Month: July 2023

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Pakistan to woo gulf investments

The Diamer-Bhasha dam has also been offered to China for investment under CPEC….reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan’s new Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) — a hybrid civil-military forum — has approved 28 projects worth billions of dollars that would be offered to Gulf countries for investment, including the construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam and mining operations at Reko Diq in Balochistan’s Chagai district, the media reported.

The list of the approved projects suggests that if all the schemes are picked up by countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, the quantum of investment under the SIFC banner can be greater than the $28 billion under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Express Tribune reported.

Initially, the approved schemes are in the food, agriculture, information technology, mines and minerals, petroleum and power sectors. They include cattle farms; the $10 billion Saudi Aramco refinery; explorations of copper and gold in Chagai; and the Thar Coal Rail connectivity scheme.

The Diamer-Bhasha dam has also been offered to China for investment under CPEC.

In order to give legal cover to the SIFC working, parliament this week had approved a host of amendments to the Pakistan Army Act and the Board of Investment (BOI) Ordinance, Express Tribune reported.

Amendments to the Election Act have also been introduced to ensure the continuity of work on these schemes during the tenure of the caretaker government.

These laws will provide fast track execution of the initially approved 28 multi-billion dollars’ investment projects, besides ensuring immunity to the decision-makers from any kind of investigation by various anti-graft bodies, Express Tribune reported.

ALSO READ: Pakistan teams up with Chinese firms for multibillion-dollar Saudi refinery project

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-Top News Asia News China

Controversy dogs PLA Rocket Forces

China has stepped up the anti-corruption purge into People’s Liberation Army Rocket Forces (PLARF)….reports Asian Lite News

Controversy dogs the PLA Rocket Forces over charges of corruption as the current and the past leadership of the PLARF is under investigation. The Rocket Force has been in the limelight for the past many weeks over the reported suicide of its deputy commander Wu Guohua as well as other missing commanders.

In a report on July 28, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) says that the PLARF’s current commander, Li Yuchao, and a past and present deputy, Zhang Zhenzhong and Liu Guangbin are being investigated by the Central Military Commission (CMC)’s anti-graft body, the Commission for Discipline Inspection. SCMP says that the senior commanders have been taken away for investigations.

Along with investigation over corruption, suspicion surrounds the conduct of the current commander, Li’s son who is studying in the US. There are allegations that he has shared sensitive information with the US.

India Narrative had reported earlier about the problems in the Rocket Force as well as the mysterious disappearance of the newly appointed foreign minister Qin Gang, who has now been officially relieved of his duties. The report had also mentioned that besides cleansing the PLARF of corruption, the Chinese government has also been fearing internal strife and an uprising in the PLA.

The PLA has been a major target of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive which has impacted dozens of senior officials in the military.

Chinese journalist Jennifer Zeng has reasoned that the anti-corruption drive has had a detrimental effect on the military and has resulted in demoralisation of the forces. She has even linked the problems in the PLARF to Xi’s increasing insecurity and perceived threats from the PLA after the failed coup in Moscow.

Xi had alluded, while taking over his third term in October 2022, that the country would build strong strategic deterrence – which many had understood as boosting China’s nuclear stockpile. There have been reports in the Western media over the last couple of years about China constructing nuclear missile silos in Gansu province to accommodate an increasing pile of nuclear weapons.

‘China’s faltering global image’

China’s international image as an economic powerhouse is faltering across high- and middle-income nations, Al Jazeera reported citing Pew Research Center survey.

The survey released on Thursday found largely unfavourable opinions on China. 67 per cent of respondents shared negative views about Beijing while 28 per cent had positive perceptions, Al Jazeera reported. More than 30,000 adults participated in the Pew survey which was conducted in 24 nations, including the United States, Mexico, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Israel, Nigeria, Japan and India. The negative views about China were largely concentrated in high-income nations like Australia, Sweden, South Korea and Japan.

The negative views regarding China were notably high in the United States, according to Al Jazeera report. 50 per cent of respondents in the US named China as the greatest threat to Washington in an open-ended question. Furthermore, 17 per cent of respondents named Moscow as a threat to Washington.

