Media company The China Project shuts due to funding problem
BEIJING: According to Jeremy Goldkorn, editor-in-chief of The China Project, one of the few separately funded English-language publications to provide in-depth coverage of China for American audiences, it will close due to financial constraints. The China Project, which was formerly known as SupChina and started out as a newsletter inContinue Reading
Personal data of 665,000 Marina Bay Sands lifestyle rewards members accessed in data security breach
SINGAPORE: In October, a data protection break resulted in the access of the personal information of 665, 000 Marina Bay Sands clients.
According to a Marina Bay Sands ( MBS ) spokesperson on Tuesday( Nov 7 ), the” unauthorised access” took place on & nbsp, Oct 19 and Oct 20 and involved the data of some Sandys LifeStyle rewards program participants. & nbsp,
In response to questions from CNA, MBS stated that it learned about the” data protection event” on October 20.
Names, email addresses, phone numbers, country of residence, membership number, and tier were among the” relevant personal data that was affected, where applicable ,” it was added.
Chief Operating Officer Paul Town stated that MBS” immediately took action” to resolve the issue in an email to customers that CNA, & nbsp, saw. & nbsp,
” We understand that you might be concerned about this affair, and we want to let you know that, based on the results of our current research, your personal information was not affected ,” he said.
Studies found that about 665, 000 non-casino benefits program members’ user data had been accessed by an unidentified next party. It is thought that MBS ‘ game rewards program’s member data is intact. & nbsp,
Law Society ordered to refund Christopher de Souza costs of over S$32,000 after his acquittal
SINGAPORE: After Member of Parliament Christopher James de Souza was found not guilty of improper professional conduct as a lawyer, the Law Society of Singapore( LawSoc ) has been ordered to reimburse him for costs totaling more than S 32,000 ( US$ 23 700 ).
For the administrative tribunal proceedings brought against Mr. de Souza for misconduct, he had initially been ordered to pay LawSoc the exact sum.
Senior Counsel Tan Chee Meng and Mr. Calvin Ong of WongPartnership, two of his attorneys, told CNA on Tuesday( Nov. 7 ) that he is” humbled” by the outcome and feels fully vindicated.
According to his attorneys, Mr. de Souza is nowadays permitted to” continue focusing on his many responsibilities- to relatives, country, and practice.” & nbsp,
Mr. de Souza, who is also Deputy Speaker of Parliament, was found guilty by the administrative judge of aiding a client in stifling data from the courtroom.
But, the Court of Three Judges overturned the decision and exonerated Mr. de Souza in July, stating that it was obvious to them that his customer had not intended to reduce the break.
By utilizing private information and documents that had been obtained as a result of research orders and were only to be used in High Court lawsuits, Mr. de Souza’s clientele had violated his promises to the court.
Otherwise, the customer used them to report the parties it was suing with police and other information.
Justice Belinda Ang, Justice Woo Bih Li, and Justice Kannan Ramesh found that LawSoc had not established its accusation against Mr. de Souza and that” goal is a necessary component of the fee” in the Court of Three Judges’ decision.
The Court of Three Judges ordered LawSoc to reimburse Mr. de Souza for the S$ 32, 394.12 he had paid the court after the administrative court hearings were over in the cause of determination that was published on Tuesday.
The amount included costs of S$ 18, 000 and costs incurred by the law firm on behalf of a customer, such as Mho$ 14, 394.12.
The yard claimed that Mr. de Souza’s attorneys had argued that LawSoc should pay fees for the reading before the Court of Three Judges as well, claiming that their inquiries into his behavior were” unjustified.”
His attorneys claimed that LawSoc had pursued their consumer” in an oppressive and unjust way.”
However, the jury ordered both parties to cover their own fees for this because it was” sceptical that an unfavorable prices attempt should be made” against LawSoc for the Court of Three Judges reading.
The attorneys for Mr. de Souza cited the judge’s decision on Tuesday, which stated that” he had indeed disclosed the clients’ vulnerabilities to the Court and that this’ was fatal to a Law Society event theory’.”
They stated that Bukit Timah GRC, the MP for Holland,” is satisfied that the problem has suddenly been resolved and he has been completely vindicated.”
LawSoc has been contacted by CNA for comment.
