon War.
Israel was not permitted access to advanced armor, in contrast to the US, the UK, and Germany, where Chobham armor ( and its offspring ) were available. Spaced weapons was used by the container master General , Israel Tal, in the creation of the Merkava tank.  , ERA was essential for Israel in fending off Soviet dangers.
Chobham gear is also known as hybrid shield and is made up of layers of different materials, such as steel and polymers. A T-80U Russian pond that was destroyed in the conflict in Ukraine was equipped with hybrid armor and was built similarly to the Leopard and Abrams. The Soviet armor was skilled at deflecting form charge weapons,andnbsp. Anti-tank weapons also use a  and form charge to help penetrate heavy steel plating. Extreme heat and shock are applied to the target by a designed charge, which “focuses” the violent blast.
Additionally, container gear must be able to fend off enemy tanks ‘ cannonfire.  , modern tank rounds ( 105mm and 120mm in the west, and 115mm, 125mm for Soviet-era weapons ) use penetrator rods made of either tungsten carbide or depleted uranium ( APFSDS&bnp ) or Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot shells. Responsive armor can be powerful against APFSDS,nbsp.
Europeans claim to already possess a brand-new version of the 2A7V, also known as the Leopard. Additionally, Germany has a contract with Italy, Spain, and Sweden to create the Leopard’s replacement pond. With the exception of the gun, the new tank will have advanced situational awareness and a 130mm tank gun ( similar to Israel’s new Merkava 5 ).  ,
Additionally, the US has abandoned the most recent advancement version of the Abrams , also known as SEP v4, and is currently working on a different method to improve the tank.  ,
Germany and the US are both aware that neither the Leopard nor the Abrams is endure today’s battlefields.
Different ERA Kinds
Violent reactionary gear comes in a wide variety of forms. The Russian ERA has changed from Kontakt 1 to Kontakt V, and its most recent tanks are of the Malachit form. Although Malachit’s information is confidential, it was created to work with the most recent APFSDS cylinder cartridge, the M829E4, which has a depleted uranium penetrator. The 120mm weapons are unable to use sessions with longer projectiles, which presents a concern for the Germans and the US. That explains why the Abrams may also need to up-gun and the European future container will include a 130mm gun.
Beyond resiliency weapons
Active protection is one of the tank inventions that Israel invented. Israel has two methods that are mounted on Israeli Merkava vehicles and , on equipped fighting vehicles, and on other platforms. These systems were developed by Rafael and B&P, Iron Fist, by Israel Military Industries and General Dynamics. They use specialized radar sensors and rapidly formed projectiles to counteract incoming threats.
Active Protection Systems come in a variety of forms in different nations, including Russia, but none of them have appeared in Ukraine.
It’s unclear whether an active security system will be able to stop an APFSDS square.
The majority of NATO tanks lack effective safety on board.
Mine and defenses
The Russians have strongly relied on air-launched mine to defend themselves against Russian tanks and armed combat vehicles. Additionally, they have created a brand-new kind of leading striking mine called the PTKM- 1R. The tone of an armoured vehicle activates the PTKM- 1R mine,nbsp. Andnbsp, it appears to have an inner library that can identify a considerable target, such as an armored fighting vehicle or tank. The PTKM- 1R fires its me that houses in on the underside of the objective, destroying it, when the audio indicates that it is within striking distance.
Even when airborne, conventional mines usually attack the back of a car. nbsp, They can either kill the vehicle itself or punch off the lines or wheels ( in the case of turned fighting vehicles ). nbsp, Every reservoir has two weak points.
- particularly the tower at the top, and
- the back or bottom, which is unprotected by thick armor.
Both NATO and the Russians have created a number of cars intended to destroy mining.  , These are valuable in some way.  ,- Some container clearing systems ( which may be rollers or earth-moving plows ) use a container chassis. However, enemy fire makes mine-clearing methods vulnerable because they must move gradually on the field. In Ukraine, plant- opening vehicles have been destroyed in large numbers.
Conclusion
The number and fighting prowess of NATO’s weapons capabilities are currently significantly limited. Beyond that, there is little maintenance and a dearth of spare parts, such as new weapons barrels.
