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Tag: asia

  • Viettel Cyber Security’s Free Service Uncovers Risks for Philippine Businesses

    Viettel Cyber Security’s Free Service Uncovers Risks for Philippine Businesses

    In response to the growing need for enhanced cybersecurity, Viettel Cyber Security (VCS) has launched a free, innovative cyber threat check service specifically designed for businesses in the Philippines.

    The service provides real-time alerts on threats such as data breaches and compromised company accounts, along with personalized recommendations. Customers can access the service by simply entering their domain, allowing the system to conduct an automated scan.

    The VCS free cyber threat check quickly evaluates a company’s cybersecurity status. Within minutes, businesses receive a detailed report outlining vulnerabilities and risks, complete with metrics, severity scores based on asset value and threat intensity, and actionable recommendations from VCS. This real-time, no-cost service offers expert insights, helping companies of all sizes proactively protect their digital assets, prioritize critical risks, and strengthen their defenses—without the need for complex setup.

    The VCS free cyber threat check report offers essential insights into cybersecurity risks, helping businesses identify and address potential vulnerabilities. The report detects:

    • Compromised Accounts: Provides details on any compromised accounts associated with the organization.
    • Data Leaks: Supplies information on data breaches that may have exposed sensitive information.
    • Brand Phishing: Identifies fraudulent websites and phishing attempts that imitate the organization’s brand.
    • Impersonation Threats: Detects unauthorized entities attempting to impersonate the brand or business.
    • Unusual Open Ports: Highlights any open ports that could pose security risks.
    • Malware Infections: Identifies systems within the organization that may be infected with malicious software.
    • Web Security and Protocol Configuration: Assesses the security settings of the company’s web assets.

    After completing the scan, VCS compiles the findings and offers customized recommendations, including actionable solutions for each identified vulnerability. This detailed report helps businesses proactively enhance their cybersecurity measures and effectively manage risks.

  • Vietnam durian exports to China surpass Thailand’s

    Vietnam durian exports to China surpass Thailand’s

    Vietnam exported 177,000 tons of durians worth US$640.72 million to China in September, surpassing Thailand as the top supplier of the fruit to that market.

    China spent $894.58 million in all to import 228,000 tons of durian in September, with Vietnam accounting for 77.6% of it, Thanh Nien newspaper reported last Thursday, citing data from China’s General Administration of Customs.

    But Thailand remained the leader in the first nine months, exporting nearly 755,000 tons of the fruit worth $3.73 billion, accounting for 54.7%, according to Dan tri online newspaper. But the figures represented year-on-year declines of 14.1% in volume and 13.3% in value.

    During the period Vietnam shipped 618,000 tons worth $2.45 billion, up 72.2% in volume and 57.3% in value.

    According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, Vietnam typically has an edge over Thailand around year-end when it has off-season durian to export to China unlike Thailand, whose harvest ends well before that.

    He said Chinese demand also rises at that time as consumers ramp up purchases for the year-end holidays and the Lunar New Year.

    Vietnam enjoys transport advantages such as road and rail links with China, which helps its exporters save time and costs, he added.

    In a bid to boost its competitiveness, Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency recently rolled out a project called One Tambon, One Digital that aims enhance durian farmers’ productivity, strengthen consumer trust in Thai durians, and promote high-value products on a global scale, particularly amid competition from China and nearby nations, the Bangkok Post reported.

    The initiative will help over 6,100 farming households adopt digital platforms to record cultivation data and train 12,200 farmers in 23 provinces in e-commerce and Good Agricultural Practices, which is required to export durian.

    The country has 163,200 hectares under durian, and grows 1.53 million tons of the fruit annually.

    Durian accounted for 69% of its fruit exports in 2023, with China being the primary export market.

    Vietnam shipped 500,000 tons of durian worth $2.3 billion that year, with 90% going to China. It has 154,000 ha under the fruit and an output of 1.2 million tons.

    It previously surpassed Thailand in durian exports to China earlier this year, shipping 32,750 tons in the first two months of 2024. Thailand’s exports in the same period plunged by half to 19,000 tons.

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  • Vietnam’s 100 best places to work in 2024

    Vietnam’s 100 best places to work in 2024

    The Vietnam 100 Best Places to Work list for 2024 features familiar names such as Unilever and Vingroup, while Danish toy maker Lego and property developer Capitaland make their debuts.

    Unilever Vietnam maintained its top position in the large business section in the 11th annual list released by recruitment consultancy Anphabe and market researcher Intage.