Attendees of Bored Ape NFT event in Hong Kong experience ‘eye-related issues’
SINGAPORE: On Monday, November 6, media outlets like Bloomberg and Fortune reported that more than a few attendees of the Bored Ape Yacht Club event in Hong Kong had eye problems. Attendees of a party on November 4 claimed that the ultraviolet ( UV ) light used in stage lightingContinue Reading
Parents of stillborn children may register their names under proposed changes to law
According to CNA, the government began issuing memorial birth certificates to families of stillborn children on October 1.
The certificates are not an official, legal report, despite being issued by ICA and bearing the names of the fetus children. & nbsp,
The names of stillborn children are not necessary for the government to administer public policies, according to Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam’s written response to a parliamentary question from Associate Professor Jamus Lim( WP – Sengkang ) in September 2022. & nbsp,
To ease any administrative load while families may still be grieving, he added that the registration process was also intended to be completely automated without their having to take any action.
Mr. Shanmugam continued,” At the time, ICA had only received one ask to record the names of their stillborn babies thus way.” & nbsp,
DEFINITION OF Miscarriage PEOPLE
According to the Termination of Pregnancy Act, which states that an abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy is only permitted in the case of & nbsp, medical exigencies, MHA explained the decision to potentially change the definition of a stillborn child to after. & nbsp,
The current 22-week threshold for what is considered a stillborn child, set in law in 2021 to align with & nbsp, the World Health Organization’s reporting guidelines, has also received feedback from the medical community that it may be misinterpreted as an indication of fetal viability or the capacity of an individual fetus to survive outside the uterus.
Kids who must make” important and difficult choices” regarding health interventions for their newborn child may become confused as a result, according to MHA in its press release.
The medical community is also worried that these inconsistencies could put pressure on doctors to administer more lenient care to newborns born between 22 and 24 weeks of pregnancy or to resuscite them.
According to MHA, this could lead to higher prices of futile attempts at treatment and possibly serious developmental disabilities in infants who survive.
Thus, the Bill changes the concept of a fetus child’s level to after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
This may dispel any misunderstandings about the validity of the fetus, MHA said.
The Bill did also clarify the current stance that pregnancy is not regarded as a pregnancy.
Real median income in Singapore fell 4.5% in first half of 2023
SINGAPORE: Compared to the second half of 2022, Singapore’s real median revenue decreased by 4.5 percent in 2019.
According to preliminary estimates, the decline was brought on by higher inflation and a gloomier economic outlook, according to Manpower Zaqy Mohamad, senior minister of state, who spoke to parliament on Tuesday( Nov. 7 ).
The government anticipates average inflation for the remainder of the year, even though the economic outlook is still uncertain, he said.
Real median salary is the amount of money a common worker makes after accounting for inflation.
Over the same time span, minimum middle money, which does not take inflation into account, increased by 0.9 %.
In contrast, the five-year view from 2017 to 2022 revealed that real median income increased by about 9.4 %, or 1.8 percent annually, over that time span, outpacing prices.
Real wages increased by 0.4 % last year, with inflation” significantly dampening” the rate of growth, according to MOM in May.
In January, Singapore’s core inflation increased to 5.5 % year over year, the highest level since November 2008. Since then, it has decreased to 3 % in September.
Members of Parliament( MPs ) questioned Mr. Zaqy about actual wage growth, particularly how price increases affected vulnerable workers.
Over the past five years, he claimed, lower-wage workers have seen excellent actual income growth.
Real income at the 20th percentile increased by 15.4 %, or 2.9 percent annually, from 2017 to 2022. At the middle, this was faster than 1.8 percent annual development.
This indicates that as living expenses increased, lower-wage workers’ incomes increased yet more, closing the salary gap between them and the median worker, he claimed.
According to Mr. Zaqy, wage increases are anticipated to remain stable in the travel-related industries, where demand is recovering, as well as in more labor-intensive services industries where frequent labor shortages may occur.
SP Group to cut cooling system usage rate, waives fees till year-end after Tengah homeowners’ complaints
Some shared cost estimates for their heating system based on current adoption rates in a Telegram chat group, contrasting them with information from brands of standard air conditioning systems.
