Huawei uses TSMC loophole to bypass US chip ban – Asia Times

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After a 7-nanometer artificial intelligence ( AI ) chip it produced was discovered in a product of the heavily-sanctioned Huawei Technologies, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co ( TSMC), the world’s largest contract chip manufacturer, was urged to improve its end-user checks. &nbsp, &nbsp,

Republican senator John Moolenaar, who is also the chairman of the House Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), called using TSMC-manufactured chips in Huawei’s AI startups a” catastrophic loss of export control plan.”

In a press release on Wednesday, Moolenaar stated that” AI startups, like the one these cards fueled, are at the forefront of our technology contest with the CCP, and I fear the harm done these will have major implications for our national safety.” &nbsp,

He claimed that Congress needs to receive immediate responses regarding the scope and size of this disaster from both the Bureau of Industry and Security ( BIS ) of the US Commerce Department ( BIS ) and TSMC. He demanded that the US federal take immediate action to prevent this from occurring again.

On October 9, TechInsights, a Canada-based data platform for the semiconductor industry, published a document with the subject” Huawei Ascend 910B AI Trainer – Die Analysis”.

TechInsights reported that it purchased the Huawei Atlas 300T A2 AI education cards, which it believes has the Ascend 910B computer. The media described the Ascend 910B, a second-generation device launched in 2022 following the debut of the original Ascend 910 in 2019, as a 7nm chip produced by the Shanghai-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp ( SMIC ).

According to a Reuters report on Wednesday, TechInsights had informed TSMC of the device evaluation prior to publishing its findings, citing an unnamed Chinese trade and economic established. &nbsp, &nbsp,

After discovering that its cards had been discovered in a Huawei goods, the official said TSMC launched an investigation and suspended its supplies to a client in the country in mid-October. The official described the incident as an “important notice event” within TSMC, refusing to publish the lawyer’s title.

According to the official, October 11 is the earliest the affair may be traced back to. The US Commerce Department and the Japanese government were finally informed that the delivery of the chip might indicate a potential infraction of US export restrictions against Huawei. &nbsp,

The US Commerce Department opened an exploration into whether TSMC broke US trade regulations to produce chips for Huawei, according to The Info on October 18. &nbsp,

The incidents ‘ timelines also matched what a Chinese technology columnist said on October 9 in an article titled” Hinduwei will achieve self-sufficiency after TSMC and Huawei split up.”

The journalist claimed that TSMC and Huawei have decided to break up because they will no longer produce chips for the latter, who will then have to produce the country’s 5G and Traverse chips internally. &nbsp,

Ascend 910C

Past media reports revealed that Huawei and SMIC attempted to create Ascend 910B cards by themselves earlier this year, but they failed to produce acceptable results.

The Information revealed on June 25 that Huawei and SMIC encountered challenges in the production of the Ascend 910B as a result of an inadequate supply of chip-making equipment pieces. On June 27, The Chosun Daily in South Korea reported that the production of Ascend 910B is only about 20 %. &nbsp,

Whether Huawei has now given up on this generation is a mystery. However, it appears that Huawei you rely solely on SMIC’s N 2 process to produce 7nm cards, including the upcoming Ascend 910C chips.

The South China Morning Post reported on September 30 that Huawei gave examples of the Ascend 910C to big Chinese client companies for equipment testing and design. It planned to immediately make 70, 000 products of this device, which aims to engage with Nvidia’s H100.

End-user balances

On the basis of national security, the US Commerce Department placed Huawei and its 70 members on its’Entity Record’ in May 2019. Due to diplomatic pressure from the US, the Dutch government in the same year imposed a ban on the exports of ASML’s extreme ultraviolet ( EUV) lithography machines to China.

On September 15, 2020, TSMC stopped producing Kirin cards, resulting in a timer for HiSilicon’s device products.

Reports in the media over the past few years claimed Huawei used SMIC’s N 2 process to create 7nm Kirin 9000S bits despite the company’s limited supply of high-end chips for its flagship phones. &nbsp,

TechInsights even confirmed that SMIC made the Kirin 9000S chips used in Huawei’s Mate 60 phones next month.

Huawei’s Ascend 910 chips and Ascend 910B were previously reported in Chinese media, despite Huawei’s significant expansion of site production. &nbsp,

Huawei announced on July 6 that it would increase the number of AI handling cards in each of its seven Chinese cities from 4 000 to 16 000.

At that time, some Taiwanese observers said TSMC was allowed to produce Ascend 910 for Huawei as the device used Huawei’s self-developed Da Vinci structures. However, these papers were taken down from China’s Internet. &nbsp,

Other observers thought that all the Ascend 910B bits, with an expected source of 500, 000 products in 2024, were all made by SMIC. They may have to reevaluate their choices now that they are aware that Huawei’s goods contain TSMC-manufactured Ascend 910B cards.

