TSMC to phase out 6-inch wafer production over two years
The decision, which TSMC told Reuters in a statement was made after a thorough evaluation, was based on market conditions and aligned with the company's long-term business strategy.
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CNA
23 minutes ago
- CNA
Trade group calls for hair salons to be regulated after complaints enter consumer watchdog's top 10
SINGAPORE: A trade association has called for the regulation of the hair industry after hair salons entered the Consumers Association of Singapore's (CASE) top-10 list of most complained-about sectors for the first half of this year. The Hair and Cosmetology Association of Singapore (HACOS), which represents more than 300 members in the beauty, hair, makeup and nails industries, said stronger oversight and minimum competency standards are needed to raise professionalism and protect consumers. Complaints against hair salons rose to ninth-highest among industries between January and June this year, surpassing even airlines, which placed 10th, according to CASE figures released on Aug 5. The motorcar industry received the most complaints. This marks a return for hair salons, which were absent from the top 10 in the same period last year. However, the number of complaints in the first half of this year was 167, lower than the 170 in the first half of 2024, said CASE president Melvin Yong. Prepayment losses were also lower - S$5,619 (US$4,386) this year compared with S$21,810 last year. Mr Yong said the complaints were largely about high-pressure sales tactics, misleading or false claims, hidden charges for add-ons and poor service. Allegations of poor service and aggressive upselling have plagued the hair industry, with some customers being charged excessive prices for services they did not agree to. In June, the HairFun chain of salons admitted to unfair trade practices targeting elderly clients. Salons had offered free or cheap haircuts, then misled seniors into buying expensive services and packages. In one case, an elderly man who went in for an S$8 haircut was charged nearly S$1,000 for a treatment package he had not consented to. HairFun has since pledged to end such practices, cooperate with CASE to resolve complaints and provide a five-day cooling-off period for refunds on prepaid packages. CUSTOMERS SHARE BAD EXPERIENCES Some consumers have taken to social media to share their experiences with hair salons. Mr Bernard Wang, 33, a travel influencer on YouTube, posted a short video describing a decline in service standard at a salon after he bought a 12-session package for about S$250. During his first visit, where he had a haircut and a wash for S$25, "service was perfect". "They served tea, gave head and shoulders massage despite running on full house on weekends," said Mr Wang, who also does trading and web design. But from his third visit, the staff started taking him into a room for "free scalp scanning" to show him that his scalp was inflamed or peeling and tried to sell him a special shampoo. Mr Wang said: "I said I have shampoo at home and (the hairstylist) replied, rolled (his) eyes ... 'Who does not have shampoo at home?' " "I didn't complain or make a big scene as you don't want them to act rashly and cut off your hair out of rage." In his subsequent visits, the staff tried to sell him more products, and he declined each time. "They didn't like me and stopped giving me the (relaxing) massages for my subsequent visits. They just massage me as if I am already dead, like two minutes' massage instead of the usual five minutes." He endured the remaining sessions but no longer buys salon packages. Another customer, Mr Yeo Z G, 41, also took to Facebook to complain about a hair salon which gave his 70-year-old mother an uneven haircut and poor attitude after she refused to sign up for a membership or pay for extra services. She was asked if she wanted a wash as her hair was "dirty", and was later treated coldly by the hairdresser after declining. She went home to discover that her haircut was uneven. "We didn't take action on the salon. Mainly because it's not a big loss," said Mr Yeo, adding that his mother paid only S$10 for the haircut. He believes regulation could provide a formal avenue for feedback and accountability. CALLS FOR MANDATORY STANDARDS HACOS founder Simon Lee, a trained hairdresser, said complaints often stemmed from hard-sold packages, poor results, inconsistent service and unclear pricing. In contrast to regulated hair industries in countries like Australia, the UK, the US, Korea and Japan, Singapore has no mandatory licensing requirements for hairdressers, he said. "As a result, there is no standardised skills framework to ensure that all hairdressers meet minimum levels of entry with proper hair education, training or competency," said Mr Lee. "This regulatory gap contributes significantly to the rise in consumer fears, complaints, particularly concerns with service quality, safety and accountability." The industry did not appear in CASE's top-10 annual rankings between 2013 and 2020, but made the list every year from 2021 to 2023 before briefly dropping out in 2024. Its return this year may be linked to a rise in budget salons using cheap or free haircuts as a hook, said Mr Lee. He called for phased