Chris Infotainment

China Launches Anti-Dumping and Anti-Discrimination Investigations Against U.S. Semiconductor Exports China has initiated two major investigations targeting U.S.-made analog chips, marking a significant step in its response to recent trade restrictions imposed by the United States. The move comes as part of a broader strategy to counter what Beijing perceives as unfair treatment of its semiconductor industry. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on July 13 that it had accepted an application from the Jiangsu Semiconductor Industry Association, representing domestic analog chip manufacturers, to launch an anti-dumping investigation. This formal process began after a preliminary review confirmed the validity of the application. The investigation will focus on general-purpose interface chips manufactured using processes of 40 nanometers (nm) or larger, which are imported from the U.S. These chips are essential components in various electronic devices, handling continuous analog si...

Sri Lanka Announces Key Policy Changes and Infrastructure Projects Sri Lanka has recently made several significant announcements regarding policy revisions, infrastructure development, and public service improvements. These decisions were approved by the Cabinet of Ministers following detailed discussions and recommendations from various government departments and officials. Revised Implementation Date for VAT on Digital Services The Value Added Tax (Amended) Act No. 4 of 2025 was initially set to impose VAT on digital services provided by non-resident individuals from October 1, 2025. However, due to practical challenges faced by these service providers, a request was made for an extension. In response, the Cabinet of Ministers approved an amendment to push the effective date to April 1, 2026. This change allows more time for non-resident suppliers to adjust to the new regulations, ensuring smoother implementation of the revised provisions within the VAT Act. Establishment of Cust...

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Suspends Licensing Operations for 30 Days The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has decided to temporarily suspend operations at its Personnel Licensing (PEL) Department for a period of 30 days. This decision is part of a broader initiative to implement a fully automated licensing system, aimed at modernizing the process and enhancing efficiency. In a statement released on August 22, 2025, Director General Emile N. Arao emphasized that the suspension would take immediate effect. He highlighted that this move is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate redundancies, improve operational efficiency, and provide applicants with a faster and more seamless service experience. “The modernization of our processes is essential to ensure that we deliver services that meet the evolving needs of the aviation sector,” said Arao. “This includes reducing delays and ensuring that all stakeholders benefit from a more streamlined and effective system.” As part of the t...

New Regulations to Control Mercury Use and Protect the Environment The use of mercury in industrial processes will be strictly controlled, and the construction of new mercury plants will no longer be permitted. This initiative aims to safeguard both the environment and public health by reducing mercury emissions and minimizing its presence in products and industrial activities. These new regulations are set to take effect on September 1 this year. The Industry Ministry has emphasized that the goal is to manage and decrease mercury emissions into the air while phasing out or reducing the use of mercury in various industrial applications. According to Industry Minister Akanat Promphan, these measures are essential for ensuring a safer environment and healthier communities. Mercury is a versatile element with numerous applications. It is commonly used in specific types of batteries, switches, relays, pesticides, and certain cosmetics—particularly skin-lightening creams. Additionally, s...

Strengthening Security and Addressing Water Challenges in Sindh The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, convened a high-level meeting to address critical issues in the Kachha areas of Larkana and Sukkur divisions, as well as pressing water supply challenges in Karachi. The meeting brought together key officials from various security and administrative departments, including the Corps Commander Karachi, Lieutenant General Owais Dastgir, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, Home Minister Zia Ul Hasan Lanjhar, and representatives from multiple law enforcement agencies. Combating Crime in the Kachha Areas The Chief Minister outlined a clear offensive strategy to combat crime in the Kachha regions, emphasizing the need for swift and decisive action against dacoits. He directed the police to confront these criminals, force them to surrender, and disarm them. The operation, which began in 2024, has seen significant progress, with 729 intelligence-based operations and 261 search and swe...

Suspension of Motorcycle Enforcement Campaign in Morocco On Thursday, a significant decision was made by the government to temporarily halt a campaign targeting motorcycles, following widespread public backlash. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, aimed at addressing the issue of illegally modified motorcycles that were being used to exceed speed limits. The campaign focused on motorcycles that had been altered to increase their speed capabilities. Authorities utilized advanced technology to monitor and measure the speed of these vehicles. According to the regulations, compliance was defined as not exceeding 58 km/h. Any motorcycle found to be traveling faster than this limit faced severe consequences. This included impounding the vehicle, filing a violation report, and forwarding the case to the public prosecutor. In addition, offenders could face financial penalties ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 dirhams, along with potential prison sentences of up to a ye...