On Wednesday, Huawei said it has not produced any bits via TSMC since 2020. Additionally, TSMC claimed to have not supplied Huawei since September 2020. The Chinese chipmaker claimed to not be aware that it was being investigated at this time about itself. &nbsp,

The US Commerce Department’s director declined to comment on the status of any inquiries. &nbsp,

Nazak Nikakhtar, an assistant secretary for industry and analysis at the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration ( ITA ) from 2018 to 2021, told Asia Times in an interview in June that he was aware that sanctioned entities could easily circumvent US sanctions by setting up layers of shell companies or holding only minority stakes in companies.

No matter whether the US is looking into TSMC or not, it will have to explain why it did n’t raise any red flags when a client from the mainland placed an order to make the Ascend 910B, which is comparable to the Ascend 910 on which i had already finished the design process.
taped out “in business language ) before 2019. TSMC had likewise taped-out and mass-produced another Huawei AI cards such as Ascend 310 and 990.

Read: Huawei bypasses US device limits with TSMC hole

Observe Jeff Pao on X: &nbsp, @jeffpao3

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Minister defends Bangkok congestion fee plan

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Government says coverage may be guilty, rejecting opposition say that it will only help companies

PUBLISHED: 24 Oct 2024 at 19: 36

Traffic is congested in Sathon district of Bangkok on Sept 2. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
On September 2, transportation is congested in Bangkok’s Sathon area. ( Photo: Apichart Jinakul )

The Ministry of Transport has refrained from criticizing the criticism for its designed traffic congestion cost in Bangkok, saying that the policy is meant to be responsible.

Surapong Piyachote, the lieutenant transport secretary, responded to a question posed by Suphanat Meenchainan, an antagonism People’s Party MP from Bangkok, during a House meeting on Thursday.

Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the secretary of transportation, has suggested charging drivers who travel by Bangkok to cross active streets. For accessing overcrowded roads served by electric coach lines, the costs may range from 40 to 50 baht per car.

The cost will be used to finance a 200-billion-baht fund to recover concessions from railroad system investors. Following the purchase, the account will asset a 20-baht flat-rate suffer across all lines.

The 20-baht fare was introduced a year ago on the Purple and Red lines, which are owned by the perennially losing State Railway of Thailand, and it has resulted in a 26 % increase in passenger numbers.

Mr. Suphanat claimed that the government was completely incorrect. Instead of imposing fees that encourage more people to use electronic railways, to the benefit of private operators, he said it should concentrate on resolving issues with public buses, which are the main mode of transportation.

The MP also raised questions about the transportation agency’s declare that it intends to implement a comprehensive mass transit reform plan in six months. He claimed that some city commuters are now forced to use taxis because of the ongoing issue with expanding bus service coverage throughout the area.

” Why is it that the Ministry of Transport, directed by the decision Pheu Thai Party, appears to be trying to make money for the private sector, like electronic train and road organizations”? he asked.

Are you at all assured that your efforts to address the issue of mass transit are successful?

Mr. Surapong responded that the government is putting forth steps to make the congestion fee collection process guilty. He added that no company or buyer will gain from the program.

According to a government document, 390, 000 vehicles adore Bangkok roads everyday, exacerbating air waste.

According to the report, managing highway transportation aids in reducing pollution, and Mr. Surapong claimed a transportation policy plan was developed in response to this.

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Europe can’t be defended against Russian attack: report – Asia Times

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A shocking but accurate record on European and European defense has been released by the German Kiel Institute. According to the report, the state of Germany, Europe, and the United States is nevertheless terrible.

Bottom line: Despite all the talk of a NATO combat, the alliance, including the United States, is not prepared for any conflict with Russia. Additionally, it makes the suggestion that the cost of security products is causing profit for defense companies but not for the sake of security as a whole.

The Kiel Institute, founded in 1914, is regarded as Germany’s leading significant think tank. In September, the Institute&nbsp, produced a study &nbsp, called” Fit for war in decades: Europe’s and Germany’s slow rearmament vis-a-vis Russia”.

The review makes a significant point about how ready Germany and other European nations are when Russia attacks them. Additionally, it tells a terrible story about how expensive and unsatisfactory European protection manufacturing has become. &nbsp, &nbsp,

A fantastic example is Germany’s Caracal weather abuse car. A Caracal is a kind of crazy rabbit found in Africa, Pakistan, the Middle East and parts of India. The German car, an unarmored gussied-up car based on a Mercedes G group vehicle, was put up by Rheinmetall, Mercedes-Benz AG and ACS Armored Car Systems GmbH.

A European Caracal Air Assault Vehicle.