They added that because SP Group waived the chilled water charges from October 9 to October 31 during their checks, they were unable to evaluate the whole, ongoing cost of using the centralized heating method.
According to Ms. Chan Sze, who is in her 30s and lives in a two-room apartment in Plantation Grange, the cost of maintaining the cooling system appeared to be” rather large” based on her meter readings so much. & nbsp,
For my two-room apartment( with one indoor unit ), it runs between 2 and 4 kWrh per hour, which is roughly S$ 0.45 to S$ 87. This is nearly twice as expensive on the high end and roughly the same as conventional( air conditioning ) at the lower end.
It just feels( like ) there is a mismatch of what we were sold and what( is) now received, Ms. Chan, who does administrative work, said, pointing out that cost savings had been marketed as 30 %.
Residents also mentioned in their letter to the Prime Minister that, despite only a 48 % increase in electricity costs since then, the current quarter’s usage rate, S$ 0.2038 per kWrh & nbsp, was nearly three times higher than the expected rate originally indicated by SP Group.
In reply, SP Group outlined the causes of the rise.
Additionally, it stated that starting on January 1 of the following year, the adoption rate for the centralized cooling system may be S$ 0.132 per kWrh( previous to Goods and Services Tax ) and would not be charged homeowners until December 31.
Residents’ claims that the SP Group’s initial expected consumption rate of S$ 0.072″ appears to be derived from an assumed cooling power consumption of 10, 200 kWrh” were noted.
Similar to electric and gas tariffs, the adoption rate charge is examined and modified every three months. Based on the light duty, anticipated venture costs, and cooling power consumption, SP Group estimated it at S$ 0.09 per kWrh in 2020.
Nevertheless, the price of energy has increased by almost 50 % from S$ 0.196 per watt in 2020 to S$ 287 today. Due to the pandemic, project prices have also increased by 20 %.
The anticipated centralised heating system usage cost rate was raised to S$ 0.2038 per kWrh on October 1 after taking these factors into account, along with a predicted decrease in cooling energy consumption.
SP Group acknowledged that the initial estimate of up to 30 % savings” will have some impact” on this increase from S$ 0.09 per kWrh.
Despite the fact that the price has been made public online, Tengah homeowners have not yet been charged this rate because SP Group is conducting a second superior assurance service check on every apartment.
SP Group added that it” updated our beliefs and completed a review of the consumption demand price” with some original consumption statistics from Tengah households.
For 330 homes, the quality assurance process is still in progress, with 43 % having finished it so far.
CONTRACTIVE AGREMENTS
Some residents claimed that when it came to cancellation fees, they had just recently been informed that they would have to pay 135 percent of their contract’s cost for the centralized heating system. & nbsp,
At the end of this quarter, Ms. Geraldine Ong, one of these people, is scheduled to pick up her apartment’s codes at Plantation Acres… & nbsp,
The accountant & nbsp, who was also a resident who signed the letter, wanted to cancel the cooling system because she was concerned about leaking, the cost of using it, and SP Group’s lack of response to her questions. & nbsp,
The 38-year-old claimed that when she spoke to an SP team part on October 24, she was asked to pay 135 percent of the cost of her heating system. & nbsp,
Her five interior models cost S$ 4,500, excluding the Goods and Services Tax. This implies that if she terminates, she might be required to pay S$ 6, 075, which Ms. Ong referred to as” crazy.” & nbsp,
She expressed sorrow that when she signed the contract, SP Group failed to identify the pertinent phrases.
Mr. Sun, a 33-year-old That professional, and Mrs. SUN, 30, spoke with CNA about their concerns about suffering significant losses if they canceled their commitment.
They are scheduled to pick up their secrets in the first third of the following month. The program has already been installed in their five-room apartment at Plantation Village.
Their five interior models cost S$ 4, 917, including any additional component moving fees.
The pair had discovered that the trunking of the cooling system ran into the toilet, which had an impact on their plans to renovate it. When they signed up, they were never made aware of this style.
Additionally, they cited SP Group’s lack of response to their questions as a component in their decision to renege on their agreement.
After a 30-day cooling off period when customers sign an assembly deal, SP Group says it collects 35 % of the setup fee from them. This is as a result of the expenses and assets incurred to obtain supplies and deals for the installation.