Embracing Technology: A Call for Legal Professionals to Stay Relevant In an era where technology is reshaping every aspect of life, legal professionals are being urged to adapt or risk becoming obsolete. This call to action was made by Anthony Asiimwe, the vice president of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), during a significant event on Monday, August 18, 2025. The occasion marked the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between ULS and Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU), signaling a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing digital skills among legal practitioners. The MOU outlines a commitment from UTAMU to develop tailored training programs for ULS members. These programs will include continuing legal education (CLE) accredited courses, ensuring that legal professionals stay updated with the latest advancements in their field. Asiimwe emphasized that lawyers who fail to adopt technology may soon find themselves out of step with the evolving job market. He enc...

The Misconceptions Surrounding E-Bikes E-bikes are often portrayed as a threat to public safety, but this perception is largely based on outdated and inaccurate assumptions. It’s time we shift our focus from blaming e-bikes to understanding how they can be integrated into our communities in a safe and responsible way. Recent media coverage has highlighted growing concerns about e-bike usage, particularly in local parks and on sidewalks. Some communities have even introduced new regulations to limit their use, citing safety issues and the need for stricter controls. These discussions often involve elected officials who argue that e-bikes pose significant risks, especially to pedestrians and other cyclists. One common argument is that e-bikes should require age restrictions or licensing, similar to motor vehicles. For instance, a recent local news segment featured a mayor suggesting that e-bikes should only be allowed for those 16 years and older, drawing comparisons to the legal drivi...

TikTok Removes Over 1 Million Videos in Morocco in Q1 for Guideline Violations TikTok has taken significant action to enforce its community guidelines in Morocco during the first quarter of 2025. According to the platform’s latest transparency report, more than 1.04 million videos were deleted for violating these policies. This represents a notable increase compared to the 742,925 videos removed in the last quarter of 2024. The rise in content removals highlights a growing emphasis on maintaining a safe and responsible online environment. The “Community Guidelines Enforcement” report provided detailed insights into how TikTok manages content across different regions. It revealed that 98.9 percent of the removed content was taken down proactively—before any user reported it. This proactive approach demonstrates the platform's commitment to identifying and eliminating harmful or inappropriate material before it spreads widely. Furthermore, 92.1 percent of these videos were removed...

A New Era for Persons with Disabilities in Kenya The signing of the Persons with Disabilities Act by President William Ruto on May 8 marks a pivotal moment for Kenyans with disabilities. This legislation represents a significant step forward in fostering inclusion and ensuring that the rights of individuals with disabilities are protected, promoted, and monitored effectively. The new Act aligns closely with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, setting a strong foundation for future progress. Key Rights Established by the Act Part III of the Act outlines the comprehensive rights of persons with disabilities, expanding upon the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. It operationalizes Article 54, which was not explicitly addressed in the previous constitutional framework. The Act recognizes critical rights such as legal capacity, equality, freedom from discrimination, the right to marry and form a family, privacy, physical and mental integrity, human ...

Addressing the Legal Challenges of Deepfake Pornography in Hong Kong Hong Kong is facing a growing concern regarding the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) to create deepfake pornography. According to Senior Counsel Jose-Antonio Maurellet, chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, current laws are not adequately equipped to address this issue. He emphasizes the need for a targeted legal framework that specifically addresses the non-consensual creation and distribution of AI-generated images. Maurellet highlighted that existing legislation, while effective in other areas, may not be suitable for tackling the unique challenges posed by deepfakes. He pointed out that these laws were designed for different purposes, such as protecting data privacy or preventing the spread of harmful information. However, they do not account for scenarios where individuals use AI to generate explicit content without consent, often within smaller, private groups. The recent case involving a Universit...

A Crisis of Justice and Professional Integrity A health crisis is quietly unfolding, and it is not disease but policy injustice. Over 300 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) graduates, having completed their training and received official internship letters from the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK), are now in limbo. Their placements have been abruptly revoked by the Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, who claims that the offers were issued “before graduation.” This decision has sparked widespread concern among the affected nurses and their colleagues, leading to peaceful protests. The situation raises serious questions about due process, institutional respect, and the rule of law. The revocation of internships is not a matter of discipline but an abuse of power. Graduation is not a legal requirement for an internship. According to the Nurses Act (Cap 257) and NCK regulations, internship eligibility begins after completion of academic and clinical training, not after graduation cer...

The Need for a Medical Laboratory Science Council in Ghana Dr. Cephas K. Akortor, General Secretary of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU), has renewed calls for the establishment of a Medical Laboratory Science Council in Ghana. This initiative aims to ensure that professionals in the field have direct representation on national regulatory bodies, standard-setting agencies, and key health policy-making platforms. At the Fourth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society of Medical Laboratory Managers (SMLM)-Ghana in Ho, Dr. Akortor emphasized the importance of such a council. He argued that it would eliminate the need for third-party advocates who may not fully understand the complexities of the profession. Furthermore, he highlighted that this move would align Ghana with international best practices, where independent councils like the UK’s Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Canada’s Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario (MLPAO...