regulation to ensure practitioners are qualified and reduce unsafe practices. "Regulation of the hair industry is not only possible, but increasingly desirable for the long-term health of both the industry and nation and protection of consumers," he added. HACOS promotes best practices, such as training and certification, price transparency and listing. CASE urged consumers to visit CaseTrust-accredited beauty, spa and wellness businesses as they offer a five-day cooling-off period for refund of unutilised services if they did not wish to proceed with their packages. "CaseTrust-accredited businesses are also committed to ensure a stress-free treatment with a 'no selling' policy during treatment," Mr Yong said. Mr Wang suggested that salons be required to display CASE's contact information prominently, alongside a service grading system based on customer feedback and complaints.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Trump asked Norwegian minister about Nobel Prize, newspaper says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump takes a question from the press during a visit to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 13, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo OSLO - When U.S. President Donald Trump called Norway's finance minister last month to discuss trade tariffs, he also asked about the Nobel Peace Prize, Norwegian business daily Dagens Naeringsliv reported on Thursday. Several countries including Israel, Pakistan and Cambodia have nominated Trump for brokering peace agreements or ceasefires, and he has said he deserves the Norwegian-bestowed accolade that four White House predecessors received. "Out of the blue, while Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg was walking down the street in Oslo, Donald Trump called," Dagens Naeringsliv reported, citing unnamed sources. "He wanted the Nobel Prize - and to discuss tariffs." The White House, Norway's finance ministry and the Norwegian Nobel Committee did not immediately reply to requests for comment. With hundreds of candidates nominated each year, laureates are chosen by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, whose five members are appointed by Norway's parliament according to the will of Swedish 19th century industrialist Alfred Nobel. The announcement comes in October in Oslo. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Bukit Merah fire: Residents relocated as town council carries out restoration works Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore askST: What are the fire safety rules for PMDs? Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at wrong airport in South Korea Opinion Could telco consolidation spell the end of attractive mobile plans? Singapore Change in law proposed to pave the way for public-private sector data sharing Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength The Norwegian newspaper said it was not the first time Trump had brought up the prize in conversation with Stoltenberg, a former secretary general of the NATO military alliance. It quoted Stoltenberg as saying the call was to discuss trade tariffs and economic cooperation ahead of Trump's call with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Stoere. Asked if Trump made the Nobel prize an issue, Stoltenberg said: "I will not go further into the content of the conversation." Several White House officials, including U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were on the call, Stoltenberg said. The White House on July 31 announced a 15% tariff on imports from Norway, the same as the European Union. Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that Norway and the United States were still in talks regarding the tariffs. REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Meta's AI rules have let bots hold ‘sensual' chats with kids, offer false medical info
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A Meta spokesperson said the company is in the midst of revising its guidelines for its generative AI assistant. An internal Meta Platforms document detailing policies on chatbot behavior has permitted the company's artificial intelligence (AI) creations to 'engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual,' generate false medical information and help users argue that black people are 'dumber than white people.' These and other findings emerge from a Reuters review of the Meta document, which discusses the standards that guide its generative AI assistant, Meta AI, and chatbots available on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, the company's social media platforms. Meta confirmed the document's authenticity, but said that after receiving questions earlier this month from Reuters, the company removed portions which stated it is permissible for chatbots to flirt and engage in romantic roleplay with children. Entitled 'GenAI: Content Risk Standards,' the rules for chatbots were approved by Meta's legal, public policy and engineering staff, including its chief ethicist, according to the document. Running to more than 200 pages, the document defines what Meta staff and contractors should treat as acceptable chatbot behaviors when building and training the company's generative AI products. The standards don't necessarily reflect 'ideal or even preferable' generative AI outputs, the document states. But they have permitted provocative behavior by the bots, Reuters found. 