    The British company’s open workplace environment and emphasis on lifelong learning programs align with its sustainable development goals, Anphabe said.

    Others in the top 10 include Vingroup, U.S. healthcare solutions provider Abbott, Japanese food manufacturer Acecook Vietnam, U.S. beverage maker Coca-cola, and tech giant FPT.

    In the medium-sized business section, U.S. beverage maker PepsiCo Food Vietnam ranked first for a second straight year.

    The company is hailed as having a dynamic and innovative work environment, with robust training programs and attractive benefit policies.

    Lego, pharmaceutical firm Imexpharm and Singapore’s Capitaland Development Vietnam are some new names in the list.

    The list is based on evaluations of 700 businesses in 18 sectors by polling 65,000 employees.

    The researchers also conducted in-depth interviews with 253 company CEOs and human resource directors to evaluate their talent recruitment and retention strategies.

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  • Apple says it will invest $100 million in Indonesia if the country ends iPhone 16 sales ban

    Apple says it will invest $100 million in Indonesia if the country ends iPhone 16 sales ban

    Back in October 2024 word got out that Apple was facing an iPhone 16 sales ban in Indonesia. Ministers in the country demanded that Apple renew a certificate that is issued when at least 40% of the components used in a device sold in Indonesia are sourced from the country. The last certificate Apple received for the iPhone has expired and needs to be renewed. To renew the certificate Apple will need to work out deals with local manufacturers, develop an app in the country, or work out an innovation development scheme.

    Apple is also a little shy of the investment in the country it previously promised which was supposed to add up to 1.71 trillion rupiah ($109.6 million). Thus far, Apple has invested 1.48 trillion rupiah ($94.53 million) in Indonesia which is slightly short of the amount the tech giant said it would invest. As a result, Apple has been unable to sell any of the four new iPhone 16 models in Indonesia and that will continue to be the case until Apple agrees to increase its investment in the country and receive a new certificate.

    Apple has started to work out an innovation development scheme by creating Apple Academies in the area. So far three of these have been built with a fourth one announced last April. The Academies are for aspiring app developers.

    With the sales ban, those Indonesians wanting to buy an iPhone 16 model will have to pick up the device overseas and at the same time, add on an import fee. The base iPhone 16 model, priced at S$1,299 ($994) will require an additional import fee of $155 to bring the phone from Singapore to Indonesia.

    According to a new report, Apple has increased its offer to invest $100 million in Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, over the next two years. That is a huge increase of 10 times Apple’s previous proposal to invest $10 million in a factory in Bandung, located southeast of Jakarta, that would make accessories and components. While Indonesia has yet to give an answer to Apple’s latest proposal, the Ministry of Industry wants Apple to focus more on research and development for the iPhones released in the country.

    Indonesia has also blocked the sale of Google’s Pixel 9 handsets in the country for a similar lack of investment in the country on Google’s part. There is plenty of potential for both Apple and Google to make thins right in Indonesia. More than half of the country’s population of 278 million consumers is under 44 years old and is considered tech savvy.

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  • Vietnam gold price’s rally continues as global rates jump

    Vietnam gold price’s rally continues as global rates jump

    Gold prices in Vietnam continued to rise Tuesday as global rates surged to a one-week high.

    Saigon Jewelry Company gold bar price went up 1.19% to VND85 million (US$3,345.80) per tael.

    Gold ring gained 1.08% to VND84 million per tael. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.

    Globally gold prices climbed to a one-week high on Tuesday, buoyed by a softer U.S. dollar, while the market awaited comments from Federal Reserve officials for cues on the U.S. interest rate outlook, Reuters reported.

    Spot gold rose 0.4% to $2,623.54 per ounce, the highest since Nov. 12. Prices rose 2% on Monday.

    U.S. gold futures gained 0.5% to $2,627.60.

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  • Google Chat voice messaging rolls out to free personal Gmail accounts on Android, iOS, and the web

    Google Chat voice messaging rolls out to free personal Gmail accounts on Android, iOS, and the web

    Google Chat is adding voice messaging for personal Gmail accounts after launching on Workspace earlier this year. This new feature lets you send voice messages to friends and family right from your Gmail inbox. But with so many Google chat apps, you might be wondering what Google Chat is exactly, and how it’s different from the others.

    Google Chat is a communication platform that allows you to send messages, make video calls, and share files with other users. Think of it as Google’s answer to Slack or Microsoft Teams. You can use Google Chat for one-on-one conversations or group chats. It’s integrated into Gmail, so you can easily access it from your inbox.

