Thailand has confiscated 100,000 liters of diesel from a Malaysian company in Sadao, according to the New Straits Times report.

Key Points

• Thailand authorities have confiscated 100,000 liters of diesel linked to a Malaysian company in Sadao.
• The operation highlights ongoing efforts to combat illegal fuel smuggling across borders.
• The seized diesel was deemed unregistered, raising concerns about compliance with regulations and the impacts on the local market.

Seizure of Diesel in Sadao

Authorities in Thailand have recently seized 100,000 litres of diesel from a Malaysian company during an operation in Sadao, a border town known for its trade activities. The seizure was a result of a joint effort involving various law enforcement agencies, including customs and police. This action underscores Thailand’s commitment to addressing illegal fuel trafficking and ensuring compliance with local regulations. At the center of this operation was the discovery that the diesel was being transported without proper documentation, raising suspicions about its origin and intended use.

Implications of the Seizure

The seizure points to broader issues regarding fuel smuggling and illegal trade practices that threaten national security and economic integrity. It reflects the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in combating cross-border illicit activities. The illegal fuel market not only undermines local businesses but also poses significant risks to the environment and public safety. This incident highlights the importance of stringent regulatory measures to ensure that fuel distribution is conducted lawfully and transparently, reinforcing the value of collaboration between governmental agencies.

Future Actions and Consequences

Moving forward, Thai authorities will likely ramp up scrutiny and enforcement measures at border points to prevent future incidents. The repercussions for the involved Malaysian company may include substantial fines and legal proceedings, which serve as a warning to others engaging in similar practices. Further investigations could also examine the broader network involved in fuel smuggling, reinforcing Thailand’s stance against such operations. This incident not only serves to bolster enforcement efforts within the country but also positions Thailand as a proactive player in regional efforts to combat illicit trade.

Source : Thailand seizes 100,000 litres of diesel owned by Malaysian company in Sadao

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Frustrated Spectrum customers across the United States are once again asking, “Is Spectrum internet down?” as reports of service disruptions continue to surface in 2026, marking what some users on Reddit describe as the 17th outage of the year so far.

Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum, has faced a wave of connectivity complaints this year, with isolated and regional outages affecting internet, TV and voice services. While major national blackouts have not dominated headlines on April 7, real-time monitoring sites and social media reflect ongoing customer pain points, from prolonged downtime in specific neighborhoods to questions about reliability amid infrastructure upgrades and external incidents.

As of Tuesday evening, Downdetector.com showed no widespread national outage for Spectrum, with user reports hovering near baseline levels for broadband internet and Wi-Fi issues. However, scattered complaints persisted, including a user in an unspecified location reporting an outage since the previous afternoon with unclear restoration timelines from the company. Similar posts on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted day-two blackouts and calls for alternatives like Starlink.

Spectrum’s own support pages urge customers to check for outages via the My Spectrum app or by chatting with support. The company notes that services are typically restored within hours for many incidents, but frustration builds when communication lags. In one recent Reddit thread, a user detailed being offline from 4:34 p.m. one day until midday the next, attributing it to “maintenance” — a frequent explanation that leaves many unsatisfied.

Recent Incidents Highlight Pattern of Disruptions

Spectrum has dealt with several notable disruptions in early 2026. On April 2, thousands reported issues, with DownDetector spikes starting around 1:50 a.m. Eastern Time, primarily hitting broadband and Wi-Fi. Reports concentrated in metropolitan areas but extended to suburban and rural customers.

Just days earlier, an alleged criminal attack on fiber-optic lines in north Austin, Texas, near the Wells Branch neighborhood caused temporary outages for residential and business users. Spectrum confirmed crews worked to restore service, though not all customers regained connectivity immediately. Authorities investigated the incident as a deliberate cut to infrastructure.

In South Texas, a April outage tied to a third-party transport provider disrupted internet, voice and TV services in Corpus Christi, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley starting around 4:45 p.m. A spokesperson said service was restored by 6:30 p.m., describing it as a short interruption.

Earlier in the year, a January 6 outage linked to Charter nodes affected customers and downstream partners internationally, including in New York, Washington D.C., Houston and even overseas locations like Japan, Australia and South Korea. The disruption lasted roughly one hour and 10 minutes in total.

These events occur against a backdrop of Spectrum’s ambitious network upgrades aimed at delivering faster speeds — up to 10 Gbps in some areas. While the modernization promises better performance long-term, it has contributed to headaches during transitions, alongside factors like weather, power issues, equipment failures and occasional vandalism.

Customer Frustration Mounts Amid Broader Challenges

Spectrum serves millions with cable internet, TV and home phone bundles, but reliability concerns have fueled churn. In 2025, the company lost hundreds of thousands of internet and TV customers amid price hikes and fierce competition from fiber providers and fixed wireless options. Charter reported continued losses into early 2026, prompting strategic shifts, including workforce adjustments and service revamps.

Users on forums and social platforms voice common gripes: slow restoration updates, repeated “maintenance” explanations and questions about compensation. Spectrum has pledged automatic refunds for outages longer than two hours and same-day technician visits for qualifying complaints received before 5 p.m. Yet many report mixed experiences with follow-through.