The Caracal lacks weapons on its wide-open sides. Over 3, 000 of these cars have been provided to Ukraine at a cost of&nbsp, 1.9 billion dollars, which works out to 620, 000 dollars per product. &nbsp,

For less than$ 35, 000 per copy, you could pin an antitank weapons or equipment gun on a four-wheel drive industrial jeep. And since Ukraine has no evacuation ability, an air abuse aircraft dropped onto the field is a non-starter. ( The euro now trades at$ 1.08 to the US dollar. )

30mm weapons for the German Puma troops fighting car is an equally abhorrent case. The Puma costs a remarkable$ 5.3 million each, while its 30mm weapons charges around &nbsp, 1, 000 dollars per chance! &nbsp,

Puma you fire up to 600 rounds per minute. That compares to a US 30mm High Explosive Dual Purpose round ( more specialized than a run-of-the-mill bullet ) at$ 100. European 30mm ammunition costs ten times more than American 30mm weapons.

Additionally, soldiers are getting defensive defense headsets from the German army. Tactically available commercially available tactical headsets retail for$ 299. If additional features like noise cancellation are added, the price may go up to$ 400, but not more. But European devices cost a whopping&nbsp, 2, 700 dollars each.

Bottom line: People and businesses are making a lot of money by providing Western armies or sending goods to Ukraine. Some people believe it to be openly corruption because institutions are involved in these transactions. Mind that the Kiel Institute just goes as far as to claim these payments are uber-expensive, no more. &nbsp,

A European Puma Tank.

The fact that Russia’s defense industry is growing rapidly and that North Korea is then adding more supplies with artillery shells and missiles is a lot, according to the Kiel record. &nbsp,

North Korea, it seems, has been grinding out weapons also in excess of anything it can use, and until now, it did not trade them. Of course, the Kim Jong Un tyranny is sustained by the Russian agreement with North Korea by providing funds or the equivalent and funding the projects.

All of this helps present, in part, that Germany’s opportunities in security are corrupted ( I think that is the right word ) by excessively expensive equipment. &nbsp,

Also if Germany really meets the NATO target of 2.1 % of GDP for defence spending, what the European military ends up receiving is incredibly expensive. Not to mention that a lot of it ends up in Ukraine and is only gradually, if at all, replaced on the domestic before.

Even with sufficient saving, what money is spent on boggles the mind. Very much, for instance, is going into heat defense, something that is important for Germany’s potential defense needs.

Nevertheless, NATO-supplied air defenses have done a poor to horrible work in Ukraine, a forerunner of a dangerous upcoming in Europe unless the problem is corrected. An interesting note ( website 25 ) in the statement, set in ultra-small form, discusses Ukraine’s ability to shoot down Russian missiles and uavs:

Sample interception rates for commonly used Russian missiles in 2024: 50 % for the older Kalibr subsonic cruise missiles, 22 % for modern subsonic cruise missiles ( e. g. Kh-69 ), 4 % for modern ballistic missiles ( e. g. Iskander-M), 0.6 % for S-300/400 supersonic long-range SAM, and 0.55 % for the Kh-22 supersonic anti-ship missile.

There is little information about the infiltration levels of hypersonic weapons: Ukraine claims a 25 % intrusion price for the Kinzhal and Zircon, but Ukrainian options also claim that to interceptions of this nature require the fire of all 32 launchers in a Patriot battery made of US-style to have any chance to shoot down a single hypersonic missile. By contrast, European Nationalist batteries have 16 rockets, and Germany has 72 launchers in full.

Take notice that Patriot’s interceptor missiles are in extremely limited stock. Manufacturing these weapons takes a long time, and setting up these weapons has proved difficult. Bolloxing manufacturing lines is also caused by a lack of crucial parts. &nbsp,

Boeing provides crucial components for the missile’s target ( when it works ) while US defense contractor Lockheed Martin is the main manufacturer. Boeing wo n’t solve that problem, at the earliest, until 2027. In addition, Boeing is currently facing a significant business strike and a crisis internally that is still far from resolved.

But there are great questions about air mechanisms. The US has given Ukraine the Patriot and other methods. The Russians put a lot of effort into destroying them, but even when they succeed, their catch level is below par. Europe has supplied IRIS-T, NSAMS and other methods that, so far as can be determined, are almost similar to the Patriot. &nbsp,

On the whole, Jewish methods are greater, but they are not deployed in Ukraine. What is regarded as the major US method for air defence, AEGIS ( in the form of AEGIS Ashore ), is not in Ukraine. The devices are in use in Romania and Poland.

Europe largely has none of its own air defense deployed in Europe. The US is not much more prosperous. Some systems, particularly the Ground-Based Mid-Course Interceptor based in Alaska, are a combined case.

The Pentagon is then searching for better-performing fighter weapons to replace its current ones. The 40 or so weapons in stock merely function about half the time despite some tests that were optimized to ensure success.

The potential is also concerning as fast weapons arrive on the field, seen in Ukraine in the form of Russia’s Kinzhal and Zircon. Hypersonic assault weapons are hardly ever a possibility for systems like the Patriot, Iris-T, or any other NATO air defense systems.

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal weapon as seen at the 2018 Moscow&nbsp, Victory Day Parades.

