Category: Auto Guid

Residents of the Philippines are increasingly turning to rooftop solar panels as electricity prices continue to soar, making solar energy one of the fastest-growing alternatives in the country, AzerNEWS reports.

According to reports, the Philippines’ largest electricity distributor, Meralco, recently raised power tariffs by 10% following the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, which pushed global energy prices higher. As a result, demand for residential solar systems has surged, with the Philippines emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for rooftop solar installations.

The average Filipino household now spends around 12% of its monthly income on electricity bills. Unlike many other Southeast Asian nations, the Philippines provides limited government subsidies for electricity, leaving consumers to pay some of the highest power prices in the region.

Homeowners say the falling cost of solar panels, combined with steadily rising electricity rates, has made investing in rooftop solar systems more financially attractive than ever. Many families expect to recover their installation costs within just a few years through lower monthly utility bills.

The Philippines receives abundant sunshine throughout the year, averaging 4.5 to 5.5 peak sun hours per day. This makes rooftop solar one of the country’s most effective renewable energy solutions, allowing many households to significantly reduce their dependence on the national power grid while lowering long-term energy costs.

The Senate of Kazakhstan has ratified two loan agreements with international financial institutions worth a combined $965 million, aimed at supporting the country’s budget and economic development, AzerNEWS reports.

The first agreement, signed in Astana on May 20, 2026, was concluded with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). Under the deal, Kazakhstan will receive a loan of 92.3 billion Japanese yen (approximately $575.9 million) with a repayment period of 11 years, including a five-year grace period.

The second agreement was signed with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as part of the Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Program. It provides Kazakhstan with an additional 62.4 billion Japanese yen (around $389.3 million) on the same terms-an 11-year maturity with a five-year grace period.

According to the Senate, the funds will be used to help finance the 2026 republican budget deficit, ensuring that the government can fully meet its fiscal commitments and continue implementing key social and economic programs.

An interesting fact is that both the IBRD and the AIIB are major international development institutions that regularly finance infrastructure, public sector reforms, and sustainable economic growth projects, helping countries maintain financial stability while investing in long-term development.

Allegations of financial misconduct at India’s Ram Temple in Ayodhya have triggered public anger, police investigations, and political controversy, casting a shadow over one of the country’s most prominent religious sites ahead of crucial state elections, AzerNEWS reports via Al Jazeera.

The controversy centers on claims that officials responsible for managing the temple embezzled donations worth potentially millions of dollars contributed by devotees.

The Ram Temple, inaugurated in January 2024 in a ceremony led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stands on the site where the 16th-century Babri Mosque once stood. The mosque was demolished by a Hindu mob in 1992, an event that sparked nationwide communal riots in which nearly 2,000 people-mostly Muslims-were killed.

For many Hindu devotees, the temple symbolizes a deeply significant religious and cultural milestone. However, the recent allegations have shaken public confidence.

“We have been betrayed [by the management], who have looted our faith, nothing less,” Ayodhya resident Brajesh Kumar told Al Jazeera. “Left to them, they will sell us all one day in the name of religion and stuff their own pockets.”

The allegations have prompted police investigations and arrests, while also fueling political debate in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, where elections are expected in the coming months.

The scandal has placed renewed scrutiny on the governance and financial oversight of one of India’s most significant religious institutions, with observers suggesting the controversy could influence both public opinion and the state’s political landscape.

China’s Ministry of Commerce has added 20 Japanese companies and organizations to its export control list for dual-use goods, tightening restrictions on technology and materials that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, AzerNEWS reports.

Under the new measures, Chinese companies will be prohibited from supplying dual-use products to the listed entities without prior approval from Chinese authorities.

Beijing said the decision was taken in response to what it described as Japan’s policy of “remilitarization”, citing growing defense cooperation and increased military spending in recent years.

The list includes several prominent organizations, such as the National Institute for Defense Studies of Japan, as well as subsidiaries of major Japanese corporations including Mitsubishi, Komatsu, and Fujitsu.