    Now, you might be thinking, “Wait, doesn’t Gmail already have Google Meet and Spaces?” And you’re right, it does. However, Google Chat is a separate platform with its own unique features. Google Meet is primarily for video conferencing, while Spaces is more for threaded conversations and project collaboration. Google Chat, on the other hand, is designed for more instant, back-and-forth communication.

    With this update, Google Chat is getting a feature that’s already common in other messaging apps: voice messages. To use it, just tap the microphone icon in the bottom-right corner of a chat window. You’ll see a waveform and counter while recording, and you can listen to your message before sending it. Once you hit send, the recipient will see an inline waveform and get a transcript of your message after a few moments. This feature is available on Android, iOS, and the web version of Gmail.

    This update makes Google Chat a bit more versatile. It gives you another option for communicating with people, which can be especially handy if you’re on the go or if you prefer to talk rather than type.

    Personally, I think that Google Chat has its place in the workplace as a Slack competitor, but don’t see much use of it for personal accounts. Having multiple chat apps, all made by Google, can get a little bit confusing and brings on some PTSD from the whole Hangouts/Duo/Chat transition a few years back. I’m not sure if I’ll actually use the voice messaging feature, but hopefully it could be useful for some people. I’ll be interested to see if Google Chat eventually replaces another app in Google’s ecosystem of apps, or if it will continue to coexist among them.

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  • Can TikTok survive under Trump?

    Can TikTok survive under Trump?

    Whatever happens in the end – I mean, if TikTok gets banned in the US or not – many people will be disappointed. If TikTok gets banned in the Land of the free and the home of the brave, some will be concerned about the freedom of speech issue (and rightly so); but many will just mourn the loss of the 5-second funny cat videos.

    If TikTok does not get banned, many people will also be annoyed; they consider TikTok to be a soul-sucking Dementor’s Kiss, a kryptonite for the mind (I can relate to a certain degree).

    So, which one will it be? For the moment, it appears that TikTok is about to survive under Trump in the US. Well, well, well.

    TikTok’s outlook in the US has significantly brightened following Donald Trump’s re-election, according to industry experts and insiders, The South China Morning Post reports.

    Cameron Johnson, a senior partner at consultancy TidalWave Solutions, noted that the situation for TikTok now appears much more favorable.

    He believes that while the new Trump administration might still push for concessions like localizing data storage and management, an outright ban on the platform seems unlikely. Johnson suggested that TikTok’s role in shaping public sentiment may have played a part in Trump’s election success, which could discourage any drastic regulatory moves against the app.

    Johnson also pointed out that the decision to preserve TikTok could serve as a strategic asset for Trump in future negotiations with the Chinese government, potentially giving the US a stronger bargaining position.

    The valuation of ByteDance, the app’s Chinese parent company, has surged as a result.

    ByteDance recently valued itself at around $300 billion, marking one of its highest valuations despite the possibility of the looming US ban. The valuation was revealed in a new share buyback offer, suggesting that ByteDance expects continued growth even amid regulatory threats.

    The company’s valuation has been increasing over the past year. In October 2023, ByteDance valued itself at nearly $225 billion.

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  • Google Authenticator gets a modern makeover and useful new features

    Google Authenticator gets a modern makeover and useful new features

    Google Authenticator, the handy two-factor authentication (2FA) app by Google, just got a nice little update. Version 7.0 of this popular app has been revamped with a fresh new look and some helpful features.

    This is important because, in this day and age, online security is more crucial than ever. 2FA adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts, equating it to a second lock on your door. That means that even if someone has your password, they still can’t get in to your accounts without that second key. That second key in this case is a temporary code generated by Google Authenticator, which helps prevent unauthorized access and keeps your accounts safe from hackers.

    Google Authenticator has been around for years with a mostly unchanged UI but with some helpful features, such as cloud sync for all your added accounts, rolled out not to long ago. Now, Google has redesigned the app with Material Design 3, giving it a more modern and streamlined look. It also supports Dynamic Color, so the app’s colors can adapt to match your phone’s wallpaper.

    But the changes are more than just cosmetic. One of the biggest updates is how you copy 2FA codes. Previously, you had to long-press on the code. Now, a simple tap copies it to your clipboard. It might feel a bit different at first, but it’s definitely more convenient.

    Additionally, Google has added a search bar to help you quickly find the account you need. There’s also a new privacy screen that requires you to unlock the app before displaying your codes, adding an extra layer of security. This update is currently being rolled out through the Play Store, so make sure to check for updates and give it a try.