The image is n’t particularly beautiful when it comes to drones, which are being shot off by Ukrainians and Russians in droves. They are difficult to kill, and present war tanks and troops fighting vehicles can be destroyed by systems like the Russian Lancet helicopter. &nbsp,

No one has yet devised a successful strategy to stop swarms of drones, not yet Israel, and stop some of the smaller attacks that pass by.

Above all, the Kiel record puts a new and important view on Europe’s security position and, by extension, the US, which is pledged by treaty to help protect Europe.

It is time to step back and assess whether a credible defense of Europe is possible in the wake of NATO’s continued expansion and growing angst in Europe and Russia. Right now, judging by the Kiel report, the answer is no.

At Asia Times, Stephen Bryen is the senior correspondent. He also served as the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s staff director and its deputy undersecretary of defense for policy. &nbsp,

This&nbsp, article was originally published on his&nbsp, Weapons and Strategy&nbsp, Substack, and is republished with permission.

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How Harris and Trump diverge on the last frontier – Asia Times

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The future American president might be the first to pick up a telephone call from the Moon and pick up the line’s voice. To do so, they’ll first need to create a series of corporate place policy decisions. They’ll also need a small success.

The US leader has an enormous role in shaping place scheme during their time in office because of the huge state funding that supports place activities.

Former US presidents have benefited from this authority to strengthen their own product in place and advance the US’s position. The US has benefited from National advocacy, which has helped to secure important space milestones for the country, establish long-lasting global partnerships with civil space agencies abroad, and achieve some other important milestones.

Most presidential candidates, however, do n’t go into great detail about space policy while campaigning, leaving voters in the dark about their plans for the final frontier.

For several candidates, getting into the weeds of their room coverage plans may be more problems than it’s worth. For one, not every president also gets the chance for valuable and memorable place policy decision-making, since space missions can work on decades-long timelines. And in previous elections, those who do display support for storage initiatives have often been criticized by their competitors because of how great the costs are.

But the 2024 election is unique. For storage fans casting their ballots in November, both candidates have impressive records in space plan.

I’m interested in how those records relate to the use of that domain in a proper and green way as a scientist who studies foreign affairs in space. When given a closer look, former US presidents Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have constantly used their positions to prioritize US space leadership, but they have done so with noticeably different approaches and outcomes.

Trump’s place policy report

As president, Trump established a record of significant and lasting place policy decisions, but did so while attracting more attention to his government’s room actions than his predecessors. He frequently accepted funds for contributions and thoughts that were prior to his time in office.

The previous leader was in charge of the US Space Command‘s reorganization and the US Space Force’s re-establishment, as well as the National Space Council. These organizations coordinate governmental agencies working in the room domain, support the development and function of military space technologies, and defend national security satellites in upcoming conflicts.

A commander in military uniform waves a black flag with the emblem of the US Space Force (an arrow pointing up in front of a sphere representing the Earth).
While leader, Donald Trump oversaw the creation of the U. S. Space Force. Photo: AP via The Conversation / Alex Brandon

He also had the most effective record of recent space plan guidelines. These coverage guidelines clarify the US government’s objectives in space, including how it does help and concentrate on the private sector, monitor objects in Earth’s circle, and protect satellites from cyberattacks.

One of his most proud accomplishments of his presidency was his support for the development of the Space Force. However, this campaigning contributed to divided support for the new unit. This fragmentation disintegrated the more prevalent style of republican public assistance for space programming.

Like many leaders, not all of Trump’s views for room were realized. He safely returned the Moon to Mars, which is crucial for NASA’s mission. Given his agency’s funds request, his explicit goal of pilots reaching the moon area by 2024 was hardly practical.

Should he be elected again, the former senator may wish to promote NASA’s Moon programs by expanding investment in the company’s Artemis programme, which houses its celestial initiatives.

He might characterize the initiative as a new space race against China.

Harris in space

The Biden administration has continued to support Trump-era initiatives, resisting the temptation to undo or cancel past proposals. Its space legacy is noticeably less significant.

Harris has set the US space policy priorities and made a global impact as the head of the National Space Council.

A group of people gathered around a large table, with Kamala Harris standing at a podium at the front next to a screen that says 'National Space Council.'
As vice president, Harris has chaired the National Space Council. Photo: NASA / Joel Kowsky, CC BY-NC-ND

Notably, the Trump administration maintained a precedent that the Biden administration upheld that the president could change at any time.

In this role, Harris led the United States ‘ commitment to refrain from testing weapons in space that produce dangerous, long-lasting space debris. This decision is an example for the US for continuing to sustain space operations and acting as a model for the rest of the world’s space community.

Like some Trump administration space policy priorities, not all of Harris ‘ proposals found footing in Washington.

The council’s plan to establish a framework for comprehensively regulating commercial space activities in the US, for example, stalled in Congress.

If these new regulations had been implemented, they would have made sure that future space activities, like private businesses operating on the Moon or taking tourists to and from orbit and back, would have passed strict safety checks.