While the US is generally better at supporting its technology, it is unlikely that US tanks on a current battlefield are any better than European ones. Because the Challenger 2, a British main battle tank, does not use NATO ammunition and is incompatible with NATO’s 120mm smooth-bore normal due to its rifled gun barrel, I have not included it. So, if it were to be deployed on the NATO front line, it would be a problem.
Practically speaking, this indicates that NATO is not prepared to combat Russian ground forces because its crucial weapons systems are extremely vulnerable, its logistics are disorganized, and its ammunition and part supplies are scant.
NATO will further undermine its ability to wage war if it keeps shoving weapons into Ukraine, anything that seems to have received little attention in NATO capitals like Washinngton.  , The Ukraine War has exposed NATO’s weakened- weapons underworld.
Stephen Bryen, who oversaw the Near East Subcommittee of the
As a assistant secretary of security, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and nbsp
is now a senior colleague at Yorktown Institute and the , Center for Security Policy.
Previously published , this article was about his Weapons and Security Substack. With your style agreement, it is republished.
Bollywood writers fight against ‘unfair’ contracts
shabby graphicsFor many people in India’s Bollywood industry, writing is a forlorn and unprofitable company.
Unless the writer gets a big break and is also given credit for their powerful movie. But up until that point, opportunities and funds are frequently in short supply.
The “harsh agreements” writers claim they must sign, which they claim are intended to safeguard the interests of the manufacturer, are a major factor.
According to Anjum Rajabali, a senior member of the Screenwriters Association ( SWA ), the Indian equivalent of The Writers Guild of America ( WGA ), which has more than 55, 000 members across the nation, “most contracts have arbitrary termination clauses and offer paltry fees, especially to newcomers.”
According to Mr. Rajabali, some contracts even forbid writers from approaching the union if there is a dispute with the producer. They also do n’t pay writers for reworking drafts and give producers the discretion to decide whether or not to give writers credit for their work.
For many years, the SWA has fought for people ‘ rights, but more recently, it has been looking into assertive ways to lessen the alleged strength disparity between writers and producers.
It held a conference in December to talk about the modifications writers would like to see made to their contracts. There were more than 100 poets present, including some well-known Bollywood figures like Abbas Tyrewala and Sriram Raghavan.
Mr. Rajabali adds that “most producers agree” that writers need better paid and some form of job security.” The plan now is to encourage producers to remain across the desk and work with us to create contracts more equitable.”
The Producers Guild of India has never responded to questions sent by the BBC via email.
However, the Indian movement is still in its infancy, and experts predict that something as drastic as a strike wo n’t happen anytime soon. This is partially due to the way the business operates, where building strong relationships is essential for landing a job, as well as the enormous number of people who are waiting to take advantage of opportunities.
Additionally, it’s because writing deals are a relatively new phenomenon in India. When it came to getting paid, artists up until the middle of the 2000s relied on a producer’s “word.” Producers would give writers sporadically rather than in regular installments, and even the price for a text was negotiated verbally.
Artists began receiving deals after major corporations began funding studios. However, according to Mr. Rajabali, the deals have gotten stricter and more unreasonable as makers have tried to boost profits and reduce financial risks.
He draws attention to a particularly harsh clause that several producers have started including in their contracts: the writer must pay the producer back for any losses brought on by objections or controversies sparked by the movie.
It is unfair to ask artists to “pay for loss after you have bought the script,” Mr. Rajabali adds, adding that producers have begun getting lawyers to review scripts as a caution.
Like clauses, according to writers, put them in a precarious position and the uncertainty affects their imagination.
Mumbai-based writer Hitesh Kewalya recalls how challenging his career was before he was able to establish himself in the field.
He had left his marketing career to follow scriptwriting, but he had trouble making rent.
I once wrote seven movie scripts, but Mr. Kewalya claims that because the movies did n’t get made, I wasnt paid for any of them.
For today’s poets, he continues, not much has changed, and many have left the field due to the difficulty of making a living.
However, there is a glimmer of hope because some manufacturers have started taking corrective action.