Respondents in nations like Indonesia, Nigeria, and Mexico expressed far more positive views of China, likely due to various factors, from its role in supplying 5G internet to middle-income nations to investments through projects like Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. In India, 67 per cent of respondents shared negative views of China.

33 per cent of respondents named China as the world’s top economic power while 42 per cent chose the United States, Al Jazeera reported citing the survey.

Meanwhile, China’s attempts to rebrand itself as a global peacemaker this year have also faltered even after it brokered a re-establishment of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Beijing also offered to play a similar role in Ukraine and Palestine.

Speaking to the Pew Research Center, 71 per cent of respondents said they think China “does not contribute to global peace and stability” while 23 per cent shared a positive opinion on Beijing’s diplomatic activities, Al Jazeera reported.

Another 57 per cent called China an interventionist in global affairs, according to Al Jazeera. The viewpoint of respondents is contrary to the image that China has tried to project that it does not get involved in domestic issues of other nations.

Meanwhile, several Chinese top leaders have pointed out that the Beijing economy is facing “new difficulties and challenges,” The Standard Media reported. The leaders highlighted the concerns in a meeting of the 24-person Politburo on Monday.

China’s highest-ranking officials gather annually at the end of July to review the economic situation before their traditional summer break in August. The leaders met in 2023 as the post-COVID recovery in the world’s second-largest economy was running out of steam, due in large part to sluggish consumer spending, The Standard Media reported.

The Politburo agreed on Monday that Beijing must “implement precise and effective macroeconomic regulation, strengthen countercyclical regulation and policy reserves,” according to state broadcaster CCTV. The meeting, headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, also called for efforts to expand domestic consumption and “adjust and optimize real estate policies in a timely manner.” (with inputs from agencies)

ALSO READ: US-Korea-Japan: Biden to host Asian allies in August

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-Top News Asia News

Will Balochistan heed PM’s plea on CPEC?

The prime minister also criticised the slow progress on the Gwadar port project, being built by China for maritime and naval use. …reports Asian Lite News

In a passionate speech in Balochistan on Thursday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Balochistan, the country’s largest and poorest province, has faced criminal negligence. Sharif was on a visit to the alienated south-western Pakistani province to inaugurate development projects, in a region that has one of the worst human development indices in the world.

Sharif, who like all mainstream Pakistani politicians is keen to exploit the vast natural resources of Balochistan, urged the Baloch community to support foreign investors instead of attacking them.

In a tweet, Sharif said: “Despite sporadic attempts here and there, Balochistan has been a victim of our collective neglect. The province has not progressed at par with other federating units, which is a shame”.

He took the opportunity to blame the Imran Khan government for damaging relations with foreign countries, particularly China. Sharif highlighted that the Chinese halted work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) due to disinterest by the previous government and also due to attacks on Chinese nationals. Besides blaming the previous government for the under-developed and poverty-ridden conditions of the Baloch, he also lamented the deadly attacks on Chinese nationals working on the massive transport corridor and infrastructure project.

The prime minister also criticised the slow progress on the Gwadar port project, being built by China for maritime and naval use. Sharif also highlighted how the Gwadar Export Zone had languished due to which the country was unable to conduct trade through the Gwadar port. He, however, did not mention that the Gwadar port faces mass opposition, where local people had organised protests and sit-ins for the past many years.

Pakistani Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir too was present during Sharif’s address along with other military officers–a clear indication that the Army and the Sharif government were working hand in glove. In fact Gen. Munir had recently paid a visit to China, where the well-being of CPEC and security for Chinese nationals was bound to have been discussed.

The Baloch community has been resisting Pakistan and China’s collaborative attempts to mine resources – gas, coal, copper and gold – from their province. Their demands for more rights and autonomy over their resources has turned into a deadly conflict between various armed organisations and the Pakistani Army.

The Baloch have been battling large-scale violation of human rights by Pakistani armed forces. This includes forcible abductions, custodial killings, torture and Death Squads. The masses also have been at the receiving end of military campaigns that involve the use of drones, helicopter gunships as well as aerial attacks.

A Baloch expert told India Narrative that Balochistan was not part of Pakistan, therefore, “any foreign country willing to invest in Balochistan should undertake such an initiative only after Balochistan is liberated”. He requested foreign investors not to invest in war-hit Balochistan because their investments would get impacted due to the conflict.