Harris may choose to continue working to organize oversight over the space industry and establish responsible standards of behavior in space should she be elected.

Alternatively, she could cede the portfolio to her own vice president, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has virtually no track record on space policy issues.

Stability in major space policy decisions

Voters can anticipate stability in US space policy as a result of this year’s election, despite the two candidates ‘ divisive platforms.

Given their previous leadership, it’s unlikely that either candidate will attempt to significantly alter the long-term missions that the world’s largest government space organizations are currently conducting during the upcoming presidential term. And neither is likely to undercut their predecessors ‘ accomplishments.

Thomas G Roberts is postdoctoral fellow in international affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology

This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Grab employees required to work 5 days a week in office starting Dec 2

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Beginning in December, the technology company will require its employees to work five days a week in the office, the company announced to its staff at a town hall on Thursday ( Oct 24 ). &nbsp,

Staff confirmed that the mission will begin on December 2 under the condition of anonymity. &nbsp,

They claimed that the rationale behind the decision, which was explained at the town hall, was to encourage more cooperation and connections in the office.

One worker told CNA that she had a suspicion that this would be the case because the business had been “ramping up” taking the business back in the middle of last year. &nbsp,

She said that Grab began to take a stricter attitude on working from the company earlier this year.

” They said there would be disciplinary action against those who do n’t comply ( with return-to-office mandates )”, said the employee in her 30s, who has been working with the company for three years. &nbsp,

Now, she works three times a week in the company and two times from home. &nbsp,

Two decades post-pandemic, more firms have summoned workers back to the office. Starting second year, tech giant Amazon mandated a five business days a year plan last quarter. &nbsp,

When Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk implemented a stringent return-to-office policy in 2022, which mandated employees to spend at least forty hours a week in the office, like post-pandemic mandates were in the spotlight.

When asked if the company’s mandate is similar to Tesla’s, the employee said the company will” still accommodate flexible hours and extraordinary private circumstances.” &nbsp,

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Why Modi’s shifting India away from US toward China – Asia Times

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On the heels of the 16th BRICS mountain, India and China have lately come to an agreement to end their protracted border standoff in the northern region of the India-China Himalayan border. Since the death of 20 Indian and an undetermined number of Chinese troops in a high-mountain conflict on June 15, 2020, conflicts have erupted.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office and began boosting ties with the United States, China’s major grievance with India became public. India began putting together contracts that successfully made it a US partner and supporter in South Asia.

China perceived this as part of Washington’s broader” China containment policy”, which was central to former President Barack Obama’s” Pivot to Asia” strategy during his second term. China attempted to exert pressure on India in response, attempting to prevent it from aligning itself very strongly with the US.

On August 29, 2016, India and the US signed an adapted version of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement ( LEMOA ). In reply, China ramped up pressure on India, especially at the Doklam tri-junction, where the edges of Bhutan, China and India merge.

In an effort to relieve tensions, India’s then-foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, visited Beijing and assured his Chinese rivals that India was committed to resolving variations through a high-level system.

This led to the first casual conference between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan, China, on April 27–28, 2018, where both officials &nbsp, discussed and agreed on several issues to handle their differences.

On the eve of the first 2 2 dialogue between the two nations, India continued to sign another fundamental agreement with the US, the Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement ( CISMOA ).

On October 11-12, 2019, the following casual conference between Modi and Xi took place in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. The mountain, however, appeared to be a disappointment, possible due to Modi’s determination to align more closely with the US by agreeing to a third basic deal. Xi of India’s purpose to define its relationship with the US may have been Modi’s blunt response during their conversations.

Xi later made this notion during a formal visit to Kathmandu, Nepal, shortly after the Mahabalipuram conference. Xi it warned that “anyone attempting to cut China in any part of the country may end in smashed body and shattered bones,” which could have been interpreted as a covert response to India’s growing ties with the US.

Following the deadly clashes in Galwan on June 15, 2020, the Indian media—often referred to as” Godi media” for its pro-Modi stance—launched an intense anti-China propaganda campaign. India continued to strengthen its ties with the US despite China’s concerns and Modi’s earlier assurances to Xi at the Wuhan summit.

India’s fourth foundational agreement with the US, known as the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Intelligence ( BECA ), was signed on October 26, 2020, further bolstering its partnership. This was done in response to the General Security of Military Information Agreement ( GSOMIA ) being signed earlier in 2002. By moving forward with these agreements, India formally aligned itself with the US, disregarding Chinese objections.

Modi sounded assured that his enticing relationship with then-US President Donald Trump would give India preferential access to US technology and markets. During his visit to the US, Modi even campaigned for Trump’s re-election at the” Howdy, Modi”! event in Houston, Texas, where he famously cheered,” ‘ Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar’, rang loud and clear”. ( meaning” Next term, Trump’s government” ).

High-ranking US officials at the time frequently predicted that an Indian caravan of American companies would move from China. However, this shift never substantially materialized, and US investment in India remains minimal. Instead, India’s trade dependence on China has increased significantly.

