Latest news with #AI-in-a-box
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Investors seek court-ordered judicial management of Tokenize Xchange operator amid police probe
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Hong Qi Yu, a director of Amazing Tech and the founder and chief executive of Tokenize Xchange, was charged in court on July 31 with fraudulent trading. SINGAPORE – Seven cryptocurrency investors have applied to the High Court to place Amazing Tech – the operator of embattled cryptocurrency platform Tokenize Xchange – under interim judicial management to protect their investments. If their court application on Aug 5 is successful, the High Court can appoint professional managers to take over the day-to-day running of the company and audit its assets. ST understands the seven customers have not been able to withdraw their deposits amounting to more than $4 million that are held by Tokenize Xchange. Trading of cryptocurrencies on the platform currently remains suspended. The High Court move by the seven investors comes as Amazing Tech and its related entities are under investigation for potential offences by the police for fraudulent trading under the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018. Hong Qi Yu, a director of Amazing Tech and the founder and chief executive of Tokenize Xchange, was charged in court on July 31 with fraudulent trading under the same Act. The seven investors are represented by lawyers Alfred Lim, Jaime Lye and Rasveen Kaur of law firm Meritus LLC. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Recent rail disruptions disappointing and 'we can and will do better': Jeffrey Siow Singapore 'It's either my life or the dog's': NSF rescues lost dog which was hit by car in Bedok Singapore Migrant workers who saved driver from sinkhole get SCDF awards, mobile data and goodie bags Singapore 81 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of Primary 1 registration Singapore COE premiums rise in all categories except motorcycles; Cat B at $123,498, highest since Dec 2023 Singapore 19 drivers nabbed over illegal ride-hailing services in Singapore and across border with Malaysia World A 'Huawei moment' looms as US gears up to sell AI-in-a-box to South-east Asia Singapore Man recruited victim to open bank account, forced him to drink urine after account was frozen They are asking the High Court to appoint Mr Cameron Lindsay Duncan, Mr David Dong-Won Kim and Mr Joshua Joseph Jeyaraj of corporate advisory and restructuring firm KordaMentha as the judicial managers of Amazing Tech. A court hearing has been set for Aug 21. The timeline for a judicial manager to be appointed by the High Court may take up to a few months. Meanwhile, ST understands that another law firm – Dauntless Law Chambers – is assembling over 100 customers, owned about $40 million by Tokenize Xchange, to file a class action lawsuit against Hong personally for fraud. The Commercial Affairs Department and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said in a statement on Aug 1 that MAS had received several customer complaints against Amazing Tech in mid-July about delays in withdrawing monies and digital payment tokens. On July 20, Tokenize Xchange said it will shut down the business following MAS' decision not to grant it a licence to offer digital payment token services here. It was previously operating under an exemption. The firm told The Straits Times then that its customers in Singapore can no longer buy or sell cryptocurrencies on its platform and may only transfer their cryptocurrency holdings to other exchanges, where they can convert them to cash and make withdrawals. ST understands that withdrawals have been inconsistent, with many investors still unable to access their funds. MAS said in its Aug 1 statement that it found indications that the firm may have made false representations about segregating customer assets when applying for a Major Payment Institution licence. It added that Amazing Tech and its activities are not supervised or regulated by the MAS. It has since referred the case to the Commercial Affairs Department for investigation. ST has contacted Hong for comments, while queries to Amazing Tech were unanswered.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Out in the cold, lone Indian qualifier crowdfunds Milano-Cortina dream