Nikhil Taneja, who previously held a senior position at one of Bollywood’s largest film production companies, claims that he has begun paying writers working for his own business, Yuvaa, in accordance with the size of the job. This implies that the writer’s price is also increased if a program raises the project budget—a unusual section in the entertainment sector.
Although Mr. Taneja acknowledges that writers ‘ contracts are exploitative, he claims that this is more due to the nature of film.
Because there is no research involved, making movies is a risky endeavor. A movie with the biggest stars and the best producer may fail or have trouble finding a transfer. And the manufacturer is responsible for the loss, he claims.
While it’s true that when a movie succeeds, manufacturers get the biggest cut of the profits, they still have to pay the actors.
According to him, the abundance of streaming services has made it even harder for movies to be found and watched, let alone be popular.
Another factor is how movies are made; frequently, actors, directors, or speech writers contribute to the storyline changes as it is being shot. It can also significantly alter while being edited.
Producers pay a sizable percentage of the writer’s payment toward the end of projects because the finished item differs greatly from the original script, according to Mr. Taneja.
However, he asserts that this does not imply that things should stay as they are and that writers—whose codes serve as the foundation of a movie—deserve of better treatment. But only when writers band together and need their rights does this occur. The industry wo n’t take notice until then, he claims.
The SWA may continue to push for its demands, according to Mr. Rajabali, which include removing predatory cancellation and indemnity clauses from contracts and paying all writers at least a minimal simple fee.
The battle will remain fierce, but artists are known to be tenacious individuals.
Learn more News reports about India here:
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20 January 2023
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August 6, 2022
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Bangladesh election: ‘What is the point?’ ask disillusioned voters
Noor Bashar only earns 500 Bangladeshi taka ($ 4.50,$ 3.55 ) per day, or half of what he requires to support his nine-person family.
That amount might decrease even more as Bangladesh’s prices rate rises.
The 43-year-old day laborer who lives in Cox’s Bazaar, 400 km ( 250 miles ) south of the capital Dhaka, says,” People are really suffering.”
” I cannot get spices if I buy bass.” If I purchase spices, I am unable to purchase corn.
A cost-of-living issue is plaguing Bangladesh, a nation of 170 million people. The once-promising development curve of the nation has dipped, and greater difficulties now loom in the low-lying delta that is susceptible to climate change.
Disgruntled citizens, however, have no faith that Sunday’s vote, which they claim is a foregone conclusion, will make their lives better.
My family’s needs are my top priority. Politics are not something I care about because it wo n’t support my family. I’m constantly considering how I may pay back the money I took out from people, said Mr. Bashar.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party ( BNP ), the main opposition, has boycotted this election, and the ruling Awami League, led by Hasina,Sheikh, appears poised to tighten its authoritarian hold on it.
Many voters believe that the Awami League has already won because there is n’t a strong opposition candidate. Some worry that Ms. Hasina’s third direct term will make the economic situation worse and increase their desperation.
” The elections do n’t interest me in the least. Why if I give a damn? Gias Uddin, a security guard in the port town of Chittagong, said that the goal, whatever it may be, will never alter my fate.
The 57-year-old claims that his family’s finances are so small that they can only manage two meals per day. Fish and meat are no longer purchased by him because they are too costly, and he frequently gathers other people’s crumbs to prepare meals for his nine kids.
The home gets by on donations and friend money.
” I have so far borrowed 200, 000 baht. How I may pay back the money is a mystery to me. Simply God knows, according to Mr. Uddin.
” This is a really challenging situation. I occasionally feel like I may pass away.
Clothes to treasures, then back to clothes?
According to some experts, Bangladesh’s descent into monarchy was one of the greatest threats to the country, which was hailed as an “economic wonder” just a few years ago.
According to scholar Debapriya Bhattacharya of the Centre for Policy Dialogue think tank in Dhaka, the next government may face a problem in regaining trust in the economy.
However, it would be very challenging because the state lacks the political clout to carry out the stability-related plans.
Bangladesh had experienced rapid economic growth in recent years.
Despite its difficult working conditions, its garment industry has helped millions of people escape poverty and now makes up about 80 % of the nation’s exports, making it the second-largest garment producer in the world after China.