In his second term as prime minister, Modi appoints S. Jaishankar in 2019, hoping that his pro-American stance will encourage investment and technology in the United States as well as secure preferential access to Indian goods in American markets, as China did in the 1990s.

However, treaties and regulations that the US government has in place mostly limit the scope of the US government’s role in its economy to establishing a legal framework for international trade and investment. The host nation is responsible for creating a conducive investment environment, which American investors have long felt is lacking in India. Instead of increased US investment, major American companies like Ford, General Motors and Harley-Davidson exited the Indian market during this period.

Recently, it was hoped that assembling Apple’s iPhones in India would be a successful venture. However, the initiative experienced significant setbacks as a result of a high rejection rate of 50 %, concerns about E coli bacteria contamination, and lower worker productivity than in China. As a result, India’s economic gains from joining the US and becoming a partner did not materialize as planned.

On the geopolitical front, meanwhile, India lost significantly. It once regarded South Asia and the Indian Ocean as its main areas of influence, but none of its neighbors, who have since become US allies, still do so. India has arguably grown closer to the US as a subordinate ally.

This was made clear when the US carried out a Freedom of Navigation Operation ( FONOPS) in the Indian Ocean on April 7, 2021, which sparked a strong backlash in Indian academia and media despite India being a US partner. Additionally, the US has been accused of fueling anti-India sentiment in neighboring countries and covertly helping to oust pro-Indian governments in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives.

This made India realize that Washington expects it to renounce its” strategic autonomy” and that its assertions of a regional sphere of influence in South Asia are unacceptable.

Henry Kissinger famously remarked,” It may be dangerous to be America’s enemy, but to be America’s friend is fatal”. This sentiment seems to fit India’s experience perfectly. At regional gatherings, the US continued to press India politically.

Meanwhile, despite India’s rhetorical trade restrictions on Chinese goods, its trade with China continued to grow. India’s increased trade with the US was largely driven by its rising imports from China. This interaction revealed that while China is required by China for its economic growth, China is not required by India.

Ultimately, after four years of experimenting with foreign policy, the Modi government came to understand that China’s cooperation is essential for India’s economic development. The economic adviser to the prime minister claimed that because of its dependence on India and the possibility of growing Chinese investment, China would likely refrain from intervening in border issues.

On the other hand, the West put more pressure on India to oppose Russia following the conflict in Ukraine. India was persuaded to abandon its relationship with Russia by the US, promising in exchange for arms if it continued to purchase Russian oil.

Despite this pressure, India has continued to buy cheap Russian oil and is currently Russia’s largest oil buyer. Russia accounts for approximately 36 % of India’s arms imports. India’s national interests are at odds with the US’s pressure on it to refrain from purchasing arms and oil from Russia.

Recently, the US and Canada have been pressing India to cut off from China and leave the BRICS. Following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada’s expulsion of Indian diplomats highlighted this effort. In addition, the US Department of Justice has started legal action against an Indian government employee in connection with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s alleged attempted murder.

Modi’s allies now recognize that maintaining a relationship with China is crucial for India’s economic development. India would face significant challenges if China placed trade restrictions on it. India can no longer expect the benefits the US provided China in the 1990s.

Additionally, the US-US alliance agreements have proven ineffective in putting pressure on China. Due to India’s protectionist industrial and international trade policies, which favor the return of manufacturing to America, Modi has come to terms with this country’s ability to obtain preferential market access, technology, or investment from the US. Consequently, he has also acknowledged that India can seek technology, investment and market opportunities from China.

Dr. Manmohan Singh’s government was arguably more resilient than any other administration in India to withstand American pressure. Before the 2014 elections, the US exerted significant pressure on India to support its” Pivot to Asia” policy.

However, Singh’s government resisted these demands. When the US detained and conducted Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, there was a significant backlash in India. In response, the Singh administration withdrew the privileges of US Ambassador to India, Nancy J Powell. She resigned as ambassador and went through immigration the same way she would any other US citizen upon her return to the US.

In a show of defiance, Delhi Police erected barricades in front of the US Embassy in New Delhi, and associated institutions and organizations were subject to restrictions. Singh continued to oppose becoming a US ally despite losing the subsequent election six months later. He instead chose to temporarily put the border dispute aside in favor of pursuing a policy that promoted economic development through partnerships with China.

Conversely, Modi’s policy aimed at becoming a steadfast ally and partner of the US, which was intended to serve India’s interests, has proven to be fundamentally misguided. India’s national priorities have been squandered and given up by the ongoing border tensions with China. Modi has come to understand the truth in Kissinger’s words about the dangers of being America’s friend.

One of the worst decades in India’s history in terms of international relations was witnessed by the first and second terms of Modi’s administration. India has experimented with international and geopolitical strategies for unprecedented opportunity costs during this time. Modi is shifting from the US to China in his third term, aiming to change course.