One X user on April 7 tagged Spectrum, noting an outage since the prior day with an estimated restoration time that had already passed, calling communication “really poor.” Another declared it “day 2 of complete internet outage” and eyed satellite alternatives.

Geoblackout and other trackers showed modest reports in the last 24 hours as of April 7, with some concentration in Florida, Texas and Michigan in recent days. Individual zip code checks via Spectrum’s tools or third-party sites like spectrumoutage.org remain the best way for users to verify local status.

How to Check and Troubleshoot Spectrum Outages

Spectrum recommends several steps when service drops:

1. Verify an outage: Log into spectrum.net or the My Spectrum app and check the outage map or chat support with “Am I in an outage?”
2. Power cycle equipment: Unplug the modem and router for 30 seconds, then reconnect. Check lights on the devices for error patterns.
3. Test connections: Try a wired connection directly to the modem to isolate Wi-Fi issues.
4. Monitor alerts: Enable push notifications in the app for area-specific updates. Sign up for storm or maintenance alerts via the Spectrum Storm Center.
5. Contact support: Call 888-369-2408 (available 24/7) or visit a local store. For billing-related suspensions, payments can restore service within one to two hours.

If problems persist beyond two hours, customers may qualify for credits. Spectrum’s customer commitment page outlines these policies in detail.

Experts advise documenting downtime with screenshots of speed tests or app alerts, as this helps when requesting compensation.

What’s Next for Spectrum Customers?

Charter continues investing in its network to combat customer losses, including expanding fiber in select markets and enhancing Wi-Fi equipment. However, analysts note that competition remains intense, with providers like Google Fiber, AT&T and T-Mobile Home Internet gaining ground in many regions.

For now, customers in outage-prone areas are turning to mobile hotspots, public Wi-Fi or backup solutions while awaiting fixes. Spectrum has not issued a broad statement on April 7 activity, but its support resources emphasize proactive troubleshooting.

Users experiencing issues should first rule out local problems like router glitches or account billing holds before assuming a wider outage. With 2026 already seeing multiple incidents, many are watching closely to see if reliability improves as upgrades progress.

Spectrum officials have previously attributed some disruptions to external factors, including third-party providers and infrastructure tampering, while pledging faster response times.

As evening falls on April 7, the immediate picture shows no massive national meltdown, but the “again” in customer questions underscores a year of persistent challenges for one of America’s largest ISPs. Those relying on Spectrum for remote work, streaming or online schooling continue to hope for fewer interruptions ahead.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold represent the pinnacle of 2026 book-style foldables, pitting Samsung’s ultra-slim design and raw power against Google’s superior battery life, cameras and pure Android experience in a head-to-head battle that has divided reviewers and buyers since both devices launched last year.

Released in July 2025, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at $1,999 and quickly became known as the thinnest and lightest mainstream foldable yet. Google countered in October 2025 with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold at a more accessible $1,799 starting price. As of April 2026, both phones have received software updates, real-world testing and direct comparisons that highlight clear trade-offs rather than a single outright winner.

The most striking difference is physical design. Samsung engineered the Z Fold 7 to feel as close as possible to a traditional slab phone. It measures just 8.9mm thick when folded and an astonishing 4.2mm when unfolded, weighing only about 215-216 grams. Reviewers consistently praise how pocketable and comfortable it feels for all-day carry, describing it as transformative for first-time foldable users who previously found the category too bulky.

In contrast, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold remains noticeably thicker and heavier — over 40 grams more than the Z Fold 7 in many measurements. While still an improvement over earlier Pixel Folds, it does not match Samsung’s refinement in this area. Many testers say the weight difference becomes evident during prolonged use, especially when holding the device unfolded for media consumption or multitasking.

Display quality is competitive but favors Samsung slightly for everyday versatility. Both offer roughly 8-inch inner folding panels with 120Hz adaptive refresh rates and high peak brightness reaching 3,000 nits or more. The Z Fold 7’s 6.5-inch cover display features a taller 21:9 aspect ratio that many find more usable for one-handed operation compared with the Pixel’s 6.4-inch outer screen. Crease visibility has improved on both, but Samsung’s panel often edges out in outdoor visibility and color vibrancy according to side-by-side tests.

Performance leans toward Samsung. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, an overclocked flagship chip that delivers superior benchmark scores and smoother gaming. Paired with 12GB RAM (or 16GB on 1TB models), it handles demanding tasks like video editing and heavy multitasking with less thermal throttling. Google’s Tensor G5 in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold prioritizes AI efficiency over raw speed; it includes 16GB RAM standard and excels in on-device machine learning features, but falls behind in sustained performance for graphics-intensive games.

Battery life tells the opposite story. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold packs a larger 5,015mAh cell and routinely delivers longer endurance, often lasting well into a second day of moderate use. The Z Fold 7’s 4,400mAh battery is adequate for most users but frequently requires topping up by evening, especially with the inner display active. Charging speeds are modest on both — 25W wired for Samsung and 30W for Google — with wireless options available.