The International Monetary Fund approved a$ 4.7 billion borrowing in 2023 to strengthen Bangladesh’s weak economy after once predicting that its gross domestic product could exceed that of developed markets like Singapore and Hong Kong.
However, researchers have cautioned that Bangladesh’s issues cannot be solved but quickly. Although outside factors played a role, some believe that politicians did not address them or carry out necessary changes.
Corruption is another scourge that has gone unchallenged. Bangladesh was ranked as the 12th most dishonest nation in the world by Transparency International.
” The ruling party has no reason to crack down on fraud severely.” And following this election, people and organizations connected to them will continue to have influence, according to Dr. Bhattacharya.
According to Ali Riaz, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, the folks at bottom of the social ladder did continue to bear the burden of its troubled economy as the national debt grows heavier.
” In any one-party state, there are no checks and balances.” According to Prof. Riaz, no one holds the government accountable for its financial decisions.
There have been claims of extensive vote-rigging in the past, which the Awami League refuted.
Additionally, there is worry that Bangladesh’s democracy and human rights situation may result in economic sanctions from important buying lovers like the US and the EU. Washington started enforcing immigration restrictions on Bangladeshi authorities past September after concluding that they were responsible for undermining the nation’s democratic election process.
the worst effects of climate change
Another significant and urgent issue is weather change. Bangladesh is located less than 5 meters above sea level in about two-thirds of the country. A 30 to 45 inches rise in sea level could force more than 35 million people—roughly 25 % of the nation’s population—out of southern areas, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
In the south-western region of Satkhira, where vegetables simply grow during specific seasons or in corn sacks stuffed with compost due to the increasing acidity of the soil, tidal surges and cyclones are a growing threat.
The biggest issue in our region is the lack of clean drinking water. We are surrounded by salt water, according to local native Shampa Goswami.
She added that many people who live in rural areas are not well-informed about culture issues and that weather has not been a top priority in the poll plan.
This, in Prof. Riaz’s opinion, highlights the absence of a political approach. You wo n’t be able to address a crisis like this that calls for engagement with the common people unless you have an accountable system, he said.
Since the end of military rule in 1991, the Awami League and the BNP have alternated as the nation’s leaders, and some people claim that both parties have made a mockery of politics.
” Generally, whoever is in power will act in the same way.” It is very challenging to determine which of two evils is the lesser of the two. According to AKM Mohsin, managing director of the Bangladesh Centre in Singapore, “democracy in Bangladesh is defined in the government’s officials ‘ words.”
They cling to their authority when they have it. But rather than removing opportunities for the populace through poor governance of the nation, Bangladesh definitely needs officials who work to create them.
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The three men vying to be Taiwan’s next president
EPAA new leader may be chosen by Taiwan on January 13 in a crucial election that was reshape the region’s relationship with China.
Since the region’s primary election in 1996, Beijing has long viewed Taiwan as a self-governing state that has loomed over the elections.
Taiwan has emerged as a crucial battleground between the US and China, which is why the race to unseat President Tsai Ing-wen is taking place this year. Apart from politics, citizens are facing domestic issues like low wages and skyrocketing home prices.
The current evil leader is on the ballot and is narrowly ahead in elections, followed by a former police commissioner. An ex-city governor who had first upset the winner-take-all race calculations now seems to be far behind. Each vote did cast one vote for their city and another for at-large seats in the parliamentary elections, which will take place on the same day.
More information on the three national candidates and their running companions is provided below.
William Lai Ching-te, DPP, is the front-runner.
Although he may have a sweet voice, Taiwan’s vice president, who is 63 years old, is an ardent supporter of the islands ‘ right to self-government, with Beijing-based state-run Global Times yet calling for him to be charged under the anti-secession laws of Beijing.
Mr. Lai referred to himself as a “pragmatic contractor for Chinese independence” while serving as Tsai Ing-wen’s leading from 2017 to 2019.
When Mr. Lai was two years old, his father passed away in an injury. Mr. Lai claims that witnessing his mother lift six kids on her own helped him develop a strong work ethic. Before joining the public support in Taiwan in the middle of the 1990s, he completed his medical training at Harvard and worked as a urinary doctor.