In repeated attacks in June, armed rebels set fire to dozens of trucks ferrying coal from Balochistan to Punjab. Even the Baloch women have joined the nationalist struggle. At least two women from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) have committed suicide bombings – one against the Confucious Institute killing the Chinese director and two other teachers, and the second one against a military convoy carrying senior Pakistani officers.

The opposition to Pakistani projects in Balochistan is being noted as far as Canada, where the mining giant Barrick Gold’s copper and gold project in a conflict-ridden Balochistan is being questioned.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

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-Top News ASEAN News Asia News

BIMSTEC grid connectivity to drive regional growth

Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka from South Asia and Thailand and Myanmar from the South-East Asian region have initiated the study on feasibility of BIMSTEC grid connectivity, writes Prithvi Shrestha

The countries associated with Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) come from South and South East Asian regions but they have aspirations to be inter-connected with electricity transmission lines.

Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka from South Asia and Thailand and Myanmar from the South-East Asian region are represented in the inter-regional grouping—BIMSTEC.

Some of these countries are bilaterally connected with the power transmission lines but no regional or inter-regional transmission line has been realised yet among these countries.

Now, these countries have initiated the study on feasibility of BIMSTEC grid connectivity.  “The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been given the task of carrying out technical evaluation of power grid infrastructure in each member countries,” Dirghyu Kumar Shrestha, chief of transmission directorate at Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the state-owned entity with monopoly in power grid infrastructure in the Himalayan country. “The task was handed over to the ADB about five months ago. It has been mandated to present its report within six to one year.”

According to him, the member countries will be required to provide data for the ADB study. The BIMSTEC countries have formed a BIMSTEC Grid Connectivity Coordinating Committee under which study is being undertaken, according to Nepal’s energy officials.

According to the joint statement issued after third meeting of the BIMSTEC energy ministers in Kathmandu in April last year, the ministers approved establishment of the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection Coordination Committee to implement the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishment of the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection and its Terms of Reference (ToR) signed by the BIMSTEC countries.

The ministers had also directed the coordination committee to conclude the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection Master Plan Study with the support of ADB at the earliest.

In August 2018, the countries in the group had signed the MoU for the establishment of the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection which entered into force in April 2019.

As per the MoU, BIMSTEC countries agreed to develop grid connectivity for power trade to provide reliable, secure and economic electricity supply. They also agreed to develop a transmission tariff framework for trading of electricity among the member countries.

The initiative is in tune with efforts to enhance the sub-regional connectivity among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) and BIMSTEC region, including in the area of energy.

Unsurprisingly, Nepal, India and Bangladesh are working to sign a tripartite agreement to enable export of 40MW of power to Bangladesh from Nepal through Indian territory as part of sub-regional cooperation, according to Nepali officials.   During the visit of Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to India in May-June, New Delhi agreed to facilitate export of power from Nepal to Bangladesh through the existing transmission infrastructure of India.

The India Narrative earlier reported that negotiation on tariff between Nepal and Bangladesh remains to be concluded.

Despite the aspiration for grid integration among BIMSTEC, several challenges remain. According to a report ‘BIMSTEC Energy Outlook-2035’ prepared by  the US-funded South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration (SARI/EI) in 2021, the energy trade infrastructure between South Asia and SouthEast Asia remains weak.

Within BIMSTEC, power grid interconnections are currently operational between India and Nepal, India and Bangladesh, India and Bhutan and Myanmar and Thailand.

There is an 11kV line from India, which supplies power to Myanmar’s border town of Tamu. However, the quantum of supply is very low, usually limited to a maximum of 3MW, the report says. Similarly, Tachileik, a town on the Myanmar border is supplied with electricity from Chaing Rai in Thailand.

Consequently, power grid interconnections in BIMSTEC are planned to be strengthened and expanded.  Nepal and India currently have a single cross border power line with capacity of 1,000MW while four high capacity cross border power lines have been planned.

According to the report, two 400kV cross border power lines have been planned between Bhutan and India and a 765kV power line between India and Bangladesh is also in the pipeline.