If a customer decides not to continue after the fan wire units, tubing, and cabling have been installed, they must also pay the full installation fee.
However, SP Group announced that as a” further gesture of goodwill ,” it will now reduce the payment to be collected by 50 % in the event of cancellation.
This was done after taking into account the primary problems that surfaced as well as feedback from the first group of individuals.
Canonâs nanoimprint lithography threatens ASMLâs monopoly
Canon has unveiled a brand-new nanoimprint lithography system that, according to the company, you exchange circuit patterns similar to those produced by 5nm EUV photolithgraphy. Additionally, it asserts that the transfer of 2nm-equivalent circuit patterns may be feasible thanks to the advancements in face technology it anticipates. & nbsp,
The most sophisticated integrated circuits( ICs ) created by Apple, Nvidia, and Intel would be made possible by ASML, which has a monopoly on the EUV( extreme ultraviolet ) photolithography equipment used by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company( TSMC ) & nbsp. & nbsp,
Nanoimprint printing is a small mold and stamping process, as opposed to photolithographic, which uses light from an image scanner to exchange circuit pattens to wafers that have been photosensitively resist-coated. In nanoimprint printing, the face is a mold, andnbsp.
Canon claims that the new climate power technology in its FPA-1200NZ2C nanoimprint system drastically lowers the number of flaws brought on by tiny particles produced during the manufacturing process. Canon has faced significant difficulties with defect reduction in its efforts to market nanoimprint IC printing. & nbsp,
Another challenging issue has been how to accurately align mold and wafer, but Canon’s announcement suggests that it is being resolved— at least for relatively straightforward devices without an excessive number of layers. The physical boundaries of nanoimprint systems are unknown, but the smallest semiconductor manufacturing process is likely to be commercialized within the next few centuries at 2 nanometers.
According to Fujio Mitarai, chairman and CEO of Canon, nanoimprint lithography could theoretically offer a 90 % reduction in power consumption, an overall processing cost reduction of 40 %, and equipment that is orders of magnitude less expensive than ASML’s EUV scanners.
Intel reportedly paid more than$ 340 million for one ASML’s next-generation high-NA ( numerical aperture ) models, which can cost US$ 150 million or more for EUV lithography systems. Only the largest semiconductor manufacturers can manage to utilize EUV because these costs are so high. Potential customers have asked Canon a lot of questions about nanoimprint printing because of the price change and their interest in the systems.
In reality, capacity is a problem with nanoimprint lithography as well. According to Canon,” complex two – or three-dimensional circuit patterns can be formed in a single depression, which may reduce the cost of ownership ,” but photolithography can read an entire chip or sizable portions of it to create multiple copies of the same design, whereas nanoimprint is primarily based on stamp-and-repeat technology.
Because of this, some industry experts think that rather than the intricate logic cards created by TSMC, nanolithography will first be used to create fairly straightforward memory cards. This could account for Canon’s long-standing collaboration with Kioxia, the second-largest NAND flash memory manufacturer after Samsung Electronics. Previously, Toshiba had a sector called Kioxia.
China profits are improbable.
North of Tokyo, Canon is constructing a new stock that is expected to begin making nanoimprint printing products in 2025. Kioxia reportedly intends to begin using nanoimprint printing in large creation of NAND flash memory that same year after nearly ten years of development.
Although it seems unlikely, there has been rumor that Canon may export nanolithography products to China. & nbsp,
Susumu Fujimori, a Japanese scientist who worked for Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation( NTT, Japan’s national telecommunication company ), invented and patented nanoimprint lithography in 1979. With the acquisition of & nbsp, Molecular Imprints, an outgrowth from the University of Texas, and npspan, Canon & NBSP, entered the nanoimprint market in 2014. & nbsp,
More than 170 patents have been granted to Molecular Imprints, which is now known as & nbsp, Canon Nanotechnologies and is used to design imprint-specific devices as well as print tools, materials, and masks. It’s unlikely that either the US or the Chinese government will permit China to purchase this technology. & nbsp,
On the other hand, Canon sells monitors, printers, and additional items to Chinese buyers along with older KrF and i-line type IC printing techniques as well as flat-panel-display systems. Yangtze Memory Technologies Corporation ( YMTC ), a manufacturer of NAND flash memories in China, might purchase its nanolithography systems if it were permitted.