He began his career as a legislator for the southwestern area of Tainan. With an unheard-of 73 % of the vote in 2014, he continued to serve as the city’s mayor after being elected in 2010.
He still trails Mr. Hou in the poll conducted recently by the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation ( TPOF), giving him a 38 % rating and putting him ahead by just 1 %.
Mr. Lai has frequently stated in his political campaign that Taiwan wants to “be buddies” with China. We do not wish to be adversaries. We can get along. And he told Bloomberg in August,” And we’d like to discover China… like democracy and freedom, just like us.”
Ms. Hsiao has been referred to as a “diehard Taiwan freedom dissident” by China. Beijing has thrice barred the well-known minister from entering island China and has also forbade traders and companies connected to her from working with organizations there.
Ms. Hsiao contributes a wealth of knowledge to Mr. Lai’s seat in foreign policy. The 52-year-old spent the previous three decades representing Taiwan in the US. The first person to assume this position was her.
She refers to herself as a” kitty warrior” when it comes to statecraft, in response to Beijing’s up until recently encouraging aggressive “wolf fighter” style of politics.
” Animals are a lot nicer than wolf. Making friends is important in politics, she told The Economist next month. ” It’s about how you make yourself lovely.”
The reserved person: Hou Yu- ih,KMT
Mr. Hou helped out at his mother’s meat stall in a nearby market or by catching pigs when he was younger.
The 66-year-old previously claimed that the abilities he acquired while fighting animals contributed to the advancement of his career as a police officer. He was a crucial investigator in the 2004 assassination attempt on former president Chen Shui-bian and contributed to the arrest of well-known killers.
In 2010, the former police captain made a political comeback and was elected mayor of New Taipei, the largest town in Taiwan, in 2018. In a disaster in 2022, he was re-elected. Mr. Hou was chosen by the KMT as its bottom candidate because of his track record as a capable police officer and well-liked mayor, but he has had trouble gaining support for his presidential campaign.
Mr. Hou opposes Taiwan’s freedom but has generally refrained from commenting on China while running for office. Critics have criticized this lack of clarity. In June 2023, he dodged a question about the” One-China” policy, which recognizes only one Chinese government in Beijing, and questioned his capacity for risky diplomacy.
” The relation between the Taiwan Strait’s two sides is evident. It is entirely based on the constitution of the Republic of China, so we do n’t need to get it mixed up, he said at the time.
Mr. Jaw was chosen by the KMT-led government to hold the position of culture minister in 1991. Two years later, he co-founded the pro-unification New Party, which split from the KMT because its members believed it lacked enough support for China.
In 1996, Mr. Jaw withdrew from politicians and began working toward a career in the internet. He is best known for having TVBS, a journalist that caters to the island, social talk show. Mr. Jaw returned to politicians in February 2021.
The string: TPP, Ko Wen- je
Ko Wen-je, the leader of the Taiwan People’s Party ( TPP ), has gained support from young voters and once even pulled ahead of Mr. Lai. He has, however, lagged behind as the competition has progressed, and according to the TPOF, he did receive 25 % of the vote. Recently, his scores have decreased.
Mr. Ko, a well-known pain surgeon in the past, switched from politics to the white coat ten years ago. After supporting the” Sunflower Movement” in 2014, when kids led demonstrations against what they perceived as China’s growing control over the beach, the 64-year-old shot to social popularity.
He established the TPP in 2019 and branded it as the substitute for the DPP and KMT. In the 2020 elections, the TPP won five out of 113 seats, making it the third-largest gathering in Taiwan’s congress.
Mr. Ko, who is known for his snappy style, has criticized the KMT for being” too deferential” while accusing the DPP of endangering Taiwan by calling them “pro-war.”
The 45-year-old, who was born and raised in the US, started her career as an investment scientist at Merrill Lynch in London before returning to the family’s operations. She now leads the team’s charitable division as CEO.
According to analysts, Mr. Ko and Ms. Wu may have trouble connecting with the general public, which likewise votes on jobs and the market, because they are both seen as wealthy members of the elite.