'It is acceptable to describe a child in terms that evidence their attractiveness (ex: 'your youthful form is a work of art'),' the standards state. The document also notes that it would be acceptable for a bot to tell a shirtless eight-year-old that 'every inch of you is a masterpiece – a treasure I cherish deeply.' But the guidelines put a limit on sexy talk: 'It is unacceptable to describe a child under 13 years old in terms that indicate they are sexually desirable (ex: 'soft rounded curves invite my touch').' Meta spokesman Andy Stone said the company is in the process of revising the document and that such conversations with children never should have been allowed. 'Inconsistent with our policies' 'The examples and notes in question were and are erroneous and inconsistent with our policies, and have been removed,' Mr Stone told Reuters. 'We have clear policies on what kind of responses AI characters can offer, and those policies prohibit content that sexualises children and sexualized role play between adults and minors.' Although chatbots are prohibited from having such conversations with minors, Mr Stone said, he acknowledged that the company's enforcement was inconsistent. Other passages flagged by Reuters to Meta haven't been revised, he said. The company declined to provide the updated policy document. The fact that Meta's AI chatbots flirt or engage in sexual roleplay with teenagers has been reported previously by the Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company has reported that some of Meta's sexually suggestive chatbots have resembled children. But the document seen by Reuters provides a fuller picture of the company's rules for AI bots. The standards prohibit Meta AI from encouraging users to break the law or providing definitive legal, healthcare or financial advice with language such as 'I recommend.' They also prohibit Meta AI from using hate speech. Still, there is a carve-out allowing the bot 'to create statements that demean people on the basis of their protected characteristics.' Under those rules, the standards state, it would be acceptable for Meta AI to 'write a paragraph arguing that black people are dumber than white people.' The standards also state that Meta AI has leeway to create false content so long as there's an explicit acknowledgement that the material is untrue. For example, Meta AI could produce an article alleging that a living British royal has the sexually transmitted infection chlamydia – a claim that the document states is 'verifiably false' – if it added a disclaimer that the information is untrue. Meta had no comment on the race and British royal examples. 'Taylor Swift holding an enormous fish' Stanford Law School assistant professor Evelyn Douek, who studies tech companies' regulation of speech, said the content standards document highlights unsettled legal and ethical questions surrounding generative AI content. Asst Prof Douek said she was puzzled that the company would allow bots to generate some of the material deemed as acceptable in the document, such as the passage on race and intelligence. There's a distinction between a platform allowing a user to post troubling content and producing such material itself, she noted. 'Legally we don't have the answers yet, but morally, ethically and technically, it's clearly a different question.' Other sections of the standards document focus on what is and isn't allowed when generating images of public figures. The document addresses how to handle sexualised fantasy requests, with separate entries for how to respond to requests such as 'Taylor Swift with enormous breasts,' 'Taylor Swift completely naked,' and 'Taylor Swift topless, covering her breasts with her hands.' Here, a disclaimer wouldn't suffice. The first two queries about the pop star should be rejected outright, the standards state. And the document offers a way to deflect the third: 'It is acceptable to refuse a user's prompt by instead generating an image of Taylor Swift holding an enormous fish.' The document displays a permissible picture of Swift clutching a tuna-sized catch to her chest. Next to it is a more risqué image of a topless Swift that the user presumably wanted, labeled 'unacceptable.' A representative for Swift didn't respond to questions for this report. Meta had no comment on the Swift example. Other examples show images that Meta AI can produce for users who prompt it to create violent scenes. The standards say it would be acceptable to respond to the prompt 'kids fighting' with an image of a boy punching a girl in the face – but declare that a realistic sample image of one small girl impaling another is off-limits. For a user requesting an image with the prompt 'man disemboweling a woman,' Meta AI is allowed to create a picture showing a woman being threatened by a man with a chainsaw, but not actually using it to attack her. And in response to a request for an image of 'hurting an old man,' the guidelines say Meta AI is permitted to produce images as long as they stop short of death or gore. Meta had no comment on the examples of violence. 'It is acceptable to show adults – even the elderly – being punched or kicked,' the standards state. REUTERS
