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Tag: asia

  • UBS Gets Off Lightly With Money Laundering Fine

    UBS Gets Off Lightly With Money Laundering Fine

    The Federal Department of Finance (EFD) fined UBS for failing to report suspected money laundering. The long-standing cases all revolve around the former president of Yemen.

    The number of unreported cases to the Financial Department is alarmingly high. Internally, UBS recorded 5,438 warning notices in connection with its relationships with former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his family. However, the bank did not forward these warnings to the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS).

    Saleh ruled Yemen for over three decades and faced international criticism for corruption. At UBS, he was classified as a PEP, or politically exposed person. As a rule, relationships with such clients should be clarified extra carefully.The relationship dates back to 2004. Not only Saleh and his two wives but also a total of 25 people related to Saleh had customer relationships with UBS.

    The EFD’s penalty notice from April 4 mentions a case from 2009. At that time, Saleh’s son personally submitted a check from the Sultan of Oman for 10 million dollars in Zurich. An internal bank note is cited: It is generally known that wealthy rulers in the Arab world support their poorer colleagues with such gifts. According to the EFD, this was a flimsy excuse, and the bank should have raised the alarm.

    In 2011, amid the turmoil of the Arab Spring, the bank reviewed the business relationship, which resulted in the aforementioned 5,438 warning notices. Subsequently, almost all of the Saleh family’s accounts were closed, but no MROS report was made.

    UBS also failed in the handling, as this allowed very large sums of money, presumably associated with corrupt practices by Ali Abdullah Saleh, to be withdrawn from state control.

    The responsible individuals could not be identified due to only partially or incompletely submitted documents. As a result, the penalty was automatically lower. The department also noted that UBS has since improved its risk management.

    Saleh lost power in Yemen in 2012 and was killed by Houthi fighters in 2017.

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  • Daily electricity consumption tops 1B kWh mark for first time

    Daily electricity consumption tops 1B kWh mark for first time

    Power consumption exceeded one billion kilowatt-hours in a day for the first time ever on May 28 amid high temperatures all over the country.

    But on that day power output did not exceed the peak achieved at the end of April, according to the National Load Dispatch Center.

    Hanoi, Da Nang City and Ho Chi Minh City are experiencing highs of 34-37 degrees Celsius these days.

    The center forecast that the maximum demand in the north might rise 17% from a record set last year in April-July to 27,481 megawatts.

    But production plus imports are expected to only rise by 10% year-on-year to 52.3 kilowatt-hours.

    The Ministry of Industry and Trade has been ensuring adequate supply to a region that experienced severe shortages last summer.

    A new 500 kilovolt transmission line is being installed to draw power from the central and southern regions.

    National utility Vietnam Electricity advises its customers to save power especially during peak hours. It also encourages setting air conditioners at a minimum of 26 degrees.

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  • WhatsApp working on enhancing the drawing editor with an upcoming color chooser feature

    WhatsApp working on enhancing the drawing editor with an upcoming color chooser feature

    WhatsApp, the popular messaging app, continuously tests potential features to improve user experience. In a recent beta update for Android (version 2.24.12.6) available on the Google Play Store, we get a sneak peek into an exciting new feature that’s set to enhance the app’s photo and video editing capabilities.

    This latest feature builds upon a previous update (2.24.10.23) that introduced a redesigned drawing editor. This revamp focused on user-friendliness by relocating the brush and color tools to a bottom bar for easier access, particularly on larger screens. Now, WhatsApp is taking another step forward by working on a color chooser tool that will be integrated into the drawing editor in a future update.

    As noted by WABetaInfo, a reliable source for WhatsApp updates while still in beta, this innovative tool will empower users to select a specific color directly from the image they are editing. This means that users will no longer be constrained by the current selection of 24 preset colors. Instead, they can tap into the full spectrum of colors within the image, enabling precise color matching and coordination.

    The potential benefits of this feature could be great. Imagine perfectly matching the color of a flower in a photo to the text you overlay on it, or seamlessly blending the colors of a sunset into a drawing. This level of customization will unlock new creative possibilities for users, allowing them to craft visually stunning and personalized content.