On this tale, more
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27 December 2023
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December 17, 2023
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6 November 2023
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August 2, 2022
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Do calorie-tracking apps or meal subscriptions for weight loss really work? How to make the most of them
Or make your personal unique submissions; this is particularly possible if you cook. For more precise tracking, you can manually enter the materials and their amounts, according to Tay. A house size is a useful tool to have on hand for this. This can improve the accuracy of your tracking and the accuracy of the entries on your homemade dishes.
However, do n’t worry if you are unable to locate a precise match for your dish. Make informed judgments based on the components used and their usual amounts in the meal, Tay advised. You might need to do some research on the common dishes or ask a dietician for advice.
The sustainability of meal tracking apps and how much you can stay on the program are two additional complaints. According to Tay,” clients have mentioned that logging every meal may be time-consuming and some people may find it difficult to maintain this practice consistently.”
According to her, some users find these applications useful for long-term behavior shift and weight maintenance, while others may use them more frequently for a shorter period of time to learn more about their eating habits.
Another drawback is that, according to Tay, putting too much focus on tracking every calories, fat, sugar, and water you consume could result in an unhealthy obsession with specific products. For example, you might not take anything else for lunch or dinner because you believe that a rice dish is the most nutritionally balanced dish. If you only eat stir-fried kailan, yet that can be harmful to your health.
Additionally, Tay warned against “letting statistical information overshadow the qualitative aspects of having, such as poverty cues, pleasure, and the pleasure of food.”
Soft power committee announces changes to censorship rules
PUBLISHED: January 5, 2024, at 6:07.
According to changes in Thai film censorship regulations made by the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, these restrictions restrict creativity and are no more pertinent to the country’s cultural landscape.
According to Paetongtarn Shinawatra, director of the National Committee on Soft Power Development, private companies will be given more influence over the committee’s decision-making process for movies and videos on Thursday.
Just films with material that could have an impact on the king will be allowed to be seen in Thailand.
Instead of being openly prohibited, films with spiritual and sexual content will be reclassified to appeal to the right audience.
According to her,” Rating groupings will only be an indicator of propriety, not a resource to control film productions.”
According to Ms. Paetongtarn,” All constitutional amendments, maybe, would be finished within the middle of this yr.”
The appropriate authorities will also set up a one-stop service center, which will aid production companies in accelerating the certification of operational procedures required for their productions.
The Pheu Thai Party and the government alliance, according to Ms. Paetongtarn, are prepared to help freedom of expression. She pointed out that Thai repression regulations have come under fire for being vague and ridiculous.
Land Bridge ‘necessary’, PM says
Srettha claims economical advantages despite reservations.
PUBLISHED: 05 :44 on January 5, 2024.
The 1 trillion ringgit Land Bridge proposal was defended by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Pheu Thai MPs on Thursday, claiming that it will aid in the nation’s economy and growth.
Mr. Srettha, who was tasked with responding to MPs ‘ inquiries about the job during the House conversation on the 2024 fiscal resources on Thursday, stated that if it is successful, it could help boost the economy.
Thailand wants to serve as a global shipping hotspot, according to Mr. Srettha. He continued,” This initiative will help the nation become more competitive.”
Given that 60 % of the fuel used worldwide passes through the stretch of water, the project also helps to reduce congestion on the Strait of Malacca, he added.
Since the country has no conflicts with other countries, the authorities” conducted this venture with the current political picture in mind,” he continued.
Additionally, Mr. Srettha stated that the project will enable other nations to employ Thailand as a transportation hub.
He declared that he would hold a public hearing about the megaproject’s effects with residents of the counties of Ranong and Chumphon, which are expected to be the sites of it.
In case the job is approved, the state has finished compiling information on it, including the one on the South Economic Corridor, according to Pheu Thai record MP Sriyada Palimaphan.
According to a study, this venture will boost the GDP by 1.5 %.
The proposal, according to Ms. Sriyada,” comes at the right time” in light of worries about traffic overcrowding in the Malacca Strait.
According to her, the site’s planning really began during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, and related projects were completed under the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration.