There is a plan to construct an overhead transmission line, from Madurai in India to Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, with a planned capacity of up to 1000 MW.

Sri Lankan Power and Energy Minister, Kanchana Wijesekara wrote on twitter on June 5 that regional energy integration with grid connectivity between Sri Lanka and India will be implemented by 2030.

Thailand and Myanmar had signed a MoU on energy in July 1997 in order to develop a partnership to purchase 1500 MW of electricity from Myanmar. However, the MoU expired in 2010 without any progress on the planned projects.

Grid connectivity in the BIMSTEC region, according to the SARI/EI report, will provide access to cheaper and diverse power sources.  With cross border electricity trade, it becomes possible for countries to access cheaper generation sources in neighbouring countries.

“Regional energy cooperation allows BIMSTEC member states with surplus electricity to sell to other Member States that require such energy, in a commercially profitable manner,” the report says.

Due to the difference in time zones, there is a diversity in the exact time of peak demand among the BIMSTEC member states. “This offers the possibility of meeting peak demand with less peak generation capacity coupled with cross border electricity trade, instead of each country trying to meet peak demand entirely on its own,” the report says.

However, they have a long way to go before benefiting from grid connectivity as even bilateral grid connectivity between the member countries has not been robust.  “Once India and Sri Lanka are connected with the grid, a mechanism can be developed where Nepal can sell the power to Sri Lanka,” said Shrestha, chief of transmission directorate at NEA. “Nepal can deliver a certain quantity of power to India while India can provide equivalent power to Sri Lanka from an Indian power substation close to Sri Lanka.”

According to Nepali officials and experts, India has a big role to play to facilitate the electricity trade among the BIMSTEC members as it is the biggest market for power and a big territory sitting in the middle of member countries which has to make its transmission infrastructure available to ensure trading of power among the member countries.

“While the member countries need to build high capacity transmission lines to enable large scale trading of power, creating an enabling environment for small scale transmission of power through the existing infrastructure is necessary to build confidence among the member countries that trading of large scale power is feasible,” Sher Singh Bhat, vice-chairperson of Nepal Energy Foundation, a non-government organisation working in the field of access to energy told India Narrative.

He added: “When power trade starts to take place even in limited quantum and legal hurdles are relaxed, it will also give boost to the efforts to invest more in transmission connectivity”.

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Business India News Tech Lite

India welcomes ‘chip’ players

The conference, with its theme ‘Catalysing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem,’ aims to unite global leaders from industry…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday promised 50 per cent financial assistance to players wishing to set up semiconductor manufacturing facility in the country.

Now technology firms will be given 50 per cent financial assistance to set up semiconductor manufacturing facilities in India, he said, adding, “We are continuously carrying out policy reforms to accelerate the growth of the country’s semiconductor sector”

He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating SemiconIndia 2023 at Mahatma Mandir here.

The conference, with its theme ‘Catalysing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem,’ aims to unite global leaders from industry, academia, and research sectors.

At the conference, PM Modi underlined the significance of the ongoing fourth industrial revolution, linking it with the aspirations of Indian society.

The Prime Minister emphasised India’s readiness to “address global apprehensions about raw materials and manpower”,  besides promising to work collaboratively with private sectors that have demonstrated remarkable growth and success.

Highlighting the country’s vast talent pool and skilled engineers, Modi stressed on the nation’s global responsibility and efforts to bolster the semiconductor sector.

He noted recent initiatives like the approval of the National Quantum Mission and the introduction of semiconductor courses in over 300 colleges, aiming to produce more than 100,000 design engineers within the next five years.

“The sector in which we have worked closely with private players has touched new heights. Be it the space sector or geospatial sector, we have got excellent results everywhere”, the Prime Minister emphasised. 

He also informed about the critical decisions taken on the basis of feedback received.

Prime Minister Modi talked about the increased incentive under the Semicon India Programme.

SemiconIndia 2023 served as a stage for industry heavyweights such as Foxconn, Micron, AMD, IBM, Marvell, Vedanta, LAM Research, NXP Semiconductors, and STMicroelectronics to illuminate India’s strides in establishing a competitive global semiconductor manufacturing and design hub.