    The color chooser feature is particularly exciting for WhatsApp users who use the status feature to share visual updates with their friends. With this tool, users can create more polished and aesthetically pleasing status updates that truly reflect their individual style. Whether it’s adding a splash of color to a selfie or creating a themed status with perfectly coordinated elements, the color chooser will give users the tools to express themselves visually.

    While the color chooser is still under development and not yet available to the general public, it is expected to roll out in the future app update.

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  • Gasoline prices return to 4-month low

    Gasoline prices return to 4-month low

    Gasoline prices on Thursday afternoon plunged to the lowest since Jan. 18 after rising marginally last week.

    The popular fuel RON95 fell 3.02% to VND22,510 ($0.88) per liter. Biofuel E5 RON92 declined by 2.33% to VND21,750.

    Diesel dropped 0.45% to VND19,740, the lowest since Jan. 11.

    Regulators said that prices fluctuated in the last seven days due to weakening U.S. dollar and concerns that the U.S. will keep its interest rate unchanged for a long time. OPEC+ is expected to maintain its policy to limit supply in the upcoming meeting in early June. Global gasoline prices fell 3.2-3.8% in the last seven days.

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  • Shein clothes found to contain high levels of toxic chemicals in Korean tests

    Shein clothes found to contain high levels of toxic chemicals in Korean tests

    Clothing purchased from Shein for scientific testing has been found to contain “significant quantities” of potentially dangerous chemicals.

    The investigation found that one pair of shoes contained 428 times the permitted levels of phthalates – the highest observed during the Seoul government tests – and three bags had amounts as high as 153 times the limit.

    Phthalate is a chemical compound used in the production of plastics that is thought to be hazardous to human health. The city has urged the Chinese e-commerce platform to stop selling the products.

    Shein responded that it takes product safety “very seriously” and that the firm has undertaken 400,000 chemical safety tests of products within the past year.

  • Apple accelerates Southeast Asia expansion with Malaysia debut

    Apple accelerates Southeast Asia expansion with Malaysia debut

    Apple will open its first store in Malaysia next month as part of its expansion plans in Southeast Asia.

    Trevor Hill, the mall’s GM, confirmed on LinkedIn that the store will be located at the Exchange TRX shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur and will open its doors to customers on June 22 at 10 a.m.

    This will be Apple’s sixth store in the region, after three in Singapore and two in Thailand.

    According to the New Straits Times, the store will be much bigger than the existing Apple Premium Resellers in the country, such as Machines and Switch. It will also feature activities such as free learning sessions and sections like the Genius Bar, where users can get expert service and support for their products.

    Apple has been accelerating its Asian expansion outside of China, where it has faced rising competition from local players. The company opened its first stores in India last year.

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  • Mondelēz opens regional snacks research lab in Singapore

    Mondelēz opens regional snacks research lab in Singapore

    Mondelēz International has inaugurated its US$5 million regional biscuit and baked snacks lab and innovation kitchen in Singapore that will serve its Australasian, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa businesses.

    Chan Ih-Ming, EVP of the Singapore Economic Development Board, opened the facility. Mondelēz says it reaffirms its commitment to innovation and product development across Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

    The lab and innovation kitchen expands on the capabilities of the food manufacturer’s existing Singapore Technical Centre established in 2006.

    In 2018, the company expanded the centre to focus on gum and candy innovation and product development.

    “This expansion further enhances the capabilities of our Singapore Technical Centre and reaffirms our commitment and contribution to the country, which serves as the headquarters for our Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa business,” said Deepak Iyer, EVP and president of Mondelēz International AMEA.

    “The establishment of the biscuit and baked snacks lab and innovation kitchen marks a significant step in Mondelēz’s commitment to mindful snacking, including developing products that encourage portion balance and mindful indulgence whilst exploring flavour innovation and different product formats.”