Dual-use goods cover a wide range of products-from advanced semiconductors and precision machine tools to specialized materials and software. These technologies are increasingly becoming a focal point of global geopolitical competition, as governments seek to protect strategic industries and limit the transfer of sensitive technologies with potential military applications.

A solo concert by Honoured Artist, soloist of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, Ilham Nazarov, has been successfully held at the Hall of Chamber and Organ Music, AzerNEWS reports.

The concert, titled “Countertenor,” was organised as part of the 2nd Opera Days project.

The holder of one of the rarest male voices in academic music, the countertenor voice Ilham Nazarov, demonstrated the uniqueness of his timbre from the very first pieces. This voice, distinguished by a combination of lightness, airiness, and high expressiveness, is considered one of the most unusual and rarely encountered in world operatic practice. It is precisely thanks to this that the artist confidently performs a highly complex repertoire spanning different eras and styles.

The concert was opened by Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies, Professor, Honoured Art Worker Zumrud Dadashehade. She spoke about the singer’s artistic journey, his professional achievements, and the significance of the rare countertenor voice in contemporary musical art, congratulating the artist on his successful performance.

From classical works of world and Azerbaijani music to vivid pages of vocal art from various styles, the evening’s program demonstrated the artist’s extraordinary talent and high level of vocal mastery, turning each piece into an emotionally rich story.

Musical accompaniment was provided by the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra named after Gara Garayev under the baton of Honoured Artist, maestro Ayyub Guliyev. The precise and sensitive interaction between the orchestra and the soloist gave the program special cohesion and dramatic expressiveness.

A special highlight of the evening was the performance of Honoured Artist Farida Mammadova. The duets of the soloists became the climax of the concert and received an especially warm response from the audience thanks to the harmonious combination of voices and expressive musical palette.

The performers’ appearances were consistently met with prolonged applause.

The concert became one of the most vivid events of the 2nd Opera Days, once again confirming that classical music in live performance continues to resonate with modern audiences and retains its emotional power.

The 2nd Opera Days project will conclude on June 30 with the premiere of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Otello,” which will serve as the final chord of the musical forum.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.

A delegation led by Vandet Chea, Cambodia’s Minister of Post and Telecommunications, has paid a visit to Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the Public Relations Department of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the visit was organized within the framework of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the State Agency and the Cambodian side in 2025.

The purpose of the visit is to gain first-hand insight into the operations of the ASAN Service model and to discuss the application of Azerbaijan’s advanced public service delivery practices in Cambodia.

The delegation visited the Victory Monument and the Alley of Martyrs, honoring the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The guests also visited ASAN Service Center, where the Chairman of the State Agency, Ulvi Mehdiyev, provided a detailed overview of the ASAN Service model, established at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev. He highlighted its citizen-centered approach, innovative solutions in public service delivery, and noted that Azerbaijan’s intellectual brand has been exported to more than 30 countries, including nations in Southeast Asia.

Minister Vandet Chea highly praised the ASAN Service experience, expressing his intention to introduce the successful model in Cambodia in the near future and emphasizing that the necessary steps would be taken to achieve this goal.

As part of the visit, representatives of the State Agency’s various structural divisions delivered comprehensive presentations on public service design, data-driven decision-making mechanisms implemented within ASAN Service, and other areas of expertise.

A century after the events that reshaped the intellectual map of the entire Turkic world, the First Turkological Congress in Baku is no longer perceived merely as an academic gathering of the interwar era. It stands instead as a decisive turning point in the history of twentieth-century humanistic thought.

Today, its legacy is discussed within academic circles, as well as in the broader political and cultural context of modern Azerbaijan and the wider Turkic world, where questions of language, identity, and cultural continuity have once again acquired strategic significance.

The First Turkological Congress,officially the First All-Union Turkological Congress opened on 26 February 1926 in Baku and continued until 6 March. Its venue was the emblematic Ismailiyya Palace, already regarded at the time as one of the city’s principal intellectual and civic landmarks.