    I think this is a great update to an already essential app. Google Authenticator is certainly not the only 2FA app out there, but it is very reliable and remains one of the best 2FA apps available. The change in how you copy codes might take some getting used to, but it’s a welcome improvement for quick copying and switching over to the app you are intending to log in to.

  • Just before eagerly awaited Tyson-Paul fight, Netflix goes down

    Just before eagerly awaited Tyson-Paul fight, Netflix goes down

    You were looking forward to binging one of the best rom-coms of the year tonight on Netflix, “Nobody Wants This,” starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell. After all, everyone at work has been talking about the film and you were the only one in your clique who hadn’t viewed any of it. So after surviving a tough day at the office you head home, get comfortable, turn on Netflix, and…nothing happens because the streamer is down.

    According to DownDetector, the number of complaints it received about Netflix soared from 406 at 7:27 pm ET to a whopping 99,876 by 9:42 pm ET. That’s a huge increase and is certainly indicative of an issue at Netflix. 88% of the complaints were related to video streaming while 11% of the submissions were related to problems with the server connection. The remaining 1% had to do with logging into the service.

    The issue could be related to the heavy traffic expected to watch the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight which is being streamed tonight on the platform. Most of the written complaints from Netflix users were related to the fight which was free for paid Netflix subscribers. Many said that their connection was constantly getting buffered. Other complained that the video feed was hard to look at while others said that they had no audio. The streaming issues started during the co-main event between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano who were battling it out for the women’s Undisputed Super Lightweight Championship.

    These complaints keep coming into Downdetector with comments suggesting that Netflix stick to movies instead of live events. Others said that Netflix obviously can’t handle internet traffic of this magnitude.

    Despite the large number of Netflix subscribers complaining about the service being down, the streamer’s own status page says that Netflix is up and is not experiencing any interruption to its streaming. Back to Downdetector, the outage map shows that Netflix is having problems in major cities like New York, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.

    Whether you wanted to watch “Nobody Want This” or the Tyson-Paul fight, Netflix has let down a large number of subscribers tonight.

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  • Amazon seeks to contest Temu, Shein with budget store selling items like $3 iPhone cases

    Amazon seeks to contest Temu, Shein with budget store selling items like $3 iPhone cases

    American e-commerce giant Amazon has launched Amazon Haul, an affordable e-commerce storefront which offers products priced US$20 or less.

    Items such as a $3 iPhone case or a pack of four socks for $7 are sold with a variety of options on the new store, which is advertised as offering “crazy low prices,” according to a company release.

    Over 300 million products in the main categories of clothing, home goods, jewelry and electronics are available on the store, which can be found on Amazon’s mobile app.

    Most items are $10 or less, and the company offers free shipping on orders of $25 or higher.

    The Wall Street Journal reported that Amazon Haul items will take longer to deliver because they ship directly from warehouses in China, similar to Chinese competitors Temu and Shein which have been rapidly expanding to many markets in recent months.

    Although products priced under $3 are not eligible for return, Amazon guarantees that all items have been screened for safety and authenticity.

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  • Thailand launches digital durian initiative to boost farmers’ income

    Thailand launches digital durian initiative to boost farmers’ income

    Thailand has kicked off the One Tambon, One Digital (OTOD) “Digital Durian” project to help 8.8 million durian farmers improve their productivity.

    Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency President Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said the OTOD Digital Durian initiative aims to engage over 6,100 durian farming households in adopting digital platforms for recording cultivation data within a two-year timeframe.

    The collection of this data will contribute to creating “big data” for Thailand’s agricultural sector, especially the durian sector. Pantanu Wannagangsai, advisor to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES), said the above-mentioned project aligns with the government’s policies which aim to solve issues of debt, income, cost of living and social stability. It is expected to contribute to building consumer confidence both domestically and internationally, promoting high-value Thai products globally amid fierce competition, especially from China and countries in the Southeast Asian region, he added.

    Thailand has 1.02 million rai of durian plantation areas and produce 1.53 million tonnes. Durian accounts for 69% of all exported fruits, or 991,557 tonnes last year, and the major durian export market is China.

    In addition, 12,200 farmers in 23 provinces are expected to be trained on e-commerce applications and certification for Good Agricultural Practice, supporting the development of a national agriculture platform.