Camera systems showcase the brands’ traditional strengths. Samsung equips the Z Fold 7 with a 200MP main sensor that captures highly detailed shots and offers strong zoom capabilities. Reviewers note excellent low-light performance and natural colors in many conditions. Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold relies on computational photography magic, delivering cleaner, more vibrant and consistently color-accurate images, particularly in challenging lighting. While the Pixel’s hardware specs appear lower on paper, its AI-driven processing often produces more pleasing results for casual shooters and content creators. Video recording and specialized features like audio sync also tilt toward Google.

Software and multitasking represent another key divide. Samsung’s One UI 8 on Android 16 provides extensive customization, advanced split-screen and multi-window features that power users love. The Z Fold 7 feels optimized for productivity, with seamless app continuity when unfolding. Google’s stock-like Android experience on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers cleaner navigation, faster updates and deeper integration with Gemini AI tools. However, it lacks some of Samsung’s foldable-specific optimizations for heavy multitasking.

Durability and build quality favor Google in one important area: the Pixel 10 Pro Fold carries a full IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, making it more suitable for outdoor or dusty environments. Samsung’s Z Fold 7 improves on previous generations but stops at IP67/IP48-level protection in some reports. Both devices have enhanced hinge durability, though foldables in general still require careful handling.

Pricing and value depend on priorities. At $1,799, the base Pixel 10 Pro Fold undercuts the Z Fold 7’s $1,999 entry point and includes more RAM by default. Higher storage tiers widen the gap, with 1TB models pushing Samsung closer to $2,400. Trade-in deals and carrier promotions can narrow the difference, but Samsung commands a premium for its refined design.

Early 2026 reviews and user feedback reflect the split. Many who prioritize portability, performance and a premium feel lean toward the Galaxy Z Fold 7, calling it the best foldable for most people. Others praise the Pixel 10 Pro Fold for better battery life, cameras in real-world scenarios, durability and the pure Google experience at a lower price. Some buyers switch between both, using the Samsung for its slim profile and the Pixel for travel or photography.

Long-term software support favors Google, which typically delivers seven years of updates. Samsung has closed the gap significantly but still trails slightly in promised platform longevity. Both receive regular security patches and feature drops.

For buyers deciding in April 2026, the choice boils down to lifestyle. Frequent travelers or those who value a phone-like folded experience and top-tier performance should consider the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Users who need all-day battery, excellent computational photography, stronger dust/water resistance and seamless AI features may prefer the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Neither device is perfect. Foldables remain expensive, crease visibility persists to varying degrees, and repair costs are high. Yet both represent meaningful progress in making the category more practical for everyday users.

As the foldable market matures, Samsung continues to lead on hardware refinement while Google differentiates through software intelligence and value. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 currently holds a slight edge in most head-to-head reviews for its overall balance, but the Pixel 10 Pro Fold wins converts with its strengths in battery, cameras and affordability.

Prospective buyers should test both in-store if possible, as the feel of a foldable in hand often decides the winner more than specs alone. With trade-in programs and potential summer sales approaching, now remains an excellent time to evaluate which 2026 flagship foldable better suits individual needs.

The price of oil climbed above $111 a barrel on Tuesday as mounting anxiety over stalled diplomatic efforts in the Gulf pushed energy markets higher and left equities treading water.

Brent crude gained 1.6 per cent to $111.57 in early Asian trading, extending a rally that has seen the benchmark surge more than 50 per cent since Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas once flowed freely.

The immediate catalyst was Tehran’s rejection of a US peace proposal on Monday. Iran instead issued its own ten-point counter-plan, relayed through Pakistan, according to state media. Washington’s deadline for agreement expires at 1am UK time on Wednesday, and President Trump has made no secret of the consequences, warning that failure to reach a deal would see Iranian infrastructure reduced to rubble.

For businesses already grappling with elevated input costs, the prospect of a further escalation is deeply unwelcome. The International Energy Agency has described the strait’s closure as the most severe supply disruption in the history of the global oil market, with Brent futures touching nearly $120 a barrel last month when regional energy assets came under attack.

Some commodity analysts have gone further still, warning that a prolonged conflict could drive prices as high as $200 a barrel, a scenario that would dwarf the energy shocks of the 1970s and inflict serious damage on margins across transport, manufacturing and retail.

Stock markets reflected the uncertainty. The FTSE 100, reopening after the Easter break, was effectively flat at 10,425, whilst bourses in Frankfurt and Paris managed only modest gains. In Tokyo, the Nikkei closed barely changed.

Vasu Menon, managing director of investment strategy at OCBC in Singapore, captured the prevailing mood, noting that any US strikes on Iranian power infrastructure would represent a marked escalation, raising the spectre of retaliatory action against Gulf energy facilities.

For UK firms with exposure to global supply chains, the next 24 hours could prove decisive. A deal would offer some relief to energy markets; a breakdown in talks would almost certainly send oil prices sharply higher and deepen the squeeze on an already stretched global economy.

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.

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