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India News STARTUPS News Tech Lite

Google for startups accelerator invites applications

Google for Startups Accelerator (GFSA) is a three-month, equity-free programme that brings the best of Google’s programmes…reports Asian Lite News

Google on Thursday announced to invite applications for the eighth batch of its startup accelerator programme in India that aims to nurture startups looking to leverage the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).

“We are excited to invite AI-first startups from India between Seed to Series A stage to apply for the eighth cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator: India programme,” Google said.

Google for Startups Accelerator (GFSA) is a three-month, equity-free programme that brings the best of Google’s programmes, products, people, and technology to Indian tech startups leveraging AI/ML.

For the next batch, Google is looking for Indian AI-first startups working across different sectors to solve complex problems and tackle the toughest challenges in their industry. Applications for the programme are open until August 22.

Startups based in India working across different sectors using AI in their core solution or product, including generative AI are eligible to apply.

They should preferably be between Seed to Series A stages, according to Google.

The selected startups will receive hands-on mentorship, in addition to training on product, design, growth and leadership development.

The programme will conclude with a Demo Day to grow visibility within the ecosystem and founders can continue to receive support after the programme wraps through the Google for Startups alumni network.

In June 2023, the tech giant kick-started the seventh class with 20 Seed to Series A startups.

The batch is currently underway, and the startups are engaging with mentors and Google teams to address their technical, product, and business challenges.

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Business India News Travel

Air Asia-Air India Express merger gets nod

This marks a crucial step before the planned legal merger of the two entities can take place….reports Asian Lite News

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday gave its go ahead to the Tata Group’s initiative to merge the budget airline AIX Connect (previously known as AirAsia India) with Air India Express, a senior DGCA official confirmed to IANS.

This marks a crucial step before the planned legal merger of the two entities can take place.

“The airline has now received regulatory approvals to operate its flights under the ‘Air India Express’ branding. This development marks a significant fast-tracking of the integration efforts, including harmonisation of customer touch points, products, and services across both airlines,” the airline said in a statement.

“The approval from the regulator allows both Air India Express Ltd (AIXL) and AIX Connect (AIXC) flights to be marketed, distributed and operated under a common brand name ‘Air India Express’, prior to the subsequent scheduled legal merger of the two entities,” it said.

“The proposal to synergise the consumer offerings under a unified and renewed brand within the next few months demonstrates the commitment to a superlative customer promise, streamlining product and service standards and unlocking synergies between the two companies,” it further said.

Earlier this month, ‘Xpress Ahead’ priority services were extended as an ancillary add-on to guests of both airlines, offering priority check-in, boarding and baggage. Both airlines will also be synergising a host of other ancillary add-on services and common sub-brands.

AIXL currently operates flights from 20 Indian cities to 14 regional international destinations, while AIXC serves 19 domestic destinations, complementing each other’s networks to provide more extensive travel options for passengers.

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India News Tech Lite Technology

India’s electronic manufacturing exceeds $100 billion

Industrial Production.

The conference, under the theme ‘Catalysing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem’, will showcase India’s ambitious strategy…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed that India’s electronic manufacturing has exceeded $100 billion from $30 billion in 2014.

He made the revelation after officially opening the SemiconIndia 2023 here.

The conference, under the theme ‘Catalysing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem’, will showcase India’s ambitious strategy and policy in becoming a global nucleus for semiconductor design, manufacturing, and technology development.

In his address, Prime Minister Modi drew parallels between Moore’s Law, which predicts the exponential growth of technology, and India’s digital and electronic manufacturing sectors.

He informed the audience that India’s share in global electronic manufacturing has surged dramatically.

“In 2014, India’s electronic manufacturing was less than $30 billion, which has now exceeded $100 billion,” Modi revealed.

He also shared that the export of electronics and mobile devices had doubled in the last two years, while stressing the importance of gatherings like SemiconIndia as platforms where industry leaders and experts converge to exchange insights and updates.

“It is crucial for the synchronisation of our relationship,” Modi explained.

He expressed delight at the exhibition’s innovative displays and the sector’s vibrant energy, urging all attendees, particularly the youth, to explore the exhibition and understand the potential of new technology.

Reflecting on last year’s Semicon event, the Prime Minister remarked on the shift in the investment climate within a single year, from ‘Why invest in India’ to ‘Why not invest in India’.