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Digital Lives Decoded report highlights 66% Malaysians believe govt is responsible for online safety

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  • 56.8 %   think service providers should also accept responsibility for online safety.
  • Private dilemma: despite user privacy concerns, convenience is still a top priority.

Håkon Bruaset Kjøl, SVP head of investment management and deputy CEO of Telenor Asia, and Kulani Kulasingam, privacy and compliance director of Telenor Asia.

This study provides a useful snapshot of Malaysians ‘ existing digital behaviors and attitudes, which can serve as a resource for policymakers, organizations, and individuals on emerging growth opportunities and strategies to create a smarter and safer electronic future. Hkon Bruaset Kjl, SVP mind of investment management and assistant Director of Telenor Asia, said.

Hkon was speaking in KL yesterday when Telenor Asia released its report, which examines how wireless connectivity is creating safer and smarter lives in Malaysia, as well as a thorough analysis of how relational AI is used and used. It has released the record for the next time since its first release in October 2022.

The statement is based on a study that Telenor Asia’s research firm, GWI, was asked to carry out in August 2024. GWI has a collection of over 22 million online users worldwide, and selected 17, 117 Indonesian computer users for its monthly studies with questions remaining the same from Q3 and Q4 2023, and Q1 and Q2 2024. This sample size was designated as the” GWI core.” &nbsp,

Relying on GWI’s recontact methodology, 1, 004 Malaysian respondents ( aged 16-64 ) were interviewed from June 24 to July 13 2024. Respondents who have completed the core survey within the previous year can be contacted again using GWI’s recontact method to request more surveys.
 

AI in Indonesian culture

Digital Lives Decoded report highlights 66% Malaysians believe govt is responsible for online safety

Three out of four people who responded have used AI in their everyday lives already have one, which is encouraging in terms of its impact on society.

“Education is one of the areas we are most enthusiastic about, because the use of AI in schooling suggests a pretty strong potential for it to perform a crucial role in making education more accessible and adaptable to individual learning wants,” Hön said.

More than 1 in 2 Malaysians ( 55 % ) are excited about the possibilities and efficiency that AI can bring to their daily lives, with a significant focus on its ability to solve problems, the way research is conducted, and created.

But, people’s faith in AI-generated information is divided, especially with economic and health guidance, inviting incredulity. &nbsp,

Growing amounts of user data will be collected as Malaysia moves toward a future in which AI-integrated products will automate tasks and provide highly personalized activities. So, Malaysian respondents highlight concerns about possible misuse of private data and the spread of misinformation and emphasize responsible use and building trust. &nbsp,

According to the investigation, people need to have faith in the online world to maximize the advantages of digital technologies. When it comes to establishing this respect and providing people with knowledge and tools to better defend themselves website, organizations and individuals have a shared accountability.

Who’s accountable for online security- the consumer or the government?

Digital Lives Decoded report highlights 66% Malaysians believe govt is responsible for online safety

Nearly two-thirds ( 66 % ) of Malaysian respondents agree that the government is ultimately in charge of ensuring online safety, which is in line with public demands for more stringent regulatory oversight. This is demonstrated by the clear message that responsibility does not lie with users. &nbsp, &nbsp,

Service providers, such as businesses and telecoms companies, are also seen as essential people, particularly for the older years. &nbsp,

Telenor has also taken initiative by contributing and adopting the telco-centric roadmap framework called the Global System for Mobile Communications Association ( GSMA ) responsible AI maturity roadmap. Its affiliated businesses, such as Axiata Bhd, have even adopted it.

Telenor has also signed the EU AI Act, making the voluntary commitment to begin formulating requirements prior to the date.

Kulani Kulasingam, privacy and compliance director of Telenor Asia said,” We collaborate to share knowledge and lead implementation, establishing ourselves as a thought leader in this space, our goal is to build global norms well before the act comes into effect” ,&nbsp,

This implies that we have developed a set of rules for ourselves that serve as guardrails for the way we want to develop AI use situations, and that you must first establish them in advance or it will be too soon when you begin to deploy, according to Hkon.

Women’s opinions on who is accountable for paving the way to a safer practice are still divided. More than half ( 56.8 % ) of people think service providers should also bear responsibility for online safety, while only half ( 47.1 % ) think that self-responsibility is a top priority. &nbsp,

Håkon said,” It is clear that a collaborative approach to online safety is needed, by prioritising education, awareness, and holding high standards around responsible technology, together we can create a more secure digital landscape that empowers all Malaysians to thrive confidently in the digital age” .&nbsp,

The private paradox

Digital Lives Decoded report highlights 66% Malaysians believe govt is responsible for online safety

A large majority of Malaysians are actively improving the security on their mobile devices or have plans to do so in the future, with 97 % using at least one protection feature, such as using private browsing style, an ad-blocker, or VPN.