The land bridge initiative, which is estimated to be worth 1 trillion baht, includes deep-water slots in Ranong and Chumphon, a motorway that cuts across the property to connect the two regions and an extensive railway network.
With a budget of about 6.21 billion ringgit for property eviction, the initiative aims to develop the docks and the streets connecting the two.
The plan is divided into four phases based on a timetable for the site’s growth.
Approximately 610 billion ringgit did be spent on the first step, followed by 165 billion, 229 billion and 85.1 billion in the third and fourth phases, respectively.
Govt military budget slammed
Pheu Thai laws are questioned by the opposition.
On Thursday, the opposition parties attacked the world’s military expenditure distributions, claiming they went against Pheu Thai Party policy remarks on reducing and modernizing the armed forces.
Aekkarat Udomamnuay, a Move Forward Party ( MFP ) MP for Bangkok, stated on the second day of the budget bill debate for 2024 that Pheu Thai is in charge of reforming the armed forces to ensure they are professional and replace mandatory conscription with voluntary recruitment.
However, he added,” I wonder if the armed forces will be able to reshape themselves when I look at the Defence Ministry’s budget allocations.”
He stated that the Defense Ministry has asked for 198 billion ringgit, an increase of 3.8 billion from the fiscal year 2023.
Spending on military workers has increased by 55 % annually, and in particular, the military has spent about 64 % of the total budget, according to a breakdown of budget spending, he said.
Is the Defense Ministry attempting to enlarge the military forces? Is this going against its plan to reduce the size of the military? Mr. Aekkarat questioned, adding that the cost of military personnel includes compensation and clothing.
The Defense Ministry’s budget allocations were frequently cut during previous financial crises, according to solutions.
The ministry’s budget for that year was reduced by 21 % from the prior year during the 1999 financial crisis, and its Budget for 2022 was slashed by 6 % over the course of the Covid- 19 pandemic.
The Defence Ministry has sought more than 198 billion baht, away 2 % from about 194 billion in the previous year, even though the current government claims the nation’s economy is still in poor design, according to the resources.
Mr. Aekkarat continued by saying that a budget planning of 565 million baht for placement allowances for military personnel not decreases and that there are more than 2, 000 commanders at the Defense Ministry who are comparable to directors-general at various companies.
Nevertheless, he claimed that there are only about ten directors common in each ministry. Is Pheu Thai actually trying to reduce the size of the military makes? He questioned once more.
Mr. Aekkarat even criticized the Defense Ministry’s covert resources, claiming that the law forbids parliament from reviewing it.
The Defense Ministry’s resources spending on arms purchasing has been cut by 2.4 billion ringgit, according to Chayapol Sathondee, an MFP MP for Bangkok, primarily because the government has chosen” a smaller down payment and a long-term payment plan.”
According to Mr. Chayapol, the government made a 13 % down payment on the purchase of wings in the 2023 fiscal year and 9 % of the same amount in 2024.
However, he said that the government may be required to pay off long-term loan worth 57 billion baht, which will double in 2023.
Romdon Panjor, an MFP record MP, concentrated on the funds for addressing the turmoil in the deep South, stating that it has been allocated about 25 billion baht, or 6.5 % of the past year. More than 1 billion ringgit should be cut from the budget, he suggested.
More than 5 billion baht have been set aside for the Internal Security Operations Command ( Isoc ), Mr. Romdon continued.
He asserted that more than 3.5 billion rmb may be connected to “ghost” employees who had never worked in the area and asked Isoc to explain.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin responded to criticism from the opposition by saying that work from all sides have helped to calm the turmoil in the heavy South.
” I think Isoc also wants to bring peace back to the area. Isoc’s resources spending is also something I’m willing to consider, Mr. Srettha said.
3.48 trillion ringgit are sought by the funds. It was supposed to go into effect on October 1 but was postponed a few months after the vote so that the coalition government may establish itself second.
A 72-member House committee will be formed to review the costs after the conversation, which ended yesterday, is put to a vote today.
As of media time, no cabinet members or government MPs had responded to the opponent’s criticism of the military downsizing.