“This directional change is the result of the industry leaders’ efforts,” Modi praised, as he commended their belief in India’s potential.

He lauded the industry leaders for aligning India’s aspirations and capabilities with their own future goals and dreams.

“India does not disappoint,” he declared.

Prime Minister Modi emphasised the extensive opportunities in 21st century India, highlighting the nation’s democracy, demography, and dividend as strong indicators for business expansion.

Providing further insight into India’s technological progress since 2014, the Prime Minister reported a notable increase in the number of mobile manufacturing units, broadband users, and internet connections.

He maintained that these statistics signify not only India’s progress but also burgeoning business opportunities.

“The world is witnessing the Industry 4.0 revolution today,” Modi noted, asserting that Indian aspirations are the driving force behind the country’s development.

He stressed the rapid decline in poverty rates, the emergence of a new middle class, and the growing adoption of technology among Indian consumers as key factors fostering the consumption of digital products.

“The growing neo-middle class of India has become the powerhouse of Indian aspirations,” the Prime Minister affirmed.

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Business Dubai Tech Lite

Samsung launches Galaxy Open Market pop-up at Dubai Mall

The pop-up store at the world’s largest mall is now open until August 28th, allowing visitors and fans to experience the newly unveiled devices…reports Asian Lite News

Samsung Gulf Electronics has launched an interactive Galaxy Open Market pop-up at the Dubai Mall to showcase its latest Galaxy devices following the July 26 Galaxy Unpacked event, which took place in South Korea. Under the theme ‘Join the Flip Side’, the new launches include the Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Tab S9 Series and the Galaxy Watch6 Series.

The pop-up store at the world’s largest mall is now open until August 28th, allowing visitors and fans to experience the newly unveiled devices. The interactive pop-up features numerous activities divided into various themed experiential zones to highlight key features of the latest Samsung devices.

At the FlexCam Selfie experiential zone, visitors can explore diverse selfie angles with the Galaxy Z Flip5, while at the gaming station, visitors can experience powerful gaming performance through various Z Fold5 and Tab S9 Ultra gaming kits, including a Mini Arcade and a Z Fold5 + Controller. The wellness zone will provide an experience around the Galaxy Watch6 Sleep Mode, including a sleep analysis and coaching guide to improve sleeping habits.

Lastly, a Galaxy Z Flip5 Customization zone will let the visitors customize the new Flex Window using their own selfies. They will be able to experience a variety of custom elements from the display and create a unique Flex Window  themselves.

Visitors will have the opportunity to earn points for visiting each of the different experience zones, which they can redeem for gifts on exit,. To keep the engagement factor intact, Samsung will also be hosting a series of competitions, photography masterclasses as well as daily workshops during the course of the pop-up.

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Business Tech Lite Technology

Artifact unveils AI-powered text-to-speech feature

To use the new feature, Artifact users will need to tap the play button in the bottom bar of any article. …reports Asian Lite News

Artifact, the AI-powered news app from Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger is adding a new AI-powered text-to-speech feature that will read users’ news articles.

The company is launching the feature in partnership with Speechify (a text-to-speech app) that will allow Artifact users to listen to news articles read aloud, reports TechCrunch.

The feature will not only provide a robotic-sounding voice but will also provide a variety of natural-sounding voices, including two celebrity voices — American Rapper Snoop Dogg and American Actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

To use the new feature, Artifact users will need to tap the play button in the bottom bar of any article. They can then choose a voice, accent, and speed to begin listening.

Users will be able to continue browsing the news while the article they’re listening to plays in the background.

According to the company, this will make it easier to use Artifact to catch up on the news while working out, commuting, or doing chores, the report mentioned.

Moreover, the company noted that all of the 30+ voices are free to use and that there are no plans to charge for them.

While they are currently only available in English, users can select from accents from the UK, Australia, Nigeria, and South Africa, according to the report.

In May, Artifact launched a new feature, allowing users to flag articles they think are clickbait.

Users can find the option to flag something as clickbait in the three dots menu in an article or by pressing and holding on to an article in their feed.

Along with Mark as clickbait feature, the company also launched other features, such as the ability to react to an article and share articles as images.

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