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox NEW DELHI - Posters bearing the words "Don't stop when you are tired. Stop when you are done", "It always seems impossible until it's done" and "Hard work beats talent" adorn Arif Khan's modest room in the southern Indian town of Vijayanagar. The 35-year-old Alpine skier needs these regular doses of motivation for he has very little else to lean on six months out from his second appearance in the slalom at the Winter Olympics. Since not enough states participate, winter sports bodies in India do not enjoy the National Sports Federation (NSF) status that would entitle them to regular government funding. Khan launched a crowdfunding appeal to finance his preparations for Milano-Cortina but has so far raised less than 4% of his target of seven million Indian rupees ($80,158). "It's not going so well at the moment," Khan told Reuters in a Zoom interview from the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), a high-performance centre run by the Mumbai-based JSW multinational conglomerate. "I'm not asking for a huge sum. Providing this amount to an athlete representing a great country on the world stage - it's doable. "I would have been on the snow right now instead of continuing my physical preparations here, if I had the funds." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Recent rail disruptions disappointing and 'we can and will do better': Jeffrey Siow Singapore 'It's either my life or the dog's': NSF rescues lost dog which was hit by car in Bedok Singapore Migrant workers who saved driver from sinkhole get SCDF awards, mobile data and goodie bags Singapore 81 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of Primary 1 registration Singapore COE premiums rise in all categories except motorcycles; Cat B at $123,498, highest since Dec 2023 Singapore 19 drivers nabbed over illegal ride-hailing services in Singapore and across border with Malaysia World A 'Huawei moment' looms as US gears up to sell AI-in-a-box to South-east Asia Singapore Man recruited victim to open bank account, forced him to drink urine after account was frozen The IIS has agreed to take care of the core needs of the lone Indian to qualify to compete at the 2026 Winter Games, but it is not enough. The Indian Olympic Association did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment on whether it plans to help finance Khan's preparation. The icy indifference from officialdom is not new to Khan, who nearly quit the sport after running out of money in his bid to qualify for the 2018 Olympics. "I thought enough is enough. There's no proper system or help from the corporate. I could not handle it anymore and I almost quit," he recalled. "But as a sportsperson, you do not want to quit easily. For five months I did not train, but the skill was there and the desire never died." FESTERING INSURGENCY Khan, who hails from mountainous Indian Kashmir, qualified for the 2022 Winter Olympics where he came 45th in giant slalom and failed to finish in slalom. That he came this far is remarkable given he grew up amid a festering insurgency in his homeland and could ski only because his father owned an equipment hire shop in the popular ski resort in Gulmarg. "My childhood memories are of gunfights and the sound of grenades and bombs going off," Khan recalled. "The situation improved after 2005 and tourists started visiting Kashmir again. My father started to earn a bit more and could put some of it into my training." Kashmir was on the boil again in April when 26 tourists were shot dead by militants, triggering four days of clashes between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan before a ceasefire was agreed on May 10. There was a sense of deja vu for Khan, who had just returned home after competing in an event in the United Arab Emirates. "Once home, I realised there was no way I could train," Khan said. "I usually do high-altitude training but the areas I usually visit for trekking, trail running and mountain biking - everything was shut." Not that it could deter the hardy skier, who postponed his wedding to realise his dream of competing at the Beijing Olympics in 2022. "I delayed it by one and a half years because I needed that money to fund my travel. My wife Sabiena was fine with it. Her only worry was what if I ran away," Khan said, his face creasing with a rare smile. "She's been a great support. She watches all my videos and starts worrying whenever I do the extreme speed events or ski downhill at high speed. "She's like 'be careful, be careful, do not crash'. We do crash and get injured and that's what she's most concerned about." REUTERS
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Star Wars pop-up library opens at Changi Airport
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Located on the second level of Terminal 3, the library offers fans over 2,000 books and 380 unique titles revolving around Star Wars. SINGAPORE - Visitors at Changi Airport can now travel to a galaxy far, far away – via a Star Wars-themed pop-up library. Located on the second level of Terminal 3, the library offers fans of the popular movie and television franchise over 2,000 books and 380 unique titles revolving around the science fiction universe created by George Lucas. Iconic Star Wars backdrops projected on digital screens encourage fans to take selfies. Patrons can also take a personality quiz to discover which Star Wars Jedi they are, or participate in a trivia challenge for bragging rights over the depth of their Star Wars knowledge. Launched on Aug 6 by the National Library Board (NLB) in collaboration with Disney and Changi Airport Group, the Star Wars pop-up library will run till Jan 24, 2026, from 10am to 10pm daily. The Star Wars pop-up library will run till Jan 24, 2026, from 10am to 10pm daily. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG Adding to the sci-fi vibe, the library features NLB's first automated book retrieval system: After a visitor selects a book at a touch-screen kiosk, a robotic arm would locate and transport it to the collection point. The books can be returned at the same location or any NLB library islandwide. Marketing manager Dave Png, 35, was among the first visitors at the pop-up library when it opened. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Recent rail disruptions disappointing and 'we can and will do better': Jeffrey Siow Singapore 'It's either my life or the dog's': NSF rescues lost dog which was hit by car in Bedok Singapore Migrant workers who saved driver from sinkhole get SCDF awards, mobile data and goodie bags Singapore 81 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of Primary 1 registration Singapore COE premiums rise in all categories except motorcycles; Cat B at $123,498, highest since Dec 2023 Singapore 19 drivers nabbed over illegal ride-hailing services in Singapore and across border with Malaysia World A 'Huawei moment' looms as US gears up to sell AI-in-a-box to South-east Asia Singapore Man recruited victim to open bank account, forced him to drink urine after account was frozen A Star Wars fan with a collection of about five lightsabers, he said he had never seen so many Star Wars books in one place. 'It's a good concept since Star Wars books may not be as well-known as the movies,' he said. 'Now Star Wars fans can find out more from the books as well.' Mr Kazuki Ishii, a 39-year-old tourist from Osaka, Japan, was also wowed by the library. 'I'm so surprised and excited. The robot which helped to retrieve the book adds to the fun experience,' said the primary school teacher who has been a Star Wars fan for over 20 years. Mr Kazuki Ishii and Ms Natsumi Ishii, both tourists from Osaka, at the Star Wars pop-up library on Aug 6. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG Bringing discovery to the public The Star Wars pop-up library is one way NLB is enhancing the experience of reading, learning and discovery, as it turns 30 in 2025 on Sept 1. As part of its anniversary celebrations, NLB kicked off a series of events in June with The Book Bugs: Unearthing Memories exhibition, which features all 425 Book Bugscards at Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) until Aug 17. The Book Bugs programme, which has seen five editions since its launch in 2016, aims to inculcate a reading habit among the younger ones. NLB also recently launched eight library pop-up nodes from the National Library Building to Orchard Road. Each node features 90 titles in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil that were selected by 30 Singaporean personalities such as performing artist Ebi Shankara, violinist Chloe Chua and writer-comedian Haryani Othman. Besides pop-up libraries, other NLB nodes can be found at offices, parks, and food and beverage outlets. The Presidential Pop-up Library at Plaza Singapura's Outdoor Plaza showcases recommended reads by and on past and present presidents of Singapore. It started on July 12 and runs till Sept 2. Since 2021, NLB has set up library nodes to bring content and services to public spaces like MRT stations, bus interchanges, shopping malls, and parks to encourage spontaneous reading and discovery. It launched its first pop-up library – a manga library at City Square Mall – in 2023. Speaking to The Straits Times, NLB chief executive officer Ng Cher Pong said: 'As we start a new chapter, we will add to our regular library and archives services, new experiences in reading, learning and discovery for our patrons. And many of the experiences we have or will launch will be omni-channel in nature.' Besides enhancing experiences, NLB's libraries and archives of the future must enable discovery, he said. 'People come to discover new and unexpected things,' he said. 'Many of these finds are serendipitous. We will better develop browsing as a service to enhance one of the key appeals of our physical spaces.' Besides enhancing experiences, NLB's libraries and archives of the future must enable discovery, said NLB chief executive officer Ng Cher Pong. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG In 2024, NLB recorded 20.8 million visits to its libraries , 2.86 million participants in library programmes, 38.8 million loans (both physical and digital), and 41.8 million user touchpoints through its expanding network of nodes. While 'the physical library has traditionally been a place where people come to use the space and borrow books', increasingly it needs to be about experiences that will draw people in', said Mr Ng. Some of these experiences will integrate the physical with the digital; others will use technology to expand libraries' offerings. NLB's digital offerings include ChatBook, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) feature that interacts with users as they ask questions about a book; and StoryGen, an AI-powered tool that transforms text into multimedia stories. Another digital experience is Glue: Curiocity, which connects Singapore's historical narratives and hidden gems on an interactive platform. Users can explore lesser-known heritage sites, stories, and local lore anchored to specific locations such as the former Jurong drive-in cinema and World Trade Centre at Harbourfront, encouraging discovery beyond traditional landmarks. Curiocity will be available as part of the ticketed segment of the SG60 Heart&Soul Experience , which runs at Orchard Library from Aug 26 to Dec 31, 2025. Beyond NLB30 NLB's physical spaces will not be neglected, even as it pursues digital innovations. It will be expanding its Rare Collections Gallery at the National Library with a $2.3 million donation from the Tan Cheng Lock Trust. The space will quadruple in size, growing from its current 32 sq m to approximately 140 sq m by the end of 2027, to allow for a richer display of Singapore's rare and precious collections. Some libraries will be rejuvenated. The Bukit Batok Library will be twice its original size of around 1,300 sq m when it reopens in the first half of 2026 with new design and programme concepts. The Queenstown and Ang Mo Kio libraries are also slated for revamps. In the works is a special exhibition in late 2026 featuring artefacts related to the four great classical Chinese novels – Journey To The West, Water Margin, Romance Of The Three Kingdoms, and Dream Of The Red Chamber. This is a collaboration with the National Library of China, which will loaning the artefacts. The exhibition, to be held at the National Library in Victoria Street, will showcase early editions of the classics and related materials from the 17th to 19th century, including woodblock prints, texts with scholarly commentary in the tradition of Chinese literature and historiography, and opera scripts. Mr Ng said: 'While we've always championed information literacy in schools, we've started thinking bigger, aiming to build an informed society instead of just informed library users.'
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
US lawmaker questions Intel CEO's ties to China in letter to company board chair
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Senator Tom Cotton questioned about Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan's (pictured) disclosures related to investment, professional roles or other ties to Chinese companies. SAN FRANCISCO - US Republican Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to Intel's board chair on Aug 6 with questions about the chipmaker's new CEO Lip-Bu Tan's ties to Chinese firms and a recent criminal case involving his former company Cadence Design. Writing to "express concern about the security and integrity of Intel's operations and its potential impact on US national security", Mr Cotton asked in the letter to Intel chairperson Frank Yeary whether the company's board was aware of the subpoenas sent to Cadence during Mr Tan's time there as CEO before Intel hired him. Mr Cotton asked what measures were taken to address those concerns. He also asked whether Intel's board required Mr Tan to divest from chip firms in China linked to the Chinese military or Communist Party, and if Mr Tan adequately disclosed other ties to Chinese companies due to Intel's involvement in the Secure Enclave programme, an initiative designed under the Biden administration to ensure a secure supply of microelectronics for defence. Because of Intel getting federal funding under the initiative, Mr Cotton questioned Mr Yeary in the letter about Mr Tan's disclosures related to investment, professional roles or other ties to Chinese companies. "Intel is required to be a responsible steward of American taxpayer dollars and to comply with applicable security regulations," Mr Cotton wrote. "Mr Tan's associations raise questions about Intel's ability to fulfil these obligations." In a statement, an Intel spokesperson said, 'Intel and Mr Tan are deeply committed to the national security of the United States and the integrity of our role in the US defence ecosystem.