Almost 4 in 10 Malaysians are still concerned about how companies use their personalized data online despite the widespread use of private tools. Online security has remained the exact level of concern for the past five years, according to &nbsp, &nbsp,

People still want pleasure in living in an AI-connected world because they are aware of how AI can make a smarter and safer world. &nbsp,

As much as those who are concerned about their data privacy when considering AI plugins are also more likely to think that AI may improve the efficiency of their mobile devices and get excited about the potential benefits it may offer.

1 in 2 Malay anticipate that AI clever devices will provide better stability and better data privacy settings, while 55 % believe that AI can improve mobile efficiency. &nbsp,

This highlights a privacy paradox: people care about their privacy but are n’t willing to give up the comforts of allowing technology to track them. &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp,

Despite this, there are serious concerns about digital threats, with financial fraud being the most pressing issue, followed by identification theft, data breaches, and heavy fakes. 3 in 4 also worry about the safety of their virtual accounts, and 2 in 3 also believe they lack control over their personal information. &nbsp,

Phishing is also a shared concern, especially among Generation Z ( aged 16-27 ).

Malaysians actively work to enhance virtual security

Hkon is optimistic that the advantages of wireless connectivity outweigh the drawbacks, pointing out ways that AI can benefit culture in the future.

The benefits clearly outweigh the risks, according to the review, which Malaysians claim are usually aware of.

Indonesian interviewees value being able to stay in touch with loved ones, having easy access to information, having fun in their own lives, and experiencing increased productivity and efficiency in their day-to-day lives. Additionally, they feel more secure using a cellular phone. &nbsp,

The top benefit, followed by features like GPS and navigation apps that aid in avoiding dangerous areas and sharing their location with family and friends, is the ability to quickly call for assistance in emergencies, according to 70 %. &nbsp,

Women appear to prioritize online safety and security as important as the convenience of the cellular phone, placing a premium on safe mobile payments and security features that safeguard personal information, while people appear to prioritize sharing their physical locations. &nbsp,

Digital Lives Decoded report highlights 66% Malaysians believe govt is responsible for online safety

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What options does Income have if Allianz drops proposed deal?

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In: South-East Asia

SINGAPORE: European employer Allianz is unlikely to amend a proposed package to acquire a majority stake in Income Insurance, after the deal was blocked by the Singapore government&nbsp, earlier in October, according to some experts.

What’s following, therefore, if Income also needs a companion in the long run?

According to Professor Lawrence Loh of the Business School at the National University of Singapore, a regional company like DBS or Temasek may buy or invest in what a Nominated Member of Parliament referred to as a “national treasure” &nbsp,

He said Singapore’s largest lender would be a “natural prospect” having emerged from new” problems” of recurring service disruptions, leading to non-essential actions being paused for six weeks.

Prof. Loh noted that DBS had a strong plan presence in the past, but that it was sold to CGNU, a British insurer, after which it eventually changed its name to Aviva before merging with Singlife, which in turn became a thoroughly owned company of Sumitomo Life Insurance Company in 2024.

Somewhere, rivals like OCBC increased its stake in employer Great Eastern&nbsp, to 93 per share in July, while UOB is caregiver to the United Overseas Insurance company.

” For DBS, I think they might consider completing their investment. Comprehensive is, going forward, dynamic but lucrative”, said Prof Loh, who is also chairman of the center for management and conservation at NUS. &nbsp,

He added that getting an expense from Temasek, which the business also has a cultural mission, was another possibility. &nbsp,

He acknowledged that a state investment entering the healthcare sector and competing in the commercial space might not be good for the magnification.

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Associate Professor Shinichi Kamiya cited the possibility of DBS and Temasek as prospective clients, but questioned whether they would view” major value” in revenue.

” Additionally, these companies may not function as long-term corporate partners due to a lack of insurance expertise that Income does require”, said the scientific, who’s from NTU’s insurance risk and funding research institute.

Instead, he referred to global insurers who might want to establish themselves in Singapore.

Assoc Prof. Kamiya added,” Key participants like Ping An and Zurich may see this as an opportunity to expand their presence in the area.”

In response to questions about what it would do if the Allianz deal were to go through, Income directed CNA to its Oct. 14 speech, in which it stated that it would review and consider changes to the Insurance Act into account when deciding the following course of action.

PARTNERSHIP NECESSARY?

The Income-Allianz deal was blocked because of a planned capital extraction where S$ 1.85 billion ( US$ 1.4 billion ) would be returned to shareholders within three years.

This number is close to the income cap when it converted from a co-operative to a business object in 2022. Then, the funds would have to be refunded to the Collaborative Societies Liquidation Account.

Although Income is still a good and successful insurer, its long-term viability and growth may be in jeopardized without a reliable partner, according to experts.

” Income may need to delay until the Singaporean government recognizes the necessity of a proper collaboration,” said Assoc Prof. Kamiya. It’s possible that this realization will take time to thoroughly manifest.

Additionally, Prof. Loh noted that Income may not be able to fly solo without a more effective player backing its operations.

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