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  • FedEx strengthens healthcare capabilities in Asia Pacific with expansion of its Life Sciences center in Korea

    FedEx strengthens healthcare capabilities in Asia Pacific with expansion of its Life Sciences center in Korea

    Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, has expanded its state-of-the-art Life Science Center in Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. This strategic enhancement, along with FedEx Life Science Centers in Singapore and Japan, is addressing the rising demand for a robust logistics network with advanced capabilities to support the rapidly growing healthcare industry across the Asia Pacific region.

    The advanced FedEx Korea Life Science Center spans 2,288 square meters – almost triple the size of the previous facility. The new operation includes five temperature-controlled areas for temperatures ranging from -150°C to +25°C, which are monitored 24/7 to ensure continuous compliance with pharmaceutical cold chain requirements. The facility is also Korea Good Supply Practice (KGSP)-certified, in accordance with market-specific quality and regulatory requirements for the healthcare industry. Along with temperature-controlled Inventory management capabilities, the Korea Life Science Center is equipped to support both domestic and international transportation needs.

    By expanding its capacity, FedEx is strengthening its life sciences logistics expertise, ensuring seamless and reliable transportation of critical healthcare shipments including investigational medicinal products (IMP), biological samples, and biopharmaceutical product lines while enabling pharmaceutical and clinical trials customers to prioritize patient care.

    The pharmaceutical market in Asia Pacific is projected to reach USD 290 billion by 2028. Additionally, the region accounts for approximately 50% of global clinical trials, highlighting its increasing role in global pharmaceutical research and development. Customers in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector need precise, temperature-controlled services to preserve product efficacy. With decades of experience, FedEx provides expertise in specialized healthcare and clinical trial solutions, enabled by its international Express network, customized Time Critical Special Services (SpS), and a global network of Life Science Centers with locations in Korea, Singapore, Tokyo (Japan), Mumbai (India), Memphis (United States), and Veldhoven (the Netherlands). The company’s extensive healthcare infrastructure also includes 130+ cold-chain facilities worldwide, ensuring continuous temperature integrity for shipments moving through our domestic and international networks.

    “Asia Pacific’s healthcare sector is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by demographic shifts, infrastructure investments, and rapid tech advancements,” said Kawal Preet, president, Asia Pacific at FedEx. “At FedEx, we are leveraging our decades of healthcare expertise, extensive global network and differentiated solutions to propel this growth. Through strategic investments in cutting-edge facilities and AI-driven smart logistics, we are reshaping healthcare supply chains and enabling the future of life sciences research and business innovation across the region.”

    FedEx Clinical Care, part of the company’s portfolio of dedicated healthcare transportation solutions, provides end-to-end delivery capabilities for time and temperature-sensitive healthcare shipments. This service ensures expedited delivery within 24 to 48 hours, leveraging specialized features including temperature-controlled packaging, priority handling and clearance, and 24/7 monitoring and intervention using sensor-based real-time tracking.

    Recently, FedEx was recognized for ‘Innovation in Clinical Supply Chain Logistics’ at the Korea Biopharma Excellence Awards 2024 for exceptional contribution to clinical supply chains in Korea. In August, the company introduced FedEx Surround®, an innovative monitoring and intervention solution for enhanced control and visibility for healthcare and other critical shipments.

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  • WhatsApp rolls out the ability to draft your messages for later

    WhatsApp rolls out the ability to draft your messages for later

    WhatsApp just dropped a new feature, and it’s one many users have been requesting for a while: “Message Drafts”. This means you’ll never have to worry about losing a half-written message again.  If you get distracted or interrupted while writing, WhatsApp will now save your message as a draft.

    The way it works is pretty simple.  Whenever you start typing a message but don’t send it, WhatsApp will put a little green “Draft” indicator on the chat.  This indicator also shows up in your chat list, along with a preview of the message you started writing.  And to make things even easier, any chats with drafts will be bumped to the top of your chat list so you can quickly find them and finish what you were saying.

    This update brings WhatsApp more in line with other messaging apps like Google Messages, which have had similar draft features for a while. It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference in terms of convenience.  No more lost thoughts or forgotten replies.

    But that’s not all. WhatsApp has been busy rolling out other new features lately too. Remember the Custom Lists feature from a couple of weeks ago?  That lets you organize your chats with tags like “work”, “friends”, or “family”. You can even create your own custom tags to really personalize your chat list.

    Additionally, WhatsApp is apparently working on an update that will let you use a username instead of a phone number. This means you might eventually be able to use WhatsApp on any device without needing your phone nearby.  It’s still in the works, but it sounds like it will include a cool synchronization feature to keep your contacts up-to-date across all your devices.