The congress brought together 131 delegates: scholars, philologists, historians, ethnographers, writers, and public intellectuals from various Turkic-speaking regions of the Soviet Union, alongside invited international guests.

The proceedings were chaired by Samad aga Agamalioglu, Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Azerbaijan SSR. The Presidium itself reflected the congress’s ambition: to construct a trans-Turkic scholarly platform within a shared intellectual space that transcended regional boundaries.

To grasp the significance of the congress, one must recall the intellectual atmosphere of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The question of script reform had long predated 1926. As early as the nineteenth century, the Azerbaijani thinker Mirza Fatali Akhundov had already raised the issue of reforming the Arabic script, proposing alternatives better suited to phonetic clarity and educational accessibility.

Later, reformist linguistic and cultural ideas were further developed by Jalil Mammadguluzade, Firidun bey Kocharli, Muhammad agha Shakhtakhtli, and others. By the early 1920s, Soviet Azerbaijan had already established commissions dedicated to Latinization, while newspapers began experimenting with the new alphabet.

In this sense, Baku in 1926 was not an accidental host city, but a genuine laboratory of linguistic modernization.

Over seventeen sessions, approximately thirty-eight reports were presented, covering a wide disciplinary spectrum,from historical linguistics and ethnography to pedagogy and terminological systems. Seven major thematic clusters structured the debates: alphabet reform, orthography, terminology, educational methodology, interlingual relations, literary standards, and the historical origins of Turkic languages.

Particular emphasis was placed on the transition to the Latin script. It was in Baku that the methodological and theoretical foundations of Latinization were articulated in a systematic form, later influencing language policy across multiple Soviet republics.

At the same time, the congress embodied the tensions of its era: between scholarly modernization and political instrumentalization, between intellectual universalism and emerging state-driven cultural engineering.

One of the most tangible outcomes of the congress was the Latinization movement among Turkic peoples. By 1929, the use of the Arabic script had been officially discontinued in several Soviet regions. However, by the late 1930s, a new reversal took place: the introduction of Cyrillic scripts, which effectively displaced many of the earlier reforms of the 1920s.

Thus, the ideas debated in Baku were only partially realized and later reshaped under shifting political conditions.

This year marks the centenary of the First All-Union Turkological Congress held in Baku. In Azerbaijan, Turkic Week is being held, featuring academic conferences, exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events dedicated to the legacy of the congress and the development of Turkology.

Within its framework, scholars and cultural figures discuss shared heritage, language policy, and academic cooperation among Turkic states.

Historians today view the First Turkological Congress as a complex phenomenon in which scholarly advancement and the ideological currents of its time were deeply intertwined. On one hand, it served as a foundational platform for linguistics, ethnography, and literary studies. On the other, it was embedded in the broader political transformations of the twentieth century, which profoundly affected languages, scripts, and intellectual traditions.

In April, a one Christopher Okello Oyum was charged with four counts of murder when he was alleged to have killed, with malice aforethought, four infants at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre. He did not deny killing the children but stated that he did not act intentionally or deliberately, as he was suffering from a mental disease that was undetected when he was subjected to a mental health examination. During the trial, Okello stated that he was under the control of some people, whom he did not identify to court. This was the essence of his defence of insanity.

The defence of insanity seeks to do away with an essential requirement of malice aforethought, which is an ingredient of murder that must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. The insanity defence seeks to prove that the accused person did not have the intention to cause death or did not have the knowledge that such an act or omission would cause death. The onus was, therefore, on court to establish whether or not Okello was suffering from the disease of the mind when he killed the four infants, and whether or not he knew what he was doing was wrong by reason of that disease of the mind.

To court, Okello was the only person who testified that he had a mental illness when he killed the children. He did not, however, say the illness he was suffering from apart from the claim that he was under immense stress between January and March. To court, Okello seemed to be withholding information, especially when it came to disclosing the identities of the people who put him under stress. Apart from this claim, in court, there was no other evidence adduced to prove that Okello had a disease of the mind that would have availed him the defence of insanity.