However, as things stand, SK Hynix of South Korea, which also produces NAND flash memory, seems to be the second-most good customer. Canon has provided SK Hynix with nanolithography test equipment, similar to Toshiba / Kioxia.
The more sophisticated ArF DUV( deep violet ) printing techniques that have just been a part of the US, Netherlands, and Japan sanctions against China’s semiconductor business are not produced by Canon. Nikon does, but in terms of market share and manufacturing capacity, it comes in a distant second to ASML. In 2019, the export of EUV printing methods to China was outlawed.
Canon’s press release notes that its nanoimprint printing equipment can also be used to create meta-lenses( flat lens etched on golden ) and other optical parts, nearly as an afterthought. In actuality, making visual elements is the main application of nanoimprint printing today. Western companies EVG, SUSS MicroTec, and Obducat are the main rivals in this market. & nbsp,
With a perfection of at least 40 nm, EVG uses its nanoimprint tools to create visual waveguides, line grid polarizers and other visual components used in displays, 3D sensing, biometric, and photonics. The firm claims that the king templates’ duration is comparable to that of photomasks used in photolithography.
The micro-and nanoimprint mask aligner equipment from SUSS MicroTec is made to produce optical elements, MEMS / NEMS ( micro – and nano-électro-mechanical systems ), high-brightness LEDs( light-emitting diodes ), and VCELS( vertical-cavity surface – emitting lasers ) used in fiber optics, computer mice, and laser printers. & nbsp,
The nanoimprint technology used by Obducat is used to create a wide range of products, including GaN ( gallium nitride ) substrates for power electronics, semiconductor lasers, and biomedical devices. & nbsp,
Suzhou Guangduo Micro Nano Devices( GDNANO ) is a company that creates and produces micro – and nanoimprint tools for the semiconductor, photonics, MEMS, and other industries in China. Its newest system, which was created in 2011, is intended for mass production of LED-patterned sapphire materials. Although GDNANO is not yet a technological giant, it should still be kept an eye on. & nbsp,
Although ASML’s complete dominance on 5nm and smaller approach node lithography is in jeopardy due to Canon nanoimprint technology, it is not currently and most likely won’t be for at least a few more years.
However, it does show that there are various methods for producing semiconductors and raises the possibility that the repetitive cycle of ever-shrinking design rules made possible by the upcoming generation of equipment from a couple key suppliers is beginning to fail.
Tweet @ ScottFo83517667 to follow this author on andnbsp.
Members of K-pop groups Aespa, (G)I-dle and Ive to collaborate on a song
In the days leading up to the album’s launch, the people who are taking part in Nobody will be made known on the M: USB YouTube channel and social media pages. That hasn’t stopped viewers from making educated guesses and discussing their ideal lineup, though.
El Capitxn, a singer-songwriter who has collaborated with BTS and IU, and Seo Ji-eum, the poet who wrote Ive’s megahit track Love Dive, are among those who took part in the production of Nobody.
Nobody is allegedly the K-pop industry” joining forces” in an article published by South Korean media outlet & nbsp, Sports Seoul, in the hopes that South Korea will host the 2030 World Expo. The creator of Nobody stated in the same content,” This is a partnership that was accomplished by destroying existing beliefs.” It will be a unique gift for fans of international music because the participating performers, composers, lyricists and team all represent K-pop.
US stresses ethical AI use in its latest strategy
The US Department of Defense released a plan in July titled the & nbsp, Data, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence Adoption Strategy that aims to enable DOD and military decision-makers to use data, analytics and AI to achieve their goals as artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize warfare.
The technique calls for the use of high-quality data, insights, and AI to make quick, well-informed decisions to tackle operational issues. It emphasizes how crucial lean, user-centered growth is for achieving these results. In order to ensure stability, security, and honest use of technology, it is stated that the DOD may acquire a continuous loop of generation, innovation,and improvement.
In terms of objectives, the strategy seeks to improve online fundamental data management, invest in integrated united infrastructure, advance data, analytics, and AI ecosystems, strengthen governance and remove policy barriers, deliver capabilities for mutual warfighting impact.