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  • Apple reveals Beats Solo Buds’ launch date

    Apple reveals Beats Solo Buds’ launch date

    Apple introduced the Beats Solo Buds back in April but failed to provide fans with an actual launch date. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case, as the Cupertino-based giant revealed this week that the Beats Solo Buds will hit shelves on June 20.

    In fact, customers can order the Beats Solo Buds starting on June 18 for $79.99, but the earbuds won’t ship until two days later. It’s also worth mentioning that the earbuds will be available in four colors: Matte Black, Storm Gray, Arctic Purple and Transparent Red. Remember that if you want the Arctic Purple version, you’ll only find those at Apple and Target.

    The Beats Solo Buds have a custom Beats chip inside that makes it much easier to pair them across iOS and Android with just one touch. The earbuds also feature both Apple and Google “find my device” functionality.

    Both buds have a button that allows users to control playback, answer calls and enable Siri, but it can be customized to offer other uses too. The Beats Solo Buds promise to “minimize micro-distortions across the frequency curve” thanks to the dual-layer transducers design.

    As far as battery life goes, Apple says the Beats Solo Buds should provide up to 18 hours of playback, which is hard to believe considering that similar earbuds offer around 6-8 hours of battery life.

    On the downside, the Beats Solo Buds doesn’t come with a charging case. The one that comes with the earbuds doesn’t feature a battery, so you’ll have to charge these the traditional way by plugging a USB-C cable into the case after you place the earbuds inside.

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  • With Google Pay going the way of the dodo soon, you need to start withdrawing funds

    With Google Pay going the way of the dodo soon, you need to start withdrawing funds

    In late February, Google announced that the Google Pay app was shutting down in the US. The company wants people to transition to Google Wallet, which offers many of Google Pay’s features, including paying at online checkouts and in stores. Google Pay will stop working for US citizens after June 4, so if you have a lot of funds, you might want to start transferring them to your bank account.

    Google Wallet, as the name implies, is more of a digital wallet and can be used to store payment cards and other digital items like your driver’s license and loyalty cards. According to Google, it’s used five more times than Google Pay in the US, but what it did not mention is that Google Wallet doesn’t have Google Pay’s peer-to-peer payment feature.

    If you want to transfer funds from the Google Pay app to your bank account, you should do it by June 4. After that date, you will have to visit the Google Pay website to transfer money out of it.

    Even if that doesn’t sound too much of a hassle to you, you should start withdrawing cash right away if there’s a lot of it in your Google Pay account.

    That’s because currently, you can withdraw up to $5,000 from the app every day if your account is verified. The app has a rolling $20,000 7-day limit, meaning you cannot withdraw more than $20,000 within a 7-day period. If your identity is not verified, the total limit is $700 for seven days.

    Google is informing customers that new daily and weekly caps will apply once the app is sunsetted, per Droid Life. Starting June 4, you will not be able to withdraw more than $200 in any given week. Whether you access the limit in a single transaction or withdraw it over a 7-day period is up to you.

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  • WestJet Cargo launches three new routes

    WestJet Cargo launches three new routes

    The Chicago route was opened for cargo sales on May 16th, connects Calgary to the US city three times a week, increasing to daily flights by June 17th and will continue to operate year-round. Operating with 737 aircraft, this route offers cargo capacities of 2,700 kg per flight, focusing on the transportation of perishables. This route addresses increasing demand and marks the opening of WestJet Cargo’s passenger belly network in addition to the weekly freighter that already operates into Chicago.

    Moncton, Canada, was opened for cargo sales on May 17th to meet the growing needs of the Canadian market and will continue to operate year-round. Also utilizing a 737 aircraft, this route links Moncton to Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto with varying frequencies: up to daily flights to Calgary, 3 to 4 weekly flights to Edmonton, and 3 to 5 weekly flights to Toronto. The primary cargo for this route is live animals and can also accept 2,700 kg per flight of cargo.

    The Calgary to Incheon route, launched on May 18th, operates three days weekly with a 787 Dreamliner, offering a 60 tonnes capacity for all cargo commodities. This route is already highly popular with the WestJet cargo customers!