    Personally, I’m really liking these updates from WhatsApp. The “Message Drafts” feature is something I know I’ll probably end up using all the time. And the idea of using WhatsApp without a phone number is a feature that I have been wanting for a while as well. It’ll be interesting to see how they implement that and what kind of impact it has on how people use the app.  It seems like WhatsApp is really stepping up its game lately.

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  • Exciting Google Maps update adds new useful features

    Google is adding some exciting new features to the iOS and Android Google Maps app. Let’s say you’re looking for a winter sweater for the holiday season. Type winter sweater into the search bar at the top of the screen and you’ll see locations where you can purchase them. Starting today, this will work with home goods, electronics, and clothing. The information about where you can find, say, winter sweaters, shows stores that sell the item, ratings, the hours that the store is open, and how far it is away from you. You’ll also learn if the item is in stock.

    The update will also help travelers during the fall and winter by providing real-time updates on delays due to flooded roads and unplowed snow. With this feature, Google Maps users will be able to look for such issues and will be able to report such conditions. In addition, commuters and others will be able to report delays happening on bus or train routes to help riders stay up to date on any delays that would impact their travel.

    “Sometimes driving in unfamiliar areas with multiple lanes, forks, and exits can be confusing. To help you anticipate these, our enhanced navigation will show you lanes, crosswalks, and road signs clearly on the map. And because no one likes finding out they need to merge at the last minute, we’ll show you exactly which lane you should be in: Just follow the blue line in the lane markers while navigating.”-Google.

    Gemini is getting integrated with Google Maps. Why not? AI is everywhere and if you need some ideas on late-night activities for a guest staying over, simply ask Google Maps to look up “things to do with friends at night.” Gemini will send you some ideas along with reviews. Google has trusted data on 250 million places around the world along with info from the Maps community. Taking advantage of this data can help you enjoy a night out with a visiting friend.

    Google Maps is also making it easier to plan your drive before you even hit the road. Get directions to your destination, hit “add stops” and you will see top landmarks, attractions, and scenic spots to stop at along the way. And to make things even better, you can see dining options in advance.

    Another update will light up the destination on your screen along with an entrance into the building you’re traveling to. You’ll also be shown nearby parking lots and reminded to save your parking so that you won’t forget where you left your car. Once you’ve parked your car you can get walking directions to the entrance of your destination building by using Street View or AR walking navigation.

    Finally, Immersive View is getting an update. This feature uses AI to show you what navigation on certain routes, parks, and stadiums looks like at different times of day using AI, imagery, and computer vision. The weather expected on the day you are planning to visit will be taken into account. Immersive View is now available for 150 cities globally including Brussels, Kyoto, and Frankfurt. And college campuses are being added as well. Immersive View will now tell you where to park and when to expect a complex turn while you’re driving.

  • Singapore man uses fake Grab receipts and timesheets to defraud employers $18,000

    Singapore man uses fake Grab receipts and timesheets to defraud employers $18,000

    A 33-year-old man, Muhammad Fariz Shaik Sha Marican, scammed his employer out of more than SGD24,000 (US$17,950) by forging over 460 Grab receipts and false timesheets.

    On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to two charges of forgery, with two additional charges to be considered during sentencing. Deputy Public Prosecutor Kelly Ng stated that Fariz was employed by the recruitment agency Persolkelly (PSK), which partnered with Ministry of Health (MOH) to provide staffing.

    In November 2021, PSK assigned Fariz as temporary support staff for MOH’s Covid-19 operations. By April 2023, as MOH considered making him a permanent staff member, they reviewed his annual leave balance.

    Following this review, both PSK and MOH filed police reports, leading to an investigation that revealed Fariz had forged Grab receipts on 228 occasions from July 2022 to April 2023.

    He digitally altered dates and times on existing receipts for rides he never took, submitting them to PSK and obtaining over SGD9,500 in fraudulent reimbursements.

    Additionally, between July 2022 and April 2023, he forged his supervisor’s signature on timesheets, falsely claiming overtime, resulting in SGD7,700 in fraudulent payments.

    The fraud was exposed in April 2023 during MOH’s review of his leave records, which revealed discrepancies between PSK and MOH in timesheets and transport claims. Fariz confessed in a letter and resigned before his arrest in July 2023.

    The prosecutor requested a six to eight-month jail term, highlighting the calculated nature of his actions.

    “Each time the accused forged a receipt or timesheet, he had to put in the deliberate effort of altering it digitally or filling it up with extra days or hours, and each time he did this, he had the opportunity to stop his offending. Instead, he did not do so,” said the prosecutor.

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