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Recent rail disruptions disappointing and 'we can and will do better': Jeffrey Siow Singapore 'It's either my life or the dog's life': NSF rescues lost dog which was hit by car in Bedok Singapore Migrant workers who saved driver from sinkhole get SCDF awards, mobile data and goodie bags Singapore COE premiums rise in all categories except motorcycles; Cat B at $123,498, highest since Dec 2023 Singapore Hidden vapes and where to find them: Inside ICA's clampdown at land checkpoints Singapore 19 drivers nabbed over illegal ride-hailing services in Singapore and across border with Malaysia World A 'Huawei moment' looms as US gears up to sell AI-in-a-box to South-east Asia Singapore Man recruited victim to open bank account, forced him to drink urine after account was frozen The company said it would address the matters in the letter with the Senator. In April, Reuters reported Mr Tan - himself or through venture funds he has founded or operates - has invested in hundreds of Chinese companies, some of which are linked to the Chinese military. The Intel CEO invested at least US$200 million (S$257.46 million) in hundreds of Chinese advanced manufacturing and chip firms between March 2012 and December 2024, Reuters found. A source familiar with the matter had at the time told Reuters that Mr Tan had divested from his positions in entities in China, without providing further details. Chinese databases reviewed by Reuters at the time had listed many of his investments as current, and Reuters was at the time unable to establish the extent of his divestitures. Mr Cotton's letter mentioned the Reuters story as a source. Cadence reaches settlements It is not illegal for US citizens to hold stakes in Chinese companies, even those with ties to the Chinese military, unless those companies have been added to the US Treasury's Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List, which explicitly bans such investments. Reuters in April had found no evidence that Mr Tan at the time was invested directly in any company on the US Treasury's list. Separately, last week Cadence Design agreed to plead guilty and pay more than US$140 million to resolve charges for selling its chip design products to a Chinese military university, Reuters reported. The institution was believed to be involved in simulating nuclear blasts. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Cadence said it was "pleased" to reach settlements with the Justice and Commerce departments. Mr Tan ran Cadence as CEO from 2008 through 2021 and was executive chairman until May 2023. The sales to Chinese entities occurred under his leadership at Cadence, which makes design software and other tools used to create chips. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Ukraine appoints long-awaited economic security chief in reform push
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Mr Oleksandr Tsyvinsky, a former anti-corruption investigator, was appointed to lead the Economic Security Bureau. KYIV - Ukraine's government on Aug 6 appointed a new economic security chief after weeks of delay as part of a campaign to strengthen governance, fulfilling a key condition for Kyiv to continue receiving critical wartime support from Western lenders. Stamping out graft and tightening a clunky bureaucracy are critical to Ukraine's bid for membership in the European Union and its defence against a Russian invasion now in its fourth year. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said Mr Oleksandr Tsyvinsky, a former anti-corruption investigator, was appointed to lead the Economic Security Bureau after 'proper checks' that included a successful polygraph test. Ukraine's previous government had come under fire in July for failing to appoint Mr Tsyvinsky, who was unanimously backed by an international selection committee, over security concerns. Watchdogs had cast doubt on that explanation. Ms Svyrydenko said on X: 'There are no reservations regarding his candidacy.' The European Commission had earlier urged Kyiv to speed up the appointment. Following her appointment in July , Ms Svyrydenko said her government would prioritise cutting red tape and protecting entrepreneurs, including by cracking down on excessive pressure on businesses by law enforcement. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Recent rail disruptions disappointing and 'we can and will do better': Jeffrey Siow Singapore 'It's either my life or the dog's life': NSF rescues lost dog which was hit by car in Bedok Singapore Migrant workers who saved driver from sinkhole get SCDF awards, mobile data and goodie bags Singapore COE premiums rise in all categories except motorcycles; Cat B at $123,498, highest since Dec 2023 Singapore Hidden vapes and where to find them: Inside ICA's clampdown at land checkpoints Singapore 19 drivers nabbed over illegal ride-hailing services in Singapore and across border with Malaysia World A 'Huawei moment' looms as US gears up to sell AI-in-a-box to South-east Asia Singapore Man recruited victim to open bank account, forced him to drink urine after account was frozen 'It is important that economic relations in Ukraine are not distorted by shadowy schemes and that business can count on respect and cooperation from the state,' she said. REUTERS