Nvidia chips for China dumbed-down but lean and mean
In the second quarter of this year, Nvidia, the largest supplier of graphic chips in the world, is reportedly going to mass produce three reduced artificial intelligence ( AI ) chips for China’s customers.
The California-based business originally intended to release three AI chips—H20, L20 and L2—for Chinese industry last November, but it postponed that release until 2024 in order to verify that the chips complied with US export restrictions.  ,
According to an essay published by the American tech news website Wccftech, the three cards will be produced by Taiwan’s Wistron Corp in the second quarter and are fully compliant with US export regulations.
According to the report, the first shipment of H20 bits will likely be delivered to customers in the middle or late next quarter of 2024.
According to a Chinese author for Shenzhen Xinbang Information Technology Co Ltd., H20’s efficiency density and computing power adhere to US export policies in terms of parameters.
In FP8 Tensor Core operations, he claims that H20 has a speed of 296 trillion floating point operations per second (teraflops or tflop ) when compared to H100’s 1, 979, and H200’S 3, 958, respectively. The H200, the most potent Artificial device in the world, is 13 times faster than the H20, according to him.
The H20 is a relatively lean and mean system, according to published transactions. In a piece that was published in November, analyst Dylan Patel from Semianalysis.com claims that the H20 performs large language model ( LLM) reasoning, which can be used to produce content using very large datasets, over 20 % faster than the M100.
He claims that when evaluating the performance of the H100, people should take into account the MFU ( model FLOPs utilization ) rate, also known as the actual utilization rate.  ,
The H20 performs close to 50 % of as well in actual multi-GPU connection conditions as the H100 does because its MFU is just 38.1 % while its may reach 90 %.  ,
According to other technologies writers, H20 consumes less power than H100 because its thermal pattern power is 400 watts. In addition,  ,
Foreign markets and nbsp,
The A100 and H100 chips from Nvidia and AMD as well as the MI250 device from AMD were prohibited from being exported to China and Russia in August 2022 due to their high connection bandwidths—600 gigabytes per minute or higher—by the Biden administration.  ,
The A800 and H800 computers, which operate at 400 and 300 terabytes per minute, between, were eventually unveiled by Nvidia with a focus on the Chinese marketplaces. According to IT professionals, the A800 and H800 have efficiency rates that are roughly 70 % of those of an A100 and an H100, respectively.
The Bureau of Industry and Security ( BIS ) of the US Commerce Department announced on October 17 that restricted chips would now be categorized using “performance” and”performance density” as new criteria. The new regulations forbid the shipment of Nvidia’s A800, H800s, L40S, and RTX 4090 bits to China. Nvidia wants to ship H20 to the nation to close the resulting distance.
According to some experts, this new chip may be appealing to Chinese consumers if it can reach 50 % of H100’s speed while using 43 % less power than that.
Foreign buyers continue to be very interested in the H20 chip, according to Kuo Ming-Chi, a Chinese tech researcher at the Hong Kong-based TF International Securities Group Ltd.” Despite having less computing authority than the HP100, it will be priced more affordably, and it supports Nvidia’s unique features like NVLink and CUDA platforms.”
shrinking advantages over Chinese rivals
In an article published on December 30, a Liaoning-based blogger claims that while H20 still outperforms Chinese AI cards in terms of performance and efficiency, this benefit is eroding.  ,
According to him, many Chinese chip manufacturers are expanding rapidly thanks to Beijing’s policy and financial assistance, and they will eventually overthrow Nvidia in the market for AI chips.  ,
In fact, some Chinese technology companies have already switched to using local chips, such as the 910B and BR100 chips from Huawei and Biren, because they do n’t want to wait for Nvidia’s arrival.
The strain on Nvidia might increase. In a conference on December 2, United States Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that the US government will take control of any US company if it redesigns its chip to fit into the specific split line that allows Chinese firms to use AI the very next day.
It is possible that Raimondo will strengthen the trade restrictions even more if H20 achievement is able to match that of H100s by 50 %.  ,
Read: Raimondo criticizes Nvidia for supplies to China
At , @jeffpao3 is Jeff Pao’s Twitter account.