According to the strategy, the DOD prioritizes information as a strategic advantage and uses open designs and fragmented management techniques to improve information management. According to the statement, the DOD employs analytics and AI to recognize limitations and actively fill capability gaps while improving information quality. According to the method, the DOD may use open requirements and reliable security to improve governance.
Additionally, it states that the DOD is dedicated to building out and improving safe, integrated infrastructure that supports AI, data, and analytics capabilities. To ensure quick and dependable deployment of advanced technology, it is further stated that the DOD will encourage collaboration with diverse stakeholders and use a strategic” adopt-buy-create” approach.
The plan states that in order to improve its workforce capabilities, the DOD may reform talent acquisition and retention strategies to draw in expertise from the private sector and foster an innovation culture.
The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office is required by the technique to lead its execution, coordinate with components through the CDAO Council, report to top leadership, facilitate an yearly review, and share information with the DOD.
Additionally, it states that DOD components will designate concerned teams and tailor the application of their strategy to their particular information age levels, missions, and laws. It also claims that the CDAO collaborates on efficiency actions and offers expanded advice.
According to the plan, the DOD may adopt versatile funding and analysis tools for quick, incremental delivery and user-driven improvements while coordinating on technique and managing security and social risks. It will also incorporate data, analytics, and AI technologies across its functions.
ethical inquiries
However, the approach might need to be more in line with the stated AI guidelines and their actual use in the United States. & nbsp,
The US does not use AI for censoring or repression, according to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks in an article published this month for Breaking Defense. Instead, the US maintains a value-driven, concerned AI policy that makes use of its citizens’ talent to keep it in the lead while carefully considering its national implications.
The focus on creating a centralized artificial intelligence / machine learning ( AI / ML ) pipeline, however, was reasonable for the time being but was rendered unnecessary by 2022 as major vendors started to offer reliable machine learning operations( MLOps ), necessitating the policy shift toward allowing individual components to choose their pipelines subject to monitoring, evaluation, and data-management standards.
The DOD has identified more than 180 possible applications where AI can be useful under supervision, such as in software debugging and accelerating battle damage evaluations, with many of these applications being sensible rather than speculative. In line with this, Hicks pointed out that while the majority of commercially available systems powered by large language models do not currently meet the essential social AI standards for accountable operational deployment.
Through the AI and Data Acceleration initiative and Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control( CJADC2 ), the Pentagon will implement standards for sharability, accessibility, and discoverability across the various branches of the US military, according to Martell, with an unconventional implementation strategy to follow.
The growing use of AI in defense operations has significant ramifications for conflict. & nbsp: Michele Flournoy discusses some of the military applications where AI has been crucial in an article she wrote for Foreign Affairs last month.
She gives instances like identifying behavior patterns that lessened Russia’s element of surprise in its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and predicting software and resources changes for advanced weapons systems like the F-35.
According to Flournoy, AI may enable effective information flow and autonomous system control during conflicts, assisting the intelligence community in predicting Chinese policies and supporting military operations. She points out that in a fight over Taiwan, combining manned and unmanned systems may give the US an edge over China.
But, Flournoy points out that the use of AI may have benefits like improved data and quicker decision-making. She does, however, warn that if AI application for military use is not strictly regulated, it could be harmful and call for supervision in order to be used responsibly.
In a lecture given in September 2021 at the Naval Postgraduate School, Jeremy Davis & nbsp discusses the moral ramifications of using AI in combat. Davis emphasizes that rather than merely providing fresh knowledge, AI must provide sufficient evidence to support its use for these purposes.
According to Davis, analytic systems are opaque and challenging to explain because they cannot be audited, which results in inaccurate data. Additionally, their iterative process has the potential to corrupt data and rapidly reproduce problems. According to him, predicted systems don’t produce enough evidence to support a fact-relative justification for killing.
The Bletchley Declaration & nbsp, which was signed this month by 29 nations, including the US, the UK, and China, acknowledging the danger that advanced AI models pose and emphasizing the significance of international cooperation to mitigate the risks, emerged amid the race to establish a lead in military AI technology and its ethical implications. The first comprehensive declaration on controlling AI growth can be found in this document.