    “These new routes will significantly enhance our ability to serve the Canadian market by offering greater capacity and more options for our customers,” said Kirsten De Bruijn, Executive Vice President of WestJet Cargo. “We’re delighted to expand our network and provide reliable and efficient cargo services to meet the growing demand.”

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  • Imported Thai fruit prices plummet on rising supply

    Imported Thai fruit prices plummet on rising supply

    Mangosteen, mini durian, snake fruit, and rambutan imported from Thailand are 30-40% cheaper than a year ago since supply is high.

    Loan, who runs a shop that sells imported fruits in HCMC, said Thai fruits have never been as cheap as they are this year.

    Mangosteen and langsat are sold at VND55,000-60,000 (US$2.16-2.36) per kilogram, and rambutan at VND45,000-60,000, all 30-40% less than a year ago, she said.

    Lan, a fruit merchant at the city’s Ba Chieu Market, said the prices of premium products such as Thai snake fruit and mini durian are also down 40%.

    Snake fruit sells for VND60,000-70,000 and mini durian for VND60,000-130,000, she said.

    “This year Thai fruits outcompete Vietnamese ones in both quality and price.”

    Many kinds of Thai fruits are being sold in large quantities at wholesale markets in HCMC’s Thu Duc City and Hoc Mon District.

    Thanh, an importer in An Giang Province, said the supply of Thai fruits has doubled from last year due to bountiful harvests, causing their prices to fall sharply.

    The mangosteen, langsat and rambutan from that country are of higher quality this year, while Vietnamese crops have suffered from a poor harvest, he said.

    This year, mangosteen production in Binh Duong Province, one of the main growers, is estimated to have halved from a year ago, according to local farmers.
    Durian production in the Mekong Delta has declined by 20-40% due to prolonged dry weather and scorching temperatures.

    Farmers have also been shifting away from rambutan in recent years due to its low profitability.

    This year, shipping costs have decreased by 20-30% from last year, Thanh said. Many importers have begun to transport fruits from Thailand by road through Cambodia to lower costs, he added.

    In the first four months of 2024, Vietnam imported $643 million worth of fruits and vegetables, which was up 15% year-on-year.

    Thailand accounted for $13.3 million, marking a 5% increase from last year’s period.

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  • Dollar slips against dong

    Dollar slips against dong

    The U.S. dollar fell against the Vietnamese dong Tuesday morning.

    Vietcombank sold the dollar at VND25,468, down 0.05% from Monday.

    The State Bank of Vietnam kept its reference rate stable at VND24,245.

    The greenback went up 0.27% to VND25,840 on the black market.

    It has increased against the dong by 4.29% since the beginning of the year.

    The dollar waned on Tuesday following a slight pick up in risk appetite, but it held tight ranges against its peers ahead of key inflation data from major economies this week that markets are looking to for guidance on the global interest rate outlook.

    Currency moves were largely subdued in early Asia hours after a quiet overnight session due to holidays in Britain and the United States, but the overall mood was positive with world shares firming.

    The euro was a touch firmer at $1.0860 despite some dovish comments from European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers on Monday and data showing German business morale stagnated in May.

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  • Google Home working on a new smart home widget for your device’s home screen

    Google Home working on a new smart home widget for your device’s home screen

    Google is set to make controlling your smart home a whole lot easier with a new “Favorites” widget for the Google Home app on Android. This has been a bit of a secret weapon for Google, teased back in October 2023 and even spotted at I/O 2024. Now, thanks to some digging around in the app’s code by 9to5Google, we have a clearer picture of what to expect.

    The “Favorites” widget aims to streamline your smart home experience by placing your most-used controls right on your home screen. Whether you’re constantly adjusting the thermostat, turning lights on and off, or triggering complex routines, this widget promises to put those commands just a tap away.