Okello’s lawyers vehemently argued that the prosecution had failed to prove that when the offences were committed, Okello was of sound mind. To court this argument was not legally backed and was misguided, as it was Okello and his lawyers who raised the insanity as a defence and as such, the burden shifted to him in light of the presumption of sanity under the law.

Okello’s lawyers further insisted that there was evidence on record of Okello’s mental illness, and this came from the police psychiatrist, who examined him on April 7. The evidence indicated that Okello had a previous admission to Butabika National Mental Referral Hospital. However, on the day the psychiatrist examined him, Okello had normal behaviour, was calm and cooperative, and his speech was coherent. The doctor noted that his memory was intact and he exhibited good judgment. His thought process and content were normal, although he believed in obtaining wealth through human sacrifice. He was able to explain to the doctor that he got the idea when he recalled childhood folktales of getting wealth by sacrificing people.

The doctor also noted that Okello had a history of past mental illness and that between 2016 and 2025, he was treated for schizophrenia, which was associated with both auditory and visual hallucinations. Okello had apparently killed a younger brother some 10 years earlier, apparently to save him from the troubles of this world. He had also attempted suicide in 2023. To the doctor, the findings were suggestive of a mental condition with psychotic episodes. The doctor recommended that further mental assessment was necessary as there were no independent medical records to back Okello’s narrative; Okello was the sole source of this information.

Court observed that in the records of the psychiatrist, Butabika was not mentioned anywhere. When giving his defence, Okello never mentioned ever being admitted in Butabika. The only witness in the entire trial who made mention of the mental hospital was his elder brother, who testified that in 2020, he was made to understand that Okello was at the mental hospital. He told court that when he inquired why his brother was in Butabika, he was told by the officer-in-charge at the hospital that his brother’s case was very sensitive and declined to provide any further information. He further stated he left without knowing why his brother was admitted.

The prosecution alleged that Okello had murdered his younger half-brother called Freeman, and to escape criminal culpability, he was taken to the mental hospital to make it appear that the killing had been a result of a mental illness. It was from here that Okello was whisked to the US, where he stayed until 2025 when he returned to Uganda. Court found this argument persuasive and a likely explanation for concealing Okello’s illness from his brother. And to the court, there was no reason or justification as to why Okello did not mention his admission to Butabika to the police doctor or to any other person.

Okello’s elder brother told court that although they were siblings, they did not relate closely, and that he had not seen Okello in the past five years, but only saw him upon his arrest at the police station. He, further, did not confirm to the court that Okello had a known mental illness. In the absence of any medical records to show that Okello truly had a mental illness, court expected at least a family member of Okello to speak about his mental illness.

Kampala’s dining scene has evolved considerably over the past decade, with themed restaurants and specialty dining experiences becoming increasingly common. Among the establishments that have carved out a niche for themselves is Shisa Nyama Village in Bugolobi, Kampala, a venue inspired by South Africa’s famous braai culture.

For those unfamiliar with the term, ‘Shisa Nyama’ is a South African phrase that roughly translates to ‘burn meat’ and refers to the communal tradition of gathering around open flames to grill meat while enjoying drinks, conversation and music. It is less about fine dining and more about creating a social experience centred around food.

Ambience

Shisa Nyama Village embraces this philosophy from the moment one walks in. The restaurant’s layout is refreshingly uncomplicated. An open-plan design creates an informal atmosphere, while floor-to-ceiling shades provide protection from the afternoon sun without sacrificing the airy feel of the space.

One side of the venue is dominated by large high tables paired with cocktail bar stools capable of accommodating larger groups. These communal-style seating arrangements encourage interaction and make the venue particularly suitable for after-work gatherings, weekend meet-ups and celebrations. The opposite side features more traditional dining tables, offering a slightly more conventional restaurant experience for smaller groups and families.

