Sunak accepts responsibility for historic Tory defeat

BBC

Rishi Sunak has said he accepts responsibility for the Conservative Party’s historic general election defeat. Sir Keir Starmer has led the Labour Party to a landslide victory and will take over from Mr Sunak as the UK’s prime minister. Mr Sunak told supporters: “The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight, there is much to learn… and I take responsibility for the loss.”

Speaking in central London, Sir Keir said “change begins now”, adding “it feels good, I have to be honest”.

Taiwan reports more Chinese military activity, calls for de-escalation

Reuters

Taiwan on Friday reported renewed Chinese military activity nearby with another “combat patrol” as the government called on Beijing not to escalate tensions after the seizure of a Taiwanese fishing boat.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up its pressure over the past four years, both militarily and politically.

On Tuesday, Chinese officials boarded and detained a Taiwanese fishing boat for illegally operating in the country’s waters; in what a senior Taiwan official said may be act of psychological warfare.

Israel engages in ceasefire negotiations amid escalating conflict

CGTN

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized a delegation to engage in renewed negotiations with Hamas for a potential ceasefire and the release of hostages. The decision follows recent discussions with Qatari and Egyptian mediators and has received backing from the United States.

 Palestinians check residential buildings destroyed by Israeli warplanes in Gaza City, July 4, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in Gaza from ongoing Israeli attacks has surpassed 38,000, the Hamas-run health authorities said on Thursday. 

During a phone call on Thursday, President Joe Biden supported Netanyahu’s decision to engage in talks, emphasizing the importance of reaching an agreement, according to a readout of the conversation issued by the White House. Mossad chief David Barnea will lead the Israeli delegation, scheduled to travel to Qatar to meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, an Israeli official told The Times of Israel.

Thailand ramps up push into data centers

Nikkei Asia

Thailand is revving up its drive to become a major hub for data centers, luring both local and foreign tech companies to set up new sites in the nation amid the global boom in artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

The country’s Board of Investment in June approved two companies to develop large data centers in the kingdom worth a total of 10.4 billion baht ($280 million).