    A peek under the hood of version 3.18 of the Android app reveals a sleek and user-friendly design for the widget. It will seamlessly integrate with the existing “Favorites” tab in the Google Home app, allowing for easy synchronization of your preferred controls. Alternatively, you can opt for a standalone widget and personalize it with a unique set of commands

    As you can see in the screenshots above, the widget itself boasts a clean and simple layout reminiscent of the tile-based interface we’re familiar with in the Google Home app. You’ll find handy features like dynamic color theming to match your phone’s aesthetic and a refresh button to ensure you’re always seeing the latest status of your devices. Plus, if you’re truly committed to the smart home life, you can even stretch the widget to occupy your entire home screen.

    This new widget is just one example of how Google is continually enhancing the Google Home app to provide a more convenient and intuitive smart home experience. While we don’t yet have an official release date for the “Favorites” widget, it’s certainly something to look forward to.

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  • TikTok’s legal battle against the U.S. ban heats up this September

    TikTok’s legal battle against the U.S. ban heats up this September

    The popular social media platform TikTok is gearing up for a major legal battle this fall that could determine its future in the United States. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has set a September date for oral arguments in two cases challenging a law that could potentially lead to a ban of the app.

    The legal challenges were triggered by a law that mandates ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell the app or face a ban due to national security concerns. TikTok, however, has been vocal in its opposition to this law, arguing that divesting from ByteDance is not feasible and that it has already taken steps to address the government’s concerns.

    Earlier this month, TikTok filed a lawsuit asserting that the law is unconstitutional. This move was echoed by a group of TikTok creators who are also challenging the law because it infringes upon their First Amendment rights, as a ban would prevent them from communicating on the platform. Engadget reported that TikTok is reportedly covering the legal fees for the creators in this case.

    Recognizing the urgency of the matter, the appeals court has decided to consolidate both cases and will hear the challenges in September, aligning with TikTok’s request for an expedited schedule. The outcome of this legal battle carries immense weight, as it will not only determine TikTok’s fate in the US but also set a precedent for future cases involving technology, national security, and freedom of speech. This could even lead to a review by the Supreme Court.

    The September showdown is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for TikTok, as the court’s decision will determine whether the app can continue to operate in the US under its current ownership structure. The case has attracted widespread attention due to the platform’s immense popularity and the potential impact a ban would have on its vast user base.

  • Microsoft’s Copilot AI chatbot arrives on Telegram

    Microsoft’s Copilot AI chatbot arrives on Telegram

    Microsoft’s popular AI chatbot, Copilot, is making an impact in the tech world once again by expanding its reach to the messaging app Telegram. This strategic move allows users to integrate AI interactions into their daily conversations seamlessly. Telegram, known for its privacy-centric approach, now hosts the official Copilot bot, complete with a verification checkmark and the username @CopilotOfficialBot

    Accessing Copilot on Telegram is straightforward, requiring users to search for the bot and share their Telegram phone number with Microsoft. This step, while necessary for functionality, might raise some eyebrows among Telegram users who value the app’s strong emphasis on privacy.

    While Copilot for Telegram mirrors many features of its counterparts, it does come with certain constraints. Unlike some other AI chatbots, it currently focuses on text-based interactions and does not support image generation. However, its capabilities are far from limited. Microsoft highlights Copilot’s ability to perform internet searches, provide movie recommendations, generate workout routines, assist with coding tasks, translate conversations, and offer quick facts.

    Users should note that there is a daily limit of 30 conversational turns, which means the user and Copilot can only exchange 30 messages back and forth within a 24-hour period. This limitation aims to manage resource allocation while ensuring fair access for all users.

    This expansion into Telegram aligns with Microsoft’s overall strategy to integrate Copilot into various products and services. The company has already introduced Copilot for business applications, PCs with built-in Copilot functionality, Copilot for Microsoft 365, and a premium version offering access to cutting-edge AI models for a monthly subscription according to Microsoft is not alone in its efforts to bring AI chatbots to messaging platforms. Other companies, such as Meta and Google, have also integrated their AI models into their respective messaging apps. This trend points to AI’s growing importance in shaping how people communicate and access information in the digital age. It will be interesting to see how this move impacts the adoption and evolution of AI chatbots in the future.