A notable feature is a secluded section known as ‘The Cellar.’ While its original intention may have been as a whisky lounge, it now serves as a quieter retreat from the bustle of the main dining area and offers potential for private functions or intimate gatherings. The bar is a major focal point. A cocktail station occupies one side of the restaurant, while a traditional bar anchors the far end. Together they reinforce the establishment’s identity as both a dining destination and a social venue.

The menu

The menu follows the expected Shisa Nyama formula. Grilled meats take centre stage, accompanied by the familiar assortment of sides and comfort dishes one would expect from a braai-inspired restaurant. While the offering may not be particularly adventurous, it succeeds in delivering what patrons visit for; generous portions of well-prepared grilled meat in a lively atmosphere. The venue’s meat platters remain among the most popular choices for groups, complemented by a broad selection of cocktails and beverages.

The service

Service is generally attentive and professional. Staff members are friendly and willing to engage with guests, contributing positively to the overall experience. However, like many popular establishments in Kampala, service can become stretched during peak periods. On especially busy evenings, longer waiting times are to be expected.

The restrooms deserve mention. Located at the rear of the property, they are spacious, clean and well-maintained; a detail often overlooked in restaurant reviews but one that significantly contributes to customer comfort. Pricing sits toward the higher end of Kampala’s casual dining market.

Diners looking for budget-friendly meals may find the cost difficult to justify, particularly when compared to traditional nyama choma joints. However, those paying for the complete experience; ambience, location, cocktails and social atmosphere, are likely to view the premium more favourably.

Ultimately, Shisa Nyama Village is not attempting to be a fine-dining destination. Instead, it succeeds as a contemporary social venue that blends South African braai culture with Kampala’s vibrant nightlife. It is a place where food, drinks and conversation share equal importance.

Ratings

Food: 7.5/10

Service: 7/10

Ambience: 8/10

Value for Money: 6.5/10

Overall: 7.5/10

American music star Taylor Swift has made history as the youngest woman ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The 36-year-old singer received the honour on Thursday night at the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony in New York City, where she was joined by her parents, Andrea and Scott Swift, and her partner, Travis Kelce.

Swift became emotional during her acceptance speech as she reflected on her long journey in music and the sacrifices her family made to support her career.

The Grammy-winning singer recalled how her parents moved the family from Pennsylvania to Nashville when they realised her passion for songwriting was not just a passing dream.

She said it was easy for her to choose songwriting, but admitted that it could not have been easy for her family to uproot their lives so she could pursue music in Nashville, widely regarded as America’s songwriting capital.

Swift paused at one point as she fought back tears before looking towards her parents and saying: “You’re the reason I’m here tonight.”

The emotional moment drew applause from the audience, as the singer used the night not only to celebrate her achievement but also to acknowledge the family support behind her rise.

Swift was introduced at the ceremony by legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, whom she had personally requested to induct her.

The singer said she was surprised and grateful when Spielberg agreed to honour her at the event, despite his busy schedule.

She also recalled a line from Spielberg’s wife, Kate Capshaw, who told her: “Good and true things are easy.”

In her speech, Swift looked back on more than two decades in the music industry, speaking about the pressure, criticism, public scrutiny, world tours and industry battles that have shaped her career.

But despite the difficult moments, she said songwriting remained the one thing that always felt natural to her.

Swift described songwriting as “the easiest thing I ever did,” even though she admitted that the process could also be demanding and frustrating.

Before she took the stage, singer Sombr performed a tribute to her with renditions of some of her songs, including Dear John and Cardigan. Swift later described the performance as “perfect.”

Her induction places her among the most celebrated songwriters in modern music.

Other artistes inducted in the 2026 class include Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, Walter Afanasieff, Terry Britten, Graham Lyle and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart.

Swift, who released her debut album in 2006, has gone on to become one of the most successful artistes of her generation, with multiple Grammy Awards, record-breaking albums and sold-out world tours.

But on Thursday night, the singer made it clear that behind the fame, awards and global success was a family that believed in her dream early enough to make sacrifices for it.